Simply outstanding, service, culinary approach, and wine selection. Jennifer & Jeramy have taken good to great.

 Simply outstanding, service, culinary approach, and wine selection. Jennifer & Jeramy have taken good to great.

 By far the best dining experience in Bakersfield and it holds it own when compared to some of the best intimate restaurants in L.A. Service can be extraordinary, only suffering a bit when...

 By far the best dining experience in Bakersfield and it holds it own when compared to some of the best intimate restaurants in L.A. Service can be extraordinary, only suffering a bit when they're extremely busy. The food is inventive and never disappointing. I've been there enough to stop ordering my "go to" favorites and dig a little more into the rest of the menu. I've found the fish entries definitely worth the venture from my usual red meat and bird tendencies. The salads used to be a weak point, but under the new management not even this can be nitpicked. Want a highlight? The wine list is as good as it gets for such a small intimate restaurant. Imaginative selections from the Central Coast (an up and coming, but not always consistently good wine region), the Santa Barbara area and, of course northern California always yields an interesting wine for the food chosen. Better yet, Jeramy, Jennifer, and Manuel always steer you right with the right choice to complement the food and your wallet. Your date picks red meat and you, the fish? No worries. The selection by the glass is outstanding. Finally, although folks not accustomed to paying for fine wine might not appreciate this, the prices on the bottles and glasses of wine are exceptionally reasonable. Go to Valentein's and you'll pay the same for an interesting glass or bottle of wine that you would have for someone's "Coastal" plonk served to you at one of the other restaurants in town. Stop reading this and get over there!

I had heard word of mouth that Valentien's was the best dining in Bakersfield, but I just couldn't believe it. I just was a bit turned off by their location on the corner of the busy and...

I had heard word of mouth that Valentien's was the best dining in Bakersfield, but I just couldn't believe it. I just was a bit turned off by their location on the corner of the busy and unattractive intersection of Truxtun and Oak. I went for their 3 course lunch which was the best meal I've had locally and the closest we have to fine dining in Bakersfield.

It started with a root veggie soup that was creamy and rich yet surprising light.

The next course, I had a roasted duck breast with mashed potatoes. Aftering eating at chain restaurants, the portion seemed small. It was just the right amount of food and it's definately quality over quantity.

To finish, I had creme brule, which is always great. I loved seeing all of the vanilla seeds at the bottom of the dish.

I look forward to going back again and trying some more dishes and some wine. I recommend you try it too!