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| - It seems that everyone associated with Valentino has been programmed to say "Fine Dining" when discussing the restaurant - when you make the reservation, when you ask at the hotel about options, when you pick up your Jersey Boys tickets and ask directions.
Well, there was some fine, and there was some dining, but it fell a little short of a great Fine Dining experience. I don't typically like to start with the service, but it, unfortunately, stood out. Our server was slow, even after acknowledging we were trying to make the show (fret not, we literally sat down with 30 seconds to go). After a discussion on gluten-free options, she agreed to check on the sea bass and if not, order a different dish for my wife. She also left it as a surprise, despite coming back several times for other things. When we ordered desert, my wife's Gelato, which was excellent, came with a cookie on top (almost definitely gluten-containing). Did I mention she was slow?
The food. We shared the homemade Sausage and Peppers appetizer, and it was terrific - perfectly cooked and very tasty. I had Garganelli with Wild Boar. It was good, if the smallest bit dry. I would try something else if I were to return.
Turns out the Sea Bass could be made gluten-free - and it was spectacular. Spectacular - better than a fish dish my wife had at Joel Robuchon the next night.
One other nit - my wife ordered ginger ale and they gave her Coke + Sierra Mist (or whatever) and she asked if it was caffeine free and they had to check.
Overall, there was some great food but the full experience could have been better.
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