Our friends, Tina and David, are the ones who introduced us to this hidden gem of a pizza place. They insisted that we must try it, even though it was in the middle of nowhere. Despite our initial skepticism, we decided to give it a shot. And boy, are we happy that we did!
As we embarked on a leisurely drive to the restaurant on a Friday afternoon, my husband and I exchanged glances as we made a way along a narrow two-lane road, both marveling at how it seemed as though we were venturing into the middle of nowhere. We slowed as we saw the sign on the quaint structure, Valentina’s Pizzeria and Wine Bar. We were here. Opting for the outdoor patio, we sat surrounded by a captivating mural that paid homage to Alabama’s luminaries, from the GOAT Coach Nick Saban and civil rights trailblazer Rosa Parks, to the legendary Helen Keller and even Carlucci’s own daughter, Valentina. However, before we grew too accustomed to this atmospheric spot, our server shared an exciting tidbit – come November 2023, Valentina’s would be relocating to a new and expansive locale just a stone’s throw away on the same side of the street.
I did my background research and discovered that the owner, Joe Carlucci, was born and raised in New York and began his career crafting pizzas at the young age of 15. Carlucci has won many awards, including multiple world pizza champion honors for his pizza-making skills and he holds two Guinness World Records— highest pizza toss and largest pizza base spun. He has also appeared on several national television shows which include the Today Show and Martha & Snoop.
Valentina’s offers a wide variety of handcrafted pizzas, ensuring there is something for everyone. From classics like the Godfather, Carlucci, and Margherita, to other options like the Hayley, Rocket, and Valentina, you will find a pizza that suits your taste buds. And if none of the preset options tempt you, you can always customize your own pizza.
To start off our meal at Valentina’s, we decided to try their signature Brownsferry Salad. As the name suggests, this salad pays homage to the street where the restaurant is located. A mix of fresh romaine lettuce, crispy bacon, roasted walnuts, sliced pears, cherry tomatoes, and gorgonzola cheese, this salad is yummy. The generous portion size allows for sharing and guarantees a satisfying start to your meal.
We opted for the Theresa pizza pictured below with prosciutto, bacon, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and a balsamic glaze. We added dollops of ricotta cheese. We chose the New York style crust which is much thinner than the Detroit style crust. You can also get a Sicilian cauliflower crust. We savored every bite
The New York Style pizza has eight slices so we had enough to take home. The pizza was yummy and left us craving more, ensuring that we will return and next time we will save room for dessert. Thanks to our friends for recommending this culinary gem.
Everyday Edith 