Valentino's Eatery

Valentino's Eatery is an acclaimed Italian restaurant located at 3385 North Hunt Highway Suite 121 in Florence, Arizona, situated in the Anthem at Merrill Ranch community. Owner and Executive Chef Rob Barker has dedicated over 34 years to perfecting authentic Italian cuisine, having honed his skills at a beloved family-owned New York restaurant before bringing his culinary expertise to the Arizona desert. Together with his wife Jennifer Barker, whose lineage traces back to Pasquale Valentino, the couple has created a dining destination that seamlessly blends traditional Italian family recipes with modern culinary techniques. The restaurant has earned prestigious accolades including the 2024 East Valley Favorites Award for Best Fine Dining Restaurant and the 2023 Neighborhood Faves recognition from Nextdoor. Guests can savor signature dishes such as the Fisherman's Stew featuring shrimp, mussels, and clams in rich tomato broth, handcrafted shrimp tortellini with cherry tomatoes, meat lovers pizza with premium pepperoni, ham, and sausage, and perfectly prepared prime rib. The establishment sources fresh, locally-grown ingredients and emphasizes the quality of every component in their dishes. Valentino's Eatery operates Tuesday through Friday for lunch from 11:30am to 2:30pm, and for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30pm to 8:30pm, with Sunday dinner service from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. The restaurant features weekly specials including Wine Down Wednesday with $5 off all wine bottles, Thurstini Thursday with $9 martinis, and a Tuesday Charcuterie special combining a gourmet appetizer board with a bottle of wine for just $25.