In April 2021, I visited Newark, New Jersey. Upon my arrival I was hungry and needed to go eat. When I arrived at my hotel, I asked the front desk lady, “Where is a place close by that serves good food”? She told me to go to Elizabeth, New Jersey. There was a place called Valença that had delicious food. So I headed to Elizabeth. When I got to the restaurant the first thing I noticed was this is going to be expensive. So I looked up the restaurant to see what kind of prices they had. The prices on the menu are a little more than an average restaurant chain, not a fast food chain.
Valença is a portuguese restaurant, located at 665 Monroe Ave., in Elizabeth, New Jersey. As I enter the restaurant there is a foyer with a wrought iron staircase that leads to two glass and wooden double doors in the center of the staircase. There was no one in the foyer to greet me. So I walked upstairs and a host met me at the door and asked if I had reservations. I told him I did not and was taking a chance they would have a table for me. They did!
They seated me at a table next to the bar. All the tables had white tablecloths with red toned napkins. One of the rooms had stacked bricks on one of the walls with wooden shutters that outlined pictures. The room was beautiful.
After my long two hour flight and having to wear a mask, I was ready for a drink. I wanted a Martini, so I asked the waiter what he had as far as martini’s. He suggested the Apple Martini, so I told him to bring me one. I must have looked like I needed one, because when they brought me the martini, Whoa! It really had a kick to it and it was good!
As I looked over the menu the lady at the hotel where I was staying told me to make sure I ordered the Seafood Paella (pronounced Pa Yeh ya). This was a little expensive but the meal served two people, which is not bad for the price. The Paella comes with a bed of Saffron rice and a variety of shellfish mixed into the rice. This dish has lobster, a huge lobster claw, crab, shrimp, clams, and other varieties of shellfish. This dish was delicious. There is enough food to last for several days. The Paella filled me up but I still wanted a dessert. I had a sweet tooth that was craving something sweet, so I ordered the Kahlua Cappuccino Ice Cream Cake. This was drizzled in chocolate and whip cream. Absolutely delicious and I probably gained a lot from it.
This restaurant is great for families and would be a great place to take a date. I recommend anyone visiting Elizabeth, New Jersey to go to Valença. Food is great! Make sure you make reservations, this restaurant has a lot of people.
Kahlua Cappuccino Ice Cream Cake
ReneesVariety.com 