VIN BAR OPENED SEPTEMBER 21ST INSIDE HOUSTON’S HOTEL DEREK

VALENTINO HOUSTON FINE DINING ROOM TO OPEN OCTOBER 1ST

Vin Bar, the eclectic and more informal dining environment of Valentino Houston, opened September 21 at Hotel Derek, followed by Valentino Houston, the fine dining restaurant on October 1.  Innovative dishes served in a small plate or “primi” format and an ever-changing array of assorted cold crudo at the Italian raw bar; kind of like Italian sashimi, will be featured.  Vin Bar will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily and will also offer a unique bar menu with drinks focused on food, like the sophisticated BLT martini.

The new Italian restaurant concept, masterminded by James Beard award winners, Piero Selvaggio and Chef Luciano Pellegrini, will offer diners not one, but two exquisite experiences in the dual concept restaurant, stressing that food should be fun, fresh, and flavorful-like a true taste of Italy. 

The Italian Raw bar will be a welcome addition to the Houston dining scene, featuring more than 17 cheeses and an eye-popping display of Crudo di pesce, a large variety of Salami and Piadine (Italian flat breads) and some typical, regional Italian finger food.  Vin Bar menu also offers original pastas, Carpaccio and Tartare as well as dishes like Swordfish “Braciole” with fresh tomatoes, olive and caper salad. And, this is Houston after all, so no menu would be complete without beef-Italian style, of course.  Try Executive Chef and Partner Luciano Pellegrini’s favorite baby back ribs cooked slowly in a smoker and basted with an original Tuscan barbecue sauce.

Expect stark contrasts in the appearance and the flavors served in Vin Bar and the more elegant Valentino fine dining room.  Selvaggio’s philosophy is to present a variety of exciting experiences. 

“Good food and wine accompanied by spirited conversation - the gracious meal is the continuity in my life,” Selvaggio said.

Prepare for a parade of colorful plates.  Diners will fall in love with original Italian dishes inspired by the Valentino cookbook; daily specials entrenched in the locale fare; and of course the innovative “primi” menu.  Selvaggio and Pellegrini love to create and experiment with food, fusing authentic Italian cooking with the best that local food markets have to offer. 

Boasting an enormous wine collection, Selvaggio is an ardent wine collector, and diners can count on Valentino for a vast wine list including an extensive variety of Italian and California small producers-hard to get little gems-and a special selection of verticals and rare vintages.

Vin Bar opened on September 21, followed by the opening of Valentino Houston, the fine dining restaurant, on October 1.  Restaurant patrons can use the West Loop entrance or the main hotel entrance.  Complimentary valet parking is provided when dining at Vin Bar and Valentino. To make reservations or inquire about special events call 713-850-9200; toll-free at 1-877-484-4244.  Or visit www.valentinorestaurant.com. Keep up with the Valentino Restaurant Group on Facebook.