This Restaurant In Madison Might Be The Best-Kept Secret In Alabama
By Lisa Battles|Published September 11, 2023
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Lisa Battles
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Lisa has traveled the U.S. for over a decade, seeking out and sharing the stories of its most interesting places, people, and experiences. A journalism graduate of Auburn University, she has been a content strategist, editor, and writer for more than 25 years. Lisa has worked in community news, PR, and marketing with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Besides following her curiosity around every corner, she's a devoted dog mom of two and advocate for animal welfare.
The secret has been getting out about Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar, not only as the place to go for the best pizza in Madison, Alabama, but now in the entire world. Owner Joe Carlucci has made headlines with his pizza for years, earning accolades such as the 2023 International Pizza Expo Pizza Maker of the Year title, the Best Non-Traditional Pizza in the World honor in the same year, and Best Traditional Pizza in the World the year before.
Before we dive into more detail, I’ll offer my top tip: Try to arrive when the doors open for dinner. The current space is small and fills up fast. If the prestigious titles aren’t enough to tell you why, you’ll find out soon enough as you read on for more.
Valentina's Owner Joe Carlucci knows his dough and how to get it just right to produce the light texture to best carry his thoughtfully chosen topping combinations.
Carlucci hails from New York, where he was born in the Bronx before growing up in Carmel. He started working in the pizza industry as a teen. For much of his success, he credits his mentor over more than two decades, 14-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani.
A cozy atmosphere welcomes guests and includes a handful of tables and several seats at the well-stocked wine bar. You'll also see some of Carlucci's many awards on display.
Additional seating is available outdoors on a festive patio adjacent to the restaurant. The outdoor space is especially popular in warm weather months when there's occasionally live music.
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While it's all about the award-winning pizza at Valentina's, you can't skip the appetizers. The biggest challenge is choosing.
A customer-favorite app is called 5 Boroughs, which consists of five lightly fried balls of goat cheese and peppadew peppers arranged on a bed of flavorful arugula. A side of house-made hot honey complements the dish, delivering a bit of sweetness with a kick.
With the pizza, you have your pick among New York style, Chicago style, and Sicilian cauliflower, 14 specialty pizzas, and around 30 different toppings to customize your own.
Valentina's also offers four types of calzones, including a sweet one. On a special diet? People on paleo plans can skip the crust and combine toppings for a bowl. There are also five fresh salad options.
For everyone else, save room for dessert. There are more than half a dozen options, from classic chocolate cake to zeppole, which are fried dough balls dusted with powdered sugar.
If it's a busy evening and you can't squeeze in, do as I have and order takeout. While I can attest it's delicious yet not the same experience as dining in, perhaps a kitchen upgrade will help. I've been eyeballing this artisan pizza stone and stand.
Have you had a chance to sink your teeth into a slice at Valentina’s? Let us know your favorite toppings and other menu favorites. If you’ve not yet visited, check restaurant hours and get full menu details on the Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar website. For the latest news and soon-to-happen expansion updates, visit Valentina’s on Facebook.
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