 |
Northwest
Indiana Restaurant Review |
| Lunch at
Valentino's - Because I'm Worth It |
| Next time you and
a friend are deciding where to get together for lunch, please
consider Valentino's Cafe & Ice Cream Parlor. I suppose I'm
thinking more of the ladies in this instance, but I have had no problem
dragging my husband and father to this neat little place either.
If you've got time for a spoil-yourself lunch, Valentino's is ideal. |
| Half of the fun
is the atmosphere. Valentino's is located in the best basement in
the county - the Lake County Courthouse basement on the square in Crown
Point. At your table you will be surrounded by nostalgia - photos
of legendary screen star Rudolph Valentino, who was married at the
courthouse. You can even see his marriage license to Winifred
DeWolfe near the antique cash register. |
| As far as eats,
menu options include a variety of sandwiches and quite a bit more.
There is Malibu Chicken Melt and Chicken Salad Croissant - most in the
$4 - 5.50 range. House specials include Salmon Burger,
Southwestern Steak Sandwich, and Crispitos (which are quite popular with
a couple of people I know.) For a smaller cafe, Valentino's offers
a wide menu. It's likely you'll find something to suit your mood. |
| Being a hot
summer day, I had the Tuna Salad Croissant ($5.15) which comes with chips
and special sauce. That is quite possibly the most I've ever paid
for a tuna sandwich, but I suppose it was worth the experience.
This was a lunch with a friend who was new to the Crown Point area, and
I still find Valentino's to be one of my favorite lunch spots to show a
friend around town. |
| After eating, you
can opt for ice cream. In truth, I never have.
"Why?" is definitely a legitimate and logical question because
the offerings sound extraordinary - possibly overwhelming. For
example: "ALL NIGHT" a creation of chocolate, vanilla,
& strawberry ice cream, topped w/ strawberries, pineapple,
marshmallows, & mixed nuts ($4.75). |
| And then when
you're really done eating, you and your friend can browse the equally
quaint shops around town and elsewhere in the courthouse.
Valentino's is not your every day lunch spot, in my opinion.
Instead, it's an event. |
