‘THE DINING DIVAS’
‘THE OFFICE’ GIRLS
PAM, ERIN, KELLY, NELLIE
EDITOR’S NOTE: Each month, the Boerne Star sends its “crack team” of restaurant reviewers to an establishment in the area. These ladies — who have assumed the names of Pam, Erin, Nellie and Kelly, from TV’s “The Office” — select a restaurant, show up unannounced, and take in all the establishment has to offer. This month: Valeria Restaurant.
‘THE DIVAS’ Valeria serves “European Classics with an emphasis on Italy as well as fine dining from around the world.”
The ladies were greeted by a hostess in an intimately lit seating area, where music was playing over the speakers at just the right volume. We were seated at a half regular table, half booth. The taller ladies preferred tableside, finding that the booth was seated a little too high for them.
The main menu placed neatly on the center of the table was accompanied by an impressive wine selection and a list of delectable appetizers. We had an easy task at hand.
Nellie, who doesn’t typically enjoy Italian food, started with an order of escargot, which was served in a small escargot bowl with parsley garlic butter, croutons and parmigiano. Having grown up eating snails, which can be rubbery or gritty if not properly prepared, the escargot was an excellent first taste test.
“The snails were perfect.” Nellie said, “They almost melted in my mouth; they were so tender.”
Another aspect Nellie enjoyed was that most dishes had a wine suggestion. For example, the escargot had a recommendation for a 2021 Chateau Goudichaud Blanc, a fruity French white wine to contrast with the nuttiness.
Nellie followed up her escargot with an Italian classic, the margherita pizza. Served on a thin crust with fresh mozzarella and a well-balanced layer of tomato sauce, the generous serving proved to be a superb choice.
Erin ordered gnocchi with tomato sauce. The soft Italian dumplings were served in a deliciously sweet marinara sauce with a side of fresh shredded parmesan cheese. Just like Nellie’s margherita pizza, the portion was generous, with enough to take some home.
Kelly decided on the fish and chips, which came out in small strips that made them perfect for dipping. The batter was light, airy and crunchy. While she wasn’t crazy about their take on tartar sauce, there were a variety of different dipping sauces to choose from.
The fries were perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. She also enjoyed the simple, elegant décor around the restaurant.
Pam chose the linguini with scallops and garlic herb butter shrimp, which she deemed a “showstopper” of a dish, as well as a “seafood lover’s dream.”
The scallops from Maine were golden-seared, the buttery shrimp delectable and the al dente linguini made each bite a rich, zesty delight. In her words, “Fun, flavorful and unforgettable.”
Overall, the ladies were quite impressed with the Italian eatery, where they found both the delicious menu and excellent service an unforgettable experience. We can safely say that Valeria is a must visit!
Valeria, at 109 Waterview Parkway, Suite 105 in Boerne, is open noon to 11 p.m. daily except Sunday. Reservations can be made online or by phone.
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