Valente's Brings Traditional Italian Style To Haddonfield

HADDONFIELD, NJ — Marcello DeFeo wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he says he felt like he was born twirling bucatini around a fork. His family came to America from Italy, and brought with it some amazing food.

Now, DeFeo is sharing that food with the South Jersey community. DeFeo recently opened Valente’s Italian Specialties in King’s Court, Haddonfield.

“I spent years cooking in restaurants. I’ve made the desserts, the fresh pasta in the morning, the drinks behind the bar, and expedited in front of the line. I’ve worked in Italian bakeries and at Italian Specialty stores. I have fond memories from each but nothing will ever top the days of helping Nonna make scrippelle soup or being my Mom’s official cutlet taster, though,” DeFeo says on the restaurant’s website. “Since my kids were old enough to reach the countertop, I began cooking with them. We make sauces, pasta, soufflés, ice creams, and whatever else comes to our mind. I love it. It’s the highlight of every day that I get the opportunity to do it.”

He calls his first restaurant an homage to the corner stores in Italy and South Philadelphia, with its cured meats hanging from ceilings and traditional family recipes. Valente’s offers plenty of dining and catering options. It is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. It can be reached by calling 856-298-1937 or emailing contact@valentes.us.

For more, visit valentes.us.

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