My boyfriend and I got here right as they opened and sat at the bar....service was excellent and the cocktails were amazing...the bartender made several recommendations and was spot on...everything was phenomenal...must try the kale pizza
(5)
Joel H.
Nice aesthetics, and atmosphere, and drinks were not bad. Servers were nice, though the food was really slow, which I actually liked, some would not. That's why it gets two stars. But, we went for restaurant week, which is supposed to be a great sampling of food for a god deal, and we got neither. I thought it was WAY over priced for what we got. Out of a party of 6, we ordered all 8 items from the 4 course menu, and all agreed there was really only 1 good dinner item (short ribs). The chicken thigh was also good, but, it had nothing special about it, and c'mon, I could make that at home, and the cous cous that came with it was oddly and extremely bitter some how. Desserts were good. We also tried a mushroom pizza from the regular menu which was good, but not worth $18, and if you want pizza, plenty of other places to go. Was sadly disappointed.
(2)
Lynne J.
Balena, by the owners of The Bristol and Girl and the Goat, is great. I loved their Quail and pasta and their cocktails are amazing. I still love their other restaurant, The Bristol, more but Balena has only been open for a short time so only time will tell.
(4)
John L.
Be prepared to wait even with a reservation. But it's worth the wait. Interesting almost funky Italian menu. Pizza is some of the best I have had. Traditonal wood fired Italian crust. Order one for the table before dinner. Portions for entree's are generally smaller but exceptable. Five of us all tried different items and were all pleased. The kale ceasar salad was interesting as was the polenta appetizer. The most pleasurable part of the evening were the desserts. We all raved for hours! Good food, knowledgeable servers and a great atmosphere. I can now see what all the fuss was about. Can't wait to return when in Chicago.
(4)
Glen W.
One of the three best Italian restaurants in Chicago. Skip the pizza, which is very mediocre. Focus on the pastas which are out of this world.
(4)
Michael W.
Hey, hipsters--I'm here to throw a little cold water on the heat being thrown off by this restaurant. First, I have to say that the ambiance and the service are superlative. It is extremely well managed and the entire staff is among the absolute best I have ever experienced. The remodel is beautiful and the vibe is tremendous. I had a good time looking at the trendy 20 and 30 somethings while waiting for cocktails to arrive. All decked out in their uniforms--5 inch platform shoes and short-shorts--better than a defibrillator for the oldest guy in the restaurant (me!!). My problem with the restaurant was the super-foodie menu, which I thought was trying much too hard to be so "now". I had difficulties finding anything I really wanted to eat on the menu. I went with the smoked mackerel and the sausage pizza. Both were beautifully presented but a bit too strange for me. I expected a warm appetizer and got a cold fish with a cold soft cooked egg, which was a bit off-putting. The pizza was very large, but not especially well dressed---they probably can make a dozen pizzas with one onion and one link of sausage, based on the volume of toppings that arrived on my entree. I loved everything about the restaurant except the food and didn't hear raves from my two companions either. I probably won't go back and will really miss Landmark, which for my money was among the finest restaurants in the city during its run. This too will pass and hopefully they will get back to basics in their next iteration.
(3)
M M.
Came here for a celebratory dinner and we got fantastic service above and beyond what other restaurants will do. Food was delicious, and we got fantastic personal service to match. Thank you !
(5)
Marissa J.
My husband and I had dinner here last night after seeing Blue Man Group as part of his birthday week. We started with drinks at the bar, prosecco for me and a wheat beer for him. You notice right away that the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. From the leather-covered bar to the array of light fixtures. It wasn't too loud and perfectly lit. We were seated a at 4-top in the middle of the dining room. Our server was nice, but not very knowledgeable about wine. Good thing they have a great somm who helped us choose an amazing bottle from Tuscany. We started with the scallop crudo with watermelon, uni, and radishes. We tried uni for the first time. I was a bit disappointed that it didn't taste like much. I also felt the watermelon overpowered the scallop, but still a nice dish. We also started with the burrata, which was divine. I only wish it came with more bread. Our next three items came out all at once, and I would have preferred them to be coursed differently, but no bigs. We had the squid ink pasta with crab and uni, the potato and leek ravioli, and the hanger steak. Everything was good, but a but oversalted and I like salt. The ravioli was a bit underdone, but tasty. We really enjoyed the squid ink pasta and the hanger steak was well cooked. For dessert we had the affogato with cinnamon donuts, which was a perfect end to the meal. Overall we had a lovely, extremely enjoyable night. I give service 3 stars, our waitress was nice, but not super attentive or knowledgeable. I give food 3 stars because it was over salted, but yummy. I give the restaurant decor and atmosphere a 5. This place is gorgeous! I give the overall value (bang for your buck) a 4. We will definitely go back, but not for a while.
(4)
Casey N.
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this place. Do not miss the white pizza with mushrooms and scallions. And the desserts, oh. my. god. A full-blown carb festival in all its glory. Definitely worth visiting...and revisiting. Food: Service: Ambiance: Vibe: casual, laid back yet trendy Good for: casual date, group dinner, fun night out with friends, dinner with parents/family, pre-theater dinner, wine & charcuterie meetup Full review w/ pictures and all that jazz on my blog: caseycooks.com/2012/10/d…
(4)
Mike H.
Balena is a real gem of the Boka group of restaurants. If you are not able to get a reservation at the Girl and the Goat, try Balena. It is perfect for both business dinners as well as a dates. Service: Top notch. Although it is not Ritz level, it is close. Food: Amazingly fresh ingredients and consistent. Recommendation: Nero pasta with seafood (yes....it also includes Uni on top)
(5)
Colleen R.
I am sorry it took me so long to get to this great Lincoln Park restaurant. The spicy pepperoni pizza was outstanding- the crust was chewy and had hints of ground rosemary in it. The pastas were "out of this world." What a difference homemade pasta makes! The pistachio gelato didn't really taste like real pistachio, but everything else was fantastic so I refuse to take a star away. Service was friendly and attentive.
(5)
Christopher D.
Balena was mostly enjoyable, but it has some work to do. What doesn't need much work is the decor. The whole industrial chic look is a bit overdone these days, but at Balena, it felt fresh. And of what food we tried, it was mostly good. My date had the black pasta with crab and sea urchin. I enjoyed the sweet, spicy, and briny flavors. Also, our shared carpaccio appetizer was top-rate. My pasta with pork "ragu" wasn't very impressive. I put "ragu" in quotes because a ragu is typically a meaty, long-simmered sauce. What Balena served was more akin to a tomato sauce with little pork bits scattered on top. (And those bits weren't particularly tender or luscious, which I'd expect from a ragu.) The portions were also fairly skimpy. To her credit, our server warned us the pasta plates would be on the small side, but the prices don't necessarily say so. (Fellow Yelpers say they were told the pasta portions are 6 ounces. I, too, find that doubtful.) The same folks behind Balena also run The Bristol in Bucktown. I've always been a big fan of the latter, and for now, I'd have to say it's the better bet.
(3)
Michael P.
Yes it is crowded....with trixies and dates - why would you take a date to the loudest restaurant in all of Chicago... Oh wait none of that is my business.... The place is huge and FULL - not a problem....the tables are small and it is a "sharing" encourage shop - a problem...how does one share a bunch of tasty food when the table can't hold the plates of food, tableware, and bottle of wine.... hmmmm...just wondering was a little uncomfortable for me to sit and try to hope I did not bump one of the plates off the table and embarrass my dearly beloved friend...whom was gorgeous by the way. Just saying, get smaller dishes or larger tables.... Oh the hype THE HYPE lol the food is stellar - I really did enjoy the food and wine so very happy to have lovely Italian food and wine - one of my favorites! The sea urchin and ink pasta - MY favorite of the whole evening - though the pistachio ice cream with the fresh nougat topping - sign oooh yes the thin slice of candied orange --- oooh YES! Here me now - I did not witness any attentive service except the hostesses and tehe sommelier. Yes the hostesses, go figure but they were pleasant and attentive. wait staff/servers were wore out and grumpy - I would be too if I was trying to balance and a bunch of plates running around in a room full packed with too many small tables...but the food is AMAZING! ooohh oooh if you had a long day and really don't have the best hearing - not the place for you.... Kale Caesar Salad was simply PERFECT! - our wine was gracefully selected by the Sommelier and perfect Thank goodness my host/BFF are loud NYC style talkers - oy oy! XOXO
(3)
David B.
No surprise here, Balena hit a homer. Great unpretentious service in an almost spiritual setting, with solid pasta and pizza, and fancy drinks and desserts. We warmed up with the seasonal bread offerings which came with appropriate accoutrements, including a gorgonzola honey and whipped cinnamon curry spread. Next came a chewy and perfectly peppery wild arugula salad, followed by a sizeable tomato sauced pizza of sausage and caramelized onions, with a soft, doughy and slightly charred crust. The rammekin of spicy chili oil really put this one over the top. We boxed up half of the pizza to save room for the real star of the meal - the orechiette, rich with kale and lemon cream and crumbs. At that point we were prepared to call it a night, but a deep dessert menu pressured us into the sugar donuts with espresso gelato, which really sealed the deal. The gelati (plural gelato), I'm told, is all made in house. For real Classy place, reasonably priced. A revelation
(5)
Terrence B.
I've always been a strong supporter of the Bristol, this ended up being slightly less. Arrival: the place shows strong street cred. The interior is like walking into a Restoration Hardware catalog. Hey, very nicely done, but after the initial top note wears off, I'm missing the walk-away final impression. And its a noisy enviroment, but not unpleasantly so. It keeps you intimate but doesn't make communication impossible. Liveries: This is as good as you get, every tiny nagging complaint about the place is countered by THIS IS LIKELY THE GREATEST COCKTAILS IN THE CITY. I had the Negro and the Peat and the Montenegro. Scotch with raw egg whites, some other magic, it was a new experience. The Montenegro is dangerously sippable. On a much lesser note, the Pina is decent and I would probably pass on the Dark and Stirred.... Don't get me wrong, the mixology and construction are spot on, they just don't put on the Shark Pants. Liveries con't: The beer list was a scant 3 offerings when I was there. 2 being easily acquired and the 3rd being a thirty dollar offering I will explore elsewhere. Seriously Bristol guys, I know you have access to much nicer than Crooked Tree and I am not expecting you to have 30 different offerings, but challenge me with something hip here. Oh and there seemed to be some serious backlash from the wait staff that I insisted on drinking my beer from the bottle. Seriously, I consume finer beers from my garage. Lead Ins: At the waiter's recommendation we went with the heirloom tomato bruschetta which while simple was perfect. I also had the octopus/farro/olives starter. Now I had a magical grilled octopus dish at the Bristol and I was hoping of a repeat. The presentation is not too far off from canned cat food and without any interaction items like bread/crackers, it was honestly a chore to eat. It could seriously be a better dish for a table of 6 with some scoopable element. Mains: ok so if you are trying to pull off an exclusive/hip pizza joint, I will certainly test you out on your brick oven goodness. The mushrooms with fontina, while an amazing pizza completely smells like BO and leaves an evening long aftertaste of smoke (to the point I am ommitting my dessert section of this review), and the heirloom pizza which, once again, was spot on. Service: Generally spot on for a top shelf establishment. Very attentive, very detail orientated, but also very slightly over stretched. It took over 10 minutes to get my bar tab dealt with and they weren't willing to have it transferred over to my table. I don't feel inconvenienced by this but it was short of expectations. Also it felt like the waiter had one more table than the michelin stars Balena is aiming at. Lasting Impressions: I remember this place for the drinks and I think they will set the bar for quite some time for me. The food was a mixed bag. I will be back but it will be the scenario of slotting in a visit for a few rounds of drinks and some starters for a group of 4.... I think I will stick to the Bristol for fine dinner outings.
(4)
Ermelinda C.
Very good restaurant. We started with the Goat Cheese and Beet Burrata and the Octopus salad, which were delicious. From the main dishes the Tagliolini Nero with seafood and the mushroom pizza were the highlight. Great wine menu and delicious sorbets. The service was on point!
(4)
Susan F.
Had a great experience within the 2 weeks of Balena opening. It took awhile to get our drinks, but they refilled our water plenty of times! The menu has it all, let me give you the breakdown... The food. We started with the shared cheese and meat plate (The Balena, $26). If you have a party of 4, this will feed you all very well! It came with a wonderful assortment of meats, cheese, and bread with pickled vegetables and spreads. One of the better charcuterie plates I've had in the city. Meats Paprika Cured Pork Loin Gin and Juice Salami Coppa di Testa Cheeses Robiola Pecorino Grand Cru Oregonzola Breads Walnut Bread Fennel Crostini Roast Garlic Semolina Lemon Pepper Challah Spreads Bagna Cauda Whipped Ricotta Olive Oil We were overwhelmed with the various choices of pizzas, pastas, and main entrees, but I had already decided on the stuffed rabbit loin days before. Whenever there is rabbit served on a menu, I will get it. The portion was huge and I was surprisingly unselfish and gave a few nibbles away. The plate is definitely for someone who enjoys sausage and gamey meat, but it wasn't offensive at all if you're privy to throwing your palate a curve ball. I would highly recommend it! The boys ordered the large king prawn (yes, the ones where you suck the head off, that comes with EYES and everything). The verdict was that they were good, but a bit salty. The sturgeon, which I had a piece of, was cooked perfectly. The portion wasn't huge, so I wouldn't suggest only ordering that for your entire meal. The side of polenta also gets two thumbs up. The dessert list ($8-$9) was not to be missed. The donuts caught our eye. To be accurate, it was deemed the Affogato: Vanilla Gelato, Espresso, Cinnamon Sugar Donuts. The glass was filled with gelato and they poured the espresso over it. It tasted even better than it looks, if you can imagine! The drinks: I can't write any more without praising the drinks at Balena. Their robust (over 300!) wines hit all palates. Personally, I had never heard of any of the wines because they were all Italian, but they listed all of the flavor notes which made it easier to choose. I was extremely satisfied with my choice not knowing exactly what I was picking. Their signature drinks are ranked in order of bitterness: 1 being mellow, 10 having quite the bite. You'll find egg whites, absinthe, and cordials among the ingredients in the cocktails (which take a minute or two to brew, much like Hubbard Inn and Violet Hour). Among the favorites of the table included the Strawberry (low bitterness) and the Peat (with Scotch and egg white). The decor: The atmosphere is unpretentious and the bar is just the right size. The kitchen is on an elevated level with a glass window to watch everything. There is ample seating and the ceilings are sky high! What I enjoyed most were the rafters at the top. The ceiling came to a point and there were balls of warm lights which reminded me of an old barn set up for a wedding. It gave the space a nice open feeling--one that you might not find in your one bedroom apartment.
(4)
Kelly C.
I will admit I didn't have a clue anything opened in this location since Landmark closed until a friend suggested it for dinner. I def liked what they did to the place very chic. We were sat upstairs and holy moly they smash those tables together - to the point where people had to move the table to get out (and these were not large people by any means)! I however wasn't blown away by my dining experience-to me just okay. The service overall was so slow! We were there for 2.5 hours which had it been a weekend no problem but it was a school night! It took a good 20 minutes to flag the server down to get the check. I have a feeling this is because it was around 10:30 and she was ready to leave as well and doing side work to get out sooner - just my opinion. I'm not a bitters drinker but the sweet strawberryno1 was perfect for me and tasted like couch syrup to my friend - she enjoys the bitters drinks! The food to me was decent but nothing out of this world. We wanted to start with the Bruschetta of oil based tuna...but they were out of that...boo! So we settled on the smoked mackrel - we were both shocked at how tasty it was (note that our expectations were low). We also split a pasta dish and it was okay, I honestly can't even remember what was in it. The polenta was quite good. The pizzas looked amazing and I did have food envy when the table next to us had it.
(3)
Wendy S.
We went here in beg. of November. I think they were still ironing out some kinks but it seriously was a little amateur in terms of service. But with what they missed in service, they did try to make it up in other ways. Here are the specifics: - Our waitress didn't come over to us for at least 15 minutes after we sat down - we had no drinks, no water, etc..She was overwhelmed with tables. -ordered a bottle of wine - waited and waited, then our meal started to come out. I am very understanding with service, except this. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. And in this situation, they came back realized we didn't have our wine, then proceeded to tell us, it is out. Can we pick something else out. We did. Then another 10 min went by, she forgot about it., panicked. So almost through with our meal, the manager came over and was very apologetic. This is the part where they really did try to make it up. Because it was a very annoying dinner up to that point. So they: - comped us another glass of wine... - comped us another pasta dish and veggie side (at which point we said please no more food :) - comped us dessert to go Our bill should have been $150-180, we walked out of there dinner for two was $75 with tip. So hence my comment that I would go back again and try the pizza (everyone was getting it) rather than do the whole menu. And hope that the wine comes before dessert.....
(3)
k e.
I love everything about this place - the atmosphere is great (intimate, even in a big space), the service was outstanding, and the food was amazing. Perfect date night. From cocktails to dessert, everything we had was great. The tagliolini nero is a must have. A friend recommended that dish to us and it was, by far, my favorite.
(5)
Christine S.
My experience at Balena started out okay, but went way downhill very quickly. We went after a Steppenwolf play for an early (5:15) dinner, so it was pretty empty when we got there. Our waitress was very attentive - at first, but once the place filled up, she pretty much disappeared. Other servers delivered our food, so we didn't even see her for a good long time. Now, the food - started out okay too, we started with a mozzarella appetizer which wasn't that great, but also got a pizza which was really good. However, we also ordered a couple of seafood dishes (halibut and branzino) which were terrible. The halibut was not a steak as I had expected, but halibut cheeks, which were extremely rubbery and way, way, way over-salted. It was pretty inedible. The branzino was basically charred, unseasoned fish. No flavor, other than the flavor of the burnt exterior. Also pretty inedible. And we had asked for the branzino to be served with the head and tail cut off, but that did not happen. We wanted to let our server know about the quality of the dishes (keep in mind that the halibut is $26, the branzino - $27), but as I mentioned earlier, she disappeared. We mentioned it to a bus boy, who then had the manager come over. The manager was extremely nice, took the two dishes off our bill, and gave us a complimentary dessert, so that prevents the rating from being lower. But overall, aside from the professionalism of the manager, our service pretty much sucked. Even after all that, our waitress seemed to avoid our table like the plague. She came by to ask if our dessert was okay, completely ignoring all that had happened while she checked out from our table forever. The place is really nicely decorated, the drinks are good, but - ugh, the service and food leave a lot to be desired.
(3)
Andrew H.
The Balena Plate. Tagliolini Nero, Crab, Sea Urchin, Chili. You're welcome. It's enough for two to share. Having ordered a lot of platters like the Balena plate recently at other restaurants, I can confidently say Balena's was the best. The breads were all killer and the cheese sides were all perfectly paired with one other ingredient. I think it's slightly overpriced for the amount of food given, but it's one of those places where I enjoyed my meal so much I didn't care what it cost. The drinks were also very tasty and creative.
(5)
Seana S.
This restaurant is mind blowing! My boyfriend and I randomly stopped in for a quick drink before a show at the Royal George Theater, and the atmosphere alone made us want to return for dinner afterwards. Everything here is made from scratch. They take your entire order to insure you are not waiting too long for food being that each dish takes a little longer to prep. The waitress really sold us on each item she picked. She knew everything about the menu and guided us in all the right directions. We ordered (2) Pastas to share. These are smaller portions so know that you are sharing. We ordered: Burrata Orecchiette, Kale, lemon, bread crumbs, and Chili Potato And Leek Ravioli And BONUS Canestri, Pork Ragu, Procini Mushrooms For the main course we shared the salt and pepper chicken Polenta and Tomato Fondue Everything was outstanding from the service to the atmosphere. Our waitress really knew the menu and could have sold anything on it. The Burrata was to die for. It's one of my new favorite apps to get when dining out, and it was so flavorful and paired nice with the beans. The pasta is made from scratch and you can taste how fresh it is. It melts in your mouth! We ended up getting an extra/BONUS pasta to try, because the chef either saw us earlier in the night and then saw us again, but the waitress said it was complements of the chef for coming back! It was so nice of him, not to mention, delicious! The chicken I was a little hesitant on getting. I'm not a fan of dark meat at all. This was the most tender/flavorful piece of chicken I have ever had (perfect for two to share as well) We did skip on dessert, but next time we will totally get it The best part about the meal is that it's not super expensive. It's not cheap, but with the quality and taste of food we received our bill should have been twice as much! We cannot wait to go back and try everything else!
(5)
Alex G.
Brought here by one of the line chefs (my brother-in-law), and was not disappointed. The service was phenomenal. The food was splendid. The atmosphere was enjoyable.
(5)
D F.
This place delivers, and then some: Small plates for appetizers are all out of this world tasty and affordable. Pizza offerings are imaginative, tasty and full of flavor in every bite. Oven is the key to some of the best authentic pizza for the category of dining. Pasta courses are so authentic. Love the handmade pasta, and each time I have tried a new one, they are always out of this world good. Sugo di Carne with Tajarin still my favorite from when they first opened but each one after that has still been delightful. Desserts, like the affogato just hit the right note after a great meal. Go often, if you can get a reso.
(5)
Alyssa C.
Another 4.5 stars. Cool decor, delish italian and great times had by all. We started off with the shishuto peppers and burrata cheese. I would say the burrata was awesome, peppers, so-so. My main dish was the Orecchiette pasta - phenomenal! Absolutely delish! We finished it up with some tiramisu and pistachio gelato, pretty good. My friends meals weren't as good as mine (I won!) and the desserts were pretty average. Ambiance was awesome, great for a girls dinner or date night. Our server was extremely knowledgeable and provided great recommendations. I would come back!
(4)
Ryan P.
The first thing you will notice at this restaurant is the wide open space. The environment is great , and the space is beautiful. I came here for a double date, and it was a great environment for that. The room is loud, but when enjoying the fantastic craft cocktails with another fun couple, the noise does not bother you. The service was 5 star caliber, our server Max was super informative and had been trained to describe the menu beautifully. Food was timed perfectly, and drinks were always refilled. Do not expect the gigantic portion sizes you get at other italian restaurants, the food is pretty and nice to look at as seen in the pics. However, it is deleicous as well. I highly recommend the polenta as a side, it is a thicker more hearty kind of polenta that is not often seen at Italian restaurants these days. We tried one of the brick oven pizzas, and that was just average at best, nothing compared to the brick oven delights of Greenwich in New York city. Not sure what the fuss about the pizza is. The pastas are definitely the way to go at Balena, but what stood out the most for me were the drinks. Though the wine list is large, treat yourself to an expertly crafted cocktail. I wanted to try them all for sure; the bartenders have created an excellent menu that rates the drinks in terms of bitterness. Just fantastic. I was a little let down by the dessert though, as I was told that food network star Amanda Rockman had built and created the menu. Typical fare for italian restaurants, with tiramisu and other pastry. in all honesty the chocolate cookie gelato sundae was the stand out dessert. And when you have a celeb pastry chef, the ice cream sunday should not be the star. Awesome ambiance, drinks, pasta and service at Balena. Highly recommend for a date night or with friends.
(4)
Nanda W.
Really didn't want to like this place, but it was seriously great. Walked in and immediately expected this place to be all presentation and nothing to back it up, but it was great all round. Fantastic service, decor, and the food was great. I got to try 3 of the pasta dishes and will have to fight the urge to never try anything new on my next visit...I'm seriously not even a pasta person, but my mind has been changed. Also tried two of the pizzas which were also not to be missed. Really awesome job, Balena! We'll be back!
(5)
Kevin T.
great fresh pasta, great cocktails. I'l definitely be back. This space took over the old Landmark Grill which I liked before, but this is a great improvement!
(4)
Kim A.
Came here last night for birthday dinner.... Was immediately pleased by the decor and the service.. and then the food. YUM It's been a while since I've really been impressed by unusual (but not pretentious) menu items, and Balena really delivered. We had the kale salad, shishito peppers, squid ink tagliolini, and I had the trout as my entree. If I wasn't trying to act like a lady, I probably would have licked the pasta bowl clean. For dessert we had the pistachio gelati sundae. You can tell the menu was built around what is in season, not just what is trendy at the moment. I hate going to places where there are "trendy" menu items, but they're sort of jumbled on the menu and on the plate, not really making sense. Yes, the bill plus a bottle of wine was more than just your average "going out" night, but I would totally love to come back with a group and share apps and some of their pizza.
(5)
Kristi T.
Okay, WOW!!!!! "The B Team" (BOKA and Bristol combined) really outdid themselves this time. I was completely floored with how amazing this restaurant concept is, the look, the attention to every detail, the stellar staff training, and the specialists- from Debbi Peek,an award winning mixologist to start off your evening, to Amanda Rockman from Just Desserts creating hand crafted deliciousness to cleanse your palate and leaving you wanting more. Imagine Tuscan, rustic decor with Lamborghini service. UMMMM awesome! Started off with a strawberry cocktail by Debbi with wild, liquor soaked mini strawberries. I'm not usually a cocktail fan, but this was out of this world!!! She also gives you a ton of background on why and how it is so unique. Its like a cosmo, with the same amount of alcohol, but tastes like heaven. We were so impressed by the modern layout, the exquisite menu, and the knowledgeable & friendly staff. We truly think this place is going to be a ginormous hot spot! The menu was so delectible it was hard to decide. All in all, we tried about 12 dishes. I was impressed with EVERYTHING! Stand out favorites: Balena Platter - cured meats, cheeses, sauces, four types of bread. This was definitely a crowd favorite and sharable for a group. I could have just had that and left satisfied and happy. Fig, sharp cheese, herb crostinis, challa bread, cream sauces, oils... "Lasagna Pizza" - I know it sounds nuts, but its ricotta, bolognese, spinach, and other yumminess I can't remember (after my like 17 glasses of delicious Italiano light red wine). No, its not fat free, but its worth every bite of it (and good for breakfast the next morning, too!) They also offered freshly grated cheese (must) and a chili oil that just gave that much of an edge over any other pizza I've had. And yes, I have eaten quite a bit of pizza! Spaghetti - Sounds simple, but these noodles were perfectly al dente, thicker than normal, and so simply delicious! Buratta with beets - I mean, purple heaven on a plate? Yep. Crab Ravioli - Please just imagine it. Homemade pasta stuffed with crab and cheese in a light sauce. Do yourself a favor and try it! I wish I could relive all 12 dishes right now. I can't wait for this to be open to the public - it is going to be a complete knockout and definitely wont be turning over the location any time soon!!! Looking forward to bringing my foodie husband here, and wowing him with my great recommendations!!!!!!
(5)
Gary C.
So, my name is Gary C. and I'm addicted to the Boka Restaurant Group (BRG)...and even more so after their collaboration with team at The Bristol. *sigh* Here we go again, another restaurant opened by arguably the best restaurant group in the Windy City. Sounds like I'm complaining, but really I'm excited.......to tell you about my experience. If you don't know by now, BRG is, as Ron Burgundy so eloquently put it, "kind of a big deal." Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz (the Bo and Ka of Boka) have collaborated with Chef Chris Pandel and Pastry Chef Amanda Rockman (both of The Bristol fame...Rockman on Just Desserts) and The Bristol team to bring Chicago a what I can only describe as beauty. Beauty in the form of interior design. Beauty in the form of food. Beauty in the form of beverages. The drink menu is very nicely laid out. Mixed cocktails are numbered from weak sauce to heavy hitting. Be warned! Balena also has a very nice selection of vino and beer. Take a nice long look, as the drink menu is extensive. Cuisine revolves around Italian flavors, noticeable by the cheeses, pizzas, and pastas on the menu. My buddy and I snagged a table during their soft opening (I ball so hard...my ankle hurts), and after months of anticipation we were not disappointed one bit. Balena is visually beautiful. Ridiculously high ceilings. Comfy leather chairs. Wooden tables that remind me of cutting boards. And the clock. Yes, that large custom clock is a focal point upon walking in. There is a gorgeous bar on the north side of the restaurant, and a private dining space upstairs next to the open kitchen. Walk around and explore if you have the opportunity; it's amazing. My foodie friend and I went hard on the menu, ordering something from each section, which there are six: meat/cheese/bread, starters, pizza, pasta, grill/oven/rotisserie, and (wait for it) desserts. We ordered the cured meats (a trio of thinly sliced delicacies), spicy grilled short ribs (with charred orange and basil), lasagna pie (best of two worlds: lasagna and pizza), tagliolini nero (served with crab, sea urchin, and chile), and rabbit loin (stuffed with garlic, chives). Two things stood above the rest: lasagna pie and tagliolini nero. Not taking anything away from the other dishes, the lasagna pie and tagliolini were the most interesting dishes of the night. As mentioned, the pie is the best of both worlds. Imagine a deconstructed lasagna on a crisp, fluffed crust. Yes. You know what's up. The tagliolini simply was amazing. The crab meat and sea urchin add so much flavor the this dish that it's near impossible to dislike. But that's not all. Chef Rockman's dessert menu will make you find room in your stomach for something sweet. If not, watch this video before you go to Balena: youtu.be/Pm7gxVXrXOg . The Just Desserts gal dishes out ten, yes ten different desserts, including six sundaes (gelati and sorbetti, to keep with the Italian-influence) along with a tiramisu that might rival her famous Basque cake for addictive-ness, affogato with cinnamon sugar doughnuts (which gives Mindy Segal a run for her money), a caramel pine nut tart so sweet that your girlfriend will leave you for it, and a chocolate budino (think choco-pudding). Her desserts are so mean, but she's such a sweetheart. So there ya go. Another fine addition to the Boka Group and Bristol Team; they make such an amazing couple. This baby is going to be the talk of the town for quite some time. Now go, make a reservation, and maybe I'll see you there!
(5)
Wei H.
Got a table for 3 at 6:30 on a Friday night with no wait. Liked it from the beginning. Service was excellent. From our hostess to a manager looking gentleman that guided me to the ladies' room, I felt like a pretty important guest even in my short shorts and tank (it's actually quite embellished, not just a simple one color tank top). Apps: Peter's Bread basket - Very refreshing and creative. Loved the tomato crostini and Chocolate Cherry Sourdough. Mackerel - OMG OMG OMG. Would definitely go back just for this. It's like when you are about to fry the mackerel - you do your ritual of dipping the fish in egg yolk and then bread crumbs - except that you skip the nasty frying process. This is really really amazing greatly because of the fresh mackerel. Main: Tagliolini with crab and sea urchin - the use of chili gives this dish the perfect amount of heat. I am still dreaming about this. Summer squash Strozzapretti - IMHO squash was not mushy enough to integrate well with the rest of the dish. The almond pesto was subtle and well done though. Margarita pizza - too plain for my tasting. The crust was nice though. Desserts: Chocolate Tart - get this and embarrass yourself with your soon to be non-stop uncontrollable "hmmmmmmmmmmm". There are just so many textures going on. Excellent quality of chocolate. Tiramisu - feather light. Not too sweet. Not a big Tiramisu person but my best friend from NY loved it. Apricot Sorbetti - I don't remember what bubbly wine it was that they poured in but the presentation was beautiful. I did not like the idea of drenched sorbet though. Overall it was a very good dining experience. Great atmosphere, a few wow factor dishes and amazing service.
(4)
Eric Y.
This place gets 5 stars because it does everything very well (actually 4.5 stars but I rounded up). The room is beautiful in a rustic way, with soaring ceilings, nice natural light, and an exhibition kitchen on the second floor. Service is attentive and informative, definitely enthusiastic and aiming to please. The cocktail service is great and there is a large selection of all-Itialian wines by the glass. If you like Italian alcohol, this is your place! We shared a number of dishes and sharing is definitely the way to go. There were a few items that really stood out. The fried Zambone is a wondrous deep fried patty of pork shoulder topped with an earthy orange marmalade that cuts the richness. The squid ink pasta with Jonah crab and urchin is truly to die for - we ordered a second one of those. Yum... there's a beautiful balance of texture, sea flavors, sweet crab, and acid. And the pizza ... oh ... my ... goodness ... the crust is as good as it gets. Simultaneously crispy, burnt, tender and chewy and the bottom is firm so it doesn't flop down as soon as you pick up a slice! We were told the secret ingredient is honey but I think it's the Calabresian chili oil that is served with every pie and you drizzle it as you eat it. Wow. We had the brussels sprouts and pancetta pizza and the mushroom and scallion pizza. Just delicious. The salt and pepper chicken thighs were also delicious. Who knew this simple meat could be so tasty? Other tasty items that we tried included the beef heart and the smoked mackerel with soft boiled egg. Balena is well known for it's dessert sundaes and these did not disappoint. The rhubarb sundae with coeur di la creme (goat's milk yogurt) was memorable as was the pistachio gelato with pistachio nougat. One reason we were excited to eat here was because of the bread chef and we were disappointed to learn that the bread chef had left Balena for greener pastures in San Francisco. However our meal did not suffer one bit for this loss. We were told that there are plans to revive the bread program but really how much more goodness can there be here?
(5)
Reese F.
I can't wait to return to Balena. With so many great restaurants in Chicago, and only so many nights to go out, it's tough to have favorites because we keep finding new places to try but Balena could easily become one of ours... We sat on the second floor, an intimate enclave. We started with cocktails, which are listed on scale of bitterness. I recommend being adventurous -- our table of four ordered very bitter drinks and all were delicious. For our meal, we first shared the Balena platter of cheeses, meats and breads -- incredible! The breads are quite creative. We then shared two pizzas and two pastas, which was the perfect amount of food. The pastas (we tried the orchiette and taglionli) were incredible--can't say I've ever had sea urchin before... But we absolutely loved the pizzas (mushroom and spicy sausage). The mushroom pizza is a must!
(5)
Timothy G.
This new eatery is s non stop surprise from the minute you see the exterior, and then walk in the door, its whole different personality. The interior decor is inviting, modern and chic, but personal and warm. The service was outstanding, as was the waiters suggestions, descriptions and explanations were engaging and personal. The menu is excellent, hard to make up your mind, we were two couples and tried 5 plates and all were very good, though the pasta dishes a tad small, they packed some flavor, and also were a tad spoiled in Chicago with large servings overall. Its nice to have this level of dining in the LP area without going downtown/westloop/bucktown, as we live in the Goldcoast and have tired long ago of the usual suspects. 2 Apps, 1 Pizza, 2 Pasta dishes and a bottle of red wine, and no time for dessert, for better or worse, was $135 w/tip. What stood out for me, as I travel and entertain often, was the level of passion and precision of the staff, very well executed menu knowledge. Hats off to the management.
(5)
Claire S.
Chicago was deeply in need of a breath of fresh air in its Italian-inspired cuisine - which Balena has most certainly provided! From its date-night-perfection atmosphere, featuring warm lighting and rustic wood against its seemingly-soaring creamy walls, to its creative-yet-almost-pastoral cuisine, Balena fills a gap in the Chicago restaurant scene. My dinner partner and I started the night off with a negroni each, and split the sizable selection of cheeses, which could have easily kept us satisfied for the night. But of course we couldn't pass up the opportunity to attempt to turn our tongues black with delicious tagliolini nero, which we dove into as soon as it appeared before us. Lovely, but would have perhaps liked to see a bit more sea urchin. Following the tagliolini, we shared the hearty roast porchetta with polenta. Although the concept is small plates, the food is rich enough that small portions are sufficient, so we felt no need to order any additional items on this visit; however, I think I'll be back to see their take on my beloved cacio e pepe as well as the porcini and pork ragu, which sounded divine. The wine list is extensive and seems very carefully selected. We opted for a Sangiovese which was absolutely wonderful. Overall, this was a thoroughly pleasant spot for a weeknight date, with attentive service, a convenient location, and conversation-worthy wine and dining options.
(4)
Linda H.
A great experience from the initial greeting at the door. We had reservations and were quickly seated in the room upstairs. The place is way bigger inside than I imagined. The rustic-chic decor is very comfortable and lighting is nice. Ok, I'm not fond of banquette seating, but I was still damn glad to be there. The cocktail and wine list is extensive and interesting, but I opted for a beer, which was not the best choice probably. There are just a few bottled beers available, and the one I chose (Goose Island's "Sofie") didn't go with the food so well...oh well, live and learn. Next time I would try one of the bitters cocktails or ask for a wine suggestion. We started with the bread, cured meat, and burrata with roasted beets. That was a lot of food for two people, but since BF and I are card-carrying members of the Clean Plate Club, we finished most of it. I think if you have 4 or more people to share, just go ahead and get "The Balena", with bread, cheese and meats, and you will be off to a good start. So I'm pretty full at this point, but I soldiered on. Next, BF got the salt & pepper chicken thighs and they were fantastic. Who knew a chicken thigh could be so delicious? I got the pizza w/mortadella and pistachio. The pizza was very good, but as BF and I have been doing a study of wood-burning oven pizzas lately, this one was not blowing me away. Plus, it turns out I don't really like mortadella too much. Anyhoo, I just ate a bit of the pizza (which was quite big...got it wrapped to go) so I could get dessert. We both got sundaes...blueberry pie, and pistachio something. I did love mine...some lemon sorbet with pecans and blueberries and blueberry gelato and a piece of lattice crust, and BF's was ok, but there was some candied orange pieces or something on there that kind of overpowered the taste of the pistachio gelato. So I don't think I made the best choices on this visit, but it was a lovely experience and everything is done very simply, but very well. I think it would be a good place to go with at least 4 people so that lots can be ordered and shared. Oh yeah, and the service was fantastic! I shall return!
(4)
Audrey W.
I came here on a Thursday night around 6:30 and it was already packed. Thankfully we made reservations and got there early because by the time we left it was so crowded we had trouble walking out. Food was for the most part very good. I would advise passing on the not so special pizza and order the pastas! We ordered the orichiette (please excuse my spelling) and a pasta with sea urchin. Both winning dishes! I would pass on the charcuterie plate. It was pretty pricey for what you got and the bread that came with it was mediocre. The beet and burrata starter was amazing! I could literally eat it all day long. Pizzas were okay, but not as good as I was expecting them to be. I wish I had ordered all the pasta dishes instead. Desserts were all on point. Tiramisu is probably one of my favorites of all time, grapefruit sundae, blueberry, and pistachio were all delicious! Cocktails were all good too! WARNING: If you sit at one of the taller tables, the chairs are really light and easily tip over. Be VERY careful! Multiple members of my party, including myself, ALMOST face planted into the table. These chairs are definitely not made for fidgeting.
(4)
Linda G.
Decor is nice, pizza is OK and the proximity to the Steppenwolf is a plus, but entrees were terribly overpriced for the amount of food. It was startling to see the portion sizes especially since they came with almost nothing on the side. My grilled prawns (6-8) were more like an appetizer than an entree. It was supposed to come with grapes and fingerling chilies, but this was more of a garnish than and addition to the meal. No bread on the table...you have to ask for it in advance and we were not offered that option at the beginning of the meal. Very disappointing as we had been there a year ago and really liked it, but who wants to spend that kind of $ only to go home hungry...which we did. Plenty of other really good options in the immediate vicinity. we won't be going back
(2)
Andrew W.
Lately this has been my hands down favorite restaurant in the city. I have been here over a dozen times and each time has been a flawless experience. I take dining very seriously, and I don't throw around compliments like that lightly. I'm a huge foodie and a fan of dining at restaurants with a focus on service. This restaurant has both incredible food and incredibly attentive and knowledgeable wait staff. Allow me to start from the beginning and walk through a typical experience from beginning to end. Balena is a popular and trendy restaurant, yet they usually manage to seat you quickly, if not right away. The dining area has a really neat ambiance and you'll immediately notice the great vibe. Everyone around you seems to be enjoying themselves and it really adds to the dining experience. Your server will come to your table and offer to review the menu for you. Even if you've been here before, you should allow them to tell you about the menu. I've had about 10 different servers and each one described the drinks and food eloquently and passionately. Start with drinks. I highly recommend one of their 10 bitters-inspired cocktails. Each is carefully prepared by one of their bartenders and the drinks were designed with incredible attention to detail. I've had them all and they are all interesting and delicious in their own way. They also have an extensive and thoughtful wine list. Balena focuses on quality of ingredients and careful, artistic preparation of food rather than overwhelming portion sizes. If you are here for the first time, I encourage you to order a variety of appetizers and entrees and share them among your table. Every dish I've had here, and I've tried most of them, has intrigued my palate with an array of harmonious flavors and textures. I make sure to always order at least one of the pasta dishes, and the pizzas are quickly growing on me. Usually I end up ordering one of the specials as well and have never been disappointed. The last time I dined at Balena I ordered the Arctic Char special, which was absolutely one of my favorite fish dishes. Of. All. Time. Their chef paired a lightly salted, distinguished, and perfectly cooked fish with delicate fingerling potatoes, rhubarb, grapefruit, and some seasonal herbs for an incredible balance of flavors. As you dine, a multitude of different wait staff will attend to your table, constantly making sure you have everything you need, refilling water, bringing new silverware, and clearing away empty plates. As I mentioned, the service here is impeccable. Sit. Eat slowly. Enjoy the company you are with. Order a second (or third) drink. Now you are ready for the dessert menu. Order dessert. You'll likely be very satisfied (full) at this point. Order dessert anyway. Everything on the dessert menu is delicious. I'm not kidding. I don't even like dessert and I order it anyway. Basically, enjoy this place. Go here with an open mind and some people who really enjoy food and you can't go wrong. I've even dined here with some skeptics and picky eaters who were blown away. Overall incredible experience, incredible food, and incredible service.
(5)
Michelle B.
Was really excited to try Belena for my birthday dinner, and was glad I did but not convinced I would rave about this place to my friends. The atmosphere and service were stellar (special treat seeing Bobby Flay slip into a table right after we sat down). The food however was a bit disappointing. Nothing terrible by any means, but I think we expected a bit more in terms of flavor and execution. Our pasta was a little cold and the chicken while flavorful, felt like something we could make at home. Our kale ceaser was also something that without a doubt we will start making at home, which is great but when I'm paying a decent price for a nice dinner out I would prefer to have food that I wouldn't be able to make myself, even if it's not complicated. Dessert Panna Cotta was amazing, and dessert liquor made it even better. All in all is was a good meal and a great experience, but not somewhere I have on my list to come back to for a while at least.
(3)
Cristina T.
My bff and I planned dinner on a Tuesday night at Balena after hearing so much about it on the various food websites we look at. Upon walking in, one cannot help but notice how beautiful of a space this is. It has tall ceilings with dim lighting and the inside is separated with garage doors of sorts. The furniture all seems very rustic while at the same time retaining a modern touch. As soon as we were seated, John(one of the owners) came up to our table to make recommendations. He had read one of my friend's tweets and looked up where we were sitting in order to say hello. Per his recommendation we started with the mackerel. It was smoky but still had a smooth consistency. The soft boiled egg it was served with made for the perfect combination. I also had the rosemary cocktail which was unique and delicious. It was just bitter enough with a creamy consistency from the egg whites incorporated in it. We also split the homemade bread basket. I loved the Challah bread the most. It was sweet yet at the same time filled with herbs. All these breads were served with 3 dipping sauces-an oil, an anchovy based sauce and a ricotta spread. We also had the burrata and beets which was divine. We moved onto splitting the homemade pasta with rabbit meat. The lemon flavor cut the richness of the rabbit perfectly. The pasta was thick enough to hold the sauce in every crevice. We were happy so we decided to go crazy and try the sausage pizza. Although we barely finished half, the house made sausage was full of fennel, the sauce was just light enough and the crust was crunchy and light. There was barely any cheese on it, which I loved. John came back to our table and convinced us that we had to try dessert. We split the pistachio sundae and the tiramisu. I loved the pistachio gelato combined with a caramelized orange. It also had these chewy pieces of pistachio nougat that I loved. The tiramisu was so light and unlike any other I have eaten. Simply put, these desserts are delicious. Balena is a good and unique addition to the Italian food scene in Chicago. I would love to go back and try some more of their pastas, pizzas and desserts.
(4)
Lisa T.
I would come back and give it another shot, as the food & drinks are at 3+ stars but Balena is off to a sloooowww start. My girlfriend and I ended up being in Balena for ~2.5 hours on a random WEDNESDAY because the service was so slow. And, as we were trying to wrap up our meal, it seemed like the servers were tending to cleaning tasks (sweeping the floor, etc) instead of bringing us (and other diners around us) our checks! I don't care that a server was swiffering the floor - by all means please keep the restaurant tidy - but seriously, there are three 2-tops looking around with the "um... i'm ready to leave!" look on their faces! As for the food; I'd love to come back and try a pizza. I came to Balena not super hungry (whoops), so we shared an appetizer and a pasta. Both were very good but the pizzas look outstanding. Appetizer - we were hoping to get the tuna, but they were out. Our server suggested the smoked herring, which my friend and I reluctantly agreed to - our expectations were very low. Much to our surprise and delight it was really very good - I would 100% order it again; a light and fresh summertime appetizer. We shared the carbonara pasta which was rich (to be expected) but delicious. The pasta itself was obviously homemade and truly great. Balena has a really interesting drink list, and makes an amazing Negroni (which, if you're not used to Campari, you may think it tastes like cough syrup so order wisely) :-) Our server was nice, just slow as molasses, which is partially her fault and partially the kitchen's fault. Hopefuly they streamline their processes a bit as they settle in to being open for business.
(3)
Matthew L.
Had a great time here last night. The menu is packed with great options and I enjoyed the beet salad, chicken thighs, and the english pea ravioli the most. Their wine list is 99% Italian and they have a great selection of speciality cocktails all with Italian influences. The atmosphere is energetic, young and hip. Their bar area was packed and I can see it being a great destination for just drinks, too. They have a private dining room downstairs for events and parties - can see myself wanting to use that in the future. They will be beginning a pizza delivery service soon - cannot wait to take advantage of that!
(4)
Steven S.
Everything I had here was very good, especially the pork ragu, the pizza, and the bistecca. Not super traditional, but tasty nonetheless.
(4)
Kee V.
Some friends and I had dinner here on Sunday. I had been waiting all week to try Balena because The Bristol is excellent and I wanted to try Amanda Rockmans desserts after seeing her on Top Chef: Just Desserts. Dinner had its ups and downs. (more downs unfortunately) First, the entrance and main hall is really great. I thought the design and feel of the restaurant was fantastic. We were seated upstairs and we ordered cocktails right away. I had the Montenegro. If you like black licorice, and I do, you will like this cocktail. I can't say how the other cocktails tasted but everyone seemed pleased. After our drinks were brought to us, we waited a legitimate 15-20 minutes before our server came back to take our order. We saw him running back and forth and I think he might've been the only server working on the second floor that night. Timing was an issue all night long. For Dinner we ordered: The Balena - Excellent all around Buratta and Roasted beets - Also excellent Quail - Might've been my favorite of the night. Cooked just right and delicious Margherita Pizza - Simple and good. Lasagna Pie - It was good but I would recommend something else. I wanted to try the Mortadella pizza but I was overruled The pizzas overdone in my opinion. I think they spent a little too much time in the oven. Like I stated earlier, timing was a issue throughout the night. * There was another gap of 15-20 minutes between the small plates and pizza where we were just sitting there with no one checking on us* Some of the pasta dishes had no information on what sauce would accompany the noodles. I also ordered a side of the Charred radicchio but it came out ice cold. Maybe it's just me but that dish sounds like it would be served hot/warm. For my pasta I ordered the Tagliolini. I think the menu needs to be a little more descriptive. I was not expecting the dish to be in a lemon sauce. It was so tart and acidic I couldn't taste the crab. The sea urchin was lost in the dish as well because I tried mixing it into the pasta before eating and the acid just overpowered everything. My friends Tajarin suffered from the same acidic issue. Only a few bites were eaten before my friends decided it was not worth eating, no matter how wasteful it seemed. They were also surprised by the sauce because there was no description of it either. Much more was ordered but, again, I did not get to taste the other entrees and pastas so I won't comment on those dishes. I did not hear any complaints though. Dessert composed of: Affogatto: Donuts were excellent, especially dipped into the affogatto. Tiramisu: was also very good and the coffee struesel on top was a nice addition Pine Nut Tart: I thought this was the best of the bunch. Nutty, slightly sweet, nice tart shell. winner Chocolate Budino: Considering how small this was, I think $8 might be a little much for this dessert. It was good but not as good as the other three. Pistachio gelati Sundae: The gelato could've had a stronger pistachio flavor but that's just personal preference. The nougat was awesome and I selfishly scooped it all onto my spoon like Tom Hanks did with the caviar garnish in You've Got Mail. Overall, I think it was good but considering all the other reviews, maybe I caught them on a bad night where not much was going right. Personally, I spent $80 (incl tax and tip) and I did not think it was money well spent. I'm sure I'll be back but maybe after they've settled into a groove first.
(3)
Sarah R.
Balena hits it out of the park every time! Definitely tops the chart of favorite places for a special occasion. Food: On our latest trip for his birthday, the boyfriend and I shared the shishito peppers with poached tuna, burrata with strawberry vinaigrette and greens, hen egg pasta with sage and brown butter, and mushroom pizza. Everything was incredible. We had never had the peppers before, but they were charred perfectly and the tuna was super moist and had good citrus tones. The burrata was as fresh as could be, like always. Their fresh cheese is truly standout. The crust on their pizza is excellent--probably my favorite in the city--and the mushrooms had great flavor. This was our first time with the hen egg pasta. I could eat that every night! Balena really nails the concept of flavorful simplicity. We also shared the pistachio sundae and the vanilla cookie sundae. He was partial to the pistachio and i was partial to the vanilla. Both were great! Also shared a bottle of sauv blanc. Crisp, mildly sweet, so delicious. Service/atmosphere: Everything about the service at Balena is impeccable. I told them that it was his birthday when making the reservation (they always ask if the dinner is for a special occasion) and there was a card on the table when we arrived! Very thoughtful. I love that they keep the wine chilling at the bar and pour more at the perfect time, ask before filling your water, ask just enough times if we need anything more, explain the food when it's brought out. The atmosphere is upscale without being stuffy. The booth cushions are so comfy, and the wine so good, I could have taken a snooze!
(5)
Lynne j.
I love the Bristol and have been dying to try Balena. It was wonderful. I went twice last week and we tried a number of dishes. The ones that anyone would love are: The Quail: Order several. It is perfect with a wonderful, smoky, flavor. But, you won't want to share. It is that good and there is only one so make sure to order at least 2 orders Strozzapetti - A wonderful pasta that we mixed together with another entre, the smokey Sturgeon. Together, they were perfect Strugeon- It has a smoky flavor and is fantasic but, like I said, when you mix the sturgeon with the stozzapetti it creates a symphony of flavors. And I can't recommend their drink number one strongly enough. It has strawberry combined vodka with tiny, tiny berries. It is fantastic.
(5)
Jackie W.
A well deserved rating for great service and bomb food! This place has been on my "Need to go to" google doc and in my personal food thoughts for some time. I made a 5:45pm res the morning of for a pre-Steppenwolf dinner with my parents (I promised the host we'd be out by 7:15 for the play, likely why they obliged my last minute request). Our server was awesome: got our orders in quickly, great cocktails suggestions. and quickly replaced a cocktail when it wasn't my cup of tea. The Manlino No.3... definitely a girl drink, and definitely awesome. The pork ragu pasta... wow! Porky and mushroom-y in a sauce that was creamy but not too much. We got two pizza's, Brussel Sprout and Spicy sausage, both amazing. The brussel sprout was the winner, just a great, unexpected combination. The pizza's were larger than expected, I felt fine pay 16-19 for each. Kale ceaser salad... will definitely be making kale salads more often. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Aaron K.
Since the Boka and Bristol crews decided to hook up I knew Balena was going to be a hit. Both are excellent restaurant groups who know how to put food and drink first. From beginning to end our trip to Balena did not disappoint. Based on the drinks I tried the amaro-based cocktail menu is not just a gimmick but a real expression of Debbi Peek's love of good old-fashioned bitters. I would highly recommend the Francesco and Dark&Stirred but you can't go wrong with a simple Negroni. The fresh pasta is some of the best I have had, and the strozzapreti with rabbit sugo was off the charts (I do have a partial weakness for sugo!) as was the rabbit loin entree. Our pizza, the lasagna pie, had a perfectly crisp thin crust with just the right amount of blacked edges. And darn it if it didn't taste exactly like lasagna! Just like at The Bristol, Rockman's desserts perfectly complement Pandel's food. You can't go wrong with anything containing gelato, but the consensus at our table gave the most props to the donuts accompanying the affogato. The atmosphere at Balena exudes the feel of an Italian piazza with a style all its own. This is one of the few places where I would use the word "energy" to describe a dining room in a good way. (You could feel the energy without having to scream at your dining companions to have a conversation.) I'm looking forward to the summer when they can crank open the upper windows to create a refreshing breeze while still being indoors. Another A+ for the Boka and Bristol guys!!
(5)
A H.
What a disappointment! After hearing such great things, I made a reservation on a Thursday night for my boyfriend's birthday dinner. The hostess told us they were running a few minutes late, and to grab drinks at the bar. There was a huge, noisy crowd at the bar and so we had to split up to find a spot to order. After placing my order with the bartender, I watch him proceed to flirt with a woman and make her two cocktails, before he started on mine. He then apologized for the wait, saying they were swamped. No, actually you were too busy flirting to make my drinks. So, we wait and wait. A full hour after our reservation, we are finally seated. While the menu is impressive, our server was not very enthusiastic and slow to help us. There was a lot of waiting, and not a lot of payoff. The food is good, but not so special that we couldn't have found it elsewhere. It is certainly not worth dealing the waiting, lack of service, crowd, and the expectations.
(2)
Lois A.
I loved everything about Balena. This is a beautiful space and the staff are as friendly as they come. You can not come here without having a drink or several. I am dying to get back to have another Rosemary cocktail. This was incredible and the best drink I've had this year so far by a mile. I also enjoyed the Strawberry but found that the Dark and Stirred, a # 7 on their bitters scale, was good but a little too much for my taste. Peter's bread! Get it! The Lemon Pepper Challah was as good as it sounds. The spicy short ribs with orange and basil were fantastic and the rhubarb pizza was excellent. We tried several of the pastas and each one was enjoyable. I think the one with the pork ragu was probably my favorite. I walked away from this meal not feeling like I had just had a pizza and three plates of pasta and a ton of bread. That alone is amazing. Great spot for a date and an excellent place to bring out of town guests. I can't say enough good things. It surpassed all expectations I had.
(5)
Steph L.
After months of anticipation, we finally dined at Balena on a Friday evening. We were not disappointed! The atmosphere was much different than I expected, but in a positive way. It was bustling, energetic, and though a tad louder than I prefer, a fun atmosphere for a Friday night. The food was incredible - we started with the breads while we tried some of the mixology offerings, and then ordered the Arugula salad. Our pizza came before the pasta, which was odd, but the sea urchin pasta was unique and very flavorful. The Brussels sprout pizza was incredible - the favorite of the night. We were stuffed by the end of our meal!!! The pizzas are not to be missed. The space is cool - high vaulted ceilings and interesting light fixtures - a treat for the eyes and taste buds! The only thing I wasn't impressed by was our server. She was a bit snobby and uppity - it's not like you're working next door at Alinea, sister. She didn't bother to welcome us or ask us if we needed recommendations from the menu. She also was scarce during our meal, which was especially annoying considering they keep the wine bottles on a separate table, so we couldn't find her to fill our glasses on a few occasions. We could have used some help on the wine list (a whopping 39 pages), too. Other tables seemed happier with their servers, so we just weren't lucky. Other than the attitude and aptitude of the server, it was a wonderful meal. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Elle H.
Love this place. The renovations to go from landmark to balena are gorgeous- doesn't even look like the same place. Only came in for coctails, but it has such a fun list of old fashioned type coctails, it makes a perfect spot to have a full dinner, or duck in for some fun drinks. The "mixologists" are really nice and will pretty much cater to any alcohol craving u have. It's a little more crowded than I like, but that's all I can say that is a negative. The coctails really won me over.
(4)
Ashley G.
Every dish we ordered was delicious. Do not miss out on the Mushroom Bruschetta and Bavette Pomodoro pasta. Yumm!!!
(4)
Farley O.
I went to Balena during restaurant week last year and had been wanting to go back because I thought the food was good. Last night I found an opening on Open Table at 8:15 and booked it. Since I live in the area, we walked over about 30 minutes early. They told us it would be closer to the 8:15 time of our reservation which was to be expected so we tried to get some drinks at the bar. The bar is a train wreck. It was almost entirely filled with people eating at the bar. People were stacked 2 and 3 deep behind those seated trying to get drinks. The bartenders were only focused on the people sitting down to worry about us. I finally waved down a bartender to order a couple of beers, though it was so dark I couldn't read the menu. After the first beer, I actually ordered from the bar back. At 8:15, we checked back with the host, and he said it would be a little bit as they were clearing tables. By this time, six seats opened at the end of the bar. My girlfriend and I sat at the end of the bar. 20 minutes went by, and not one bartender even acknowledged that we were sitting there. Our drinks were empty and had been for the 20 minutes we were sitting there. We finally just got up, walked out, caught a cab to Tarantino's, and had a pleasant experience there. I won't be back.
(1)
Elizabeth S.
**Updated review, after receiving solid feedback from the restaurant** Love Bristol. Love Boka, and I will continue to have hopeful expectations with this one. (We are Chicago, a city of amazing food experiences, right? And given the two influencers, this should be a no brainer- incredible experience). Without a doubt, the food here is on par with this family of restaurants. On a positive note, it was totally exciting to see tripe on the menu. On another note: I didn't have the best service experience, and because of that, I can't give it a higher mark. But I can offer grace: it happens at almost every restaurant. This started out with a 1-star for the unfortunate experience that spilled over into my work day, but I'll give 2 more for the solid food and a sincere note of appreciation to the restaurateurs. It's very possible that on any other night, I could have given it a 5. With a couple stars for growth, I hope to return after CS kinks are resolved. In the meantime, I'll stick with my favorites.
(3)
Eric L.
I haven't written a review in over two years but my experience at Balena last night was so perfect that I felt compelled to put in a good word. I went to the restaurant with my girlfriend and our families for a graduation and birthday dinner. My girlfriend and I had been before and chose the restaurant because the ambiance and service were great and the food was good but not fantastic. This time, the ambiance was just as good, the food was even tastier, and the service could not have been better. My family arrived at the restaurant 30 minutes late due to traffic. We called ahead and were told it wasn't a problem. My girlfriend and her family had trouble catching a cab in the post-graduation chaos and weren't able to make it until an hour and a half after our reservation. While we were waiting for the rest of our party to arrive, our waiter made us feel at home, didn't rush us, and was respectfully patient. When my girlfriend finally made it, there was a birthday card (signed by the restaurant staff) waiting for her at her seat. Everything else about the service was also spot on. Our waters were refilled quickly and our waiter was magically present every time we needed him (he helped us snap some group photos before we could even ask). The food was also fantastic and had improved since we last visited. Our favorites were the Tagliolini Nero with Crab and Sea Urchin (which was a bit too lemony last time but perfectly seasoned this time), the Smoked Mackerel, a pasta with snail (which I forget the exact name of), and the whole roasted fish. My only complaint about the food was that, in my opinion, the pizzas were a bit dry. If you're a fan of fruitier drinks, the rosemary cocktail which my girlfriend ordered was also fantastic. All in all, my visit to Balena was one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. The food was tasty, the space was beautiful, and the service far exceeded my expectations.
(5)
Mike B.
Overall: I really enjoyed this restaurant. Decor and layout were comfortable, the servers were attentive and the food was extremely tasty. I highly recommend. Decor: cool take on a rustic Italian experience. Noise level was just right - a good buzz but no need to shout. Service: read other reviews about slow service, but my experience was great. Granted it was a Sunday night. My party didn't feel rushed at all. Food: really good. Not your traditional comfort food. A bit more refined and modern. A few dishes that stood out were the Burraga, Bruschetta with Tuna, Orrichiette and the Chocolate Tart
(5)
Ramya P.
Understated grandeur! Me and my husband were in the area and didn't have a reservation here. But we had no problem getting a table as the weather was brutal and they had many cancellations. The restaurant is beautiful. I love the high ceilings and the vintage'y decor. The service is very informative and attentive. Everything we ate was very innovative and flavorful. Since they had just a single option on every course in the restaurant week menu, they were nice enough to let my husband choose the restaurant week menu and I just got a pizza. The first course was a beautifully dressed salad, the second course was a bruschetta, the entree was the best course.. it was beet agnolotti that tasted amazing and the dessert was a gelato that tasted like heaven on earth!! The mushroom tallegio scallion pizza is one of the best pizzas I've had in the recent times. I'd say that this venture by the Boka group is definitely a success!!
(5)
Lindsay S.
Dined with my sister and 9 month old baby. The staff was very accommodating and at one point offered to clean the binky that fell on the floor! The waiter was very knowledgable about the food and wine list. The food was delicious but several dishes lacked salt in my opinion. The seafood (nero) pasta was delicious! We also enjoyed the burrata and chicken thighs. Great spot in the neighborhood, will definitely be back!
(4)
Jill H.
A new Italian restaurant in Chicago has a lot to deliver. The space here is awesome and the seating and noise level are nice. The food, what we saw of it, was a disappointment. We were there for 1.5 hours and only received our salads. The octopus, which is something I always anticipate, was shaved and had the texture and flavor of tunafish salad. The service was terribly slow and after we and cancelled our entrees resigning to leave the wine we bought, which was never refilled, the waiter came over and weakly apologized and delivered our bill. The food here is not worth the nice atmosphere, there are much better dining experiences in Chicago.
(2)
Sarah O.
Fancy family style. Smart waiters and when the made a mistake they more than over compensated! This place was a pleasant surprise. The hummus appetizer was the best for me as a vegetarian.
(4)
Lindsey W.
Although we had reservations and still waited 30 min for a table- they treated us to drinks as an apology and the rest of the evening made up for it. Be prepared to wait, but try the signature strawberry martini- delish! Can I just say WOW about the space? It's like a restoration hardware restaurant. Gorgeous. The staff was very friendly, made many suggestions that were helpful, very attentive. And the food- we split the cheese and bread platters followed by lasagna pizza and pork ragu pasta. All were so good we should have ordered two of each because we were scrapping the plates! For dessert we tried the cookies and creme gelato and it was certainly a treat. I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Elaine L.
My husband and I ate here for dinner and we had a terrific experience. Each dish we had was fresh, full of flavor, and had excellent service. It seems they switch up the menu depending on the fresh ingredients they get in. We ordered the lamb liver bruschetta (fantastic), the pork chop with the fresh seasonal summer salad (fabulous), the quail (also fantastic), and the vanilla gelato for dessert. I don't regret any of our food choices whatsoever. We'll definitely be returning!
(4)
Jessica T.
Dined here on August 2, 2014. Loved every aspect of this place. The decor was inviting and spacious. The service was polite, trendy and approachable. Went to the bar and had a delicious cocktail while I waited for the rest of the party to arrive. There were 8 of us. I had the Strawberry No. 1 and it was fabulous. If you are not into sweet then try another cocktail but the Strawberry No.1 was an excellent cocktail with a beautiful presentation. We were seated and the waiter gave a great introduction to the menu and what a typical diner would enjoy. We decided to order all the sides and 4 of the pastas and two pizzas. My favorite of all the dishes was the Taglioline with seafood. OMG, it was so delicious and it melted in my mouth. I would like to go back to this place with a date since as the night went on the lights were lowered and the whole restaurant had an intimate vibe to it which is amazing since it is so spacious.
(5)
Sam I.
Great service and food. Chicken thigh beautifully balanced dish. Pizza is served with chili oil! The desserts are very nice as well as the mature selection of tea. Tiramisu a must have. Also try the lemon soda if not drinking.
(4)
Paul C.
Maybe I expected too much from Balena. Everyone raves it's the best new spot in Chicago. Since nothing is too good for me I decided to take my boo over to Balena for a Friday date night. I really like the look and feel of Balena's restaurant space. It's huge but not overly noisy. There's definitely an intimate vibe going on despite the place's size, and you can tell love is in the air here as many dating couples can be seen sharing small plates and sipping the wine. We were seated promptly when we arrived for our reservation, and the service was fantastic throughout the night. For all the greatness of the environment, the food was a mixed bag. The highlight of the night was the spicy pork and lamb sausage appetizer. The sausage is about the size and shape of a Slim Jim, but unlike a Slim Jim tastes of actual meat. I just wish their was more of it as portion size was small. I enjoyed the tagliolini nero, but my boo thought it was too al dente (it was not). Our entrees were the disappointment of the evening. They are so forgettable that even as I write I am having a hard time dredging up their memory. I got some sort of pork belly which was the special that night (it was not so special). My boo got one of the seafood options and wasn't overly impressed with it either. We got a side of the baked polenta which, while very rich, avoids the usual dryness that is the downfall of many a polenta. So unfortunately for us the food got progressively worse as the evening continued. I give Balena a low three stars. The service was great and the ambiance is perfect for a date, but on our visit the food did not live up to the hype. I'd like to return to Balena and give them another shot. Maybe I just chose poorly. But for now, despite the hype, 3 stars is all Balena deserves.
(3)
Demony Z.
Thank You Balena for a delicious anniversary dinner and lovely experience. First the Food and Drink We got a Francesco and a Collins-ish drink of the day - both were delicious and nuanced. On our server's recommendation we got the cold smoked mackerel with soft egg and also tried the Bruschetta with oil poached tuna and marinated beans. Nothing like starting with good bread and making Bruschetta on a wood burning grill. Both dishes were great and, for the price, very generously portioned. It seems not so long ago I was squinting at 17 dollar starters that hardly put anything on the plate - that tradition seems to be happily reversing itself. Our starters would have been enough for four to share and were both under 15 dollars. We moved onto pasta - Strozzapreti with Summer Squash and Almond-Oregano Pesto. Arrived steaming hot and was just about perfect. Aggressively seasoned but stopped short of overkill - just bursting with well balanced flavors, pasta was just right. Loved it. We finished with the Salt and Pepper chicken thighs. For one I'm glad to see the Chicken Thigh getting some well deserved attention and this was about the best cooked piece of chicken I've ever served. Moist, seasoned very simply but absolutely delicious. Service was just as good as the food - something I'm rarely able to say lately. Our server was thorough, patient, passionate, informed and sincere. He noticed my wife examining some details of the interior and came over and gave a breakdown of the intention (kind of a run down Italian movie theater) and a quick history of the style of the flooring. The staff gave us a signed card for our anniversary and the whole experience was uniformly great.
(5)
Vanessa C.
This place was delicious! Went here for my birthday dinner with my boyfriend. Highly recommend the Manlino cocktail. We ordered the breads and peppers for appetizers--we were totally blown away by the peppers! Wasn't sure what to expect, but it was amazing!! The pasta was delicious, but I was really surprised by the pizza. It was phenomenal! Probably the best thin crust/artisan type pizza I have ever had, period. So so good! Would 100% come back here and plan to do so! Overall, it's a bit pricier than a normal meal, but well worth it. Atmosphere and staff are great as well--definitely see why Bon Appetit put it on the top 50 restaurants in the country!
(4)
John K.
Probably deserve 4.5 stars. Really good small plate, inventive Italian food. Not as good as nico osteria but also not as expensive. The squid ink pasta with sea urchin and the smoked white fish were really good dishes. The whole branzino in brown butter with hazelnuts was amazing, but now off the menu. Will go back to check on them 1-2x per year.
(4)
Rena M.
Food was ok. I've had far better Italian cuisine in the city. Ambiance was the saving grace for this place, nice and romantic.
(3)
Kristal R.
I decided to come to this restaurant because it was on the bib gourmand list, and I've heard decent reviews from friends. I went here last night and was somewhat underwhelmed. The menu felt like it was trying too hard, and nothing that we ordered wowed me except for the desserts. The donuts were the perfect size, and pairing them with espresso and ice cream is genious
(3)
Karen P.
We dined on June 9, a Saturday night at 6 pm before attending Steppenwolf Theatre. We actually had a 5:45 reservation, left plenty of time but OMG was traffic snarled that day! I called to let them know we would be a little late and was told "no problem". My daughter and her husband took the "el" and they arrived just when we did! The valet was very courteous and kept our car for us. The food was very different for Italian. The pizzas were awesome if you like a thin crust, rustic crust, this is the place! I ordered the langostino shrimp because I am doing low carb options. They were delicious! I did not care for the Caesar Salad with sardines. It was kale and kind of tough. However, it was not bad because I ate it all! The dressing was just perfect. So healthy! My husband ordered some kind of pasta that was black and looked like worms.I think it was a seafood pasta like in the photo shown here. He said it was "out of this world flavorful". The pulled pork plate appeared delicious and my son in law said it was also really good. Balena is not for everyone. The pizzas are a safe bet. The entrees are somewhat sophisticated. I would have liked to have seen a couple more low carb entrees like a steak or chicken. We did not order any mixed drinks. The waiter chose a crisp, white wine that was enjoyed by all. We were able to finish our dinner and walk over to the Steppenwolf, in plenty of time for the play! Thank you, Balena, for your atmosphere, well appointed staff and great ambience! We shall return!
(4)
David J.
As someone who absolutely loves Pandel's The Bristol, and I have to say that Balena just completely misses the mark and is an inferior restaurant. Service: My GF and I were originally seated right next to the kitchen by a blazing hot stove. This seemed like an odd spot for someone who made a reservation for 5:00 PM over a month in advance. I asked for an actual table instead, which, fortunately, they had available. The waiter was polite, but a little distant. This is in stark contrast to the waitstaff at the Bristol who were very casual and easy to have a conversation with. Drinks: I had the Strawberry no1 and she had the Rosemary no2. Mine was ok, maybe a little too sweet. Hers, on the other hand, had this awful and weird aftertaste. The flamed rosemary tasted like a burnt christmas tree. We were craving the Bristol's Dark and Stormy after that fiasco. Starter: I skipped on a starter, but she had some sorta arugula salad (I'm blanking on the name now). This was one of the saddest salads that I've seen at a restaurant. For $14, you a mix of healthy and wilted arugula mixed with a vinaigrette and some pine nuts and cheese shavings. This looked like something out of Buca Di Beppo. They at least have the decency to charge you a reasonable price. Dinner: So the grilled quail that I had was pretty good. The meat was very moist and I really enjoyed the greens that it came with. She had the Potato and Leek Ravioli, which was a huge let down. They say that the pasta is hand-made, but man, it looked *really* artificial. It was also very bland. Dessert: We actually skipped this. The bill was already pushing $100, and I really just couldn't see myself spending any more money here. I keep hearing that the desserts are excellent, but we just stopped at a DQ on the way home. My heathbar blizzard was the highlight of the evening. So I hate to keep comparing this place to the Bristol, but for a Pandel restaurant, that should be the absolute *minimum* for service and quality and food. Part of me thinks that this place was made just to rope in folks who are going to the theater. Again, this was a huge disappointment.
(2)
Don J.
A very strong addition to Chicagos restaurant scene with very good food and exceptional decor. Service was great throughout however one or two dishes could be stronger hence the 4 stars instead of 5. We had: - Fennel Cured Salmon 3/5, the fennel over powered the Salmon - Zucchini Panzanella 4/5, very simple roasted vegetables but tasted great - Rigatoni Pork Ragu 4/5, very strong dish which we finished in seconds - Sausage Pizza 5/5, one of the best pizzas in Chicago - Grilled Prawns 5/5, very tasty and fresh dish, I will go back again just for this dish - Potato with Salsa Verde 5/5, sooooooooo good - Vanilla Gelati 4/5 - Affogato 5/5 If looking for a new trendy restaurant with substance in Chicago, look no further than Balena.
(4)
Aaron G.
I came here before a show at Steppenwolf last week. This place is truly a gem & I will be eating here everytime I see a show there! The decor is beautiful, and the food is authentic Italian and delicious. I was a bit close-minded at firs for trying new things, but our waiter was wonderful and answered any questions my partner and I had about the menu. We ended up going with Spaghetti Cacio E Pepe and Spicy Pepperoni Pizza. Both of the dishes were fantastic! Everything is homemade and delicious! We had the Vanilla Gelato Sundae for dessert which was also amazing. We will definitely be returning!!!
(5)
vivian c.
so yummy, came here for holiday party. had the pasta with lemon and kale, meat plate, cheese plate, and tiramisu. the waitress went above and beyond to address our food allergies, talking to the chef several times and speaking with us to make sure that we were safe. she was such a doll and provided great customer service. thanks balena!
(5)
Hector N.
Interesting food, very tasty, a bit pricey.
(4)
Kate L.
I came with 3 friends for a 6:30 reservation- we had fantastic service from a red-headed waitress who was not only knowledgable about the menu but had clearly tried every dish and really loved the food. We went with many of her suggestions and loved and shared them all. Water glasses filled at all times, food came out in perfect succession and a warm and lively ambience. I'll recommend to everyone looking for a great restaurant in Lincoln Park!
(5)
Rebekah R.
Had a wonderful experience at Balena. Great atmosphere and fabulous food. The decor is interesting and attractive, rustic but not cheap-looking as if they had tried to cut corners. This restaurant is in the old Landmark building. The crowd was stylish including people of all ages, and while the restaurant was full, it was not too noisy. We had a reservation and were seated immediately. We had six people with us so we probably ordered half the menu, and everything was excellent. The pizzas were awesome, especially the mushroom pizza. We also had the pizza with rhubarb and it was delicious, like nothing I had ever tasted before. There are a lot of vegetarian options. The orecchiete was phenomenal, probably the best pasta I've ever had, and the tajarin with brown butter was also pretty amazing. The only thing we didn't love was the bruchetta with with some sort of white bean, but it's probably hard to make bread with beans on top taste like much. Drinks were great and unique. Service was prompt and attentive. Great experience overall. Would definitely return. A wonderful place for a date, a gathering with friends, or any special occasion.
(5)
katharine k.
I tried this new place last friday night, with my best friend visiting from ny and its delicious. we made a 9:30pm reservation about 1/2 hour before and they seated us at a very nice, roomy table. the place has super high ceilings, dim lighting and a nice, comfortable/homey atmosphere. the waitress was very nice and attentive and brought our wine promptly. every table we saw was having the pizza...and raji and i love pizza...so we jumped on the bandwagon. we started with the seafood salad, and honestly, it was a little off. not bad, but not executed perfectly. next, we split the fontina cheese and mushroom pizza and loved it! it was amazing and definitely large enough for both of us to share. the crust is perfectly crispy, yet the inside is soft (similar to the elasticity of the inside, doughy part of a croissant). this place is perfect for a date, a cozy dinner with friends, or just a drink at the bar. next time im going back just going for a glass of red wine and a pizza.
(4)
Andy S.
went to balena twice in a 1.5 week span ---- and they were both one of the better dining experiences I've had. The atmosphere is great at a consistently good volume throughout the night. favorite dishes: the bruschetta w/oil poached tuna, linguine carbonara, mushroom fontina w/scallion pizza, polenta, and the tiramisu is a can't miss! honestly, don't think you can go wrong with any dish. keep in mind the portions are on not large which promotes sharing and that's never a bad thing!
(5)
Stuart B.
I had big expectations, so Balena was a bit of a disappointment for me. We went to Balena Saturday night for a late dinner. We had a pescatarian in tow, so my review comes with a grain of salt - I did not sample many menu items that I might have eaten otherwise in order to ensure that everyone could participate in the meal. First, the room and the service. The inside is quite different than Landmark, the previous occupant of the space. The decor was attractive, rustic-ish with a strange 'Miami Vice' broken neon twist decorating the walls. Because the ceiling is extremely high (30 feet or so), the acoustics were bad, even late on a Saturday night with a half-to-quarter full restaurant. Service was great, with an attentive server and very pleasant ancillary staff. As for alcohol, the wine list was extensive and featured good selections from throughout Italy. Although we did not sample the bottled offerings due to the different palates in our party, we had no misses in the 7 glasses that came to the table. The cocktails were less of a hit - my wife's Strawberry No.1 was merely ok - a bit sweet for my taste and hers. My Montenegro No. 6 was similar - good but not outstanding. Finally, and most importantly, the food. The bread and cheese "First Courses" from the top of the menu were merely ok, with good cheese but mediocre bread (neither the Lemon Challah or the Walnut Bread were particularly good or worth the price). Better to stick with the crostini that comes with the cheese course, in our table's collective opinion. For dinner, there were two highlights - the ricotta ravioli with swiss chard and brown butter, and the roasted beet and burrata appetizer. The Zingerman's burrata was a particular standout. Both dishes were excellent and will be re-ordered on a subsequent visit. For the remaining items, our spaghetti (with tomato "fondue" and parmesan) was ok but uninspiring. The noodles were appropriately al dente, appeared house-made and were noticeably thicker than prepared pasta noodles. The sauce, which was similar to some of Marcella Hazan's simpler tomato & cheese sauces, lacked the robustness of those sauces. Maybe the flavor is lost in translation of smaller scale recipes to restaurant-size preparations, but we all agreed that we would not order the spaghetti again on a subsequent visit. We had two pizzas, the "Lasagna Pie" (following a fellow Yelper) and the Mushroom, Fontina, Taleggio, Scallion & Thyme. For the former, none of us (save the pescatarian, who didn't eat it), thought it was particularly good or interesting. Basically, the Lasagna Pie is a "cheeseless" (in the traditional sense) pizza with a bolognese sauce on a pizza crust featuring spots of ricotta and basil. We thought the pizza was underspiced and fairly pedestrian, especially for a place with Bristol and Boka pedigree. The mushroom pizza was better received, although the pescatarian, who is close to the food industry, thought the scallion was overpowering, possibly due to being left out before going on the pizza. The flavors were much more complex and interesting on the mushroom, but, as with the Lasagna Pie, the experience was just ok. Both pizzas were cooked appropriately, but neither offered the kind of snap/crunch or blistering that one would expect from a fired pizza. The pizza crust is much more substantial and chewy than any of us would have expected, and we all agreed that the pizza became more about the bread than what was on top, to the detriment of both pizzas. Given that we were stuffed (all of the above was plenty for four people), we did not try the desserts, so I can't comment on what looks like a good program. In sum, Balena was good, but definitely not great, at this point of its young life. I will be back, possibly with more meat eaters in tow, but I can't give it an unequivocal recommendation at this point.
(3)
cait l.
Really lovely restaurant with excellent food and service. Walked in with my husband on a cold night. The cocktails were innovative and delicious (special points to the bartender for making this preggo a lemony mocktail) and everything was prompt. We ordered the winter greens salad, which had a perfect hazelnut vinaigrette and citrus, a burrata and beet salad, the prawn entree and the black squid ink tagliolini with urchin and crab. The pasta was outstanding. Other reviewers mention that the portion are "small" but these New Yorkers ended up too full for dessert. Reasonably priced for the quality (drinks, 2 starters, 2 mains for $100 before tip). This restaurant is well worth a visit.
(5)
Roshani C.
Really good service and ambience. We loved one of the dishes which was the orchiette kale lemon pasta. Because we are vegetarian there werent many options, the pizza was just okay.
(4)
Lindsey D.
In a neighborhood not short on Italian options (due, no doubt, to the several theaters nearby) Balena offers a modern take on the more traditional Italian options in the area. Overall, the food was strong and given the affordable price point, I plan to return often. The atmosphere is rustic yet sophisticated and both the main and elevated dining room were bustling. My boyfriend and I arrived right at our reservation time and waited just a few minutes for the table. We ordered wine and sat fairly awkwardly with our winter coats in the small bar seats, until he finally asked the bartender about a coat check. A restaurant with great service would have no doubt offered this upfront. Next came wine; we had one of the few by the glass Cabernets. The wine list is extensive and focuses on Italian wines. Not being an expert in that and with little guidance from the bartender, we went with something we recognized (hence the Cabernet). We shared a delicious light and airy burrata served with pickled beets and celery root. I probably would have preferred the traditional tomato and basil pairing (the earthy beet somewhat overwhelmed the light flavor of the burrata), but I realize they're trying to be a bit creative here. The short rib was a flop, in my opinion. It was grilled, so I wasn't necessarily expected the tender braised variety you find at most restaurants. However, what we got was tough and fatty (not to mention it was served with a butter knife), making it difficult to cut. We eventually had to ask for a steak knife to finish the job. The pizza, though, oh the pizza! Heavenly crispy yet chewy crust with the lightest tomato and mozzarella. And at only $14 for a small 8-piece serving, this is what makes Balena worth many return trips. All in all, I'll definitely return for the great atmosphere and affordable prices; come for the pizza, wine and burrata. Try somewhere else for a special occasion or when top-notch service is a must.
(4)
Molly K.
One of the most delicious meals I've had in a very long time. Went here with my boyfriend on a weekday and they were packed. Started off at the bar for a few drinks, both bartenders are extremely friendly and funny! Even though they were busy they still made an effort to chat with us for a bit. When we got to our table, which didn't take long at all, we were greeted by our server who was very knowledgable about everything on the menu. I can't remember the names of everything we ordered, but I'll just say that the spicy salami pizza was DELICIOUS! We got ourselves two appetizers, pasta, pizza & one entre. The manager came over with wine selections for us that matched each course perfectly! The atmosphere was perfect, the service was excellent, & the food was unbelievable. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kate S.
Great service! I was running 5 minutes late on a Saturday evening because of traffic on Halsted and when I called to them they told me no worries and drive safe. I thought that was very nice. Anyway, our meal was fantastic. We shared the Caeser kale salad. I ordered the mushroom pizza and my fiancee ordered the scallops. The scallops are better suited as an appetizer (there are only 3 and they are pretty small). That said, they were delicious and because the pizzas are so big he was able to help me (and we still had some to take home!). Save room for dessert. The gelato Sundays are really good!
(4)
Kimberly M.
We went here last friday for our Anniversary dinner. I don't know if it was an off night or what, but I am not sure I would go here again. The waitress was overwhelmed with her tables, and lacked multitasking massively. The manager had to take our drink order, after we sat at the table for a bit. Then the bar back dropped it at the table. The waitress finally come over after we were half way done with our cocktails. This was about 30 mins later. She had no suggestions on food, we learned about a dish from the manager, which was tasty. The gnocchi, on the other hand, was horrible. This is usually one of my favorite pasta's to order and have had at other establishment. She only came back over once after that, no offers for more drinks. We had to get the manager to get the bill. On the way out, two floor managers asked how our meal was and after expressing, disappointing to both, no other comments occurred. Just sad for having positive thoughts for the night, turn out so badly.
(2)
Fuudcritic C.
Awesome. Finally...this is the kind of place we need. Balena is somewhat new and still a smoking hot place to be and dine. There's no fuss here and the staff is so warm and friendly.....not like some of these new restaurants that has snooty hostesses, servers and managers. Very limited menu but perfect! Everything is amazing! Our server Garen was fabulous! Will return.
(5)
Melanie M.
Everything was extremely fresh, flavorful and delicious. Service was impeccable and they even brought out a gelato for my birthday which was great as well. Pasta was the freshest I've tasted outside of Italy, the decor was beautiful, not too crowded at all and the next time Im in Chicago with someone willing to pay $50ish for an entree and some starters I will definitely be back!
(5)
Don R.
Food was good. The pasta was the standout for us. I'm giving it 2 stars though for the service. The manager was fantastic, but had to swoop in and save the day after our server was very unattentive. We had to ask 3 times for the beer we ordered. And we waited 30 minutes in between our appetizer course and main course, with the server appearing but once during that time. When we asked the manager what was going on, he got it taken care of. Could have been a server error or a because the place is new, but the service was lackluster. At least keep our glasses filled so we ignore the inordinate amount of time we spent waiting.
(2)
kellie f.
Went here for valentines day dinner. The service was great and fast enough but not too fast.. We had the cheese plate which was really good and the mushroom bruschetta as well... I had the hen egg pasta which was delicious and cant stop thinking about it. My boyfriend had the short rib and he liked his very much as well.. I highly recommend this restaurant and cant wait to go back! :)
(4)
Maggie S.
I was so hoping this place would be as good as I hoped & honestly--it was better! The trio of sweet & friendly hostesses who greeted me set the mood for the entire night. Our server, Keith, was great. He was laidback but attentive; funny, informative & friendly. We started with the Balena--a mixture of their meats, cheeses, breads & dips. So delicious! The blue cheese with honey was my favorite & my parents loved the soft goat cheese. The meats were fresh & flavorful but the bread? OMG the bread! Freshly cooked, still hot from the oven with a trio of dips including a garlic aioli & a thick Caesar-dressing dip. There was also a housemade giardiniera made with pickled radishes, carrots & more--tart but extremely tasty! We were three & left some on the plate to eat I think 4 people is ideal for the dish. For dinner, my dad & I split the Spicy Sausage pizza & the Jota, Carrots, Borlotti, Pancetta, Kraut side. The pizza came with a housemade spicy chili sauce which reminded me of Sriracha but a thinner texture--just as delicious & with the right amount of kick. Mom had the Ricotta Ravioli with swiss chard & brown butter--rich, creamy & filling but delicious. The Jota Etc. was a real treat. It had a spicy kick, the kraut was anything but sour & everything was amazingly fresh. For dessert, we had the Affogato with cinnamon sugar donuts. AMAZING. The donuts were soft & practically melted in your mouth--especially when dipped in the espresso/vanilla! A few things worth mentioning: The decor is gorgeous! Everything is rustic & warm; the wood paneling creates a homey feeling & I love the light fixtures on the ceiling which are like ballooned chandeliers. Also, the leather chairs at the bar & tables make everything more comfortable & enjoyable. The kitchen is located on the second floor & exposed by huge windows--it's incredibly fun to watch your food being prepared as if on a stage! The wine menu is HUGE--31 pages to be exact--& features a wide variety with very reasonable prices. And again, the SERVICE! Everyone was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable & gracious. I highly recommend Balena & personally can't wait to go back!
(4)
Swati B.
where to start?!? I loved the venue...I've never been to Tuscany before, but my guess is that is what they tried to emulate. Its pretty, its quaint, its romantic, yet trendy. The service...OUTSTANDING. Honestly, they pay attention to the littlest detail, our server was efficient, friendly, and knowledgable which is always a plus. Love their cocktail menu, the orange flavor one was actually really good. An amazing wine menu...so many italian wines, how to choose?! the food..OH THE FOOD... peter's bread...the chocolate sourdough..omg. must get this. the lemon orriechette was just absolutely amazing. such amazing flavors, so fresh, portioned to share. The pizza we had was pretty good, sauceless like Italy's pizza. the beet salad with buratta...really rich and delicious. dessert....you must try the bluberry dessert with the crumbles with the gelato. holy heaven. and a little limoncello to top it off? housemade? why not this place was outstanding. i can see why it was just named a top 50 new restaurant in the COUNTRY i will definitely be back! can't wait to try something new!
(5)
L T.
My wife and I dined here in early July. We were really excited about it because we had heard so many good things and read about it on Eater. We came in on a Friday night after being downtown at a concert at around 9:30 pm for some delicious pizza. When we got there we didnt' have to wait - got seated immediately which was a big plus. We sat down, got menus and figured out what we wanted. It took 10 minutes to get our waitress to come greet us. It was busy so we thought we'd let it slide. Since she was there and we knew what we wanted we told we were ready to order. She seemed a bit offput by this, but said ok and took our order for beers, pizza, and polenta. This is when things began to go downhill. After we had placed our order, we waited nearly 15 minutes to get our beers, I had to flag down a busboy who went to tell our waitress and had someone else bring our drinks out to us. We got our polenta not long after that (delivered by someone else) and it was honestly some of the best I've had. It took us about another 20-25 minutes to get our pizza, we just sat patiently while bus boys refilled our water., our waitress not checking up on us as we wait and 1) watch the table next to us get constant attention from their server and 2) notice that our server is at a table of two young guys constantly just a few tables over. Our pizza finally gets delivered and I'm not sure what I expected, but the crust was very limp (I know Napoli style is like that sometimes) but it barely had any basil on it. While we knew the mozzerella was of good quality, and assume everything else was, the pizza fell flat on its face. During this time, our bus boy refills our water again and I ask him if he's our server for the remainder of the meal - he says no, and I said "ive seen you more than I've seen her". At that time we notice her over at the other table flirting with those guys again. We are done with our pizza and she walks by, I grab her attention and she doesn't ask how our food is, she just asks if we'd like dessert. We told her no and that we're just ready for a check. She's clueless we had horrible service and weren't happy with our food. Didn't even ask us if we wanted a box for the rest of the pizza. She brings our check back, and I ask our busboy who checked up on us again for a togo box. He gets it and we pay . I still hear raving things about this place from friends and blogs about how great the food is. Maybe if we went for an actual italian meal we would do better, but I think since we just had a pizza and a couple beers we weren't worth out servers time and I don't think we'll be back.
(1)
Sonja S.
I know it gets old to say it , I know its cheesy - but Balena, you had me at Hello.. Well more precisely, you had me at the moment I walked into your beautiful , warm welcoming space and there was a BIRTHDAY card, signed by the staff on the table, I don't know Balena, are you seeing anyone? Yes here we go it was my Birthday proper and after a stunningly awful experience the night before at another Italian restaurant, I was bruised. Unwilling to trust that the sheer beauty of the room would make good on its promise of a stellar experience. I am delighted to report .... The service was thoughtful, warm , professional and kind ( I told you I was recovering) BUT THE FOOD - was crazy good starting with the bread/ cheese / meat basket which was so high quality, so varied and so well presented, I was enchanted. We also ordered the Polenta, the Burrata ( OMG) the tagliata ( SP) the pork ragu , the pistachio gelato - the hits kept on coming and my palate could have danced all night- AMAZING.
(5)
Jeff K.
Went here on a date this week. What a great date place! We went on a Wednesday night and the place was crowded to the point were there was a nice vibe, but not too loud or crowded like you couldn't talk. I would advise coming to the restaurant a little before your reservation to settle up at the bar for one of their delicious cocktails with bitters. What a wonderful fresh concept! For dinner, we split the venison terrine, pork rogu pasta, and chicken thighs. All the dishes were deliciously prepared and seasoned. The food was rustic feeling without being heavy or outdated. I would like to come back again and try more items on the menu. Everything coming out was delicious. Oh and there wine list was extensive and unique.
(4)
Caroline S.
This was an amazing meal. I would absolutely return. I went the starter and pasta route after also sharing the cheese plate. My smoked mackerel with a soft egg first course was incredible. The flavors weren't over powering at all. It was a perfect beginning. We had the cheeses. The blue with real honey comb on the side was perfect. As I mentioned, I started with the "Smoked Mackerel, Aioli, Pangrattato, Soft Cooked Egg." Phenomenal. I then had the "Orecchiette, Lemon, Kale, Bread Crumbs, Chili." The lemon flavor was dominant, but not in an off-putting way. My friend had the "Tagliolini Nero, Crab, Sea Urchin, Chile," which I tasted, and it was incredible. I am already plotting the next time I can go back.
(5)
Abby L.
Went here for my birthday dinner last month... it was SO great. Everything about it exceeded my expectations...the ambiance is awesome (trendy, but lots of different rooms/spaces make it really unique from a lot of other similar restaurants), the food was excellent, and the drinks were delicious (and strong too!) I can't wait to go back!! You won't be disappointed :-)
(5)
Peggy W.
I was wowed by the decor. Then we sat down; it is so noisy, you cannot converse. The service was fantastic, the food was delicious, if only the could hang some fabric or anything to absorb the sound it would be perfect!
(4)
Mandoos G.
This is one of those places you go do and pay 25 dollars for a plate of food and they give you a small handful of whatever it is you ordered. Not my style. Having said that, the food was out....standing. It really was amazing in taste and quality. Usually this type of place I only go to because I'm being forced to (what can I say, I'm cheap) but I would honestly go back here. We had a few things, but the Mortadella pizza was stupid good. HAVE DESSERT. Do not skip out on this step. Their desserts are amazing. AMAZING.
(4)
Alberto T.
Great food and great ambience, love the wooden ceiling. The pizza is good but the dough is a bit sweet, like the one you eat by the slice in Italy (pizza al trancio). The Smoked Mackerel is amazing. The desserts are delicious: you should try the affogato just to taste the Cinnamon Sugar Donuts. Service was a bit slow. We got seated a good 15-20 minutes after our reservation (made a month before!), but everyone was extra nice. The best part of the meal was when a waiter arrived with two free Smoked Mackerel to apologize for the delay. Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Nicole M.
Unbelievable dinner at Balena last night. It was my husband and I's wedding anniversary, and Balena pulled out all the stops. We had a table by the window, they had a happy anniversary card waiting at our table when we arrived and we had fantastic service throughout the meal. It is hard to say which dish was our favorite because everything was so good. We ordered: Peter's Bread - the lavendar, rosemary bread was our personal favorite. Orecchiette - definitely had a spicy kick to it which made it interesting and delicous. The lemon and breadcrumb were really nice touches. Farm Egg Tajarin - This was my husband's favorite dish. We are both suckers for sage and brown butter. I am still thinking about this dish today. Prawns - melt in your mouth and extremely fresh. Chocolate Hazelnut Tart for dessert - homerun dessert. I think Balena is a fantastic place for either an intimate dinner with a friend or spouse or with a group of friends. We saw a lot of both last night. The atmosphere is energetic, lively and extremely inviting. We will definitely be returning.
(5)
shai h.
I normally don't do Italian. I feel like there's so many terrible Italian restaurants. HOWEVER, Balena was REALLY GOOD. I went with my boyfriend last week. We had the cured meat plate to start. You pretty much can't f-up cured meat. My boyfriend said he wasn't super impressed with it, but I loved it. We then had the brucetta which my boyfriend LOVED, but I didn't enjoy that much. I didn't read it on the menu and I was expecting tradtional brucetta. It's pickled tuna and beans. I think it was the beans that I didn't like. It was good, but I was saving room. For dinner I had the head on prawn which was amazing. My boyfriend had a pizza (which I don't like pizzas, so that was whatever for me). I really wish we'd tried some pasta. We are going to go back soon to try some pasta!
(4)
Amber S.
I just tried Balena this past week with two girlfriends and we loved it! First, the atmosphere is simple yet chic..maybe sophisticated? Our waiter was very attentive and the food was excellent! I would list our 2 appetizers and entrees but it looks like the menu online is different from the menu we had in the restaurant. We asked the waiter and the pasta noodles are made in house and we the BEST pasta dishes I have eaten!
(5)
Mandy P.
First of all, if I didn't know I was walking into the old Landmark, I would just assume I was in some restaurant elsewhere in the city. The place looks totally different; in a good way! It's a bright and rustic scene that was shockingly vibrant on a Tuesday evening. Though there seems to not be a bad seat in the house, this single girl and her single lady friend easily lamented being tucked away upstairs with a view of Halsted. It would have been more, um...conversation-starting to be downstairs amongst the mixologists and imbibing noshers. Going off of recommendations from someone who had previously been here, we ordered the bread and the smoked mackerel. I could have easily called it a meal with my gin cocktail and been happy as heck. If you don't get the bread and you appreciate carbs, you should probably be glared out of the place. Having never tried mackerel before, I was a bit scared, but it was delish and smoky, as the name implied. We split the orecchiette - (holy lemon flavor!) and the mortadella pizza. Both of us each just had one piece of pizza, but sat there staring at the rest, willing our stomachs to expand. Instead we took it home and ordered the tiramisu. It wasn't the standout on the menu, but it just gives me fodder for returning and finding something I like even more. The service was as good as the food too. It's hard to find a server as attentive as ours was. Can't wait to return! And sit downstairs, of course.
(4)
Mary C.
if you want to whisk away to Italy without the hefty price tag or long flight, head on over to Balena. Airy and light, the atmosphere is reminiscent of a piazza, with a chic leather bar and glass kitchen. And the Italian-inspired food has interesting, delicious modern twists: a kale and sardine salad, an inspired tuna and bean bruschetta, housemade fresh pastas and perfect pizzas. Everything I've tried is fresh and focused on letting the quality ingredients shine. Debbi Peek's cocktails are starting an amaro craze (try the Rosemary no2) and the Italian-focused wine program is impressive. Make sure you save room for Amanda Rockman's desserts - I am a chocolate lover, but the affogato, tiramisu with pear, and pistachio sundae (holy nougat batman!) are not to be missed. Wash it all down with a shot of housemade limoncello. Balena is sexy, cool, and delizioso!
(5)
Stephanie M.
Absolutely loved this place - the food, drinks and service was great - started with the strawberry No 1 - very good - next we moved on to the cheese board and bread basket - great selection - our next course was the lasagna pizza - make sure you try this - YUMMY. We were bummed that we were full and unable to order pasta or an entree, but we did try the chocolate and burnt caramel dessert - again - another hit - love this place - will definitely be back soon!!
(5)
D L.
Definitely one of my favorite meals of 2012. From start to finish. We had the smoked mackerel, bread basket, squid ink pasta, head on prawns, and ice cream with macerated berries. I'm writing this review 6 months later and I still remember every dish. That to me is a sign of a great meal.
(4)
David S.
Great atmosphere, outstanding decor and good service. The food was great too and the prices were reasonable for the package! Will certainly return.
Hip, not too loud, fantastic service and wonderful selection. Mozzarella app awesome.
(4)
Ken C.
excellent food, service,and decor
(5)
Debbie S.
Had an early date night here on Saturday night. Terrific meal and great atmosphere! I loved the decor of the restaurant -- wooden tables, high ceilings and beautiful open shelving. My husband and I spent several minutes trying to remember the old Landmark space. I had a terrific glass of wine to start the meal and hubby had a beer. They request that you order your entire meal at one time and they will bring out the dishes accordingly. We started with Peter's bread basket -- a seasonal selection of delicious breads made in house. I was impressed with the bread and the various kinds of spreads that are included -- my favorite was the pumpkin brioche. We then had the best dish of the evening -- an heirloom tomato bruschetta that was out of this world. Piled high with tomatoes, soaked with aged balsamic -- this dish was to die for. I could have eaten plate after plate of this. Apparently the tomates are from the sous chef's brother's farm in Lincolnwood -- boy do I wish I knew the sous chef's brother so that I could get tomatoes from him. After the bruschetta, we moved on to the Orechiette dish. We were both a little disappointed with this one -- it received raves on yelp, but both the hubby and I thought that it was so citrusy -- the bitterness of the kelp helped tone the citrus flavor down, but the bites without the kelp were a little overpowering. After the pasta, we had a mortadella and pistachio pesto pizza that was excellent. The mortadella was salty and flavorful and the combination of the pistachio pesto and the pesto cured mortadella really made this dish flavorful and delicious. I ended the meal with the Affogato and vanilla gelati. Fantastic. As I am not an espresso fan, I asked our waiter whether chocolate sauce could be substituted for the espresso and he happily obliged. A great way to end the meal. Hubby had the pistachio gelati and he said that the dish reminded him of Turkish Delight (in a good way). Both of us were very pleased with the desserts. The overall meal was terrific and the service was spot on. Balena has a lot of employees, but they don't hover, which I appreciate. We lingered over our meal and no one tried to rush us out the door. By the time we left, it was starting to get a bit loud in the restaurant. While I love the decor, there are no soft fabrics to dampen the noise -- towards the end of our night, it was a little hard to hear each other speak.
(4)
KM R.
I may try it again since I live nearby. Excellent service. Nice space. Enjoyed our food, but out of top choices. Mackerl app was fantastic. Better pizza of this type elsewhere.
(3)
Colleen F.
Ate dinner here last night and had a great experience. Started with The Balena, and enjoyed a great selection of meats, cheese and breads. Definitely recommend for a group... there were 6 of us and we did have a little extra. Mushroom Pizza - so good. The fresh green onions shaved on top were a fabulous fresh touch. Salami Pizza - crust and sauce were perfect. The salami itself was good, I would definitely eat it again, but might try the sausage next time. The pizzas are served with a red pepper oil and it's a great accompaniment for someone that wants a bit of heat. Tajarin with Pork Ragu - a must try. The sauce is rich and flavorful, and the noodle was cooked to perfection. Ricotta Ravioli - rich and flavorful. We split these and one was enough to get the vibe... a plateful might be too much. Tagliolini Nero - a bit overpriced for the amount of seafood included, I wouldn't order it again, but it wasn't bad by any means. Chicken Thigh - crispy outside, juicy and tender inside. The mustard greens served with this dish were on point and added a great bitter flavor. Our server was very attentive and friendly, made great recommendations. The space is open yet all the candles make it seem very warm. Loved the whole atmosphere.
(4)
Jonathan G.
So those of you who know me.. I love food but I also focus on steps of service. Usually if I am at a restaurant I pay way more attention to the food than the service because from experience I know there will be mess ups of service the first week. The food was very good...tried a few of the small plates that were very good, the pasta was cooked perfectly and the duck was awesome...but the thing that left the biggest impression was the service on the second day of service. The Boka boys have obviously stressed the steps of service but not only to servers but the entire staff. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a table is not reset for the next course...second day of service with perfect execution, friendly not over the top service, with explanations that were not pretentious.
(5)
Nat M.
excellent ambience. great drinks. good service. good food. excellent desserts. a bit pricey, but this is one of the best places Ive been in Chicago - so worth it. I'll defn go back for more
(5)
Lindsay F.
Pros: 1. Getting seated at the chefs table - so cool to watch all the food being prepared 2. Service - waitress, hosts, chefs - all were helpful and friendly 3. Timing - all our dishes were timed perfectly and we didn't feel at all rushed 4. Appetizer - short ribs were unique and delicious 5. Rabbit Entree - unique application or rabbit; not game-y at all 5. Dessert - the tiramisu was by far the best I've ever had 6. Wine List - extensive and had a variety of price points Cons: 1. Pizza - just okay, too much sauce and lot very authentic 2. Shared Seating - although we didn't get placed at a shared table, I always dislike when restaurants have shared seating 3. Atmosphere - very loud
(4)
Elle H.
went there last week, the atmosphere is awesome 9/10. The only reason I say this is because the upstairs tables are a little to close together. Its hard not to bump into the other table when getting up. The drinks were fantastic! The deserts were also great.. I had pizza, which was pretty good. I can't speak for anyone else, but I liked it! Oh and everyone on staff is super friendly!
(5)
Beth N.
We hosted our wedding at Balena over Labor Day weekend 2012, it was perfect for our non-traditional vision with focus on the space, the food and a general great time for our guests. We had dined at Balena before and loved the food, and the space is a perfect mix of vintage and industrial that we both like, while the vaulted ceilings and open dining room lent itself to our ceremony site. Michelle Herndon and her team at Balena put on a beyond-amazing party for us! From leading guests to the appropriate spaces for our ceremony and dinner, to making sure my husband and I were taken care of, assisting any guests with special needs, to cleaning up empty glasses as soon as they were placed down, the staff was incredibly organized, attentive and friendly throughout. Our guests were very impressed with the dinner buffet, of course the magnificent food, but also the meal preparation that took place right there in front of them. The dessert table was a gorgeous array of fantastic sweets, including our amazing lemon/ginger/blueberry cake that then-pastry chef Amanda Rockman created. We cannot thank Michelle enough for completely planning our wedding at Balena! She was in constant contact with us to make sure every single detail was in order - from the placement of each table and chair, to where exactly the band would plug in, helping us choose a variety of dishes that would make the best menu, to keeping the entire show running smoothly! She even worked her hidden floral talent on my bridal bouquet when I wasn't totally satisfied with it. She did everything with a smile and made planning our wedding easy.
(5)
Laura S.
Wonderful! I went with a friend and we were suprised to get a awesome table almost in the kitchen. We started with the beet and cheese salad. All I can say is YUM! Second we shared a black pasta with crab... Delicious! We finished with the Sea Bass, which was my least favorite, but still good. All in all this was a great place to eat. Our server was great and did not rush us at all. I can not wait to go back!
(5)
Randal R.
First off I'm a big fan of Bistol. I love the monkey bread--no monkey bread her but they do have a $6 bread side. I'd rather have the $5 monkey bread. Everything was great but here is the one problem. The waitress had to warn me that the pasta dishes are the smaller sharable sizes. I don't quite get that because if they are smaller how are they sharable. Whatever, she actually said they were 6 oz portions. I'm not sure if the cook actually weighs the pasta but the pasta did not cover the bottom of the bowl. My pasta which had 2 little pieces of crab in it was $19. I felt like saying the pasta does not have the smaller sharable price. Is 8oz of pasta too much to ask for. We are talking pasta not steak. Both pasta we had were small but very flavorful. The pizza looked huge compared to the pasta. The desserts were creative and was even better then the pasta. This is a perfect place for women to go and graze and cat like the table next to us. Food is 4.5 star, don't bring 4 big men before a 3 hour workout.
(3)
Vlad T.
Went to Balena for the first time last week. Its a fantastic space, well thought out, great modern rustic decor lots of light wood, exposed brick, high ceilings. Great drinks nicely rated by their bitterness. Food was rather disappointing. Although appetizers were great: bread basket, hazelnut quail (phenomenal), kale salad - all good. Pasta dished - they tried to do too much with it. Pasta should be simple, few ingredients and well prepared, at least to my taste. I am a sucker for simple pastas and southern italian cooking. Pasta negro for example - a more of a popular dish there was way too lemony. Deserts were not great at all: tiramisu - just OK, ice cream - same. This place needs a serious chef!!! I would recommend this place for drinks only.
(3)
Jim W.
Give it 3.5. We went for our anniversary. Very nice restaurant, food and service are solid. But, I don't think it's a top tier Chicago restaurant. If your in the neighborhood, going to Steppanwolf, you'll enjoy it.
(3)
Sandra V.
We wanted to have dinner at this restaurant after wandering in a few months ago for a drink prior to a show at Steppenwolf. They have interesting specialty drinks with bitters - the few we have tried were quite tasty. First off the service is very friendly (maybe a little forced - but friendly). Our reservations were at 4:45 and I will get back to that. My date had a bitters cocktail and I asked if they had any Super Tuscans by the glass - they didn't but the waiter chose a great wine with a similar taste profile for me. We started out with The Balena - a platter of meats, cheeses and home made baked breads, which also included a few dipping sauces. Every choice on the platter was delicious (we saved some of the chocolate cherry bread for dessert). There was more than enough on the platter that you could order that and a couple glasses of wine and you're done. But my date wanted entrees - so we split a couple. We explained to our waiter that we had a lot of time to kill - the show we were seeing didn't start until 7:30 and to not rush the food out and he offered to bring the 2 entrees out one at at ime. Our first was a pasta dish - Orecchiette, Lemon Butter, Kale, Bread Crumbs and Chili. (first don't expect to leave full if this is all you order - the pasta dish was quite small - but the price was fair - and by American standards portions are too big anyway - this was just right). The pasta was cooked to perfection - toothsome. My date, who is Italian was very impressed with the texture of the pasta and he is very difficult to please when it comes to Italian cooking. The lemon butter was light and flavorful with a nice surprise of kick from the chilis. The kale was not bitter and the bread crumbs added a nice texture of crunch. Outstanding! For our meat entree we ordered the Mixed Grill of pork - wonderful. Homemade pork meatballs served in light but again surprising sauce with a chili kick, pork chorizo, glazed ham, pork pate with some bacon on top. While the latter was good - I didn't find it as delicious as the other options on the plate so I let my date eat that entire portion. Served with a light argula salad over grilled fennel. Again - just outstanding. The dessert menu looked like quite a treat with homemade gelatos, etc but we were so full we opted for a couple of espressos. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for some good rustic Italian cooking ( I tried RPM Italian a couple weeks go - don't bother - get a reservation here). And speaking of reservations - the only "off" part of our experience - we called mid week for a reservation and we were told the only seating available for this Saturday was 4:45 or 10 PM. We had to do the earlier due to our 7:30 theatre tickets so we really took our time and milked the meal. But we noticed there were several empty tables all the way to 6 PM and even at 6:30 when we left there were still 2 tops that remained empty. We asked both our waiter and the host why we had to be seated so early yet so many tables remained empty. We felt they both gave us the same BS story - they allow 2 hours per seating - it made no sense. We could have easily been seated at 6 and out of there by 7:15. I think they save several seats for the theatre crowd walk ins - so if you get an early reservations - take your chances and walk in later - you can always sit at the bar.
(4)
Karen L.
Love what they have done with the space... decorated really cool and trendy. I will have to say it is smaller than I expected, and from what I remember of Landmark, there was more room. The entry area is especially small - they even have people wait out in the middle area between the doors. Went there for my birthday dinner, which we had to book about 6 weeks out! If you like the fancy cocktails, this is the place to go! I love how they classify them by bitterness, made for a fun ordering process! I believe I tried three of them, all of which were really good! For starters, our table ordered the Balena, which is a compilation breads, cheeses and meats. It was good but nothing too impressive. For my entree I ordered the linguini carbonara. It was delicious! The pasta was homemade and cooked perfectly, and I loved the flavor. The only thing I would say is the portions are rather small for what you are paying for it. (I think my pasta was $15 or so, and I couldn't even share if I wanted to!) We also tried the chocolate gelato with sea salt which I thought was yummy, but nothing that wowed me. Overall, a fun experience - nice, trendy restaurant for a nice night out!
(4)
Pete D.
Okay its all about the service here... and maybe the wine too. I got the pork plate which was good but if you're looking for the best pork in town I'll tell you to go to Tarantino's on Armitage. This place is just fun, I would go definitely go back. Excellent service and good food (I would recommend the pizza or chicken...start with the meat plate?) Great atmosphere, nice lighting, and well its just a good looking place to be inside of.
(5)
Alan W.
Good tasting food!
(4)
Tyler B.
We visited here on a Friday night as a group of 9, including several out-of-towners. Our table wasn't ready when we showed up so we sampled the cocktails at the bar. They were OOTWD (Out Of This World Delicious). I highly recommend the Dark and Stirred. We had a little trouble getting seated - Our table took nearly an hour after our reservation to become ready due to a lingering group. The owner took care of us, comping us Hors d'Å“uvre's and desserts. The owner personally recommended a wine to us which was delicious, and paired nicely with our entrees. The steak was perfectly cooked, and the homemade pasta was outstanding. Excellent service from the wait staff. Highly recommend!
(5)
Melanie B.
I have to preface this by saying: I don't give out five stars lightly, but I can see myself returning to Balena again and again and finding something exciting each time, and that's what puts it over the edge. We were seated upstairs near one of the huge windows. The space is gorgeous. I love how they've transformed the space, I love the visibility into the kitchen, I love how cozy the whole thing feels despite being so large. The cocktail concept is neat: the drinks are created around bitters, and each is given a bitterness rating from 1 to 10. I started with the strawberry and prosecco -- really refreshing -- followed by the rum-based and orangey Carmella. Both were excellent, and I have my eye on a few of the others. While we perused the rest of the menu, we enjoyed the bread plate, which featured ramp crostini, garlic-infused bread, lemon-pepper brioche, and walnut bread with ricotta, olive oil, and one other dipping sauce, maybe with garlic. Our server, who was super cute and bubbly without being annoying, advised us to order the sweet and creamy burrata and beet starter (I will never turn down burrata), followed by the egg-yolk pasta topped with a light and thin but flavorful pork ragu. For our main, we shared the whole branzino topped with a peanut gremolata. It was exactly what I wanted. The fish was perfectly cooked and the gremolata added the right amount of citrus and crunch. We did a terrible job of saving room for dessert, so we'll have to go back for that (as well as the smoked meats and cheese platter, which we could definitely see doing as a weekday dinner). I've been waiting for Balena to open for what seems like forever, and I'm definitely planning to take advantage of living down the street from it.
(5)
Andrew F.
Was here last night - I thought the service was great and the food awesome. Reasonably priced for the quality of the dishes and everything was very tasty. I would recommend the Tagliolini Nero and the Kale Caesar Salad as to must try things while you are there. The pizzas were also fantastic. We also had an outstanding server named Max who was very knowledgeable about the entire menu and made some great suggestions.
(5)
Nick R.
AHhhhhhh!!!! I am so torn. On one side we had great food and on the other we had terrible service. I will give them a big thumbs up on their pizza pies but let me tell you...If you are ordering a glass of wine then get it by the bottle. I have never waited so long for a glass of red wine. The most important thing for me to see when I sit down is a friendly hello (which they did), a drink order (which they did), and a drink (which came 10-15 minutes later). I would suggest to tell the "water fillers/bus boys" to help out the waitress. I literally had my water glasses filled at a 5-1 ratio compared to my wine. I asked a waitress if they were under staffed and ever since that question the service went from bad to worst, quickly. I'll give them another try again in maybe six months when they get the bar/wait staff in order. I wish them all the luck but you're better off overstaffed than under.
(2)
Ally B.
I went to Balena the other night to meet friends for dinner. The interior had a stark simplicity, modern ambience. The sommelier stopped at our table to answer questions and help with selections from the list of Italian wines. Our waitress was pleasant, but later less receptive when we ordered only wine and an appetizer to share. She put down the check and cleared the table as we talked, as if to signal the end to our night and that we should be on our way. I also must say that the "balena" platter had very meager portion of cheese- "three small cubes" which was disproportionate with the cured meats. It does not top my list for "drinks & appetizers" but perhaps I would go back again to try the dinner menu.
(3)
Stella W.
Ok food but overpriced. Small entree portions. Think twice if you want to share. Tiny martinis, and oh, they charge for blue cheese olives. Really? Pizza was tasty but nothing out of the ordinary.
(2)
cindy g.
We had dinner last night and it was terrific. From the arugula salad to the Shisito peppers to the pasta And the pizza- all were delicious. Everything was served hot and with the freshest of ingredients . It is hard to believe that a restaurant this size can so efficiently provide consistent and wonderful food. Waitress was just ok though
(4)
Jeff G.
Food was great. Our waitress Emily made a great suggestion on a bottle of wine. Will be going back soon.
(5)
Kelvin R.
Great pizza, super pastas, clever and tasty beverage program. This will be your new favorite soon
(5)
Aubri B.
The food was fantastic, however the service was HORRIBLE. Our dinner took over 4 hours due to the slow service. Upon sitting down it took 15 minutes before we ever even saw our server, then when we ordered drinks they didn't arrive for 30 more minutes. The service for the night pretty much continued to proceed in this manner, with few stops at the table by our server. That being said the food was so outstanding that I will definitely give them a second chance in hopes that this was just an off night.
(3)
kb j.
We went recently to this restaurant in the old Landmark space. We were seated promptly after we arrived (we had reservations) on the second floor. There is a large Italian-centric wine list. The egg, mackerel and aioli appetizer was very good. Service was attentive.
(4)
K O.
Simply Amazing... Lots of good eats... Great service
(5)
Megan S.
I had mixed feelings about Balena, coming in with very high expectations. The food was good overall, I highly recommend the ravioli with butternut squash and ricotta. However, the pizza was lacking something to be desired, and the asparagus app came out to our table cold. We were celebrating a birthday dinner and ordered a bottle of prosecco for 4 of us to share, and without asking if we wanted others, 2 more bottles appeared opened and poured through the course of the night. (We all thought the other had ordered and didn't realize until after leaving that no one had- rude!) We also had 6pm reservations, and knew we had to be out before 9pm because another party was coming in after us. However, the servers hovered over our every move and came to the table every 5 minutes asking if they could order us food, get us our check, etc. and we felt very rushed and unable to sit and talk and enjoy. The tiramisu dessert was lovely, and they did bring a candle for my friend's birthday, but that wasn't enough to make up for the overall impression for me. I'd be willing to go back and try again, but am going to need a little more personality and patience from the staff as well as higher-quality ingredients and freshness in order to recommend to friends.
(3)
Rebecca C.
What an improvement from Landmark!! The remodel looks great- I think of Landmark as being kind of dark and gloomy- this place was bright (granted we were there at 6:15- the sun was still out!) and stunning. We had a 6:15 reservation for 4 women and they seated us right away. We were upstairs, which was great- it was quieter than downstairs, which was what we wanted- better for chatting. The staff knew we had 7:30 theater tickets and they were very conscious of that, helping us keep moving so we didn't miss the show! There were 4 of us and we chose to share everything. Brian's bread is well worth the $5- you get a large assortment of breads and 3 different butters/spreads. They were clearly freshly baked and delicious. We had the beet salad- it was great, and a large enough portion for us all to have a bit. We shared the mushroom pizza- it was big! I really enjoyed the crust- crispy and thin in the middle, but enough of a puff on the edge to be chewy and not crackery. The pizza itself didn't have tons of flavor (no sauce- it was a white one), but it was brilliantly served with a chili sauce on the side that was exactly what it needed to spice it up. We had the smoked mackerel and it was my favorite- a little pile of sashimi style fish, then at the other end of the plate a soft cooked egg that we broke apart and it made a lovely dipping sauce for the fish. We also had the pasta with a duck ragout on it- the pasta was clearly fresh and home made and we enjoyed it. Sadly, we didn't have time for dessert. I've already made a reservation to go back with my husband, so I'll try then. My only complaint about the whole experience was the server's insistence on walking me through the "extensive" and "complicated" wine list. Yes- it's big. Yes- it's by region and thus a little confusing. Now leave me alone for 2 seconds so I can study and pick a bottle that is $40 and not $75 or $85! The good news- once she finally gave up on recommending something for us, I found a lovely montepulciano for $45 and we had 2 bottles. Success!
(4)
Debbie P.
I dined at Balena Sunday might. The bruchetta and sea urchin pasta were excellent. The cheese plate was a little sparse, we got three pieces of great cheese and a 1/4 of a date. The atmosphere is great except for the hostesses. The way they were dressed was inappropriate and they looked sloppy. They really ruined the atmoshere. I would go back but I wish they would hire someone with class.
(4)
Jay K.
Welcome to Barfena, foulest food on the planet at this price point. The four of us went to this lovely place at the site of the former Landmark restaurant, known for great atmosphere and so-so food. Well, the same owners felt they should modify the atmosphere and downgrade the food to just plain disgusting. One high point: The cocktails, which were great, but sadly could not compensate for the overpriced disaster of a meal. Service was pleasant, timely, and professional. Except for not bothering to take off a cheapo 8 buck side of bitter 'charred' radicchio that everyone at the table told the server was 'inedible'. Pizzas are horrible- no cheese to speak of, and wood-burned. Squash side covered in a sauce that was putrid. Ochietti pasta with kale and one or two pine nuts (yup, we counted) and a marked ability to be flavorless, and 'gelato' that was actually icy (Hey, MORONS- don't overfreeze your gelato and store it for 2 weeks before serving it). Apalling, and we ain't never goin' back to this dump-hole.
(1)
Eli M.
We started with the mushroom bruschetta and a margarita pizza, both of which were amazing. The bruschetta was rich and decadent while the pizza had a beautiful and flakey crust. We then ordered the oxtail gnocchi and the orecchiette. The gnocchi was unbelievable but the orecchiette was definitely one to skip on the next visit. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Bradley B.
Yeah, yeah, yeah -- the dinner was great, but let's talk about the dessert. Pistachio-chewy-nougat-amazingness. You'll want to wear your best sweatpants, though. Yeah, it's that sort of place.
(4)
Karen S.
I came here back in summer with 3 others and I REALLY like the setup, vibe, ambiance. I think probably one of my favourite insides of a restaurant so far. It's very large, and like a converted warehouse with very high roof and exposed brick (I'm a huge fan of exposed brick). Our server was VERY enthusiastic and helped us to decide on the wine (from the large and pretty exotic list) as well as help with deciding on what dishes to get (as we wanted to share). I'm certain the menu has changed anyway but from memory we had bruschetta, scollaps, another appetizer, the black seafood pasta and one of the pizza. As you can tell, as I can't remember everything we got the food was good... but not oustanding (aka memorable). It was an enjoyable night and if the food can step it up a notch this place would surely get a 5 star from me.
(4)
Dana R.
Had a great experience at Balena tonight. Food was great, wine was superb and the service was excellent. Ethan was our fabulous waiter. He was adorable, accommodating and very knowledgeable. The ambiance is super cool. Love the decor and feel of the restaurant. The food was perfectly spiced, delicious and interesting. Will definitely be back for more.
(5)
Diana O.
One of the cutest restaurants i visited in Chicago i love the cool chandelier when you walk in and all the woods and textures you see around the restaurant during sunset, the upstairs area has nice sunlight shining through which makes the restaurant feel cozy and inviting the smoked mackerel was hands down what stood out the most out of all the dishes that we ordered. i've never had anything nearly as good in terms of mackerel and something smoked. i would go back and just solely order this. the uni pasta was ALMOST perfection but i thought it was a tad too salty. the pasta was cooked to perfection and the sauce was not overbearing and the uni was served on top as the main attraction. there are some restaurants that make the sauce WITH the uni and sometimes u can't taste the greatness of the uni itself. i loved how balena served it. it was so clean and satisfying. even w/ the salt, it was probably be the best uni pasta i've had.
(4)
G A.
One of my favorite neighborhood restaurants! I cannot recall the number of times that I dined here but every one of my visits was pleasant. Very warm,inviting atmosphere, nice decor,good wine selection,great food. Their pastas are on the small side but very delicious.I would recommend Rigatoni( Pork Ragu) or Tagliolini Nero(Sea Urchin). Roasted Beats and Burrata Di Panna are also pretty good choices for an appetizers. Save some space for sides like baked polenta or glazed carrots. Their food is consistently good and thats exactly what keeps bringing me back to this restaurant!
(4)
Molly C.
Balena is one of my favorite spots in Chicago for great Italian cuisine. After initially trying this spot out with my boyfriend, I decided to take my parents here. Our server, Dwayne was very knowledgeable of the wines and food and really made the experience wonderful. We started with a bottle of Montepulciano Abruzzo and it was very reasonably price for how delicious it was! The wine was very drinkable and went down a little too easily. We then ordered the Burrata di Panna, the Tuscan Kale "Caesar Salad", and the Zampone with Beluga Lentils. The burrata is now a standard for every time we go. The cheese is creamy and delicate with the acidic bean salad complementing it perfectly. Next, the kale salad was excellent. The tonnato gave the salad a salty and satisfying flavor while the sardines were a nice alternative to the standard anchovy. The zampone was good. It was fried so a bit more on the heavy side. Not a huge highlight of our meal, however. Next, we moved on to our pasta dish (which served as our main course). Between the four of us, we all collectively decided on only two different pasta dishes (two of each). My mother and I had the Tagliolini Nero with Sea Urchin, Crab, and Chile. Wow! This is by far the best pasta dish that I have had! The uni really adds a nice creaminess to the delicate pasta. My boyfriend and my dad both decided on the Gnocchi with Beef Heart Bolognese. There is truly a difference between house-made gnocchi and store bought. The texture was cloud-like and the beef heart bolognese added a really nice richness to the dish. Dessert. Oh dessert! We orded the Tiramisu and the Affogato. Both were amazing and we all decided the tiramisu was likely the best that we have had. As for the affogato, you really can't go wrong with vanilla gelato, espresso, and mini cinnamon/sugar dusted doughnuts. Perfection! All in all, we really enjoyed our meal and have done so both times we have visited. The wait staff and food are consistently superb.
(5)
Rachel S.
Holy cats, mkay? I loved Balena (been there thrice, so you know I mean it). It is a wonderful combination of: italian food prepared in a traditional way, innovative ingredient combinations, whimsical yet modern decor, and excellent service. So far I have yet to be disappointed by a Boka establishment, and Balena is no exception. The pizza is wonderful, the pasta destroys my life (in a good way) and the dessert is amazing. As a person who enjoys bitter beverages, I love the cocktail menu. The cocktails are numbered from least bitter to most bitter, which takes some of the fear out of ordering a bitter drink, which can make me sweat. I kinda can't get over how cool it looks on the inside, the space is amazing. And, unlike some atmosphere centric eateries, the food lives up to the decorator's promises. Two words: squid ink tagliolini with uni and crab. Eat it.
(5)
Diane M.
I had my hopes up for tonight's mean at Balena. So many people raved about the food, atmosphere and service. I left very unimpressed. First, the drink menu. I wanted to have a pre-dinner cocktail and the bartender was nice enough to give me tastes of different ones. It's an odd menu with vermouths and other cocktails that I've never heard of. And yes, I know tastes are subjective, but all three drinks he offered me tastes of were so yucky. So we settled on prosecco. It was good. We finally got our table, only about five minutes late. We planned on ordering a pizza but the waiter wouldn't take our order until we had decided everything we wanted. Really? So we had to wait to place our order -- we decided to pass on the pizza since we had to wait. We both ordered starters and a main. After a long wait, the restaurant gave us a salad, which was a very nice thing to do. The free salad was the best part of the meal! I had duck pate bruschetta. The bruschetta was much too thick and too hard to cut -- I needed a steak knife to cut into that bread. Flavor was just okay. Friend had rigatoni which was good, but nothing special. Also, the menu said 1/2-chicken -- my friend ordered it, but it's only a 1/4-chicken, not sure why that was wrong. Overall, the service was wonderful. So my rating is more about the flavor of the food. Just wasn't that special. I see another review that said that the combinations of flavors and temperatures didn't work -- that is a perfect thing to say. I won't be back.
(2)
Mary H.
Balena is the restaurant to dine at in this area. The food? Amazing. The drinks? Delish. The ambiance? So swanky. Balena caters to the local Steppenwolf crowd, but it also a favorite among residents in this area (myself included) so you know it's good. We ordered a tuna appetizer (which was just okay) pizza and the pork ragu, The pasta and pizza were SO GOOD! The mixed drinks were also great, with a little something for everyone, and of course, an extensive wine list for vino drinkers. The whole experience was wonderful, but you will pay a pretty penny for it. The layout of the restaurant is pretty cool and features three levels of seating. My only complaint, which is expected in a hip restaurant, was the proximity of the tables to one another. I would not recommend Balena for a first date or intimate dinner, but it's great for groups of friends or a weekend date night. And make a reservation! There's no getting in here without one. Definitely a favorite in this area!
(5)
Kristina W.
Balena is my 2nd favorite (after Girl & The Goat) Chicago Bib Gourmand restaurant (of the 11 I've visited so far). I absolutely loved everything we ordered - all "hits" and no "misses!" Our waiter was extremely friendly & helpful in recommending dishes for us, and the hostess called a cab for us when we finished our meal. We ended up ordering: - Cumin & Coriander Focaccia - pretty good... as good as focaccia can get! - Tagliolini Nero w/ Crab, Sea Urchin, Chili ( s3-media2.ak.yelpcdn.com… ) - my favorite dish! I've had squid ink pasta at other restaurants & didn't really love it, but it's SO GOOD here. Totally changed my opinion. I was a little sad that there was barely any Uni, but the bit that I had was great...! - Rigatoni w/ Pork Ragu, Porcini Mushrooms ( s3-media4.ak.yelpcdn.com… ) - delicious. My friend thought it was a little salty, but I thought it was really good. I would recommend it if it's not the only pasta you're ordering (i.e. in addition to the Tagliolini Nero). - Brussel Sprout Pizza w/ Pancetta, Pecorino, Red Onion ( s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.com… ) - SO amazing. I was pretty full by this point but still couldn't stop eating! The brussel sprouts were perfectly crispy and balanced out the saltiness of the pancetta. - Tiramisu w/ Chocolate Sauce, Coffee Streusel ( s3-media4.ak.yelpcdn.com… ) - yummy, but I've had better. I think I was too excited after reading a bunch of great reviews about their dessert, so it didn't really meet my high expectations. OVERALL: I definitely recommend Balena for the delicious, reasonably-priced food & friendly service in a casual, romantic ambience. Order the Tagliolini Nero and Brussel Sprout Pizza! I'll be back for more.
(5)
Justin B.
Had tickets to "The Motherf*cker with the Hat" at the Steppenwolf Saturday night, so we had a 5:45 reservation at Balena with my wife, dad and stepmom. In almost every way, Balena delivered the goods. Space is pretty cool and we were lucky to be seated at the back of the restaurant at a picnic table that would probably fit 10 people...and we had it all to our (four-person) selves. Definitely felt like members of the mob! We ordered the focaccia, the arugula salad, a bottle of cabernet, a sausage pizza, and three of the pastas: the orecchiette, the rigatoni and the hen egg tajarin. I tasted the focaccia, the pizza and the tajarin and all three were great. Loved the ricotta cheese/honey dip for the bread; the sauce on the pizza was excellent...and, I haven't had a sauce-less pasta that I loved like the tajarin maybe ever. Portion size was reasonable so I didn't walk away full... ...which is the only thing negative I can level at the Balena experience. We placed our orders just after 6 PM, and the entrees did not come (all three pastas and the pizza) until just before 7 PM. We had 7:30 PM theater tix, so while we did not have to rush through eating the food, we couldn't order dessert, coffee, etc. afterwards and I make a point to order dessert everywhere I go. GRANTED, the menu warns of this possibility when you order a pizza, but I did not think it would take one hour to get the pizza to our table. Otherwise, a good time and a place I will check out again before hitting a show on Halsted.
(4)
Jack G.
Unique tasty dishes; Italian based. Really meant to be ordered and served family style (order several starters, entrees, and sides and share them). For our group of 4 (with 2 drinks each), the bill came to $265 - but I felt it was worth it for the enjoyment we had. Staff is very knowledgeable and attentive. Ask for recommendations and they will provide.
(5)
Jen F.
3.5 stars. Dana F. and I started with the Peter's breads (mixed breads) and dips. There was a nice variety. My favorite was the sausage bread and cranberry bread with the yogurt dip. The mushroom pizza was wonderfully doughy and the mushrooms were not overpowering. The fazzoletti pasta was alright. There were marcona almonds, mint, oil, etc. The noodles were like little wrapped blankets. It wouldn't be my first choice but it was creative. The chinotto float was a tasty chai inspired dessert. There were dates on top and rum. Boozin' dessert. The ice cream was awesome and spicy. Service was okay, not the best, and its a bit pricy. We also had a reservation and got there early, there were plenty of empty tables, and they still didn't seat us until our reservation time.
(3)
Kasey P.
I went to Balena for a birthday party this week and I have to say that I was unimpressed. I feel like the prices were high for the amount of food served and the creativity of the dishes. We ordered a large fish for the table and it came undercooked and when it was filleted the server over seasoned it and left tons of bones in the fish. I think the cocktails are amazing, but besides that I would not go back anytime soon.
(2)
Ritu R.
Mushroom Bruchetta - 5/5. Decadent. 2 pieces. Very good. Cheese plate. 5/5. Perfectly balanced and portioned. Orecchiette pasta was very nice and flavorful. I'd order it again! Taglioni w sea urchin was unique and tasty as well! Panna cotta dessert was inventive and yummy! We will return! Fantastic service and BEAUTIFUL old world modern feel.
(5)
Racer S.
I made reservations at Balena based on Yelp reviews and the fact that it's across the street from Steppenwolf Theater. We went to the 3PM matinee last Saturday, and then headed over to Balena. I've got to say that this was one of the most satisfying dining experiences that we've had in years. From the minute we walked in the door, to walking back out 2 hours later, everything was perfect. The food here is amazing! We started with two of their "bitters" cocktails, delicious and nothing like we've tried before - nice to find something completely new and innovative. Appetizers were wonderful (Buffalo cheese selection and olives), and then onto the pasta course. Delicious fresh pastas - my wife and I each had a different pasta - and again very creative and wonderful. I had the gnocchi w/chicken and lemon... awesome. Main courses (Pork sampler for me, Prawns for my wife) were just as wonderful. And then of course desert... Before I forget - their wine menu, from all the regions of Italy, was huge! Just a little overwhelming, but great suggestions. We had a Primitivo from the Puglia region - delicious, and surprisingly reasonably priced. Most of their wines seem to be fairly priced, which is a rare thing in the Chicago market. Balena is truly an amazing dining experience - perfect food, perfect attentive service (I wish I remembered our waiter's name - he was as great as the meal itself!). We'll be back soon.
(5)
Mith R.
The food was decent, but VERY salty. Props on the excellent selections of vermouth and bitters.
(2)
Cameron C.
Absolutely delicious dinner with my lady. First off the space is spectacular. It is located inside of an old candle factory and has almost church like vaulted ceilings. Took suggestions from our waiter and the pork ragu was life changing. I can't wait to revisit and try other items.
(5)
Erick N.
I am very impressed with the entire Boka Group family of restaurants. After some amazing meals at Boka, Girl & the Goat and GT Fish & Oyster my wife and I dined at Balena tonight as part of my birthday week festivities. Our only other meal at Balena had been a special event in the private downstairs dining room where chef/owner Chis Pandel created a special menu for a dinner of the antiquities. Tonight my wife and I started the night with a round of cocktails at nearby sister restaurant Boka (home of my favorite cocktail in the city, the Weston). We then took the short stroll down Halsted street to Balena and arrived about ten minutes early for our 8:45pm reservation. Balena was packed to the gills; despite operating in a fairly large space every single table save a six top near the front was occupied. Balena has funky, modern decor; there is not just wooden floors, but a wooden ceiling and the back wall is laminate. They definitely have their own vibe going on, but it works - there is simultaneously an elegant/upscale yet casual/comfortable vibe. The menu at Balena rocks. Not the largest menu by any means, but so many awesome sounding selections. The first part of the menu consists of a variety of homemade breads, cured meats and artisan cheeses; instead of stressing over which to choose I recommend opting for the whole shebang; for $29 you can have a large platter with three cheeses, three cured meats, about a half dozen warm homemade breads (even breadsticks among them), a few spreads and honeycomb. What a way to start the meal! Balena's menu also features about a half dozen different starters (such as a Tuscan Kale Caesar Salad or a Venison Terrine), a half dozen different housemade pastas, a similar quantity of gourmet 12 inch pizzas, some larger plates containing different meats and seafoods and some sides. Tonight my wife and I shared the Tagliolini Nero pasta - a squid ink pasta served with sea urchin as well as a spicy sausage, red onion and tomato pizza. Everything was so delicious and portions were decent sized; despite being quite famished at the start of the meal we ended up taking home half the pizza for lunch tomorrow. Be sure to save room for dessert! Balena features a few classics such as affogato and tiramisu as well as several composed sundaes - each with a different gelato and fixings. I ordered the Grapefruit sorbet composed sundae that was served with meringue, cinnamon and aperol granita; wonderful flavors and textures. We had mentioned to Jordan (general manager at Boka) that we were heading to Balena and he surprised us by calling over and having a bonus dessert delivered to our table - chai spice gelato with charred dates, rum and Demerara sugar. This type of exquisite service is characteristic of the Boka Group; they truly have some of the best staff in the business and really pay attention to detail and make you feel special. There is really not much to critique about Balena; everything was so tasty, there is a wonderful ambiance and prices are extremely reasonable - probably why they were so busy on a Wednesday night. Service was friendly and attentive; perhaps the only minor faux pas' involved our pasta course being delivered before we were finished with the bread/cheese/meat plate and a long gap between the bill being dropped off and retrieved; aside from these very minor issues everything was flawless. Balena also has a tantalizing craft cocktail list; - the drinks are ranked based on the degree of bitterness; with it being a school night and already imbibing in a couple of potent concoctions at Boka we reluctantly took a pass, but definitely will partake next time - in fact it even provides a built in excuse to return sooner rather than later. Balena definitely exceeded expectations and is yet another stellar option in Chicago's robust dining scene.
(5)
Jenny V.
Love this place for it's ambiance, people watching and delicious food. Our go to's usually are the tagliolini nero and the pizza - which is phenomenal. They will tell you pastas are too small to be a meal, but I disagree. My husband also has a huge appetite and he's fine with a pasta dish as his main). As much as I love Balena, a few let downs which explains the 3 stars. - I was really bummed to learn that the pastry/dessert chef left as our favorite dessert is no longer on the menu. I will always miss, crave and mourn the toasted milk ice cream sundae with those amazing chocolate chip cookies and cookie bits at the bottom. - On two occasions our waiter put on the heavy sell on the day's special. One of these times, after we agreed to order it, he said "phew - now I hit my quota", which was extremely off putting and made us less than excited about what we just ordered, and naturally made us not trust any recommendations in the future.
(3)
Sheret N.
I really enjoyed my night at Balena. The service and ambiance was impeccable and the food was great, the wine even better. The only reason I didn't give it 5 starts is because my pizza was a little too burnt around the edges. I like a little char, which we'd all expect from a wood or coal fired pizza, but this pizza seemed like it was in that oven just a tad long. Also, the complimentary bread sticks that were on the table were flavorless. Otherwise, it was a perfect evening.
(4)
Jules H.
Sometimes you have such a perfect experience at a restaurant, but then the second time around disappoints. This was not the case with Balena! It had been high on my list as a revisit, and last night it was even better! My favorites: shishito peppers with tuna & orecchiette with kale! The pizza was outstanding also. Everything is thoughtfully planned out, from the service to the atmosphere.
(5)
Kevin H.
With all the options for dining in Chicago, my wife and I return to Balena at least every couple of months to see what new creations are on the menu. The service is the best I've seen in any restaurant in my life. The food is excellent. The amaro-based drinks are a welcome divergence from the standard mixed drink menu. I love this place.
(5)
Deepti D.
Great food & trendy vibe!! My husband picked this place fort birthday dinner. We had the burrata which is served with a kind of jelly, absolutely delicious!! My husband got the gnocchi and I got the spaghetti pomodoro, both of us loved our dishes! We usually have leftovers that we bring home but not at balena! It was all too delicious to even leave a bite! Can't wait to come back and try the other dishes!
(5)
Abby B.
The food was excellent. However, while the servers and management was nice, the service was really poor. We waited 45 minutes to be seated WITH a reservation because they had let prior parties still sit down when coming in an hour late to reservations. Likewise, our server and the manager were extremely nice, but it took a long time to get drinks refilled, food to come out, etc.
Excellent spotless service; everything was flavorful; fresh and richly prepared. Had burrata with ciabatta lardo; tagliatelle pasta with crab and sea urchin; pizza with mortadella and pistachio pesto and harisa sirloin with white beans and pickled haricot vertex. Could not resist two desserts - tiramisu and hazelnut and chocolate mousse. A memorable anniversary dinner.
(4)
Lisa A.
I'm usually a fan of Asian cuisine, but lately have been invited to several Italian restauants and was not displeased. I had a preset menu but the food was very very good. I started with the menabrea 'birra bionda' lager that had a hint of lemon zest and fresh mint. first course: herbed focaccia was stupendous, but the wild arugula salad had a lot to be desired. second course: wood-grilled flank steak was perfect and medium rare. the skuna bay salmon was perfectly cooked and seasoned with taggiasca olives and fennel...just delightful. the chicken thighs with pine nut dressing was good, but the braised greens were far too salty. the side dishes of polenta was perfectly done and I simply loved the charred radicchio!! dessert was tiramisu which was mundane. All in all a very good place to dine.
(4)
Fanny G.
Balena is such a great place. It was my second time there and everything was awesome. They even give you super tasty grissini (just like in Italy) on arrival. They have real italian sodas that are sooooo good! (you can even get that and ask it to be spiked to have a beautiful cocktail! The food is all delicious but my to go dish there is definitely the pizza! The dough is so good and they come up with really interesting and original toppings that work very well together. All the desserts we tried we succulent. Balena rocks!
(4)
Thor T.
After thwarting the hostess's attempt to seat my guest and me at the "chef's table" (her words for the two bar seats in the busiest traffic section of the restaurant), we were seated at a small table for two (preferable) and were lucky enough to have a wonderful waitress for the rest of the evening. First: the Italian wine list is one of the best I have seen anywhere, including Italy! A treasure-trove of outstanding producers from all over Italy, with a selection of amari and spirits to match (try one of the incomparable Berta grappas). We started with the Lamb Liver bruschetta and Scallop Carpaccio appetizers. The (icy cold) scallops were sweet and fresh, the lamb liver - with a pronounced lamb taste - very much to our liking. Prices for these very small appetizers are a couple dollars too high for good price/quality point. A better deal are the pastas and here Balena can really shine. The pappardelle with Lamb Sugo were outstanding - every part of the dish perfect, from consistency of the pasta to the intensity of the wonderful slow-braised lamb. A+ The consistency of the Tagliolini Nero was equally good, with fine pieces of crab and a pristine tasting sea urchin but - and this is a big but - the dish was so overly salty that every bite of the beautifully cooked pasta was a struggle. This might have been a singular mishap, unfortunately, it was our plate. I would love to re-try this dish. We also tried the pizza with taleggio and fontina - both cheeses were baked to a crisp on the pizza that was more like a flatbread. One of the desserts we tried was the Pear Crostata with Apple Butter, Crème Fraiche Gelato. Crostata??! I don't think so! This dish had nothing to do with a crostata but rather was a big piece of puff pastry filled with pear, chocolate, and apple butter. Tasty yes, crostata no (I ordered a pear crostata the next day at La Madia restaurant on Grant - it was textbook perfect). It is obvious that Balena is a very successful (very large) restaurant, with tables filled at all times of the evening. The food ranged from stunningly good (Pappardelle) to almost inedible (salt-lick Tagliolini). The little ruse by the hostess at the beginning of the meal was not appreciated, the skills and personality of our wonderful waitress all the more! 3.5
(3)
Caroline A.
It is a scene here. It's loud, bustling and full of well-dressed beautiful people. The wine list is extensive; the cocktails are delicious (try the China); and the decor is rustic yet modern at the same time. I was a little disappointed in the pizzas at first, but then tried the mortadella/pistachio pesto and couldn't get enough of it. Don't forget to drizzle a little (or a lot) spicy chili oil to give it a nice bite. The squid ink pasta with uni is fantastic. However, I wish it included more than a nigiri-sized portion of my dearest sea urchin. If you're looking for something green, try to kale Caesar salad. Just don't expect it to be healthy. Great wine list and wonderful service. The restaurant gets really loud, so I don't recommend it for a date. It is a much better girl's night out option.
(4)
Erica L.
Went to Balena on a Friday night and had an amazing time. While we were seated in a rather crowded area, but enjoyed the ambiance. The cutest old lady was at a table next to us enjoying her family's company. People watching was fabulous. Every bite of food we ordered was absolutely delicious. Our server was extremely helpful (I can't think of her name! Tall, thin, brown hair?) and helped us navigate the menu to make sure we took advantage. She suggested a red that suited both of us and complemented the food very well. She urged us to get the Zambone as a starter -- unreal. Even the lentils were very well flavored. Split the Ragu pasta and Meatball pizza. Looking forward to visiting again to try out more! I've also heard the cocktails are delicious.
Came here for a weeknight dinner with a group of four. Everything we ordered was solid, but we all agreed that nothing was rave-worthy. Cured Meat - They all looked like identical pepperonis. Sorry, no other way to describe it. The meats were good, but the bread that came alongside it was probably the single best thing at Balena. It was SO GOOD. Our server mentioned that it was made with pork drippings, or something like that. Selection of Pecorino- It's pecorino, so the selections were all pretty pungent. Not your typical cheese plate. Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta- Tomatoes were super fresh, piled on crusty bread. I feel like this is the kind of food that Balena wants to create: simple recipes that highlight fresh ingredients. They were successful with the bruschetta-- the tomatoes were enough to make it pop. Kale Caesar Salad- Tasted exactly as you would expect. There were slivers of anchovies throughout. Croutons were pretty bland. Tagliolini Nero w/ Sea Urchin- Don't let "sea urchin" scare you off, it's barely fishy tasting. It was more like a subtle brininess. I really enjoyed this dish. Potato & Leek Ravioli- The pasta itself was good but the fillings were a bit plain. Creamy sauce. Canestri Pork Ragu- My favorite dish of the night. Rich and hearty. It's like what you wanted your mom's goulash to be. Spicy Sausage Pizza- Our server raved about this pizza. Hand-tossed, light and chewy crust. I thought it was good but... basic. It came with six slices though, so it was pretty good bang for your buck. Affogato- Pretty awesome. The gelato was exceptional. Unfortunately, I didn't get to try any entrees. Like I said, everything was just... good. Not terribly memorable. I'm not dying to go back but if I did, I'd stick to the pasta as I think that's their strong point.
(4)
David B.
Very pretty space, friendly and knowledgeable staff, some interesting takes on traditional dishes, very well researched wine list. Food tasted accurate and thought out. However, we did not experience anything memorable and the cost-quality ratio was only adequate.
(3)
Ciara G.
If Balena was a man, I would most certainly put out. The space was s-e-x-y. Simple, cozy, rustic, kind of reminded me of Bottega in Napa but better. I was breathless as soon as we walked in. Becky, phenomenal service. She did the "napkin fold" every single time (4/4). I was beyond impressed. We had the last reservation time slot of 10pm and were not rushed one bit and received flawless service until the very end. The food, exquisitely delightful. The detail and thoughtfulness put into the Peter's Bread selection was remarkable. The pizza, fresh tomato, ricotta salata, garlic, and oregano, to die for. My pork ragu rigatoni was heavenly but the star was the orecchiette. A light cream sauce, crispy kale, lemon, chili, and bread crumbs. I just about died at the one bite I was able to enjoy. I'd fly to CHI for this dish alone. It was perfect. The 36oz Bisteca was the largest piece of meat I have ever seen. It was meaty and wonderful. The roasted garlic cloves was a genius accessories to this hunk of meat. So full but we couldn't pass up dessert. Torn between the Apricot Sorbetti and Pistachio Gelati, we asked Becky's advice and she said that was a tough one as she favored both. So we did what any diners that were too full for anything else would do and ordered both. Becky also surprised us with a complimentary Tiramisu. Becky, you shouldn't have. No seriously, you shouldn't have. The tiramisu like all the other food we consumed at Balena was fantastic. The Apricot Sorbetti was fun, refreshingly tart treat. But my absolute fave was the Pistachio Gelati. Top 5 desserts I have ever had no doubt. The pistachio flavor was so bold. The pistachio laced nougat pieces were perfection, and the confit oranges, oh my.... Balena was truly a memorable dining experience and a must of the must eats when in CHI.
(5)
Amy W.
I cannot say enough amazing things about my experience at Balena. First of all, the decor is so comforting and yet refined at the same time. I imagine that if I had the time and money, I would have decorated my own house the exact same way. Absolutely LOVED the lighting, the exposed wood/cutting board tables, and metal fixtures. Love love LOVE. And the FOOD, oh my god. I pretty much thought that every single thing we ordered was good, but the ones that especially blew me away were: the Balena cheese and meats platter; the burrata (so fresh!), beets, and celery roots starter; and the sea urchin squid-ink pasta. And my friends and I decided to go overboard and order three desserts, all of which were fabulous: the affogato, tiramisu, and pistachio gelati. Drinks were also great. I typically am very sensitive to the taste of alcohol, but I thoroughly enjoyed my Mirto no2 and thought that it went deliciously with all the food. One additional comment I'd like to make, though, is that the portions seemed a tad small for the price. But other than that -- a beautiful experience. I'd definitely come back once my wallet recovers a bit.
(5)
Carrie M.
I've eaten here numerous times and Balena consistently delivers. My favorite dish on the menu is the orecchiette. The menu changes seasonally but some of the classics stay longer. Make a reservation because there are always crowds, especially on the weekends.
(4)
Lucy Y.
We were lucky to get a late (10pm) reservation at this gorgeous restaurant on a Sunday night. The mood inside was mellow, and our server Becky was warm and knowledgeable. Becky and a super sharp busser provided us with the highest level of service throughout our leisurely meal - equivalent to the level of service at Napa, California's The French Laundry (Yountville). And that says A LOT. Our food was seriously awesome: Peter's Bread ($6) - a selection of freshly baked breads (Heirloom Beet Crostini, Carrot Multigrain, Chocolate Cherry Sourdough, Orange & Anise Grissini, Sage & Lavender roll) with spreads (carrot, berry jam, caramelized onions). YUM! Sweet Corn Sformati ($10) - a cold, firm, flan-like, corn kernel-studded, SarVecchio parmesan cheese-topped round, served with a lightly dressed salad of mustard greens Orecchiette ($15) - this heavy cream and wine reduction sauced pasta, with kale, lemon, bread crumbs and chili was in the top three pastas I've ever had. Right up there with the angnolotti at Redd Wood (Napa, Ca) and the gnocchi at Osteria Mamma (Hollywood, Ca). The lemony-ness brightened the creaminess to an angelic level of delicious! Come here for this alone, and the trip will be well worth it. Heirloom tomato, ricotta salata, garlic, oregano pizza ($17) - thinner crust, chewy and crispy, with chunks of unctuous tomato, slices of ricotta salata, garlic and oregano. Pristine, yummy. Rigatoni with pork ragu ($15) - honestly, next to the orecchiette, this paled in comparison, but not because it wasn't delicious! It was, but that orecchiette made a lasting impression on my tastebuds. 36 oz Bisteca ($69) - lemon, olive oil, roasted garlic head. Now THIS is a steak. A Fred-Flintstone-sized brontosaurus one! Slightly smoky, tender and lean all the way through, sliced for ease of eating, and delicious with the roasted garlic cloves. Pistachio Gelati ($9) - 3 scoops, drizzled with burnt orange caramel, adorned with pistachio nougat, topped with confit orange. Heavenly!! Our fave dessert of the night! Apricot Sorbetti ($9) - served with a scoop of burnt honey gelato, topped with honeycomb chunks and slices of nectarine, and then poured with prosecco at the table. Omg, a dessert fit for a princess! Tiramisu - so thoughtfully brought to us as a complimentary dessert. Rich and light at the same time, perfectly lightly sweet, the softest ladyfinger layers and the creamiest mascarpone layers. Yum!!! Decaf espressos went perfectly with our desserts. Our top-notch service included watching cloth napkins carefully folded by Becky and that sharp busser when one of us got up to use the restroom. And when we both approached the staircase leading from the restrooms to the restaurant, the same busser backed away from me, graciously gesturing for me to ascend first. The food here is wonderful, and the service has been one of the best I've come across this year. Thank you Becky, and Balena for an awesome dinner!
(5)
lulu s.
We finally got around to trying this spot this summer, and we had a great all around experience. The food options were all so enticing that it was hard to decide for both of us. Everything we tried was spot on, and the pastas and fish were out of this world.This would definitely be a great place for a group so that you could try more things. Our server was excellent - offering advice when we asked for it, but not hovering so we could catch up with each other during the meal. Only downside is they forgot to bring a side that we ordered, and we didn't realize we'd paid for it until after we got home. Small oversight that we will overlook.
(4)
Caitlin C.
The food here was great, and the ambiance was even better. The restaurant's multiple levels and glowy soft lighting leave you feeling like you have a private corner, even when you're in a room full of people. The wild arugula salad was so lemony fresh that a cold, rainy night felt like summer for a moment. The pizza was wonderful and warm and crispy, and the pork ragu was delish (I was here with another person and we just split a bunch of things). The only thing I wasn't a fan of here was my Negroni. It was really heavy on the Campari, to the point where I didn't taste much else in the drink. I'm hoping it was just a heavy-handed pour, but if that is their standard mixology, it's much less appealing than the food.
(4)
Pepe R.
Very nice place and great food. A bit overpriced.
(4)
Jeff S.
I have mixed feelings on Balena after checking it out for restaurant week. The restaurant has a great vibe and a warm inviting feel. The service was fast and friendly so no complaints there. The cocktails were also well balanced and tasty. The food is where I'm more unsure of what to think. Everything our table tried was good but not great. Many of the dishes were one note dishes and lacked the contrasting flavors and textures you look for in a great dish. The portions were also small even for a restaurant week menu if it were a tasting menu they would have been ok. I am going with three stars but I have a feeling if tried the normal menu I would enjoy Balena more.
(3)
Lindsey A.
As of late, many of my reviews have been swayed by service. If it's bad, it weighs heavily on the overall experience. If it's in the middle, then I probably forgot about it. If it's amazing (and I mean when-I-think-of-the-restaurant-and-I-think-of-Âservice-before-food amazing), well, that just speaks for itself. Balena is one of these amazing service places. From the warm hosting station and laid-back bartenders (despite being swamped with orders) to our super friendly and knowledgeable waiter, we felt like royalty while dining here this week. We tried a bitter (strawberry no. 1 - not to be confused with its much hipper and more popular brother, Strawberry Letter 23) which was a delightful precursor to our meal. My fiance ordered the orecchiette pasta with lemon, kale, bread crumbs and chili. The pasta was cooked to an aldente T and the entire dish was just perfect - from the portion size to the amount of lemon playing off the kale and chili. Delicious. I went with pizza. The heirloom tomato, ricotta salata, garlic and oregano pizza. The tomatoes are the stars here - sweet and tender. But be careful: there's something spicy hiding under those beautiful tomates. And I'm a spice-loving lady, but, it still surprised me when my tongue lit up like a tiny sparkler. Wine list - good and good. Beer list - small but excellent. (Had the best wheat beer I've ever had in my entire life. Parisian wheat beer at that!) Dessert list - didn't even look at it. After stuffing ourselves with all things Italian-inspired (they never claim to be straight up Italian, ya'll. Check the website.) we didn't have room. Will definitely be back for more casual dinners and possibly office-outings.
(5)
Rob S.
I had the distinct pleasure of dining at Balena with a few friends for my partner's birthday this week. What a treat! The menu is full of interesting items we actually had a hard time choosing from for the simple fact that everything sounded so good. What we ended up going with was amazing. I've been back, and I've never been disappointed.
(4)
Judi S.
Fun from beginning to end! Great cocktails - try the pear ginger! The atmosphere is warm and cozy and the wait staff is attentive. They explained each dish to use and made recommendations. The fennel sausage pizza we started with was good, but very spicy. Ask them to go lightly on the chili flakes if that's not for you. The pasta with lemon and breadcrumbs was delicious. A simple dish, but the lemon was assertive, not lost in the background. The roasted chicken thigh is a must..Again, simple, but oh so tasty. I'm thinking they brine the chicken, keeping it so moist and flavorful. Side dishes ordered for the table almost out shone he entries. Roasted potatoes were very crisp, with just a hint of sweetness. The kale caesar salad was tender and a nice change from regular caesar salad. But it was the au gratin onions that really impressed. For dessert, you can' to wrong with their housemade sorbets or gelato. Skip the caramel budino, which was sweet, but lacked texture and reminded with of a caramel mousSe.
(4)
Kiyoko F.
We were only in Chicago for a few days, so we did a massive amount of Yelping to figure out exactly where we should go. We wanted to try at least one Italian place (and we're not huge fans of deep dish -- sorry!!!), so we thought Balena would be a good choice. Thing is, nothing ended up being that good. Full disclosure: we only had pizza and the bruschetta, no pasta. So, maybe the pasta is the real knock-out? I don't know. The bruschetta was this really thick layer of pate on pretty decent bread. It was wayyyyyy too much. The pizza was fine, but nothing to write home about. Saving grace? The place was huge and bustling, so it made for a good night out. Just, the food fell flat.
(2)
Robin D.
Great atmosphere, Good Food but VERY VERY LOUD! The loudness reminds me of SUNDA. I would have given this place 5 stars but if I have to scream to be able to have a normal conversation then that's not good. For this reason, I wouldn't recommend it for a romantic dinner even if the ambiance and lighting and the food sets a romantic note. Reservation is a must in this place as it is crowded especially on a weekend. We arrived at 9 and were seated maybe 15 mins after. Our table was on the second floor and our server was Priscilla who was very good. We ordered the salad with white anchovies and it was delicious. For our main dish, our orders were from the grill. Some of us ordered Halibut which they said was divine and I had the soft shell crab. I usually don't order this since it is deep fried but not at this place, it was grilled to perfection. I really enjoyed my entree. My mother in law is very traditional and she didn't enjoy her pasta. This place is modern italian cuisine so if you want traditional/old style then this might not be the place for you especially with the pasta dishes. Would I say this is a good value meal? Not exactly, its one of the places where you get small portions at a high price. I got 2 small soft shell crabs and that entree is $ 32. The Halibut is probably a 4 inch square cut for high 20s. You get the point. Would I say its worth it, Yes! I would be back but I cant do this every week.
(4)
Michael S.
I surprised my partner with dinner at Bales to celebrate his birthday. We were there one Sunday in December. The evening got off a little slow as the greeting at the door was a little cold but a minute later a very pleasant woman greeted us and their friendly staff continued a positive experience through the evening. At our table there was a birtday card signed by the staff. They have a unique selection of drinks and Our waitress helped in our selections. All of their food is cooked from scratch and you can really tell the difference as the food was all fresh and flavorful. Our waitress was excellent, she was attentive and not overly so. She offered suggestions for ordering so that our food would arrive as we finished each course which is much appreciated. Our only regret was not ordering a salad or additional side dish as their main course didn't include a side. For desert we were surprised with cupcakes and a candle in one. The cupcake was excellent! It had a wonderful creamy filling which balanced perfectly with the chocolate cake. All in all everything was very tasty and enjoyable and the service was excellent.
(4)
David E.
Good not great. The smoked trout was good. Also recommend seasonal soft shell crabs, but all very saucy ya know...
(4)
Michelle L.
Long story short - you must go here. The food is simply amazing. We had the peppers for our starter then tried a pasta dish and pizza. Everything had great presentation and tasted delicious. Great atmosphere although it was kind of loud for a Wednesday evening and the place was only half filled. Will definitely go back for the food! This is easily one of my favorite restaurants in the city!
(4)
Jims L.
Food was good. Our pizza was overcooked and out server forgot to put in an order for our pasta, everything we had ordered together. BUT they put both on the house.
(3)
Eileen Z.
A signed birthday card for my birthday. A signed freaking card for my birthday. The entire staff. Being part of the industry lends to the empathy we share with our fellow hosts/servers being annoyed by the slew of all the it's-my-birthday-I-want-free-crap notes lined up in a row on OpenTable, so I get treating birthdays like "whatevs". But that personal touch was great, on top a service staff that was some of the best I've experienced in this city. Geeked out by the wine list, the smoked mackerel + soft egg, and Old Town Social's Finocchiona (even though OTS is a 1/2 mile down the road...). The hen egg tajarin was the exact simple I needed to round out a huge order of pizza and pecorino, plus the fact I pretty much follow anything of a brown buttered state. It's shame I couldn't attend the VIP Chef Ferran Adria reception...!
(5)
Ashley D.
Good food, incredibly rude service. We were celebrating a birthday, very excited to dine at Balena, and our waiter was inattentive and seemed very distracted. He got our order wrong and was generally a poor communicator, would disappear randomly for long periods of time. Not too big of a deal, and we were willing to look past all of that. Toward the end of the dinner, no one ever bothered to offer us dessert and we had brought a special cookie for the birthday girl which we gave to her and shared amongst the group. The front of house manager went out of her way to come to our table and "shame" us. She stated, "this is not okay, I mean we serve food here" Wtf?! Way to go out of the way to make a party of five with a considerable bill (including alcohol) feel uncomfortable and embarrassed after their own staff couldn't even offer our table the option of dessert. Then she acted like she was doing us a favor by not charging us a plating fee after we offered several times to pay it since she acted like we were no better than common criminals. Thoroughly disappointed.
(2)
Marie B.
Great Staff! I had the Francesco cocktail and I loved it! We had the brushetta, cheese/bread plate, and the polenta which were all what I expected from previous reviews that I read. Eating with a vegetarian, we skipped on the meat dishes (next trip: Rigatoni with Pork Ragu) which was fine, but the Duck egg tajarin sage with brown butter was surprisingly bland. I wanted to really like it but the flavor was very minimal For desert we had the Chocolate Hazelnut tart which was so yummy, but I totally missed the donuts. We should of gotten that! Definitely not rustic Italian, but as advertised it is Italian Inspired!
(4)
Kathleen C.
Balena was divine! I'm sorry I haven't visited this spot sooner because I had the most wonderful meal there - some of the best pasta I've ever eaten! First of all, the space is gorgeous! It looks so much brighter and better than when it was Landmark. The bar is lovely and interesting and the space is very bright, yet lit nicely. I can imagine that it is very cozy in the winter. I met my friend for dinner, and while I waited, I had a seat at the bar and a glass of wine. While I will say that their wine list trends toward some of the higher wine prices in the city, they have a great selection and really perfect tasting notes (in case you haven't heard of some of these varieties - which I had not). The bartender was friendly, helpful with the menu and gave everyone excellent attention. Once we were seated, we were met by a very attentive server who explained the menu and gave honest and truthful recommendations about menu items. We elected for the bread assortment to start - chocolate cherry?? Thank goodness there were two pieces of that one! The spreads were also delicious and also quite unique. On to food...we shared the orichiette pasta and then the proscuitto pizza. I had read about the pizza dough and had to try it! We were thrilled with both. The pasta may have been my favorite pasta - ever. It was light, fresh and really tasty with a slight hint of lemon, kale and perfectly done pasta. The pizza crust was perfect - a bit doughy on the edges and with just the right amount of crunch. The proscuitto was delicious and everything blended really well together for a great tasting dish. Atmosphere - 5 Food - 5 Value - 4 (only for wine prices) Service - 5 Bathrooms - 5 I can't wait to return!
(5)
Morgane R.
Food was amazing.....our waiter not so much. Had dinner there last Friday, we were a group of 3. Sat down at 8:15, and were greeted by our waitress right away. She asked if we needed to leave by a certain time, we told 10:00. She also asked if anyone at the table had any intolerance, we said yes (one was lactose and the other was gluten). We ordered a bottle of wine. We then didn't see our waitress until around 9:20, when we flagged her down so she could take our order. She then remembered that my friend was gluten intolerant, and went to grab the gluten-free menu. We then didn't see her again until about 9:50, when she finally took our order. We had to ask for the order to be rushed, and to have the check with the food. While the food was amazing (had the squid ink pasta with crab and uni), it would be really hard to go back there due to the service.
(3)
Natalie L.
I was on the fence about this one, but my dining companions convinced me that Balena was 5-star worthy. I was looking for a fun and semi-reasonable place for dinner reservation with out of town guests over Labor Day weekend. Balena ended up being a great choice.They took reservations (that I was able to get at a reasonable time just a couple of days prior). The food was very good and the portion sizes were perfect. We had to appetizers: the smoked mackeral and the sweet corn. The mackeral was outstanding. The sweet corn was ok and a nice contrast but it didn't blow me away. For dinner, we all picked one dish and then shared. The highlight of the meal was the nero pasta. Our dessert, a chocolate hazzlenut panna cotta was heavenly. The bill came to about $100 per couple. Not bad. I considered giving 4 stars because of service. When we got there, our table wasn't quite ready and we ordered glasses of wine at the bar. The bar tender at first did not seem happy to be there and was a little curt when we asked questions about the wine selection. He made up for it by allowing us to sample some of the wines. At the table, our server was very pleasant but there were definite lags. We almost finished our pasta course before we received the bottle of wine that we had ordered when we placed our food order. But I was convinced to overlook these things because the food was that good. The space was also fantastic and it didn't feel too fancy or trendy.
(5)
Niraj G.
Great rustic decor! Was able to try a couple of pizzas and the cauliflower/garlic crema pizza really stood out. Definitely need to go back to check out the rest of the menu.
(4)
Lee Ann K.
An amazing experience Saturday night at Balena! Not only did they do their best to accommodate a larger party of eight (Rob in their office actually called me back about a cancellation that made room for us) but the food, wine and service was spectacular. Eric, our server, did a great job suggesting a few fabulous menu items like the Caulflower pizza and Chicken Thighs. They were probably items that we would have not ordered on our own but we are so glad that we did as they were our favorites! And his knowledgable wine advice was appreciated by all at the table (maybe too much). This was my third and favorite trip to Balena and one that was notably memorable. We will be sure to return!
(5)
Carol K.
Loved the decor, loved the food, but it was the service that kept this from being a 5 star review for this food loving gal! We went on a weeknight but the traffic into the city on this night, made me almost an hour late for my reservation. "No problem", said the wonderful hostess even suggesting that I may want to "chill" for a moment at the bar with friends before she sat us. And at that moment it was as if all the angst of the day dropped away with a wonderfully prepared drink at the bar that even had custom sized ice cubes in it (why I still marvel at that given all the years that has been in play is beyond me) but we all had different drinks and they all had different ice. We were shown to a table in the bar and while my first preference would have been to sit upstairs, beggars can't be choosers when you totally miss your reservation. The attention to detail in the bar alone is amazing. The leather bar chairs are edged with a leather whip stick, the barrel chairs at the high top tables amazingly comfortable and the neon sculpture on the wall spelling what we could only surmise to be "Fromani" provided a few moments of creativity. We had been warned not to order the Balana Platter which is a sampling of all of their meats, cheeses and breads, but since one in our group LOVES cheese- this was obviously going to be a must have. And from the second it arrived, I knew we would probably not get to the grilled shrimp, burrata, or pasta that I had been thinking about all day. Oh well, guess I save that for another visit. The meats, cheeses and custom breads were delicious and the perfect accompaniment to the crisp wine we were drinking. We also ordered one each of the two types of spicy pizza that they have- spicy sausage and spicy pepperoni. If you go- you must have one of these delicious pizzas. I wish we had skipped the meats and cheeses and had just started in on these! Of the two- the spicy pepperoni was the more spicy although both were good. The pizza piping hot, the edges burned just the right way and the whole thing making your mouth water as it sits on the table in front of you! Where it fell down for me was with our server. This guy was a dud. No personality, no interest in our table other than to tell us that he had a lot of tables that night so we needed to hurry up and order. Funny- he wasn't even running the food- a manager (at least that's who we decided she was as she was dressed nicely but kept bringing us our food) Hey guy- if you hate being a server- go find other work . . .I'd list your name here but you know who you are! Other than the service challenge (not in speed but in attitude) our night was perfect. I will certainly recommend Balana to anyone looking for a wonderful meal in a great place. I'm happy I've got a new place to go before seeing plays at the Steppenwolf which is basically across the street. If you drive- valet parking is available for about $12 and I'd take it as street parking is a bit of a challenge in this area. Loved it and you will too!
(4)
Andrea H.
You know, I generally don't like to spend money on Italian food. I guess I kind of feel like I can make a lot of it at home. For that reason, I was reluctant to try Balena. To be honest though, I never really felt like I was in an Italian restaurant. My first thought upon entering was, "Wow, they've made some really great changes in here!" The decor is beautiful. The space is large but they've done an excellent job of giving it a rustic feel. I love it. I really like the way they set up the cocktail menu. Ranking every drink on a scale of bitterness gives you a good idea of what you're going to get. I tried four different drinks, the Carmella (3), Francesco (5), China (6) and the Dark & Stirred (7). All were very good but I felt like each drink was a very slight variation on the same cocktail. Staying true to the menu, the higher numbers delivered more bitterness. It was very interesting to taste the subtle differences but then, I'm a weirdo who really likes cocktails. The menu also has a lot of interesting wines by the glass. My friend enjoyed exploring some wines we had not heard of previously. For the food, we had trouble deciding (of course, I can never decide!) so we started with the burrata, let our server choose our second dish, and shared the spicy sausage pizza. The burrata was amazing. The cheese itself had excellent flavor and consistency. Complimented by the beets, it was an awesome dish. For the second course, our server chose the Tagliolini Nero. Excellent choice! The flavors were light and delicate and, while I'm usually not a fan of mint, it worked with this dish. It gave it a refreshing kick. The sausage pizza was delicious as well. Of course we couldn't go without trying the dessert. You shouldn't either, the desserts are outstanding. We decided to split the Kir Royale sundae and the Semifreddo with berries and vanilla candied almonds based on our server's recommendation. Wow, they were both incredible. Don't skip dessert, it is worth every tasty calorie! Our service was great throughout the night. I like that they paced the meal in such a way that we never had too much on the table but never waited too long for anything. Every time my drink was empty, someone came along to offer another, even if it wasn't our main server. Great, great service. I have never seen a place that keeps your boxed leftovers until you're ready to go but more places should do this. It's nice not having to deal with a big bag or box on your table while you're trying to enjoy dessert. There were so many other things I wanted to try. Next time I come back, I'm totally going for The Balena meat and cheese platter. With a salami called "Gin & Juice", how can I resist?
(4)
Hookah L.
i love it they have a good food and service
(4)
Kris R.
can i just say, right off the bat, that the service here is wonderful. everyone is so nice, friendly and helpful. BIG, ginormous, ups to the staff. high five, y'all. came here on a date a while back. we arrived a bit late after some drankin' and ordered: squid ink pasta with sea urchin lemon orechiette espresso ice cream balls/donuts i think wine was involved. the food was great. the ambiance is romantic, intimate, and the servers don't over do it. they didn't judge me when i ated all the donut ball things. i dont even think they were balls, i just like that word. balls.
(4)
Pam B.
I'm torn on this one, so I will start with the good: our bartender was great, waiter was good and the food is above average. The bad was that we showed up at our reservation time, put in our name, stepped aside and two couples who arrived separately after us were seated immediately. The hostess asked if we wanted to wait an extra 15-20 minutes for a table upstairs. We said yes. 30 minutes later, we are taken to our table. Downstairs. Back to the hostess we go and are then taken upstairs, where the waiter doesn't stop by for 15-20 minutes (likely because the hostess wasn't supposed to put anyone there for a bit longer). After that, the service was good. The two couples seated before us were also upstairs. The food is good enough to go back, but if we are treated the same way again upon arrival, I absolutely will not return given the other options we have. Take away the arrival debacle and I would give this restaurant a 4.
(2)
Vanessa B.
I fully admit to completely stuffing my face here and not regretting one second of it. Some wonderful friends took me here for a belated birthday dinner and it was delicious! Started off with the rosemary cocktail which was very balanced and delicious. We then proceeded to have the "balena," a combination platter of their breads, meats, and cheeses. My favorite thing on that plate by far was the pumpkin brioche. I would buy a loaf of that if I could! Next up burrata and beets. Burrata is such a fantastic decadent cheese but has a delicate flavor and beets are not a subtle flavor. The dish was fine, but I did think it was a waste of a great hunk of burrata given that the beets really overpowered the flavor. On to my favorites. We all split the orecchiette with lemon and kale, the rigatoni with pork ragu, and the spicy sausage pizza. The orecchiette was definitely my favorite. The sauce was a light cream sauce with a little lemon and bread crumbs and I fully admit to being obsessed with kale right now for some bizarre reason so this was right up my alley. But the rigatoni was a great dish too and we licked both bowls clean! The pasta was PERFECTLY cooked to al dente, which you almost never find. And the pasta wasn't swimming in sauce either. The pizza was also good, but we were just so stuffed at that point that we didn't have much room. Of course, that being said, we somehow found room for dessert and ordered the tiramisu and affogato. Both were good. I really loved the simplicity but decadence of the espresso poured over vanilla ice cream. On top of all of the great food, the service was great. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Josh G.
I went here, not knowing what to expect, on a first date. I loved it! We sat at the bar, had great conversations over wine, and we snacked on the cured meat platter. If you go and sit at the bar, you will be in love with Megan, the bartender. SHE. IS. AWESOME! I would go back again just to have her recommend some more wine to me. I told her what I liked, and she made perfect recommendations each time. She is uh-maze-ing. :D She is personable, knowledgeable, and hilarious. She gets 5 Stars! The environment is nice. The host/hostess was friendly. It's a cute little place definitely worth visiting. I will be back to try the food. It's a great place to go have a drink as well!
(4)
Aurore L.
When you lose your job under unexplained circumstances, a few things come to mind: - "What the #&!&@^ just happened?" - "Yay!! Funemployment! Time to nap and catch up on Netflix!" - "I need to stuff my face right now with delicious food, and no, kale chips won't do the trick this time." "Can I just disappear into the ground, and come back up when unemployment rates are around 0.758%?" I quickly acted on #3. Or my friend did. Because she loves me, and knows me enough to know that NO DIET was written all over this day. Word of advice: if you come here, do the same and leave your skinny jacket at home. You'll need to eat your heart out, and you'll want everything on the menu. We're no grandma, but we made a reservation the day of ('cause you know, being fired is usually pretty last minute business) and got a table at 5:30. Excellent, I was starving and was ready to devour everything in sight. We ordered two vermouths cocktails (VERMOUTH COCKTAILS!!!!!), and proceeded to destroy the following: - fresh burrata, perfectly balanced with a light salad of radishes, fennel and spring onions drizzled with white balsamic - spring pea bruschetta, home-made ricotta, pea shoots and a sprinkle of heaven? Best bruschetta of my life. Even the bread was perfect, crunchy but not gum-bleed inducing....you know what I mean. - the inescapable, unforgettable, eminently edible black ink taglioni with lumps of crab, sea urchin (is there any other kind?), red hot chili peppers and mint. There's really nothing to add. - brussels sprout, pancetta, pecorino and red onion pizza. Don't forget to use the wonderful spicy oil that comes with it. Sumptuous Did I have time to notice the decor? Not a bit. I was totally absorbed by my mastication mission, and had to time to stray from it. But I did acknowledge on the way out that it was spacious, well-thought and charmingly rustic. I would also recommend indulging in one of the sundaes, just because....well, just because what is a good meal without a sweet finish? The pistachio one with candied orange, home-made nougat and orange caramel is a great subtle option. No chocolate. Guess what? It's not a crime, and it's delicious. Best way to give the finger to an insane boss who couldn't appreciate what she had (me), and to welcome a short-lived (fingers, toes, eyes crossed) summery freedom.
(5)
Kit G.
Perfection. I could just end the review there, but I won't. Balena is one of my favorite restaurants. At this point I have tried about half of the menu and have loved everything. Here are some absolute highlights: The Bruschetta - it is so good that the New York Times wrote about it. They change it up from time to time, but I have liked the few different styles that I have tried. It is so hearty that you are given a steak knife to eat it with. The $69 steak. Only order this if there are at least 4 people total. It is huge. It is perfectly seasoned and has a great crust. The Pizza - I have tried many, my favorites are the mushroom and the brussels sprout. The brussels sprout is such a stand out you begin to question why pizzerias haven't caught on to this idea. All of the pizzas are enough for a entree and have a nice crispy thin crust. The Composed Sundaes - They switch up the offerings but they are always really fun. Balena is a great place for a nice date. It is modern and romantic.
(5)
Mahsa T.
We were 15 minutes late to our 6:15 pm reservation and told by the hostess that we had to vacate our table by 8:30! How R.U.D.E. What if I want to linger and actually enjoy my dining experience? Hmmm....miffed. So unto the matter at hand--our dinner, and less importantly, the slick takeover of Balena from Landmark. The takeover was peaceful (I assume), though there were some casualties, mainly Landmark's tired, dated decor and dark, dungeon-y feel. In its place: a bright beautiful glass entrance, expansive ceiling height, skylights letting in more natural light, and a light Oak-ish woodsy theme. Knotted wood beams everywhere give the place a warm, cozy, comfortable feel--a kind of indoor/outdoor dining experience. The tables were spaced pretty close together, but it didn't seem to bother me. We embraced Balena in its newly-opened phase and were full of expectations with the food. The menu offers a limited but varied selection of mostly small plates. The four of us ordered a few plates to share: SPICY GRILLED SHORTRIBS w/charred orange and basil--The shortribs were delicious, though not at all spicy (disappointingly), and the flavors went well with the orange, but my biggest complaint was that there was more bone than meat on the plate, not worth the $13 in my opinion. RICOTTA RAVIOLI w/Swiss chard and brown butter--melted in my mouth like brown butter. The best dish of the night. SPICY SALAMI PIZZA w/tomato and mozzarella--looked and tasted good, good size for sharing, the crust was the best part of the pizza for me, thin but dough-y, the sauce and toppings were a bit disappointing, just needed a little extra something more, more spice or a bit more flavor. TIRAMISU--do not leave the restaurant without ordering this tiramisu, it is unlike any other tiramisu you have had, it is heavenly and you will want to inhale it. BLUEBERRY GELATO--flavors change regularly, but this was a fun and tasty treat, especially liked the shortbread biscotti-esque item it was topped with. STRAWBERRY w/Grey Goose--specialty cocktail--light, sweet, and refreshing. The food has potential to be so much more, but right now it just hits the 4-star mark, though the fresh ingredients and preparation really do shine through. I'd like to come back and try some other menu items. Service from our server was satisfactory, and from other staff, excellent. Make reservations and be on time unless you want attitude from the hostess. If it hadn't been for the rude hostess, we wouldn't have felt rushed, unwelcomed, and unappreciated. I hope this arrogance subsides as the restaurant loses its new-ness. Do keep Balena in mind for a nice little place to entertain your date, group of girlfriends, out of town guests, or even parents. It will please all. I can also see it as a great place to drop in with a friend for an appetizer and drink at the bar.
(4)
Kory K.
The lamb chops were incredibly small, and they like to char things to the point that it ruins the entree. Also, the pace of service was incredibly slow. Three courses required two and a half hours!
(1)
Jinx T.
Had an all-around great experience at Balena. Made our reservations through Open Table and noted we were dining for a family member's birthday. Not only did we receive a nice table - in the upstairs (much quieter) section of the restaurant - there was also a lovely hand-made birthday card on the table that was signed by the staff. We tried a number of the Bitters Mixology cocktails - all were beautifully crafted. Favorites in the group were the Negroni No. 5 (Gin, Campari, and Vermouth) and the Mirto No.2 (Myrtle Berry, Bourbon, Absinthe, and Orange Bitters). There's lots of temptation on the menu - so best to order plates to share. Standouts were a Spring Pea Bruschetta with Green Garlic, Ricotta, and Pea Shoots, the Mushroom, Fontina, Taleggio, Scallion, and Thyme pizza (exceptional crust), and the very remarkable and not to be missed - Tagliolini Nero Pasta, with Crab, Sea Urchin, and Chili. The compositions of flavors in each dish was quite impressive. We ordered wines by the glass and allowed or server to choose based on our courses. I'd certainly recommend this option as we were delighted by the results. For dessert there are several appealing choices. Favorites were the Tiramisu, cleverly turned with the addition of a Coffee Streusel, and scrumptious Cannoli Sundae of Ricotta Gelato, and Amarena Cherries. Overall there is a lovely attention to detail here in all areas, food, wines, service, ambience, even in the simple recycling of the menus - cut as dessert coasters so your sundae doesn't slip around on the plate. Highly Recommended!
(5)
J J.
Good food. Bad system. Decided to go out for a nice dinner on a Friday and made reservations for two at 9:30 p.m. All four people at the host stand were very nice (seriously, FOUR people needed to manage seatings?), but despite their cordiality, we waited, and waited, and waited. Finally, we were seated at 10:30 p.m.: an entire hour after our reservations. Why, I ask, even make reservations then? Our server was good given the circumstances, as the hosts had also sat a party of 8 and two other couples at the same time in the same section. Seriously, what the hell are those four host people doing? We finally got to eat at 11:15. Needless to say, I was insanely HANGRY! Food was really good, but spend your money and time elsewhere.
(3)
Jeremy N.
The coolest thing about Balena - if you want to go there and grab a great pizza at a totally reasonable price you can do it. if you want to go out for some serious wining and dining a little more upscale, you can do that too. I'm not sure I can think of any other place where you can order a $69 36 oz steak with a $12 pizza. The menu is very diverse and there were a lot of options I wanted to try that we'll have to go back for. Their pizza is great, the crust is light and crunchy, I loved that it is not soggy at all. They serve the pizza with some chili oil which really complemented the flavors.
(4)
Richie S.
Best meal I've had in a while. Couldn't remember why we'd cancelled reservations at Spiaggia, but glad we did. We arrived early to have a couple cocktails at the bar and were immediately overwhelmed by the booze selection. Wife had a prosecco concoction to start and I went Negroni. Both were light years better than what I've attempted at home. Then I went for a Manlino (ironically enough it was pink and fizzy) and may be my new favourite with gin, St. Germaine, aperol, lemon sour, etc. To the Table! Settled on a sparkling red to accompany dinner, before we'd read the menu. Shared chicken liver on crostini and beets/burrata. The beets and burrata were heavenly. I'm used to pickled, earthy beets but this dish was delicate and very clean. Wife had an farm-egg pasta with sage and butter and I went mixed grilled pork. Hers was perfectly portioned and mine was just morsels of pork to grind through. I was in heaven. The side of baked polenta wasn't reeeaalllly needed, but was excellent. Desserts were served in stemware: wife had vanilla gelati with cookie and I had grapefruit sorbetti. Perfect end to a great meal. Waiter was quite friendly and had good ideas when we asked what we may want to hit while still in town.
(5)
Maria D.
Perfect Spot for pre-theatre dinning! They respect your reservation and do all the watching of the time for you, so your dinner is a great experience and you don't worry about a thing! They are most certainly a notch above "Landmark" with their gorgeous, but super comfortable space, perfect lighting and well-oiled service. Their menu, maintaining the harmony of Italian themed items, still offers an array of interesting choices which could accommodate a variety of very picky guests! FOOD & WINE This was our second visit and we shared Smoked Mackerel, Octopus followed by Orecchiette with Lemon & Kale (pasta dish) and the Mixed Grill of Pork. Smoked Mackerel was the highlight of our dinner! Full of flavor smoked fish dipped in soft and creamy egg with crunch breadcrumbs added texture contract, ultimately perfecting this dish! Octopus and Orecchiette came in close second - both dishes very well cooked and plated. Octopus was grilled to perfection and came with roasted red peppers and baby potatoes, in delicious sauce. Orecchiette featured a distinctive lemon sauce and again the chef chose breadcrumbs to add texture. You must like kale to appreciate this dish, we enjoyed it very much. *PASTA TIP: Their Tagliolini Nero (with Crab) is a true gem! So if you are in the mood for pasta at Balena, don't miss this unique and absolutely fantastic creation! We ordered it the first time we ate here and it came beautifully presented and incredibly delicious! Now, Pork (4 ways) wasn't bad, but was not impressive. It tasted a bit re-heated and what I mean by this is the meat wasn't as juicy and flavorful and it should be right off the grill. The Pork Shoulder was especially dry, the short rib and pork belly should've been softer and all three had the same subtle flavor, which was a bit boring. However the Chorizo on this plate was excellent. Wine list was absolutely fantastic, especially impressive that they managed to gather such an amazing variety of wines only from Italy, yet offering great prices! I am always happy to see a wide range of choices "by the glass", since my boyfriend is often in a mood for craft beer or dark liquor. Speaking of which - the bar is very well stocked! We look forward to exploring many tempting choices on their menu!
(5)
Emily B.
New favorite restaurant in Chicago? I think so. Brainchild of Boka and The Bristol, Balena has a killer wine and cocktail list, a simple but sophisticated menu, awesome interior design, beautiful bathrooms, and fantastic service. What more do you need for a perfect night out? Chilled asparagus salad: refreshing and delicious Sliced mackerel with egg and granola: best flavor and texture combo you can imagine Nero pasta: their version of "seafood pasta" - it's rich and delicious Pork ragu: like mom makes it....but Chris Pandel made it, so, it's better Pizza: not a huge fan of this actually, little bit like Pizza Hut's sauce on a gourmet crust. Didn't do it for me. That's okay because my desserts were from another world. Actually, they were from Amanda Rockman of Top Chef's Just Desserts. The best tiramisu I've had in the city, hands down coupled with a chocolate gelato and sea salt sundae? Yes, please. Save room for dessert; it was WELL worth it. Other FYI's: Noise level: totally okay Lighting: actually, perfect No screaming kids There is a full bar Tons of seating options (bar, high tops, tables, etc.), 170 capacity PS: Wine menu is a leather-bound book; get ready, wine-o's.
(4)
Brenda D.
The only reason this restaurant didn't get 5 stars is because we had to wait 35 to 40 minutes past our 9:30 reservations to get seated plus another 10 plus to get waited on. You might be wondering why I even gave it 4 stars?? The food, also very slow to come out of the kitchen, was incredible once it arrived. I had the Orecchiette pasta. The flavor was full yet light with the kale and lemon. The pizza was also a wonderful bite. The heirloom tomatoes were large chunks with ricotta dropped all around on the soft chewy dough. The signature drinks are very unique and very strong. Although not impressed with their service, we will be back to visit.
(4)
Amanda G.
For what we expected based on the price, being named a "Top 10" restaurant, etc., Balena failed, and we will not be back. The food was pretty good, but my pizza was almost too salty to eat. My husband got the squid-ink pasta, which was also salty, but still good. The service, which is what I believe you are paying extra for, left something to be desired. My water was not refilled for a long time, and they forgot to bring us bread (which you can get by request). The worst part was, when you order a bottle of wine, they take your bottle and keep it on the bar. This would be ok if they did a better job of watching your glass, but my husband and I both had empty glasses, which is frustrating when you have bought an entire bottle. We finally flagged down someone and requested that they leave our bottle at the table, and they brought us someone else's bottle of wine by mistake and poured it in our glasses. At least we got a free glass of wine out of this mistake, though! I would give it 3/5 if my expectations weren't so high. The atmosphere gets a 4/5.
(2)
Shradha A.
Looking forward to a very special dinner to celebrate my bff's birthday, this place was perfect for the occasion. Really enjoyed the ambiance and the food. We were about to skip the bread basket but a quick glance over the Yelp reviews convinced us to give it a try, and so glad we did. The unique warm fresh breads were a superb start. Our server was not great, because she kept assuming what we may like without asking our preference, for example when it came to recommending a beer. The cocktails were good as were the beer and wine selections. We added the asparagus salad that was a special that day. I had the orecchiette pasta made vegetarian and my friend had the strozzapreti. We both really enjoyed our food. Loved the wooden decor, the friendly hostesses, and the creative but yummy food~!
(5)
Tiffany L.
Yet another fine addition by the Boka restaurant group people. The space is huge and beautifully designed exactly how you'd expect a rustic Italian restaurant to be. The bar is extensive and their cocktail menu was interesting enough. My handsome date ordered the Francesco No. 5, which sounded like their take on an old fashioned. It was nicely presented with a square ice cube and an impeccably peeled orange rind, but lacked potency. The food is pretty fantastic, especially the pasta, which are all lovingly handmade. My favorite was the Tarjarin, an egg yolk based noodle (which makes for a toothier texture), also known as "rich people's pasta", and boy, did it make us feel like kings. Despite the simple sauce of olive oil, brown butter and sage, this was a dish after my own heart. Also tried was the Chitarra, also delicious. Would have tried the squid ink pasta too, but I don't have enough stomachs. If I had a nickel for every time I thought that... Balena also earns props for listing "Grilled head-on shrimps" as their first entree. There is something unnerving when you see beady eyes staring at you right before you devour its brains, but as they say, when in Rome! They're served with halved grapes and mint leaves, which give a nice contrast to the salty char of the shrimp. The aioli seemed unnecessary and lacked flavor. The desserts were good but i wasn't blown away (Grapefruit Sorbetti and Tiramisu). Though there was a mini roasted pear covered in what seemed like coffee grinds. It reminded me of a shrunken head and kinda grossed me out. But for real, try their pasta. In fact, I think I'll go back and have some more right now.
(4)
Nelly S.
Drove by and fell in love with this place at first sight. The ambiance and every detail of decor is just gorgeous. Husband and I celebrated our anniversary here and we're just so pleased with everything, the service, the delicious food! Balena you knocked our socks off!
(5)
Christopher R.
We had a reservation for 6 @ 9:30. So our group met at the bar for pre-dinner drinks at 8:45. We weren't seated until 10:20. Almost an hour late. Our food took 2 hours to get out to us. All the while we can see the kitchen staff through the windows into the kitchen. And what were they doing? Texting. How frustrating! We walked out of the restaurant at 12:15, so much for the rest of the evening. Although the ambience and food were great, the speed of service was horrible. We would not go there again.
(2)
Mariah V.
Deceptively huge. Downstairs is cavernous and inherently loud, while upstairs is cozy and the booth side of tables are comfortable enough you'll want to take a nap. The hostess looked back at us at least 8 times on the way to our table, checking to see that we weren't lost or left behind. We did get to sit upstairs at a table by the full length windows facing Halsted, though. Asking my friend who was visiting to go to an Italian restaurant could've been disastrous, because he's spent a good amount of time in Italy. Fortunately, our meal was pretty good. To start we had the burrata with roasted beets and celery root along with an order of Peter's bread. We both liked the burrata, and the bread was well worth $5. Seriously there is no reason to complain about being charged for bread. You get walnut bread, fennel crostini, roast garlic semolina, and challah to dip in olive oil, ricotta and something that tasted like cream of mushroom soup. More than enough carbs to keep two people satisfied. However if you really want to go balls out on a meal at Balena, you must get The Balena which is what I went with on my second trip. Three meats, three cheeses, and bread galore. This time we had some ramp crostini, pea mint bread and lemon challah. Outrageous. Perfect. Drinks are rated by bitterness from 1 to 10. My friend had the Mirto No. 2, while I tried the Francesco No. 5. The Francesco was good but wasn't that bitter. I had to get the FIB No. 10. If you like grapefruit juice, you will like the No. 10. Next up was the orecchiette, lemon, kale, bread crumbs, chili - nothing on this menu has a name per se. Dishes are listed by their main ingredients instead. The bread crumbs were nice and crunchy, and the delicious lemon/kale combo is something I often make at home. I've had it twice, it's been delicious both times. The duck leg with dried fig and amaro was tender and didn't require the large, heavy steak knife given to us. A bit on the sweeter side. The salt and pepper chicken thigh blew the duck out of the water. On the side we had charred radicchio with pecorino and basil. I didn't expect it to be a cold dish, but it was nice and tangy anyway. It was doused in pecorino. To finish off we had the pistachio gelato, burnt orange caramel, pistachio nougat, confit orange. The winner was the nougat - not excessively chewy and really delicious. We were full but became jealous when the adjacent table's two pizzas came. The affagato's cinnamon sugar doughnuts are sinfully pillowy and amazing. Our plates and cutlery were changed for every course, but we didn't really need a meticulously laid out serving spoon and fork for every dish. Nor did we need plates to eat the pistachio gelato, because who eats gelato on a plate? I'm just not that high maintenance, but judging from the loud, snooty couple next to us, some people eating at Balena are. However this is one place where I don't feel out of place lingering for hours, and I love it. Also Jamie, who has been my waitress twice, is very nice and attentive.
(5)
Laura G.
I would give Balena 3.5 stars because it had a lot of very positive aspects. The decor was very cool, and the service was pretty good as well. The food was good-you could tell the ingredients were fresh and high-quality; I guess I was just expecting a bit more. After some wine, we started off with the bread basket. I was expecting to be blown away, which I wasn't. Next, we had the beet salad with burrata. It was small, but very tasty and fresh. Next came the tajarin with pork ragu which was the best thing we got. Small portion, but I would recommend this dish. After a recommendation by the waitress, we got the mushroom pizza. We all liked it, but nothing too special, especially for being the "best pizza they had." We all had a nice time, but I don't think any of us are rushing back right away.
(3)
Maria C.
We easily found a place to eat at the bar. The wines by the glass are terrible and overpriced. The pizza is super thick and the grilled pork plate was mostly fat. The octopus salad was super fishy. This was my second time there so I feel like we gave it a fair shot. I wish there was something better in the neighborhood.
This is my second time here at Balena. I would say that my second visit was slightly disappointing. I had high hopes as my first experience was fantastic! It's still a great restaurant with great food and a extensive Italian wine list. The Wild Arugula Salad and Tagliolini Nero Pasta were both fantastic again. The pizza - Spicy Pepperoni and Spicy Sausage - are both really savory and delicious. During my second visit, I also tried the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe - I was not a huge fan. Its a creamy, salt/pepper pasta - supposedly very simple. I was under the impression it would be lighter but it felt very heavy and a little too salty. While I would revisit Balena, I am slightly disappointed the second visit wasn't as mind-blowing as the first; I brought my parents here trying to win them over as well, hah! I think the reason the second visit was less enjoyable was the service. Our waitress rarely checked in with us and was slow in between courses (we had 2 dishes that came very quickly, then waited awhile after our table had been cleaned and reset for the next 2 dishes to come. Then, after we were finished with our meal, we had to wait a while before our waitress checked in again for dessert or coffee).
(4)
Shauna M.
Cannot say enough good things about Balena. Have dined a few dozen times over the years and always get the orecchiette and nero for pasta dishes. The pizzas are also great especially the rhubarb, spicy pepperoni, and sausage. We miss the affogato and donuts on the desert menu. Have tried various other dishes over the years, but always return because of the classics (orecchiette).
(4)
Jonathan S.
This place is a solid 3 stars. It's a cool date place and worth a visit. All food was tasty but the rotolo steak was kid of simple and overpriced for what it was. Wine was good- vibe was good- all good.
(3)
Jami S.
I wanted to like this place given I had heard great things even a friend saying it was her fav italian place in the city. Unfortunately b/c of the SLOW service I cannot give it anything more then 2 stars. It was Friday I will give them that but the place is pretty big and we did have a reso. Still had to wait about 20 minutes. Then as we are getting seated they put us in a 2 top squished between 2 other tables. I hate that shit. Seriously make some more room in the restaurant - no one wants to eat on top of other people & it's not Valentines Day! I asked for a table with some more room and the hostess stared at me blankly and said she had to go all the way back to the stand and check. Waited some more... finally got a table next to a wall in the back. Fine. Another 10 minutes or so to get a menu and another 10 minutes for the waitress to even say hello! I mean c'mon we get it's Friday and you just got slammed with a table you didn't think you would have but come by and say hi i'll be right with you. jeez. being a waitress before I can say this. She was plenty friendly and nice but the slowness continued the whole night. We ordered a bottle of wine - it took nearly 20 minutes maybe longer. Seriously. Our dinner was almost 3 hours. Ridic in my book. & sux b/c the food was actually really good. The pastas we had, gnocci, and like a mushroom ragu were delish. The brussel sprout pizza was to die for. We both really loved the food. Get some more servers on a Friday!
(2)
Chelsea J.
This was probably hands down the best meal and dining experience I have had in Chicago!!! NO LIE. I moved here 9 months ago from New York City and consider myself a bit of a foodie... Always searching for a new experience and new tastes to try. I stumbled upon Balena by accidentally on my quest to get a reservation at the infamous Girl and the Goat (when I couldn't get a res, Balena was offered as one of those. "If you like this, you should try..."). So I took a quick peek at the menu, scanned over Yelp reviews and decided to try it. First of all, the atmosphere is so trendy and rustic. The open beams, eclectic lights on the bar side wall and large wicker chandeliers are elegant and the lighting sets just the right mood. We had a 7:30 reservation and were sat immediately upon entering. Our waiter (forget his name but he was amazing) was over within minutes, knew I was an east coaster (probably through my open table account) and immediately gave us an extensive overview of the restaurant and menu. I had my parents with me and my dad like to banter with anyone. This waiter took all of his jokes and sarcasm and would even indulge in some great conversation. He also gave a great recommendation for wine (we had the montepulcianod'abruzzo... amazing!!!!) Okay back to the food, we aren't huge eaters but ended up ordering the Kale caesar, marinated olives and the orichiette with kale and lemon as appetizers to share. These were all mouth watering choices. The orichiette had the perfect amount of lemon and the breadcrumbs on top added great texture. The kale caeser had anchovies (if you like them) and was also very good. Our olives did not come out with those dishes, however the manager Nick was at our table offering us a round of drinks on the house and comped the olives. We were sipping on wine and relaxing and didn't even realize the time but the manager approached our table again and apologized for the wait for our entrees. We really were not upset or were aware of the wait but they again offered a round of drinks. This staff and manager truley showed us the definition of hospitality. For dinner, I had the hanger steak and my parents each had the halibut and half roasted chicken. I rarely eat red meat (to me it's always chewy) but had a half marathon the next day... This steak was succulent and flavorful. Came with this amazing sauce and mushrooms. The chicken had a perfect amount of crisp to the skin and was so juicy! The polenta under it was rich and comforting. The halibut was very delicate and had tasty lentils underneath it. All in all these entrees were decadent and flavored to perfection. For dessert we went with our waiters recommendation to get the chocolate and hazelnut croccante. The way he described it was perfect... A grown up kit kat with a hint of caramel rice krispies topping and a nice chocolate based gelato. When it arrived the food runner had a second plate on hand. The manager again as a kind gesture for our "wait" had given us a second dessert on the house, the rhubarb tart. I can't even tell you how wonderful these desserts were. They were rich and melt in your mouth good. I couldn't even pick a favorite. The rhubarb dish had a great balance between tart and sweet and the croccante had this amazing mousse set atop this crispy wafer like crust. All in all an amazing way to end the meal. We thanked the manager and waiter and told them how amazing our experience was and that Balena is a superb example of how a restaurant and dining experience should go. I even asked for the managers card so that I could set up my birthday dinner here in a month or so. The general manager Erin approached our table and personally gave me her card and told me she could setup a great small table for the occasion in the back room. If this review was too lengthy for you to read, here is the take home message. YOU NEED TO GO TO BALENA. Hands down best food I've had since moving to Chicago.
(5)
Arthur M.
Before Bling Ring we had dinner at Balena. They had fresh cheese and mozzarella mixed with Nichols Farm strawberries. Girlfriend said it was the best burrata she's had. Il Nostro Chinotto was recommended to me by the server at Balena as a bitter cream soda. It was amazing: the taste of the evil bitter even an alcoholic could love. I thought the spicy sausage pizza was just okay until the spicy sauce arrived a minute behind. Yes, I had eaten half a piece of pizza like a T Rex before the spicy sauce even arrived: the spicy sauce was great. She chose the cannoli sundae for dessert. The gelato was creamy and cheesy, a sweet foil to the burrata. The shards of freshly fried pastry dough had a zested orange element. The cherries were luxurious, and there was a perfect ending of bitter liquor at the bottom of the cup.
(5)
Kristin M.
4.5 - Delicious food, great service and tasty cocktails! I've been here a couple times, first on NYE with a prix fixe menu which was delicious. We shared a trio of pumpkin arancini (interesting and delicious!), bitter greens salad (you know, it's salad) and beef carpaccio (my fave starter, it was delicious!) For mains the short rib was delicious, it was well cooked and a super flavorful sauce. The stand out were the minted carrots, which were buttery and delicious (though they didn't stand up for the following visit). For dessert the chocolate cake was tasty, and the panna cotta tasted surprisingly like fruity pebbles, a fun throwback to childhood. My second visit was during Restaurant Week. I had the burratta and beets, but the tuna and white bean bruschetta was the hands down winner at the table. For pasta, the peppered spaghetti with buttery cream sauce was deceptively simple, and higly delicious. For mains, the chicken thighs were good, but didn't blow me away. The mushroom pizza, on the other hand, was something we added on and it did not disappoint! We literaly fought over the remaining piece, it was amazing. The cocktails were delicious, each one different from the next but all very tasty. My only complaint was the craziness upon arrival/departure. The entrance is very congested, I felt bad for the table right by the door because we had no choice but to crowd it when checking in/waiting for our table. A word to the wise: don't check your coat. It was chaotic and took 10 minutes to get our jackets, I wish I had just hung it on my seat. That aside, great experiences at Balena!
(4)
Helen N.
Delicious cacio e pepe. One of the best Italian pizza I've had in Chicago, just slightly thicker than the slices in Eataly but rich flavor and chewy crust. Great value if you enjoy authentic pasta and pizza dishes.
(5)
Donnie D.
Dined for the first time last night at Balena and it was everything I hoped it would be! There was a group of us that have been wanting to go for quite some time and we were very pleased. The food was fantastic, the ambiance was very relaxed yet upbeat, and the service was impeccable. For dinner we had the grilled octopus, the (I forget the name) ink squid pasta with crab...this was one of the best dishes I've had in Chicago. So amazing! We also had the short ribs, the chicken, the mussels, and a few dessert that were hazelnut and I believe the shortcake. Overall, food was fantastic! Can't wait to be back...
(5)
Stefphanie H.
Was in Chicago for the weekend and stumbled upon this place....the food was AMAZING! Loved the vibe.
(4)
Stephanie L.
RESTAURANT WEEK! Balena...oh how I have meant to come to you way before this...alas, I made it. Ah, I remember many nights at Landmark in my prime...too funny. The space is still set up the same. Just a little facelift. So one thing I wasnt a fan of was everyone at the table had to do restaurant week...boo to that. Also, the menu for restaurant week was meh. I would have liked more of a selection. Burrata was yummy, tripe was average, white bean bruschetta was damn good. Pastas were DELISH!!!!!! YUMMY! All of them were so great. Pepperoni Pizza was delish (ordered in addition) Salmon was good, chicken was good Desserts pretty darn good Service barred on the edge of annoying. After each dish was served, the server would come over and wait for us to finish talking and ask how is everything. Now, I can understand coming over occasionally, but after every dish was served was EXCESSIVE. and interruptive...we couldnt even have a conversation. But, I guess she was there if we needed her. I would definitely like to go and check out the normal menu.
(4)
Romana Y.
We walked in, and the host seemed rather perplexed; Fortunately, our waitor did not. Our waiter was accommodating all throughout, but not the most helpful. He recommended a red wine with subtle, smooth notes. It was great! We started with the pungent selection of Pecorino. Not your typical cheese plate; worth trying and pairing with wine. Next, the gnocchi, which was the main dish, had taken 45minutes too long. 45minutes in, and there was still no gnocchi, or no word of gnocchi. We asked it be canceled, as the restaurant was closing, and we were ready to jet out of there. The waiter apologized for the long delay, and accommodated our request. An additional 15 minutes later, we get the check and gnocchi packaged together, "on the house." It took an hour to get our dinner out... and packaged. They were sincerely apologetic, as we stated out disinterest in taking the food home. The service at this point was at it's peak, oddly. Day after, we tried the gnocchi: decent. I'm sure it's better served freshly on spot. Coffee was a tasteful international brew, served French-press. The rustic-chic decor, dim lighting, and quiet setting make it a beautiful spot, nonetheless.
(3)
Mallory S.
AWESOME food and atmosphere, good service, and reasonable prices. I made a reservation via Open Table one week in advance for four on a Saturday night, and we were able to get in at 8:30 PM. The host seated us immediately upon arrival. I feel in love with the restaurant before even tasting the food. Our server was knowledgable, attentive, and personable, and the atmosphere is rustic and inviting. There were a few serving "oops," but they did not detract from the experience. My friend and I were not given clean forks for the entrees like our moms had received, and the server forgot about my friend's mom's gluten allergy and served a dessert with flour. We started with a bottle of Lambrusco and olives. ($55; $6) Our server suggested sharing plates, and we're so glad we did! We ordered baked polenta ($8), honey glazed carrots ($8), spaghetti cacio e pepe ($14), gnocchi ($17), Lake Superior whitefish, and hanger steak ($22). We finished with affogato ($9), grapefruit torte ($9), and a trio of gelato ($8). All of the food was rich an flavorful, but we agreed that the polenta and whitefish were our favorites!
(5)
Michael U.
Items selected included: Elixer No4 Green Chartreuse, Nardi Acqua di Cedro, Beefeater 24 Gin FIB no10 Amaro dell Erborista, Ransome Gin, Pink Grapefruit, Basil Strawberry No1 Dimmi, Grey Goose, Fragoli, Wild Strawberry Peter's Bread: Salami and Red Wine, Heirloom Beet Crostini, Orange and Anise Grissini, Pumpkin Spice Brioche, Cranberry Walnut Roll (Maple Fig Butter, Gorgonzola Milk Jam, Cauliflower Curry Yogurt) Venison Terrine, House Pickles, Violet Mustard Mushroom Bruschetta, Rye Toast, Marsala Onions, Cream Bayley Hazen Blue, Honey Crisp Apples, Frisee, Caramel Vinaigrette Tagliolini Nero, Crab, Sea Urchin, Chili Hen Egg Tajarin, Sage, Brown Butter 12" Pizza with Mozzarella, Basil, Tomato Baked Polenta, Tomato Fondue, Dante Wood Roasted Squash, House Ricotta, Honey Chili Butter Afogato, Vanilla Gelato, Espresso, Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Caramel Pine Nut Tart, Vanilla Gelato, Rosemary Chinotto Float, Chai Spice Gelato, Charred Dates, Rum, Demerara Sugar Vanilla Gelati, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Malt Chocolate Sauce, Toasted Milk Apple Pie Gelati, Salted Caramel, Pecan, Brown Butter Crumble Americano The night after a late dinner at The Bristol I found myself seated alongside my family at sister restaurant Balena, a classy high ceilinged, white walled space on Halsted where Chris Pandel and Amanda Rockman take on Italian cuisine with the same local-seasonal ethos and "Honest Cooking" sensibilities as at their Bucktown staple. Similar in craft - an extensive cocktail list, plenty of seasonal vegetables, and a few meat dishes - but swapping out meats and charcuterie in favor of pasta and pizza (though charcuterie still exists at Balena just as pasta does at The Bristol) and comparable in atmosphere as well as clientele the difference between the two is subtle but certainly worth exploring. Beginning first with the service, our captain Keith did an admirable job throughout the evening, but taking into account the size of the room and use of back servers at Balena it simply is not possible for the restaurant to offer the same personal connection a diner feels at The Bristol - suggestions feel pre-determined, descriptions formulaic, and timing a bit more stilted with plates at times appearing too quickly and at others with substantial delay (such as when my Americano arrived nearly 15 minutes before desserts as opposed to with, or even after.) Perhaps as a result of - or perhaps leading to - the above, plates such as the bruschetta and polenta also suffered from temperature issues, both cooler than I'd have expected (though both were admittedly excellent even luke warm.) ...and speaking of the food, selecting nine plates plus five desserts amongst our party of five, I'll first echo my comments from The Bristol and suggest not overlooking the vegetables as the beautifully balanced frisee salad, decadent mushroom bruschetta, and unexpectedly complex wood roasted squash were amongst the best dishes of the evening. Less successful, while others have raved the bread program I personally found all but the Pumpkin spice brioche to be rather standard while it was the accoutrements that truly made the basket - particularly the expectedly sweet maple-fig butter and pungent, rich Gorgonzola milk jam. Focusing on the more "Italian" options, the pizza was fine - neither particularly bad nor particularly memorable while the pastas shined; the ribbon like tajarin coated in butter but not at all heavy while the jet black tagliolini nero was springy without being chewy, spicy without being hot, and delicately briny from the uni while retaining the crab's unmistakable sweetness - the best dish of the night by a landslide, especially considering the desserts - none nearly as impressive (a tall order to be sure) as the duo at The Bristol just one night prior; the Pine Nut Tart a lone exception in its interesting balance of sweet and salty with texture aplenty. A good meal, though not a great one, there are certainly some impressive things going on at Balena and with careful ordering I've no doubt one could have an exceptional meal, yet at the same time I really cannot think of a reason to revisit the space considering A) the quality of Chicago's Italian scene in general and B) the overall superior experience available from Pandel and Rockman at 2152 North Damen.
(3)
Charlie B.
Great food. Great vibe inside and perfect stop before you hit up Steppenwolf for a show. I had been wanting to go for a while but thought it was going to be mostly pizza and sort of boring basic Italian stuff you always see. Not the case! Unique dinner options and we didn't even try a pizza. I had my niece with me and they made her a fantastic non-alcoholic drink (and tasty ones for us grown ups, too). The server was new, so he had some work to do and things seemed to get a little backed up in the kitchen which he had to juggle. For a newbie he did a great job and has some learning to do, but that's the only thing that put me on the fence between a 4 and a 5. I will be back and hopefully trying the pizza this time around!
(5)
Lisa S.
I've never had better service than I did at Balena! Our server was friendly, attentive, helpful and NOT pushy, which we really appreciated. She also knew the menu extremely well, which was super impressive. Everything we ordered was delicious....if we went back, I think I'd try to go as a party of four as opposed to a party of two so we could try more things. The mushroom pizza was fantastic! (not as rich and equally delicious as Siena Tavern's) We were smart enough to only eat half so that we had room for the rest of our meal. Our server was nice enough to leave the box up front so it don't crowd our table for the rest of the meal. I don't usually order dessert, but it would be a crime not to order the affogato. The combination of the house made gelato, espresso and fresh donuts is be the perfect sweet, but pick me up end to any meal.
(4)
Sage P.
Probably a much better idea to dine in. I ordered Balena a second time (from grubhub, so maybe the fault lies there) because their food is delicious. My first time ordering was a lovely experience. The delivery guy found my house without trouble and was very nice. The second time? What a nightmare! The delivery guy couldn't find my house, which fine, no problem - most delivery people have trouble finding it. My problem is that he gave me a completely wrong order and when I told him, he left with the food before I could say anything (I wanted to have him wait while I spoke to the manager at Balena). I called the restaurant and spoke to the manager. She was very nice and told me I could keep the food (nice, but unfortunately too late) and that she'd take care of the bill. Long story short, HERE IS WHERE MY PROBLEM LIES: my food came back cold and my bill was NOT taken care of, not even the delivery charge.
(1)
Michael B.
Excellent pasta and pizza. The other mains I've had were good too, but I really think this place excels at their fresh pasta offerings and pizza. Love sitting at the bar there, which is first come, first serve. The bartenders are always great. For two people, I'd recommend sharing a pizza and two pastas.
(4)
Stefani C.
I just arrived from Italy and this is not an Italian restaurant. I eat yesterday and I this morning I couldn't wake up. Too much sauce and the menu has too less choices. We spend too much for what we get. The place is nice but I couldn't suggest to try this place.
(2)
Ben B.
To my great delight, Balena treated my girlfriend right on her birthday. I let them know we were there for a special occasion, and they got us an appropriately romantic seat (at the window, overlooking the majestic Steppenwolf parking garage). We also sat down to a birthday card, signed by all the Balena staff. Classy. As for the food, I was not a fan. The menu seems too clever by half. For my main dish, I got the rigatoni with pork ragu and mushrooms. It was good, but not mind-blowing. The portion was quite small. It's pasta, man! Why hold back? My girlfriend ordered the orecchiette (with kale, lemon, bread crumbs and chili). It was zesty. If there's such a thing as dessert pasta, this is it. We also ordered a pizza - Mushroom, Fontina, Taleggio, Scallion and Thyme. There were roughly 4 trillion scallions to every mushroom. Pizza wasn't that great, unless it was doused with the sauce they provided. Then it was a bit more enjoyable. The servers were polite and friendly, but they swarmed a bit. Here's a hint: When you see a girl crying because she's emotional over the birthday letter she's reading, maybe take a pass on stopping at the table. Water refills were frequent at the beginning the meal, but trailed off drastically midway through. We also ordered a bottle of wine and our server put it on ice for us. That was nice, but the ice wasn't tableside, so we were dependent on her to fill us up. I'm still not entirely sure we got to drink the entire bottle. I guess it's Wine Honor System at Balena. Balena's shining moment came at dessert. I ordered apple pie gelati (with salted caramel, pecans, and brown butter crumble). Really flavorful. I loved it. My girl ordered the affogato (vanilla gelato, espresso, and cinnamon sugar donuts). Hot donuts? Hell, yes. The best. Should I feel weird we ran up a $200 tab and they didn't comp my girlfriend's birthday dessert? I'm okay with it, but a comp would have been a nice gesture... * Warning: Balena is very, very loud. Not a great place for a date. I recommend dining elsewhere, then hitting Balena for dessert.
(3)
Mark C.
A quick weeknight meal at Balena was a pretty solid and memorable one. We ordered pretty simply, and the menu at Balena definitely has numerous more adventerous and interesting choices than a tuscan kale salad and a plate of cacio e pepe. But that's what we got and it was solid. The kale was fresh and sharp with the right amount of bitterness, and topped with a healthy dollop of fresh parmesan. The Cacio e pepe is simple, but incredible. The spaghetti has that perfect al dente texture that you can only get with fresh handmade pasta, and the balance of parmesan and black pepper was absolutely dead-on. Add on the crispy bread crumbs that crisped up the textural element of the dish, and you have a dish that is simple in its ingredients with a subtle underlying complexity. For an entree, we got the hangar steak - solid, well cooked to an almost perfect medium rare, but overall nothing special. Dishes like this remind me why I tend to stray towards fresh pasta at places like this. Balena's a tough place to order for two as the menu makeup seems to be designed for a party of four or six, but you can still make it work for a couple. That being said, there are plenty of solid choices - the pastas are definitely the highlight, but the focus on fresh greens and fresh pasta make it a solid Italian option. Pics and more up at: chohschow.com/2014/07/14…
(4)
Kevin B.
With so many great restaurants in our wonderful city, it is a treat when you find extraordinary. Balena is that find. We were headed across the street for a show at Steppenwolf, so we actually picked this restaurant for convenience...but were we surprised. Walking into this restaurant you are simply awestruck by the overall simplicity and beauty of the restaurant. The flavors were unique...just the right mix of uncommon ingredients to make this entire meal exceptional. We started out with the burrata (similar to goat cheese) and mustard with bread, Arugula salad...simple, but nice starter, and the roasted beets, walnut pesto, each item was perfectly prepared, and served with great attention. We did a lot of sharing as this menu really works well for this. I forgot to mention the fresh made bread sticks! We then moved to a mozzarella pizza, rigatoni, pumpkin angolotti and gnocchi and sides included the brussel sprouts and sweet onion gratinato...each item was better than the next. On top of all this our waitperson, Jenny, was totally on her game. She made the right suggestions and helped tremendously with the our choices. Her support staff, whether it was the bus boy, or the floor manager, they were all stepping in to fill water glasses, clear plates, etc. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
John R.
My bride found this place to go before a show and it was awesome. Our waiter Chris was attentive and very helpful with lots of great suggestions. Gnocchi was to die for and pizza was great. Desserts are worth saving room for, although I could have eaten more gnocchi and called it dessert and been really happy. We definitely recommend and will be back!
(5)
K K.
We tried every pasta, and they were all fantastic. My favorite was the black pasta with sea urchin. Staff was super attentive and helpful, spent as much time as needed to pair the right wines. I will be back!
(4)
Daniel S.
Got to try both the pizza and the pasta, the pasta was way better, i got the paccheri, which was very creamy and tasty, i forget what kind my friend got, but i tried it and that was also excellent, however the pizza was just ok, the crust was too hard and burnt, we also got a side of polenta, i dont usually get that, but here it was pretty good, prices are what youd expect given the look, ideal spot for if youre going to the steppenwolf theater
(4)
Sarah S.
PERFECT PLACE FOR A SPECIAL DATE!! Amazing service, amazing food, amazing wine list! We celebrated our anniversary here and the servers actually MADE us a card and wrote cute messages on it and had it on our table waiting for us to sit down. In 2013 I feel like thoughtfulness is often replaced with rudeness (looking at you Kuma's Corner), especially in a big city, so it was nice to see a restaurant put a little extra effort into making our night special. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Sheryl T.
There's not a lot of places I wouldn't mind driving 45 miles in a snowstorm for, but Balena is definitely one of them. The Tagliolini with Sea Urchin is by far, the best I've had in the city. Boarding House does a similar dish which I found to be too spicy while Balena's is the perfect harmony of texture and flavors.
(5)
Allison M.
I wanted to love Balena because I heard great things and had been waiting quite awhile to visit. Unfortunately, this rating is probably on par with others who visit a restaurant for the first time during restaurant week in that I was completely disappointed from the time I walked in to the time I walked out. The place was packed, as expected, on a Friday night at 8pm. The restaurant is fairly large but it's not spacious. The layout is tight and it's awkward to walk through the aisle from the host stand to the bar with a winter coat and a purse. Odd, then, that they have a coat check, but don't offer it. You'll need to ask for a coat check when you walk in if you don't want to drag your North Face around the floor. The woman at the table next to me didn't realize they offered the service either until she saw me without my coat. The tables are close to one another, but that's typical in Chicago. Think Mercadito. Our server seemed great-- recommending some pastas and appetizers when we chose to order a la carte-- until he forgot to put in our pasta order after our mussels, which we had ordered as an appetizer. I've worked as a server so I can understand that this happens once and awhile. The problem lies in the fact the server never apologized or acknowledged it. In fact, our pasta dishes didn't come to the table until I got up from the table and told him it had been 30 minutes since we had finished the mussels. The pasta dishes-- the bolognese and crab Tagliolini-- were average and just left me feeling like they had been something I could make at home or get at Quartino for half the cost. I realize it's restaurant week and nearly every place is packed, but we never even received an apology from our server, let alone any comp on our $200 bill. Restaurant week or not, Balena was completely disappointing. With so many choices for inspired Italian in Chicago, I won't return here or recommending it.
(2)
Jeff A.
A great experience. Lively atmosphere, good food and service.
(4)
Becky P.
Went back again last night and had a mediocre experience. We ordered an appetizer, a pasta and the steak dish. The steak came out and hour and a half after we placed our order and we couldn't find our waiter. We also ordered a bottle of wine and we didn't have our waiter to pour it for us because they moved the bottle far from our table. The worst part was that our steak arrived cold. They told us the plate was very hot and to be careful, made me think they forgot about our steak and put it on a hot plate to make it seem like it was just prepared. Still is a beautiful restaurant and the tastes were good, but the service was so bad last night and our food was so delayed and cold.
(3)
Jason A.
Upscale trendy Italian that falls flat. The place is too big and busy for an enjoyable quiet meal. Service was a bit lacking. The ingredients were high quality but the preparations unimaginative. I don't want to slam this place, but not my thing and I can't recommend.
(3)
Heather D.
I really am a big fan of Balena. The food, ambiance, decorating, the service, it's all just very very good! I'm a HUGE fan of Italian food and I wouldn't say Balena is the most 'Chicago' traditional of what you'd expect - but it's difference from the every day trattoria in Chicago is what makes it stand out and shine! What to get: Appetizer: Whichever they have going for the season - but the huge platter of cured meat, bread, and cheeses is always a table fav! Pasta: The Hen Egg Tajarin is amazing. So additively flavorful! Balena pastas, in general, are a very small portioning - so if you plan to get this as your entree without ordering a few apps or a salad before - I strongly suggest adding an additional 'half order' of the pasta to the dish. Plus your dinner partner is bound to steal a few bites due to the amazaballzness of the dish! I do this all the time and they are great about it and it's the perfect filling amount. Grill/Entree: Salt and Pepper Chicken. It is ALWAYS really good regardless of what seasonal version they are offering. Cooked to perfection and always flavorful! If you're a fan of really sweet wine - their Lambrusco is good! Otherwise stick to a Chianti, Cab, or Malbec! Dessert: Vanilla Gelato Sundae - The chocolate chip cookie and malt chocalate sauce! YUM It is AMAZING! Final Verdict: It's not cheap but totally worth! Choose wisely young padawan!
(4)
Cathy M.
I am being a little cheap with the stars on account of the long, long, long.....space in between courses, the fact that our reservation had not been found, and the "I can't hear you-even though you are sitting right next to me" acoustics. Now, on to the good parts! The manager, Erin, was OH MY GAWSH awesome! I almost forgot that the pizza was freshly original, the pasta course (we tried them all!) was flavorful and tender, the steak was fork-tender and lovely, and the candle-lit ambiance was spectacular! Our server, by way of the chef, asked if my shrimp and lobster allergy would be bothered by the urchin and crab. Of course not, I said...assured that I have eaten both. Yeahhhh, nope. As my eyes started to fall out of my face and hives swelled my mouth, Erin send a friend to rescue me! We were able to complete the night without an urgent care visit. Gooooo to Balena! Even if it's only for wine and pizza. Thank you for an interesting birthday treat! P.S. Always eat the dessert first! It's exquisite!
(3)
jeffrey c.
Third time visiting this restaurant and each visit got worse. Service was excellent but the food has gone steadily down. My opinion is the are getting away from the fundimentals and trying to be avant-garde. Several of the combinations of flavors and temperature just didn't work. Had pizza that was overcooked. We noticed another table nearby complaining about how long dinner took to arrive and our experience was similar. Had to get to theatre so we couldn't send it back. Overall sad that this restaurant has gone down as it is convenient to two theaters we like to visit. Don't think we will give it a 4th chance.
(3)
Kaitlin M.
It is hard for me to write about my experience here because it was so BAD! This place has HORRENDOUS SERVICE and FLAVORLESS FOOD. Stay Away!!! I'll try to give you the short version of our frustrating evening. It started with us showing up to a 7 PM reservation about 10 minutes early and not getting sat till 20 after 7 pm. We got the excuse that they were "busy because of the show next door." Because we were early we decided to try to get drinks at the bar while we wait... and again, the bartender ignored us. He chose to clean wine glasses over making some cash. Once we got seat, things just went even farther downhill. By the time our server finally came by our table, I had finished a full glass of water out of boredom, which never got refilled. He asked if we would like to order drinks and basically started walking away before my bf finished stating he wanted a splash of ginger in his whiskey. REALLY? We wanted to order food as well you prick! Our drinks showed up and of course my bf was wrong. There was no splash of ginger. And well, it took most of the way through dinner for a bus boy to finally show up with some in a glass for him to add himself. I ordered the Orecchiette and my bf ordered the Scallop Crudo and the Hanger Steak. If you had told my dish was supposed to have chili and kale in it I would have laughed at you. It was plane boring flavorless pasta. And from what I could tell it was not homemade past as well, is it was completely over cooked. How do you f-up PASTA??? On top of it my bf was completely underwhelmed with his crudo and his steak was over cooked. Meanwhile, our first drinks had been finished for a while and by the time our server came around to see if we wanted another round... our plate were being cleared away. Needless to say we immediately passed on dessert and asked for our bill. By the time he actually brought it, we could have finished another round of drinks! I don't think I have seen my bf leave such a small tip EVER. And to my surprise my boyfriend walked straight up to the manager and explained to her how poor our service was. She procedure to apologize BUT excuse the situation because they were in a "rush of people trying to get to the play next door." My bf: "So that means you throw service for everyone else out the window?" She then became a broken record using the same excuse. Like I said... done waist even your thoughts on checking out this place. It's not worth it. Whatever you do...STAY AWAY!
(1)
Lauren G.
Went here with my boyfriend for a delayed anniversary dinner. The atmosphere is super trendy and rustic - we had a great table on the second floor in the corner- cozy and quiet compared to the first floor bar area. Our waiter was great- attentive and sweet but not overbearing. The food was great - to start we ordered spiced olives (loved), a kale caesar salad, and bone marrow (for him! He loved). For the main course I ordered the white fish (amazing! Yummy salty crust on a perfectly cooked bed of lentils). The boyfriend ordered a spicy flank steak- he said it was good. I wouldn't know. For the sides we ordered polenta - ehh it was fine. Also we ordered bitter greens- they were weird. Too bitter. ;) The dessert was so disappointing! We ordered the ricotta torta and it tasted a little old and flavorless :( Overall definitely a great dinner and would come back!
(4)
Taylor K.
Fantastic place for a date night. The food was awesome and the staff was very attentive. I recommend the Arugula salad to start and the oxtail ragu for dinner.
(4)
Danielle S.
We arrived in Chicago after a (really not that) long trip via United and the El, and my aunt and uncle took us here for dinner to celebrate my birthday. It was a nice reprieve from public transportation. This restaurant is beautifully designed - very understated yet pretty stunning. It seems like it was an old bank or warehouse or something kind of cold and uninviting - they've done a great job of making this large space quite intimate. We started at a table upstairs, but ended up moving to the main dining room due to my aunt's choice - I would have been fine with either. It seemed more cozy upstairs, but our table downstairs had a bit more room. Our server was very friendly, and fed off of our energy. They also surprised me with a birthday card signed by the staff and a little sparkling lemonade since I was not partaking in beverages of the adult variety. The menu is coursed, so when you order, you'll give them your whole order so they can properly space it out. That being said, you don't have to order every course. I ordered a fantastic pasta that I'm still thinking about - I can't remember what it was called, but it was a mix between spaghetti and linguine and the sauce was to die for - just a basic tomato/basil/cream sauce. SO good. It didn't look like a huge portion but it was perfect, especially since I had a salad prior and was awaiting a full branzino to come my way. When I ordered dessert, the waitress knew I was staying away from alcohol, so on the cherry tart amazingness, they ended up removing the additional glaze which had even more alcohol than what was baked in (and baked out) of the pie itself. Dinner took almost 3 hours but it didn't feel that way - it was a nicely paced meal and other than the wine taking a bit long, it was very well done. The food was spectacular, and the choices were really extensive for being a smaller menu. I'd definitely go back - if you're headed to Steppenwolf (though be sure to give yourself enough time!) or just want a good meal, go here!
(5)
Anna K.
Probably the best service I have experienced ANYWHERE! From our hostess to our server to the bussers, everyone was personable, knowledgable, and efficient. The food was fantastic-there are different course options and we chose to order a bunch of smaller courses so we could try everything. My only complaint is that they wanted to do a unique cocktail concept based off bitters. I'm not a fan of bitters, so I stuck to wine! Don't expect a quiet evening out-it's loud and bustling! Reservations are definitely a must on the weekends-we even had to wait for our reservation-but it was definitely worth it for the amazing evening we had.
(5)
Christina C.
Excellent meal, cool and interesting space, diverse menu, great cocktail menu, nice wine list, and great service. I will be back and I do recommend it.
(4)
Joy F.
Good cocktails and food! Salad, pasta and chicken thigh were tasty, well timed and pleasant to eat.
The Food:We actually went when they had the Truffle Za' pizza with 20 grams of truffle (White Perigold & Black Alba), with Truffle Cream & cheese sauce, and 5J Jamon Iberico Bellota. It was one of the best things I have ever eaten. We only ordered 1 other item as the pizza was the star and there were only 2 of us.The porcini pasta with pork was fantastic & the sauce was packed with flavor, and they did a great job of not 'over' saucing it or drowning out the noodles. I think the noodles were house made as well, and cooked perfectly. The Ambience: I loved the ambience and rustic-ness. I did think these florescent orange-ish line shaped lights on the walls were oddly modern, but loved the chandeliers. Everyone was having a great time. The Service: Was so great! I sometimes get a little annoyed at restaurants with top notch service as I don't mind a few extra things on the table as long as we have privacy but they did a great job of not coming to the table to often, and keeping it clean and tidy at the same time. Everyone was really familiar with the menu, even the waiter knew the wine on the wine list (so often restaurants only know the staples and call the sommelier over for Qs). We even talked to one of the bus boys about the food and they were familiar!
(5)
Britt D.
I heard very good things about Balena from friends, so decided to try it next time I knew I'd be in town. I had to change my reservation a couple of times to include more people, and fortunately the hostess was able to accomodate us on a Friday night with relatively short notice. First of all, let me qualify this by saying my memory is a bit fuzzy about everything we ordered...there were a number of drinks involved. But I do remember that everything we tried was absolutely delicious. We started with a couple of appetizers including fresh burrata and zampone - both with unique accompaniments, and a legit way to start the meal. We sampled a couple of salads, mostly to get our vegetable quotient before the ensuing caloric damage that was to follow. We had six lovely ladies at our table, and the waiter suggested we order 4 pasta dishes and two pizzas to share. While that seems like a lot, I would have ordered 2 more given how small the pasta portions are. We tried the Cacio e Pepe, Hen Egg Tajarin, Orechiette with Kale, and Tagliolini Nero - all of which were perfectly al dente with the right amount of saucy goodness. After nearly stabbing my best friend with a fork to get the last bite of Cacio e Pepe, we absolutely should have ordered another round...but this dish was so good it was almost worth a little bloodshed. By the time dessert rolled around, the drink and carb coma had set in, so I really can't remember what we ordered - just order whatever the waiter recommends and be prepared to fight over those, too.
(4)
Mark S.
While it is on the north side in lincoln park it is worth the trip from downtown. After several trips here I can write that everything has always been delicious and the environment has always been fun and worth of a celebration! No surprise with the incredible people behind this fresh and wonderful spot!
(5)
Raoul C.
It's a rare, rare event when I purposefully choose Italian over other cuisines. But screw it, it's Chicago, and the ghost of Al Capone refuses to leave me alone until I've forced booze and linguine down my gullet. Fine. But wait, better than fine. Amazing! Balena served my friend and I a spectacular meal - the squid ink pasta, the persimmon salad, the constantly evolving menu with seasonal flavors. And here was I expecting penne with red sauce (they probably could do that too!).
(5)
Frances G.
Enchanting is the first superlative that comes to mind when I think of Balena. It's as if I was shrunk down to fairy size and living in the Ferngully forest. The high vaulted ceilings adorned with these low hanging, staggered, whimsical light fixtures wrapped elegantly in twigs create a space reminiscent of a tall forest that envelopes you with natural beauty and light. After I got over the awe of the amazing aesthetics, we were greeted by an even more delightful waitress that explained the communal style type menu boasting flatbread pizzas, small and true-to-Italian style Italian dishes, and antipasto plates. The pastas are made in house, which is always a plus as the texture is always more enjoyable. Though small, the pasta dishes served as a easy transition into the pizza and were actually plenty of food for a family style line up. You don't want to overdo on pasta before pizza after all, so 4 small pasta dishes between 6 people seem to work. A few bites here and there is the perfect amount, while teasing your taste buds a bit. Pasta favorites among the table had to be the Rigatoni, Pork Ragu, Porcini Mushrooms, the Orecchiette, Kale, Lemon, Bread Crumbs, Chili, and the Bavette Pomodoro, Basil, Olive Oil. Bonissimo!
(4)
Sof B.
Best pistachio pizza I have ever had. Love the crust so crunchy and a little flakey! The flavor of the toppings blends together very well and no one ingredient was over powering. Definitely worth coming back!
(5)
Tim L.
I ordered spaghetti for delivery. It cost $14. But the portion was as small as a catfood. When I started eating, I felt like I was eating catfood. Granted, I don't know what catfood tastes like but I'm sure their spaghetti is what cats like to eat. It was the biggest ripoff for food I ever had.
(1)
Dan R.
Pizza = good green pasta with crab = bad.
(5)
jules l.
We held a work event here in the early spring and it was phenomenal. All of the food was delicious, the drinks were incredible, and the staff was super friendly and attentive. Everyone loved the atmosphere as well. I highly recommend Balena. Our event had about 20 people, and we used a large room downstairs with a private bar. It was a great space.
(5)
Andrea R.
Well this sure doesn't look like landmark anymore! Balena is prettier, more upscale and the great news is the food tastes way better than it did at Landmark. If you're looking for some of the best Italian food in Chicago go elsewhere. However, if you're looking for a trendy, fun atmosphere with pretty decent food you'll be satisfied with a meal at Balena. My party of 4 enjoyed a variety of food from the menu. Some of it was better than others. 3 stars: Cesar Salad and asparagus 4 stars: Peter's Bread and the ribs 5 stars: mushroom pizza, tiramisu & ricotta ravioli Every table in the restaurant was full since this is considered to be one of the new "hotspots" in town. If you want "in" on the scene be sure to make a reservation ahead of time!
(4)
Beth G.
Everything from start to finish was incredibly delicious. We ordered the chicken and Arctic char as our entrees. Both were crispy on the outside and the definition of succulent on the inside. It was do delicious and perfectly portioned for our appetite. The server even suggested that we cut back our order, which I appreciated, since he genuinely was interested in our experience and not his own tip. If I could eat here every date night I would.
(5)
Barbara D.
Ate here the night before the Chicago Marathon. Loved the location and layout. Ordered the tomato fondue as an app and the Bavette Pomodoro for entree. Finished up the meal with the Emperor's Chamomile tea, served impressively in a french press. Meal was affordable, wine was crisp, and food was savory. Can't wait to come back again!
(4)
Joseph G.
Balena is a quality restaurant. It's very pretty as well. Service is excellent. Their menu is vast and will please any one. Fresh pizza, fresh pasta, wood fired oven. I guess the thing that makes Balena special is their abundance of drinks. Check out their section based on how bitter the drink is. Make sure to make a reservation! This place is poppin'.
(4)
Haley D.
Fantastic Birthday Dinner here. Most memorable dishes were the Grilled Zucchini Romanesco appetizer and the Chocolate and Hazelnut Croccante for dessert. The Croccante was one of the best desserts i have EVER had. Not kidding i think the bf got jealous because of how much pleasure that gave me. The waiter described it as a nutella kit kat, which was close, but does this dish no justice. Food was a 5/5. Also the place is absolutely beautiful. Rustic chic done very very well. My only complaint is that our server was slooooow. We got food before I even got the taste of wine I requested or my boyfriend got his drink(before we picked a bottle to purchase). Overall - very much recommended for a date night or a girls dinner.
(4)
Judy H.
Balena was a solid place to have dinner this evening with my family, but I'd say Girl and the Goat and Boka were both much better restaurants from this restaurant group. The wait staff was a little slower than I expected. They may have been short staffed but it didn't seem like it. While the food was good, nothing about it was exceptional enough to warrant the price range. Even as I'm writing this review, the meal isn't coming back to me that readily. We had the following for our meal: Smoked Mackerel - This was the most novel item we had and it was really tasty, a bit heavy on the salt though. The waiter suggested we mix the egg with the mackerel before eating it and then just walked away. He probably should have just mixed it for us, and it seemed like too much effort to get him to come back after he'd already walked away Roasted Beets - Good, the candied onions were a nice touch, but nothing too special. Pork Ragu, Hen Egg Tajarin - Once again, good but nothing mind blowing about the pastas. Wood Roasted Salmon - The sauce with the salmon was good, but I suspect the salmon sat out for a bit before getting to our table as it was a bit lukewarm when it arrived. 36 oz Bistecca - Well cooked and cut for us before it was brought to our table which was nice since we were sharing Desserts: Tiramisu, Crostata, Trio Gelato - all pretty standard.
(3)
Shota P.
It was delicious. Everything was nice from the hostess to the food, service & drinks. Perfect! Will be back!
(4)
Ivette I.
The hostess was very sweet, so with that being said...We were hoping for a good night, however when we arrived I asked the hostess to please take my American Express platinum card and that I would be totally responsible for the bill. However during the evening one of my male guest asked the waiter Elliott to take his credit card, and Elliott and the Manager a women, decided to do just that, undermining my request, my reservation and proceeded to take his card and the bill was paid by my guest. I in turn go to speak to the manager who begins to cry... Really what kind of manager behaves in this manner? I will never ever visit this establishment again, at the end of the evening the waiter and the manager were very wrong to undermine the first guest request to take the bill. The service was so slow had to remind several people about our cocktails, one waiter for two large groups. Service was slow. Food ok, however, I will not dine at this location again, the Faberge Law goes into play now, everyone can read about this incident, which was so unprofessional in so many ways. The Management needs some refresher courses on listening to the customer. One star for my Martini and pizza!
(1)
Rebecca C.
Wow. I had the pleasure of dining here twice, and both times were absolutely amazing. I dined here last February for my 21st birthday with my father. Our server (Will?) was attentive, made great recommendations, and was genuinely interesting and fun. This night we had a beef heart appetizer, the black pasta they're known for with the crab meat and sea urchin, onion gratin, and I had a sorbet for dessert. If you've never had the pasta I'm talking about, you absolutely MUST go give it a try. I wasn't too crazy about the sorbet, but I have a nut allergy which can be hard to accommodate so my options for dessert were limited. My second time in, I dined with my boyfriend. Our server Leslie provided spot-on service. She recommended a great bottle of wine to pair nicely with both of the dishes we ordered. First up was the burata cheese which came with little crostinis and white beens. Really yummy- my boy and I fought over the last piece (I wish they would give you six pieces of toast!). Next up was beef heart ragout over homemade gnocchi. The gnocchi were much lighter than traditional gnocchi, little amazing pillows of dough! We also had one of the pizzas, which I believe had brussell sprouts and red onion. So good! We again got the onion gratin, though I have to say it wasn't as tasty as I had remembered it from last year. Notable to me was that the first time I came in I was told I could not have cocktails because of my allergy. This was disappointing since it was my 21st birthday celebration. The second time I came in however, Leslie was able to have the bartender serve my drink sans amaro (the Italian liquor that their drinks are based upon here). She was also able to assure me I could safely order the affogato for dessert. I really wish this allergy confusion could have been resolved last time because both the cocktails (even without amaro) and the affogato were a major highlight for my meal. The ambiance of this place is rustic but simple. Both times I dined here were a Monday, so it was quieter but still lively enough for a fun atmosphere! There are subtle quirky things strung throughout the restaurant such as the neon lights on the north wall that blend in so well with the more tradition features. Balena could be an affordable quick date at the bar with exotic beers and great pizza, or a romantic 4 course dinner. Balena is definitely worth a trip, especially with the spectacular service and food I've received both visits. Thanks Leslie and the Balena team! We will definitely be back :)
(4)
Chris S.
My wife and I dined at Balena on Saturday night to celebrate our wedding anniversary and were thrilled with our meal there. From the welcoming vibe at the front to the proficient but unrushed service and spot-on food, we had a fantastic dining experience. Thanks for a great memory!
(5)
David J.
Beautiful restaurant and great ambiance. I loved the tumbleweed inspired chandeliers. Really cool design with widows/doors into the kitchen were unique and fun. Friendly and attentive staff. Never had such great water service in my life! One of my pet peeves is having to constantly ask for more water. Not here! :). The server made great suggestions. Don't leave without having their pizza and onion gratinato! My mouth is still watering from them!!
(5)
Laura K.
Good food, great service and an enjoyable atmosphere! A big step up from its predecessor, Landmark. I have been twice now, and both times I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience. What I love most is that you really get a dining "experience" without paying a huge sum of money. You wouldn't expect that given the prime location. Between the two visits, I tried a number of the pastas and pizzas, and all were very tasty. They made me some pretty delicious mocktails (good for those out there craving fruity cocktails without the alcohol.....aka pregnant women). I DEFINITELY recommend Balena.
(4)
Sierra G.
After hearing two rave reviews of this place, my friends planned a lady-dinner for four of us on a Friday evening. We had a 7:15 res and still waited about 20 minutes for a table- not a huge deal, but the hostess didn't seem to communicate the issue and just left us standing there wondering what was up. We had a table upstairs and our waiter explained the menu...plates meant to be shared, whole order goes in at once, dishes are coursed. For the 4 of us, we ordered: Starters: Arugula salad & Burrata: arugula salad was the most basic dish, good...but probably wouldn't order it again with the other menu offerings. Pizza: Mushroom with scallion & thyme: served with an amazing chili oil that I couldn't get enough of. The crust was perfectly chewy and the cheese perfectly salty. The pizza was the most memorable part of the meal and I can't wait to try the other combinations. Pasta: Orecchiette with lemon & kale: Highly recommended by friends and yelp (same thing?), I had never had a flavor combo that matched this...lightly creamy, lemony and some crispy breadcrumbs. Main: Halibut w/ Fregola: served with bacon vinaigrette. The fregola was the round little pasta balls? This dish confused me a little, but was fantastic. Everything was outstanding. I cannot wait to go back, try another pizza and explore their wide-range of 'bitters' based cocktails. Bravo Balena
(4)
Gyi T.
First trip here. Beautiful rustic space. Pretty great wine selection. Italian small plates. Pasta dishes stood out. Burrata dish is also worth mentioning.
(5)
Michelle R.
Decor was dark and cozy. Food was ok and pricey. Not my cup of tea, but I'm sure the ambiance is perfect for others. They put a lot of effort into make the food look like a piece of art. The desert and complementary chocolate was a nice touch.
(4)
Kelly G.
The food wasn't very good. The short rib was cold and the Burrata was unimpressive. The pizza was the best thing we ate. Overall, great ambiance but our experience was not the best.
(3)
Corey N.
Came here last night for an early birthday celebration. We weren't terribly hungry so we concentrated on the mains. I had the branzino, which was delicious. It was a whole fish, that had somehow been deboned and grilled to perfection. My better half had the hanger steak, which was also very good. We had a side of charred greens that complimented our mains nicely. The room projects a hip vibe and the service was quite good. Already looking forward to a return visit.
(4)
Biqi C.
My dinner at Balena was absolute PERFECTION. From the drinks up to dessert, I couldn't have had a better meal. This is now one of my favorite italian places of all time. Our waiter was so awesome and adorable too, it was just a good time with great food. I HIGHly recommend the tripe (SOOO buttery and smooth and pure umami), kale caeser salad, squid ink pasta, and ice cream. god if i had a bigger stomach, and more time in chicago, i'd probably have tried everything there already. The food here is SO good, it blows some of the bogus italian restaurants in nyc with michelin stars out of the water.
(5)
Erin Y.
Came here for the second time and was not disappointed! First of all, I love the look of the restaurant. Rustic yet modern, and a great atmosphere to share a meal in. I came with a large party of people, and we decided to have a family style dinner. The pizzas as always were fantastic--we tried the peach proscuitto pizza and the mortadella pistachio pizza. Love the chili oil they give you to drizzle on top! Both pastas we had were also delicious. The squid ink pasta with sea urchin and crab has become my favorite thing at Balena--an absolute must try! The rigatoni with sausage was awesome as well. As for main dishes, we ordered the trout and the chicken thighs. The trout was absolutely amazing--so tender, and the skin is super crispy. One of the best things on the table that night. The chicken thighs were also very good, but a little on the salty side. Either way, I loved the simplicity of both dishes, and they tasted so, so good. Other things we ordered included the meat/bread plate, duck fat potatoes, polenta (very rich and cheesy!), arugula salad, and burata with eggplant. All were also very good. Overall, another great experience at Balena. I definitely advise doing family style here--there's simply too much good food on the menu, and you want to try as much as possible! I love this restaurant and don't think you can go wrong with anything. Can't wait to dine here again!
(4)
Craig T.
There are a lot of great restaurants in Chicago. There are a lot of great servers. It is a true joy to find a great restaurant, with great service, and nice caring people who love what they do. My wife had been here once and wanted to go again for her birthday. They found out it was her birthday and when we arrived they had a really nice birthday card signed by their staff. We had an amazing table and they truly went out of their way to make it a special dinner. Can't recommend these guys highly enough-they're fantastic. In a city of great restaurants, they really make everything great.
(5)
Maheen M.
All I have to say is one word - AMAZING! My SO and I had reservations at Balena for dinner in Chicago. We wanted to dine at the Girl and the Goat but they were booked solid the day we wanted to go. Luckily, the reservation site recommended Balena (Balena is a part of the same restaurant group as the Girl and the Goat). We were celebrating our anniversary and I informed Balena when I made the reservations. Service was phenomenal - they went out of their way the whole night to make the evening special for us. We even got a hard written card from the restaurant staff to commemorate our anniversary! Food was DIVINE! Our server took any food allergies or dietary restrictions before taking our orders; she even made suggestions based on them. Here is a list of what we ordered: Appetizers Kale ceasar salad - interested play on a traditional ceasar salad Pea brushetta - so refreshing and light, I could have eaten more Mains Seafood pasta with uni - so fresh and well-balanced, I loved the crab pieces Mushrooms pizza - delicious, had to pack half of it home and it was even better the second day Dessert Pistachio gelato sundae - orange, nougat and gelato perfection, I could have had another bowl to myself Overall, it was a very memorable night with excellent service and food. I will definitely be back when we are in town next. Make sure Balena is on your restaurant list when in Chicago!
(5)
Jessica B.
Came on Saturday with a girlfriend and loved it. Had made our reservation through Open Table. Arrived on time and were seated immediately. Love the atmosphere. I liked that the tables weren't too close. Sometimes these types of restaurants will have tables on top of each other. Loved the decor and ambiance. Service was okay. Took them a bit of awhile to take our drink orders, but we barely even noticed since we were chatting. But once our waitress did take our order she was extremely friendly and helpful with drink suggestions. I had never seen a Bitters menu and wanted to try a drink off the list. The waitress asked what drinks I enjoyed and I said Old Fashioneds. So she suggested the Francesco no 5. Was excellent! Drink I had: Francesco no5 Averna Amaro, Old Forrester, Carpano Antica, Combier Dishes we shared: Arugula Salad, Pine Nuts, Dante Cheese 11 Tagliolini Nero, Crab, Sea Urchin, Chili 19 Hanger Steak, Grilled King Trumpet, Porcini Mustard, Frisee Salad 25 Sweet Onion Gratinato, White Wine, Cream, Grana Padano 8 Chocolate and Hazelnut Croccante, Citrus Marmalade, Caramel Krispies, Gianduja Gelato 9 Grapefruit Sorbetti Sundae, Dry Meringue, Cinnamon, Aperol Granita 9 All were excellent!! The Arugula was good - nothing to boast about. The Taglionlini though was amazing! Have to say was a little nervous ordering this one, but the waitress said it was one of the most popular and loved dishes so we just had to try it. And it was all that it is said to be. We very much enjoyed it! Then I really wanted to order a protein and had seen a picture on here of the Hanger Steak, so we ordered that. And loved it!! It was so tender and the flavor was great. Then we wanted a side to go along side, but weren't sure which to order. So the waitress suggested the Sweet Onion as it complimented the steak. I would have to agree - was a great side for the steak. Overall excellent experience and can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Rick F.
Fantastic experience from beginning to end! Service and server were excellent and well informed, made great recommendations! Decor is rustic Italian and very comfortable. From the valet to the host and hostess 5 stars! Mushroom Bruschetta, Rye Toast, Marsala Onions, Cream tasted like a vegetarian steak delicious. Spicy Lamb & Pork Sausage, White Beans, Pickled Red Onion, again perfectly cooked and seasoned, the white beans were a great accompaniment Burrata Di Panna, Wild Citrus Marmellata, Fennel Crostini, when I see this on a menu I have to order it and it did not disappoint. Mushroom, Fontina, Taleggio, Scallion, Thyme Pizza 12 inches, 8 slices cooked with the right amount of crisp. Orecchiette, Kale, Lemon, Bread Crumbs, Chili, you would think this would be a heavy dish. It was nice light and refreshing, kale is the hot veggie right now and they used in a creative way that worked! Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. The national dish of italy, homemade bucatini, fresh cracked peppercorn, pecorino cheese and pasta water. This is the best Cacio e Pepe I've had outside of Italy. we loved it so much I'm embarrassed to say we ordered 3 entrees, thank god they were small portions. Affogato, Vanilla Gelato, Espresso, Cinnamon Sugar Donuts, just ok was a little disappointed. Vanilla Gelato, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Malt Chocolate Sauce, "Toasted Milk" Just ok! Mixologist Bitters Drink Menu amazing! MANLINO no3 Aperol, St. George Terroir gin, fresh sour, soda. I asked for the least sweet, dry cocktail you have this recommendation hit the ball out of the park, I ordered two STRAWBERRY no1 Dimmi, Grey Goose, Fragoli, La Marca Prosecco, wild strawberry. Sweet and Sassy! ELIXIR no4 Green Chartreuse, NardiAcqua di Cedro liqueur, Beefeater 24 gin. My friends ordered this and loved it!
(5)
Jill and Ying J.
Came here with some friends for Restaurant Week, though none of us ended up getting the restaurant week menu because everything else looked so good. Our waiter was super knowledgeable about the menu and very pleasant in answering all our questions. We ended up getting the two lamb pastas (to compare them), two pizzas (brussel sprouts + pesto pistachio mordatella), two sides (carrots + bitter greens), and two bottles of wine for the four of us. Everything was generally good, except the lamb pappardelle was a bit salty and underwhelming, though when we mentioned this to the waiter he didn't hesitate for one second before bringing us out a new one, without us even asking (it was less salty the second time around but still not AMAZING). The pizzas are large and the pasta dishes are small--when the two pizzas first came out we thought we'd ordered WAY too much food, but then when the two pastas came out it ended up being just right for the four of us. The pizza crust was divine--baked with extra olive oil or something ,so it was super moist and shiny--one of the best I've had. Conclusion: excellent ambiance, decor, pizzas, wine, and service. Okay pastas. Pricey.
(3)
Jessica N.
This is one of my favorite places in the city. So many things to love Ambience - look the modern rustic feel Service - always great Food - love the take on italian.... Smoked Mackerel - One of my favorite dishes EVER. It's only on special but you MUST try this. The flavor of the fish is so good and the poached eggs and crumbs - SO GOOD!!! Pizzas - Always good. Order it even if you need to take home leftovers. Pork Ragu - Unexpectedly wonderful. Pasta is cooked perfect Hanger Steak - Perfectly cooked, beautiful presentation Lovelovelove this place! Can't wait to come back and oh - it's also reasonably priced!!
(5)
Angie M.
I would have rather gone here with a date than with my female colleague, but you can't always choose these things, right? Reservations were very easy to make via Open Table. I had no problems securing a 7pm time slot on a Tuesday night. The atmosphere at Balena is stunning. Just gorgeous, but I would expect nothing less from the Boka Group. Anticipate lots of glass, candles, creams, exposed brick... It's a perfect, understated yet fabulous restaurant that is a choice spot for a date. Total panty dropper. We started with the MIRTO no2 and the FRANCESCO no5 cocktails. Delicious. The MITRO no2 was definitely the less-sweet of the two whisky/bourbon drinks. Quite honestly, the cocktail menu may be a little difficult to navigate if you're not familiar with ingredients beyond vodka and soda, but the waitstaff is more than happy to help you navigate through drink options. Which brings me to the service and the wine list. HOLY WINE LIST. Again, a little difficult for a more clandestine wine drinker because it's so extensive. Don't be that person that just points at a bottle on the list (more like a book, actually) and prays for the best. Feel free to ask questions! If you know you want a lighter red, ask for suggestions and your server should be able to tell you about some choices you might enjoy within your price point. Our gal had a bottle open for wine by the glass she thought we might enjoy, so she brought us a sample. Knowledge and service. Dig it. Another tip: Order the pizza. You might feel like ordering pizza at a nice restaurant is a little... pedestrian? Get over yourself and do it. They're absolutely divine. That thin crust that's just a little burnt from the oven? Yes. We went with the mushroom pizza with fontina, taleggio, lots of yummy scallion and thyme. The scallions are uncooked and a little strong, so be forewarned, but it all just worked. We also split two pastas, the orecchiette with kale, lemon, bread crumbs and chili flakes and the beef ravioli in red wine sauce. Talk about two super opposite tastes! The orecchiette was so light and lemony and fresh tasting it was unreal. The bread crumbs, which sound weird on paper, really work to give the dish a nice contrast in textures. It's a winner. The beef ravioli is actually beef short ribs, so expect a rich, robust flavor. The sauce is also wine-y. Very much so. I loved how well it complimented the short rib. It's also topped with toasted pine nuts for that nice, extra crunch. And because we obviously didn't order enough food, dessert was a simple tiramisu. Simple, yes, but it packs a huge flavor punch. It was the perfect finish to a fabulous meal. And seriously... I was expecting our bill to be much higher, but two cocktails, a bottle of wine, a 12 inch pizza, two entrees and dessert set us back just under $150 before tip. One could certainly order a bit more modestly and enjoy an excellent meal for a reasonable price. Get there. Balena is fantastic.
(5)
Lyndsay G.
Very strange/disappointing dining experience. I'd been to Balena in the past and loved it, so I brought an out of town guest for a weeknight dinner. We sat at the table for 15 minutes before any one came up to greet us. We never got breadstick service (or a waiter for that matter) until a manager finally came up to us asking if we knew what we wanted to order. She didn't apologize for our lack of service and failed to even offer to explain the menu. Our waiter didn't come up to greet us until we had just been served our last course. Very bizarre. The food was good but didn't make up for the horrible service. There are too many great restaurants in Chicago to go back to Balena.
(1)
Shardool P.
Balena was good, but didn't hold up to all the hype. Me and my 3 fellow diners arrived on short notice at about 9pm on a Friday night, and were able to snag a table in a little area between the first and second doors, with the promise of being seated inside when something opened up. It gets a little chilly in that area, even with the doors not opening very often, so be weary of that. We did it as it was our only option so we were happy to get it. We ordered some drinks, shared a 12' pizza and then ordered about 1 dish each. I ordered a "Montenegro no6" off the impressively well thought out cocktail list. The drink consists of Amaro Montenegro, Nolet gin, Bitter Truth grapefruit bitters, and orange peel. I frequent a ton of mixology spots, and this is far up there on both scales of taste and unique flavor ... I look forward to having it again some day. It's pretty easy to drink, not overly bitter or anything, it's perfect as a jump starter. I did later another drink though it wasn't very memorable, it may have been the Carmella no3. We shared a pizza consisting of Grilled Peaches, Speck, Tropea Onion, Chevre, Arugula. I love pizza, and I thought it was good, but -definitely- nothing extraordinary. It has a very rustic quality to it. The speck was delish, but it wasn't really speck, it was more of a prosciutto we all agreed. The peaches are light and barely noticeable to don't be afraid to try this pizza because you think it's going to be too fruity, it's well balanced. The chili oil sauce they serve up with the pizzas is superb, definitely use it ... alot! It'll make everything better, I promise :) I had the Tagliolini Nero which was fantastic! I'm craving it as I write this actually. It's a squid ink thick spaghetti type pasta with crab, sea urchin, and chili that's very well balanced, though at times the dish felt like it approached over-saltiness but it never actually crossed the line, so well done. The decor and ambiance was warm and great, and it's generally a nice place. There's a buzz in the air, but it's not overly loud so we were able to maintain a conversation at a decent noise level. It has a romantic vibe, but with an inviting casual Italian overtone, so it's a good place to have a date or night out. One adornment I couldn't keep my eyes off of was the gigantic custom clock towering overhead, very nice! It's also worth noting that the staff is attentive and quick, and will take good care of you. My real qualm is that for a place that is supposed to be known for the pizzas, it falls kind of flat. When you charge $24 for a tiny, very light pizza, it should wow your customers. I would definitely return to give it another shot, as maybe I just didn't order the right one, but I wouldn't go out of my way. If you live in the area, definitely check it out though, it's a good restaurant to visit if you're in the area.
(3)
Patty C.
Pretty good. Didn't find anything exceptional, but nice place. The noise level is pretty loud. Service was good. The brussel sprouts pizza wasn't really good though.
(3)
Jessica A.
So Balena is a favorite of mine...not sure why I haven't reviewed yet, but they did a solid by me last night so it's time for the lack of review to be remedied. To make a long story short...Balena was not our intended destination last night, but was where we ended up for a celebratory dinner, and the issues that caused us to arrive there in the first place led to a promise that Balena would "take care of us." And oh, did they. An array of additional plates made their way to our table, and every single dish knocked it out of the park. We were first visited by their sommelier, who noted our wine preferences (dry, vegetable-y whites), and recommended a fantastic and economical Slovenian white. A wonderful choice that got us through the whole evening, as it's excellent flavor profile meant it needed to be savored and enjoyed rather than simply gulped down. Between our own choices and what the staff selected for us, we had: -Arugula salad: the bitterness of the arugula was very nicely balanced out by the pine nuts, light dressing, and nutty Parmesan. A light but enjoyable start. -Blistered shishito peppers and tuna: tuna was perfectly cooked and had a great citrusy taste, peppers had a nice char (and were pretty addicting for this non-pepper lover). -Orechiette: I think, if I had to pick a highlight of the evening, this was it for me. Such a wonderful mixture of flavors and textures! -I cannot remember the name for the life of me and their website's menu isn't coming up, but we also had a very nice pasta with lamb. -Chicken thighs: actually, maybe this was the highlight. Perfect char, perfectly juicy inside. Wonderful. -Sausage and red onion pizza: we have to get this every time we come here and this visit was no exception. I could sit at the bar with one of these and a glass of wine and be happy. -Sorbetti: a really nice, light finish to the evening. -Tiramisu: you know how every Italian restaurant has this? Ignore those versions. Get it here. The food was nothing short of spectacular. If I marked down anywhere--and it's not been enough of an annoyance for me on this or previous visits to do so--it's that service tends toward the slow side. Nonetheless, what had the potential to be a rough night was not, due to the wonderful meal we had at Balena. (Side note: I realize that, due to our evening being a "mea culpa," our meal may have been remarkable, for them. I don't begrudge a restaurant making an occasional mistake, as things happen and we're all human. What matters to me is how they recover from it, and since the recovery was handled incredibly gracefully and generously, I'm sticking with the five stars. This was also one of many previous visits, and I have yet to be anything but impressed by them.)
(5)
Karen S.
Everything was absolutely yummy. Amazing staff....5 star customer service (and this is from a restauranteur), even a card from the staff wishing me a Happy Birthday!!! Where do you get that?? I was so touched. Will definitely be back & recommend this place. Eater was right!
(5)
Dominique G.
My family and I drove all the way to the north side of Chicago to have dinner at this restaurant for my sisters birthday. The food was just okay but the awful part was that the portions are soooooo incredibly small, we were so disappointed. My husband had to stop by burger king on the way home because he was starving. If you want a restaurant with flavorful food, go somewhere else!
(1)
Kathy S.
I'm already looking forward to my next visit. Given that, there were some dishes that were complete home runs while others were good but not memorable. The two highlights were a starter and dessert. 1) Smoked Mackerel, Soft Egg, Garlic Aioli. The texture combination of the mackerel with the soft egg and crunchy garlic aioli was an explosion of delicious flavor in my mouth. It's one of those things that just make you so happy to be alive to be able to eat it. 2) Caramel Pine Nut Tart, Vanilla Gelato, Rosemary - my friend ordered this and we enjoyed it so much (especially me), that we ordered another one! The 4 of us also tried: 3 pastas: Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe; Tagliolini Nero, Crab, Sea Urchin, Chili; Rigatoni, Pork Ragu, Porcini Mushrooms; 1 pizza: Mortadella, Pistachio Pesto, Mozzarella 1 entree: Grilled Head-On Prawns, Grapes, Finger Chiles, Aioli. All were good but not mind-blowing in my opinion. I love sea urchin so I thought I would really love the Tagliolini Nero but I prefer Davanti Enoteca's version as it has more of the sea urchin flavor. The Mortadella pizza was tasty but what really elevated it was the spicy chili oil that comes with it. Service was a little slow at first - it took the server some time to take our order - but overall was great. I'm not a big drinker but the hubby and friends we were with seemed to enjoy them.
(4)
Bertha M.
I tried this place for the first time during restaurant week. Unfortunately I wasn't quite sold on it. Decided to come a second time, while the actual service wasn't great (not very attentive) and I wasn't a fan of the signature cocktail drinks... I will be coming back for the food! As appetizers we had the Tripe dish and the burratta dish, both awesome, especially the burratta if you love cheese, very fresh! For pasta we had the pork ragu and the orchiette. the hint of lemon in the orchiette was amazing!!! probably the best dish besides the burratta. The pork ragu was good too! For pizza we tried the sausage one, again, amazing! probably some of the best pizza i've tried in a while!!! (warning- it is a bit spicy). We tried a steak dish but it was okay, I can't even recall the name of the dish if that says anything. The dessert was great as well! overall I am glad I gave it a second chance!!!!
(4)
Meredith K.
I'm only removing 1 star because the set up is a little odd if its cold out. On a Sat night when you wait for your table there's really no room! They should redesign the entry. Also it can be very loud in there. If you want intimacy then don't come here. But if you're here w/ a group of friends then its great! Also minus 1 star for their chicken which was a little dry. We had it 1 day after we had wonderfully flavored chicken at Cafe Spiaggia so it had a tough act to follow (no pun intended) But the food, drinks and service are all wonderful. We all got the Restaurant Week menu and augmented it with a side of carrots and a mushroom pizza. The pizzas are outstanding. A really well made crust. I had the peppered spaghetti which is perfection. Really I could have stopped there. It was so much food! I would come back again but probably as a group so you can try more things.
(4)
Tanmaye B.
We met up here for a friend's birthday and had a great time! We started with some cocktails, the buffalo milk cheeses, and the roasted beets, which were delicious (the blue cheese was particularly awesome). I ordered the tagliolini nero, the black squid ink pasta with crab and sea urchin (recommended for the adventurous! The pasta was perfectly al dente, and the squid ink gave a tangy, salty flavor). Dessert was the affogato served with sugary, crunchy, and all-around amazing apple fritters. Definitely planning on coming back!
(5)
Dana F.
Whenever my sister and I reunite, you can bet the first thing we do is notify the parental unit of our rendezvous and get Bank of Dad to pick up the tab for some extravagant dinner. Spoiled? How could such a thought cross your mind! Jen F. and I were a little early for our reservation, so we hung out at the bar where I (not Jen, who was still battling a relentless hangover) ordered a glass of Montepulciano from Abruzzo - a medium-bodied red that was guaranteed to go well with everything we considered eating. Everything on the wine list (both by the glass and by the bottle) is Italian; I liked that there was an array of price points for the Tuscan wines (rather than just offering $500 bottles of Brunello) and a section at the front of the wine list for those not versed in Italian grapes. The two of us were seated by a very chipper waitress who would be our server for the evening. The "carbohydrate fanatic" gene is dominant throughout our bloodline, so we shared the Peter's Breads to start. Although I generally find it unethical that restaurants charge for bread (what is this, Andalucia, Spain?), I would gladly pay for warm Pumpkin Spice Brioche with a yogurt garnish or the Salame-Red Wine bread. The two of us were famished, so we ordered the mushroom, fontina, taleggio, and thyme pizza. I normally find the stinkiness to taste ratio for taleggio cheese to be misleading, but the cheese had a good deal of sharpness. The crust of the pizza was perfectly charred, flavorful, and chewy. It was definitely my favorite part of the meal. The pizza was a lot to share for two people, so we ended up taking most of it home. After hearing so much about the ever-popular tagliolini nero with crab and sea urchin, deciding on an entree seemed like a no-brainer. I normally find uni to be prepared in such a way that it's pungent and offensive, but this uni was surprisingly sweet with a rich and buttery texture. The pasta was cooked a little bit more than al-dente, which was the only flaw with the dish (but pretty important in my opinion). For dessert, we ordered the chinotto float - an interesting combination of chai gelato, dates, and rum. Although having a little booze with dessert is always cool with me, I found the chai flavors to be pretty bland. In retrospect, dessert was probably not worth the calories. These "misses" aside, I had a very enjoyable time at Balena and found the food to be generally good and the service attentive. Between my positive experiences at Balena and Boka, it's official: I'm a fan of the Boka Restaurant Group.
(4)
Jeff R.
One of the newest restaurants to open recently is a partnership between the BOKA group guys and the team from the Bristol. With that kind of pedigree the stakes and expectations are sky high. The space is the former Landmark and the re-concept is stunning. It's huge but doesn't feel overwhelming or cramped. They utilize the sky high ceilings, wood everywhere and have the kitchen on the second level at the top of the stairs on the way to the upstairs dining room. They've done a great job of setting the tone and making you feel like you've left Chicago. The cuisine is "Italian Inspired" and features a wide range of options with starters, pastas, pizzas, meat from the grill/oven and even table size portions of fish and steak. The entire all star crew from The Bristol is here (chef, pastry and mixologist - all independent award winners) and it felt like they have more freedom and resources to explore than at Bristol. We tried a lot of different things and like everything that came out. Our main concern is that after ordering every appealing dish, there wasn't a lot left to choose from. So even with a menu with many options it felt very limited. We started with delicious asparagus served with egg and cheese, Spicy Grilled "Korean Cut" Short Ribs and a Spicy Sausage pizza (with Red Onion, Tomato, Mozzarella). We were in a pasta mood for dinner and tried three: Ricotta Ravioli (with Swiss Chard, Brown Butter), Orecchiette (with Lemon, Kale, Bread Crumbs, Chili) and Tajarin with Pork Ragu. Joel went for the meat and ordered the Salt and Pepper Chicken Thighs with Green Garlic, Coriander, and Mustard Greens. We finished the meal with two desserts, gelato with fudge and cookies and warm doughnuts with espresso and gelato. Both great and a nice ending to the meal. Our food was great and the service was spot on and the value was in line with expectations ($100 per couple all in). We love the decor and vibe and can only imagine how much of a scene it becomes on the hot nights. I wish there were more choices that looked intriguing but if someone asked me to join I certainly wouldn't say no. The partnership between two power players in Chicago appears to be working and I hope they have more ideas to try.
(3)
Sheila K.
It's a really decent italian place, that is in my neighborhood, with a good wine and cocktail list (the cocktails are pretty awesome, I must admit). The ambience is rustic modern, the service is pretty good, and the food is not bad. What's not to like? The pastas are rich but enjoyable, the pizza is not the best we've ever had, but will satisfy the craving. The cheese and meat dishes were pretty good, as well. I would come here more for a cheese plate and apps with wine and cocktails for a light pre-dinner rather than a full dinner. I suppose you could do worse for pre-theatre fare before you hit Steppenwolf. If I could, I would give it 3 and a half stars.
(3)
Alfreda D.
Craft cocktails = 5 stars I started off my evening at the bar while I was waiting for my friend to arrive. BTW, he's the best dinner companion ever... for a good time call 312-xxx-xxxx! LOL. I kid, I kid. Anyway, I wanted something light and refreshing to start, so I went with the Strawberry no1. It hit the spot and definitely met my standards of a fine cocktail. When my friend arrived, he ordered the Manlino no3 and seemed to enjoy it as well. I'm not a fan of gin so I took his word for it. Service = 5 stars We had reservations so we were offered to be seated immediately. However, we wanted to relax at the bar for a few more moments which they accommodated just fine. Not trying to overstay our welcome, though, we took our seats a few minutes later. The restaurant decor was pretty cool. I can't quite describe the scene but it was nice (trust me, ok?!). I really wish I knew our server's name. He never introduced himself, which I noticed immediately, but for some reason I never had to ask... why not? Well... he was VERY attentive... sometimes a bit too much though. Seriously, sometimes I felt like he was trying to make new friends and wanted to pull up a seat at our table. Like he had NO problem being the third wheel... nope, not at all. LOL. He still deserves 5 stars though because he was very knowledgeable. He knew the food menu in and out and made good recommendations and suggestions regarding portion sizes, etc. He also knew his wine. For whatever reason, he had an affinity to Sicilian wines (we had never had Sicilian wine before so that was cool) and recommended the COS Frappato red wine. At the end of the day, good choice! It wasn't the cheapest bottle on the list but we enjoyed it. Food = 3.5 stars Hmm, so the food... overall, we enjoyed our meal, however, it wasn't the best, to die for, to rave about, etc. The portions are rather small so trying a few items from each category is suggested. We went with two starters, two pastas and one entree. It was the right amount of food for two people to feel satisfied, but not full/heavy/weighed down. For starters we ordered the cured ham and asparagus. There were only two types of ham on the charcuterie plate... umm, not what I was expected. They were good, but I really thought there would have been more variety. The asparagus was fine too, not stellar. Pastas - the Tagliolini Nero sounded amazing!! I was so excited to try the black squid ink pasta with crab, sea urchin and chili. Yummmm... or not! Salty and tangy is the best way to describe it. It left a lot to be desired and I was disappointed. The chunks of crab were good. The sea urchin... not gonna lie, I'm still not really sure what that is. If it was the yellow, slimy blob that wouldn't mix into the pasta and kind of did its own thing on the plate then... PASS. It looked ratchet and my friend and I couldn't bring ourselves to try it. On the flip side, the Rigatoni with pork ragu and mushrooms was delightful. I really enjoyed that dish (although it came out room temperature and not hot). I would definitely recommend it. I wish we had ordered 2 instead of the Tagliolini. Finally, we had the Halibut. The fish was cooked nicely and I think the stars of that dish was the Fregola and bacon vinaigrette! Fregola is similar in look to couscous. The pasta is in the shape of small, round balls... maybe 1/2-3/4 the size of pea. I thought it was really good with the bacon vinaigrette. Overall, I had a good experience and I liked the venue. A dinner for two with cocktails before and after dinner, a bottle of wine, and a decent portion of food (but by all means, not a lot of food) will run you $250-$275 with tip, so take that into consideration. I was actually pleased with the bill when it arrived because you do feel like you get served a lot, whether it's food or drinks, so paying over $200 was expected. Then writing this review I remembered to factor in the cost of our drinks at the bar so it does add up. I would come back again but more likely for the cocktails and maybe to try the pizza at the bar.
(4)
Ashley S.
The service is why I give this place 5. Even though we were late, there was no rude or pompass attitude that you get at places like Girl n Goat. Nor threats to give our table away. Most of the food we ordered was amazing. When we requested more [fresh]parmesan for the gnocci pasta dish, we were laughing and told him we didn't like it and he offered to change it to something we would like better. They also offered to have someone give wine recommendations. The atmosphere is perfect, high ceilings & brick walls, not too close that you hear your neighbors conversation. The service truly made for an amazing dining experience. I will be back again (soon)!
(5)
Karen T.
Oh, Balena, thank you for finally opening. I came here with two friends a few nights ago for some much needed catching up, and Balena was wonderful for providing the ideal ambience, food and drink to complement the event. Strawberry Number 1 was sweet and fruity with grey goose, fragoli, prosecco and tiny macerated berries. I also tried my friend's rosemary number 2, another pink drink but with a little more depth and body from egg white and campari. The manlino number 3 was much more up my alley, light and refreshing with aperol, gin, fresh sour and soda. The starters were succulent and flavorful. A quail with escarole and hazelnuts was delicious - the hazelnut butter brought out the richness of the game. And the short ribs dish had a really nice brightness from the orange zest. From the pastas, we tried the tagliolini nero with crab and sea urchin. The seafood was delicious and the squid ink pasta was made to perfection. This perfect detail and execution extended to the Grilled Head-On Prawns: 5 well-seasoned shrimp with a light garlic aioli, grapes and finger chiles. For dessert, we ordered the pistachio and hazelnut gelati, but they brought us the vanilla instead of the hazelnut. When we pointed this out, they left us with the vanilla to try anyways and brought out the hazelnut in addition, which was definitely a very generous way to compensate for the error. If you like pistachio, that dish is not skippable. the nougat was incredible and the orange was a perfect companion to it. Even the vanilla impressed us - the malt chocolate sauce and the "toasted milk" crumbles were totally addictive. The drink options from rare tea cellars were excellent. The space was really well laid out. They turned the old Landmark space into a huge hall with fun, whimsical lights, a mixture of tall tables in the front and standard dining tables in back, and a very open bar area so you could see everything going on even from the tables. Decor was eclectic yet understated, and the service was on point, turning even a stray note into an enjoyable highlight of the evening. I'll absolutely be back.
(5)
Bran W.
Ok, I've tried this three times...... Nice atmosphere and location, being right across from Steppenwolf. In the old Landmark space, which was one of my favorites. Food was average, and prices very, very high. If you don't know better and are wowed by an "elegant" though extremely noisy location, especially the claustrophobic upstairs, you may like this. My grilled calamari was minced into pieces and mixed with greens , served in a molded pile. The fish and specials were ok, but everything was an over engineered attempt at culinary artistry. Too bad they failed in my book. I prefer Vinci across the street, it may not be as elegant , but its consistent. Service is ok, nothing to write home about, tables are awfully close, and as mentioned, noise level is obnoxious.
(2)
Meghan K.
My brother chose this restaurant for his birthday celebration back in August. We had a rather disappointing experience, which was really surprising based on everything I had read about Balena. However, they invited us back with a generous offer, and we recently returned for a second try -- and I'm so glad we did. We had amazing service, tasty cocktails, a perfect wine recommendation, and tons of tasty food. Bruschetta, pizzas, ravioli. Everything was executed so well, and we enjoyed every minute, every bite, and every sip of our visit. So thank you, Balena, for inviting us back in, because it was truly fantastic and I am glad now to recommend this place.
(5)
Caroline M.
Out with the old, in with the HOT. This place is smokin' fab-u-lous! Sure, Landmark looked alright. But hot damn, Balena is gorgeous. A fellow pastry guru and myself had some seriously sexy sweets last night. We had drooled over the menu online and still weren't prepared to make a decision. It was a full house on a Tuesday night, but we were able to snag two bar seats. Um, leather bar (what what!!?) One of the bartenders guided us through the cocktails, recommending some to us based off of what flavors we liked. I like the bitters rating system, and would suggest to stay at the 4-5 range, if you're unsure. You can always get another drink with a higher bitters content if that suits your fancy. We chose the Mirto Number 2, which seemed to pair well with our chocolate (sweet/salty combo) sundae. We also got the Strawberry Number 1 to sip on. The pistachio sundae was our favorite--the nougat and confit orange made the dish fun, yet elegant. I'd love to try their savory dishes sometime, but, as many of you know, I have a serious sweet tooth and am all about the desserts. Amanda Rockman did a fab job creating the dessert menu and the execution of the actual desserts were so elevated and refined. Yes, I have a serious girl crush on her, but really, who doesn't!? I toast my glass of delightful prosecco to her and everyone at Balena!
(4)
Senad R.
The space is very nice. The drinks are fine. The hostess was useless, the waitress was pretentious, and four of the six busboys who came to our table - all within the span of five minutes - were downright assholes. It seems as though we arrived too late and then did not order enough food to make it worth the staff's while for us to be there. To which I say, tell us that you are closing and do not seat us in the first place. Also, when we tell you that we are there for drinks and appetizers, and you do seat us, do not act shitty towards us for not ordering three courses and for not giving a rat's ass about what farm the peaches on your pizza come from. It took the hostess well over five minutes to seat us at a time that at least half of the tables in the restaurant were empty. Again, the waitress, and the busboys for that matter, were visibly annoyed by our presence. Definitely because we ordered a plain old pizza and not the porterhouse that is cut from selectly-breeded, fairy dust fed cows, who were nurtured with daily doses of positive reinforcement and shots of B-12, and then humanely put to sleep with all natural tranquilizers before being butchered by faith healers using only the finest Austrian knives. Fuck this place.
(1)
Tosha J.
It was my birthday and we had tickets to a play at Steppinwolf so we wanted to have dinner someplace close by the theater so ofcourse Balena's came in mind. This was my first time here and let me tell you the food and the service is absolutely AMAZING. I had the hanger steak, polenta and pistachio gelato for dessert. Honestly, it was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. Everything was cooked to perfection. One small tip: When you make your reservation, be sure to tell them you want a window seat otherwise you might be out of luck. Can't wait to go back to here again! :)
(5)
Erin F.
I went to Balena on a recent trip to Chicago, prepared to go berserk trying lots of menu items - really do it up bigtime. Imagine my disappointment when my BF tells me he isn't that hungry & had a late lunch that day....erm, come again? Say what, honky? I tried my best to ignore this horrific disclosure by soaking in the decor as we awaited our table, and I must say Balena is lovely - just the perfect warm but modern decor that doesn't overwhelm you or make you feel intimidated. I look for places with this feel all the time but they can be hard to come by. Given BF's admission about his lack of appetite, we each ordered only an entree to share. I'd been dying to try squid ink pasta (for the number of times I've heard others rave about it) so this was our opportunity - he got the Tagliolini Nero and I got the Tajarin (egg pasta) with brown butter & sage. And neither of us was disappointed - neither dish was like anything either of us had ever tasted before (especially the squid ink pasta). We were blown away by both...and I had to catch him in time before he finished the nero - had to take it right out of his hands so I could have some too! It really is a unique flavor unlike nothing else - and the Tajarin was equally delicious (or almost.) We ate every last noodle and practically licked the bowls clean. Classy. Really love the concept of their cocktails being listed in order of bitterness - that was very helpful. The two I had (on the less-bitter side) were very well balanced. I dig trying new cocktails but often they're so strong that they're undrinkable (really "put hair on your chest")...but this was not the case here. Wish I could say I had dessert but it was not to be. Balena thanks for a truly splended meal - we'll think of you next time we need to carb-load in Chicago!
(4)
Lee F.
This place is a gem! The atmosphere is great, very warm and inviting. The food was delicious. We started out with beets and a Brussel Sprout pancetta pizza that was delicious. We also shared the creamy tomato polenta with Reggiano Parmegiano cheese and a wonderful seasonal Pumpkin stuffed tortellini . The service is fantastic, I really can't wait to return.
(5)
Inna B.
It's a bummer to have to write this review. I'd been to Balena for drinks before and really enjoyed it, however my dining experience left a lot to be desired. Although the service & the atmosphere were still top notch, the food was quite a disappointment. My sister and I shared the burrata for the appetizer, which was the highlight of the meal. We then shared the rigatoni with park ragu pasta and the fermented pumpkin agnolotti. Both of these dishes were salted to such a degree as to obliterate any other flavors. The portion size of the agnolotti was also laughable....litterally a 2 bite dish (with a $16 price tag.) the Chocolate and Hazelnut Croccante was average. The meal was an overpriced hot mess. My recommendation would be to go somewhere else for dinner but consider stopping by the bar area for a drink.
(2)
Matthew P.
Visiting some friends in Chicago and they took us here for dinner. The Bistecca was amazing, and at 36oz enormous. We split it four ways as the second course and everybody had plenty. The steak was nicely seasoned and cooked perfectly medium rare as ordered. The pasta course was fresh and subtlety seasoned to emphasize the cheese and spring vegetables. The server was very knowledgeable about both the menu and the wine list. She suggested a couple of excellent wines, that were within our price range, that complimented each course. As for ambiance the restaurant pulls off a rustic/modern style and can get a bit loud. The kitchen is on the second floor and may be viewed from the dining room through large windows, which made for a unique arrangement. There is a good sized room in the basement for private parties. On the whole an excellent dinner and highly recommended.
(4)
Underhill T.
Great meal Friday night. It started a little rough... We arrived a couple minutes before our 8:00p reservation. We were told we would be seated in a couple minutes - "closer to 8:00p". We checked in again at 8:20p and were finally seated at 8:30p. Not terrible for Chicago on a Friday night... However what made it worse was the inability to get a drink at the bar. The bar was packed and the bartenders never looked past the people immediately sitting at the bar. I looked down the bar and could see at least four other guys trying to get the attention of a bartender. Not a great start to the evening... Once we sat down, everything changed. The waiter was very good - knowledgable, but not pretentious. Attentive, but did not hover. We enjoyed all of our food except the pizza. There was too much Italian chard on it. The chicken thighs were fantastic, as was the hen egg pasta. A very solid meal at a reasonable price.
(4)
R J.
Hands down, this reincarnation of Landmark is a home run! Stopped in for a $14 pizza on opening night, and was motivated by the menus and my mixologist to thoroughly enjoy a full meal. Beautiful decor, stunning leather-wrapped bar surface. Bar staff are perfectly trained and knowledgeable as I was not of Italian bitters and liqueurs I've heard of but had never tasted before. Everything is oriented around a high quality, elegant, but not snooty Italian theme.. You could come in jeans or more dressy with right after work clothes, whatever makes you comfortable. Started with: Peat no4: 10yr scotch, egg white, various syrupy bitters. Loved this drink! Think Scotch whiskey, tangy bitters, and a little perfectly foamy egg white, reminiscent of the best slo gin fizz you've ever had. This will be my favorite cocktail here from now on. Francesco no5: with rye whiskey and Cointreau and more. Another top shelf guy's whiskey cocktail choice. Tuscan Kale salad with sardines, by far the healthiest and best Caesar salad alternative I've ever had. Recommended! Glass of Italian red recommended by my bar keep, can't recall the name. Loved it. Lasagna pizza -bolognese, ricotta, fresh basil. Just the right thickness, not overly heavy, nice spicy heat coming from somewhere, 14" of something very different. Chocolate Budino with crunchy coco nib. Excellent layered chocolate and caramel mousse like pudding. Loved the caramel mousse at the bottom of this dessert treat. Pastry chef is to be commended. Aromatized wine, Cocci Americano 16%, citrus with hint of cinnamon Excellent. Civilized. New to me. Will try the many others with the Mrs. asap. Thanks again to the well-trained happy staff. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal on your opening day.
(5)
Joyce C.
I really wanted to like this place more than I did, but alas... Pluses: -Got seating on short notice on a Saturday night. 6pm. Right before the Theater. -The decor, at least on the first floor, was elegant and swanky. -Pizza was good. Pastas are ok. Minuses: -We sat upstairs, where tightest seating arrangement ever is located. It's almost like sitting on a CTA bus. NO JOKE. To the right of me was a mute older couple who barely spoke to each other and it seemed like they were just there to kill some time. To the left of me OMG.... let's just say AWKWARD first date. Things seemed to be going fine for them, but the dude sitting kitty-corner from me who looked like Newman from Seinfeld apparently was a regular there and so all the waiters and waitresses and hostesses and their mamas came out to talk to this guy during this date. One of the waiters even commented that he was surprised to see that he was there.....with someone else...because he is usually ALONE. Sad. And I heard just too much, just...too...much... -In case you ever want to squeeze in an early dinner and you run into the "theater crowd", if you do not drink a lot of wine, have white hair or are dressed like you were hip in the 80's, then you might not fit in. -The three dishes we got- the lamb sugo with parpardelle, the tagliolini with sea urchin and the brussel sprout pizza? All just ok. Each dish could have used something more to make it more robust or to make it at least more balanced. *The lamb sugo was a little greasy and salty, but the parpardelle was cooked well and you can tell it was fresh. *The tagliolini was so one note it needed way more than that one speck of uni to make it richer tasting. What we got was well cooked squid ink pasta that was very lemony and had a sufficient amount of crab but not rich tasting at all, which was unexpected (I suppose if you used more than one piece of uni for the entire dish it would have been better). *The brussel sprout pizza with the pancetta. The pizza was surprisingly the best thing here. But that being said it was far from perfect. The crust was a bit underseasoned but cooked well- the middle of the pizza was dry and it was crispy throughout. Actually the entire pizza was dry. There was romano cheese shavings, and brussel sprouts galore on this thing, and the onion and pancetta was almost nowhere to be found. I don't understand how they can justify $19 for this piece of pizza that had like $.50 worth of brussel sprouts and maybe $.75 worth of cheese. Also, because the pizza is so dry and kinda underseasoned, you definitely need to use the chili sauce that comes with. - The dessert was just ok. We got the pear crostada with the creme anglaise ice cream. The pear was undercooked (read: crunchy!) and the ice cream was surprisingly tart. My thought was they might have used goats milk because it was a little funky and really kinda sour tasting. - Service toward the end got really really slow. So slow that we had to hear more of the agonizing first date to the left of us which included some of the most awkward hand-holding I'd ever encountered in my life (it was either a "romantic gesture", or the start of the sickest handshake ever!!!), and then a conversation of a new couple that came in to replace the mute couple to the right of us. So the new guy to the right of us goes "what is a burr-ay-tay di pay-nay" to the girl who's birthday they were celebrating. The girl was so excited about the freaking birthday card that the staff presented to her that she damn near dismissed the poor uncultured dude. She was talking about that effing card for like 10 minutes. Jeez. All in all, disappointing. The bill and tip for 2 pastas, a pizza and a dessert came out to $91 with tax and tip. This is with JUST WATER for drinks. Pair this with the parking and that's an entire $100 for an extremely mediocre meal/experience. Most likely never coming back.
(3)
Joel G.
Summary: Great restaurant with firm roots in traditional techniques, mixed with fun twists using top, seasonal ingredients. I lived in Chicago for more than 9-years before moving to San Francisco. I recently came back in town to see family, and I didn't have a lot of time in the city, and having loved Balena in the past, this was my choice! (Okay - I love Bristol too, but that was where we had our going away party!). I got to the restaurant earlier than my friend, and the bartender (I forget her name - sorry!) recommended the manlino? Nice way to start until my friend arrived. Bartender (brunette who lived in Ohio for a few years) also gave me the recipe (i asked for it) to the drink - thanks again! Linus, our server, was excellent. He brought my friend and I some tastings of wine, recommendations on food and dessert. Service was excellent, low key and laid back. Food didn't disappoint either. I was happy to see the Nero pasta still on the menu, so that was an easy choice. Mushroom pizza with calabrian chili oil - check. Steak tartar, short ribs and some chocolate dessert rounded out the meal. Everything was great except unfortunately for the short ribs (a bit tough). Linus checked in on us, agreed it wasn't perfect and took it off the bill - no problem. Great service! The night we went, there was an event going on at the table behind us where the owners were testing new menu items. They brought out a stunning porchetta with pork jus. I was watching different meals coming out of the kitchen and asked the manager what was going on. When she explained it was the owners going through some new menu items, I told her (based on looks only), the porchetta looked awesome and I hoped to see it on the menu. 5-minutes later, low and behold, the manager placed to thick cuts of porchetta on our table with pork jus. COMPLETELY unexpected. Note - I would have given 5-stars WITHOUT the generous gift. Note: I didn't have a chance to thank manager/owners/chefs for the tasting, so a big "Thank you" now. I can confirm I want this on the menu. Pluses: Great service, great food, great atmosphere. Minus: No location in San Francisco.
Service: Down-to-earth, knowledgeable, and friendly. Our server warned me about menu items that weren't obviously non-vegetarian (for example, a seemingly vegetarian bruschetta that used chicken broth). Interior: classy rustic. High ceilings, wood, and cute giant string/light balls hanging from the ceiling make it feel spacious and cozy at the same time. Food: great vegetarian options, even more great options for meat-eaters! Herbed foccacia- good, but better with the ricotta it's served with Burrata- you can't go wrong with burrata. Orecchiette with lemon and kale- one of my favorite pasta dishes anywhere Mozzarella/basil/tomato pizza- classic and tasty. The pizza dough is so good that I actually eat the crust. Brussel sprout pizza (without pancetta)- unexpectedly wonderful Affogato with doughnuts- yummm. Pistachio gelato- very pistachio-y, in a good way Tiramisu- not bad, but I would skip it next time Cocktails: well-made and complex; lots of bitters (they use bitterness rankings in their menu!) Negroni- a great classic drink Strawberry- tasty, especially for those who prefer something sweeter Rosemary- so refreshing, a little less sweet than the Strawberry. I could easily have had several more of these. Parking: Street parking has been easy to find, even on a Friday night. Valet parking ($11ish) is also offered. Price: My group (4 girls total) had the foccacia, 1 pasta, 2 pizzas, one meat entree, a side of polenta, 3 desserts, and 6 drinks. We were stuffed and brought home a few slices of pizza and some of the meat (so we probably could have done with just a tad less food), and it came to a little over $50/person-not bad!! Reservations: Probably not needed during the week, but definitely make one on the weekends.
I don't fully understand the hype of this place. The food was just okay. I don't normally complain about portion sizing vs price, but the dishes were small, disappointing, and overpriced. Our service was slow. We waited 15 minders just to get our server's attention to bring the bill. Unless it's someone else's pick, I probably won't be back.
(2)
Soniya T.
I haven't felt this way about a particular dish in a long time... their orchiette pasta with kale and lemon sauce is hands down one of the best pastas I've ever had. I don't know how they do it but it's absolutely amazing, so naturally I was thrilled to see they deliver on grubhub!!! Now I can enjoy the orchiette delivered straight to my door! :)
(5)
Angie K.
No other Italian place in the city can compare to Balena. None. I've done Piccolo Sogno, Carmine's, Rosebud, you name it. Nobody's nearly as good as this. The bread appetizer was mind blowing, the oricchiette with kale and one of the vegetarian pizzas with massive, juicy tomatoes was out of this world. The service was amazing, the space is gorgeous, wine was delish and the experience, superb. This is the best spot in the neighborhood and my top 5 restaurants in the whole city. I love it so much, I save it for special occasions so that it remains new to me each time. Try it out and see for yourself!
(5)
Susan K.
We were treated to dinner here for our birthdays from our son and his girlfriend and then were going to se Million Dollar Quartet. From the moment we arrived everything was perfect! The atmosphere was calming and ecletic. Our server explained to us the menu portions and that he would ensure we would be out in time to see the show. We never wanted for anything. The food was fresh, not over powering, very authentic and creative. The presentation was beautiful but not over the top which is what we like. The server was very helpful in guiding us with some of our choices. We will definitely return if we make a trip into the city again.
(5)
Steve W.
The food at Balena was sensational last night. Everything was close to the "best _______ I've had." We came in at 8:30 to celebrate my younger brother's birthday, a few days early. Some people say it's bad luck to celebrate a birthday early, but there was nothing bad about the meal, so if your birthday is coming up, maybe go celebrate! We enjoyed the hell out of some wine, an appetizer, two pastas, and a pizza: Burrata and Roasted Beets - Creamy, wonderful Mozzarella with the most savory, delicious beets I've ever had. Orrechiette with a lemon - butter sauce, kale, bread crumbs, and chili. This al dente pasta had a vibrant lemony, buttery richness that made me smile. The kale added a nice textural contrast to the dish, and the heat from the chili was subtle and well balanced. It was maybe the most perfect pasta I've had, here or abroad. Tagliolini Nero - Squid ink pasta with fresh crab, sea urchin, and chili. Echoing my first visit to Balena, this was rich with flavors of the ocean, and also well balanced. Spicy salami, Tomato, Mozzarella - The crust is the star of the pizza here, it is just as good, if not better than anything you're going to find, anywhere. The salami definitely had a kick to it, and might be too spicy for those that hate heat. The chili-infused olive oil that accompanies the pizza here is a delicious, and wasn't overkill on the heat, even with the salami. Balena is definitely up there for one of the most well-executed, wonderful meals you'll find in Chicago, don't miss out.
(5)
Michael M.
I have had the opportunity to dine at Balena several times now and have never had a bad meal. Outside the Great food, the staff is particularly friendly and helpful. We had theater tickets and let them know when we arrived, so they made sure to get our food out quickly to us, and of course it was fantastic, and we had time to relax, enjoy our fantastic food and get out to the theater on time. I highly recommend dining at The Balena
(5)
Ela G.
Yum! So good! The pastas are the a stand out hit here in my opinion here. Everything is house made, which to me, is what makes eating pasta at restaurants special. The service from hosts to water and bus staff to our server was excellent. The atmosphere is cozy and comfortable, especially on these Chiberia days! The wood fired pizzas and the burrata appetizer are also great to try.
(5)
Rebecca N.
New Itallian spot in Lincoln Park lived up to my expectations! The meat and cheese appetizer was wonderful. The quail and short ribs were also great--I preferred the short rib. Lastly, we got the mushroom pizza which was great! Nothing out of this world, but the crust was delicious. The decor, great service and extensive wine selection add a lot to the resturant. The food didn't "wow" me, but everything was very good.
(3)
Michael M.
I thought Balena exceeded my expectations having read some dramatic comments on this page and other mixed reviews from friends. To simply sum it up, I thought the environment was very cool. I can't remember what our waitress said the building used to be before renovation, but what they did to the place was very well executed. It's a woody/rustic/comfortably dim setting which in my opinion relaxed the mood and really made the experience enjoyable. Overall the service was on point. They really didn't bug us too much and they came at the right times. The waitress and another did a great job describing the drinks and courses, and did a solid job with the few recommendations they made. The lady friend and I split two starters, a pasta, had our own entrees and still had plenty of room for dessert. And I'm the type of person who has to eat everything on my plate... and I did. This is a huge reason I would recommend this restaurant to others. I don't know if it was the size of the portions or the way the food was prepared, but regardless I felt great walking away. However, I would say there were about two things that turned me off. I would say their wine selection was great but they really didn't offer many bottles less than $40-45. Which is whatever since it is a nice place, but it would be nice to see a couple alternate options. The second would be when it came time for dessert we had built a good enough relationship with our waitress that she had brought out a "complimentary" dessert that she really wanted us to try. It was a great recommendation but she ended up charged us for it... It wasn't the biggest deal, but overall it was an awesome time and would definitely recommend it.
(4)
Carolyn L.
My father and I took my mother here for Mother's Day 2012. I was so excited to try the restaurant because it had just opened, I had heard some really cool things about the decor, and I LOVE pasta. Especially really homemade fresh pasta. It was such a hard choice to figure out what to order! Ultimately, I got the tagliolini nero because I love seafood and I love black pasta dishes. Reminds me of traveling in Barcelona! The portion was just right and the taste was salty, clear, seafoody perfection. I really wish I had written this review earlier so I could remember what my parents got. I just know that I was thrilled with my choice. I'd love to go back and try out the pizzas!
(5)
Claudia M.
I was very happy with my dinner at Balena and so were the other 3 people with me. I advice fellow diners to try the cheese platter: it's heavenly. Among the starters, the zampone was also very good and the burrata is as fresh as I had in Puglia. The quality of pasta dishes varied: the rigatoni with pork ragù were too salty according to my dad and boyfriend. I had the Tagliolini Nero with sea urchin and they were fully enjoyable. The sauce was maybe a bit too rich and too little spicy for my taste, but other than that very good. The texture of the pasta was superb, in particular. Desserts are not outstanding and service was okay: our waiter kept forgetting to replenish our glasses as we finished the wine. Good spirits menu, esp. amaro.
(4)
Dory O.
My husband and I dined at Balena on New Years Eve and it was FAB! Our waitress was super attentive and we loved everything that came out. They had a fixed menu for the night, but since I'm pregnant, they allowed for a couple substitutions. The glazed carrots, shortribs, and some type of fried rice ball were delish!
(5)
Big Rick J.
The "gentleman" host was nothing short of rude, crass, judgmental...shall I go on? No, just walk right past this minion and enjoy the tasty pizza and wine list thicker than the Old Testament.
(3)
Mke C.
Food and service were excellent. My wife had the chicken thigh and I had trout . Arugula salad and pasta were very good. The charred greens was a bit too bitter for my taste. Tiramisu for desert was as good as any. Nice place to eat , can't wait to try pizza next time. Mike C.
(5)
Aly U.
LOVE! Great food, service, atmosphere. Make sure to make a reservation, not that easy to get the table.
(5)
Allen S.
NEW PASTRY CHEF DISSAPOINTS I tried the Pear Crostada...Rather than traditional buttery pie-like crust with fruit baked into it, this had a rectangle of puff pastry with a large half pear just plopped on top. A very small scoop of gelato was in a small cup on the side. Unappealing in appearance, untraditional in makeup, and UNDELICIOUS in taste. And this was the most tempting dessert listed.
(2)
D M.
Made reservations here after reading the reviews. We were late due to traffic and they were kind enough to hold our table. We started with the pea and ricotta bruschetta and it was awful. It was like eating baby food on ricotta that had no taste. We also had a spicy rigatoni dish that was good for the few bites that cost big dollars but not worth it. Also had the potato and leek ravioli and they were good but not worth $4plus each. Would not return here.
(3)
Scott N.
Really good service. Great drinks. Great Price. Food is fresh fresh fresh, and awesome! Recommend getting a salad, a pasta, pizza or entre, and a dessert. Split each with 2 people. All that and a couple drinks each for right around $100
(4)
Liz A.
I came here because they were on the Eater 38, and the menu sounded like something my friend and I could both enjoy. The food was very good; specifically, the pasta has an excellent taste, and I would recommend the potato gnocchi. Overall, I am slightly surprised they made the eater 38 because nothing jumped out at me as being very special or unique, but they do have very good pasta that is worth trying if you are in the area. Also, the aperitivo offering is definitely a must if you choose Balena for dinner.
(4)
Katherine M.
Excellent. Flawless pasta, great drink menu. No complaints other than our drinks came in these rinky dink cups/sizes. Loved this place!
(4)
Brooke A.
Boyfriend and I made reservations here for Valentine's day and were not disappointed. The atmosphere is nice, and we were seated within five minutes upon arrival. The service was amazing! Our waitress was incredibly nice and explained the dishes thoroughly. Both of us tend to drink a lot of water while we eat, and they filled our glasses almost instantly each time they were emptied.. it's almost as if that was somebody's job to fill the water glasses. The food was great. We ordered smoked mackerel as an appetizer (highly recommended if you like fish), pappardelle with lamb sugo, and manilla clams. Everything was awesome and we would totally go there again!
(4)
Johnny T.
Oh, Chicago. Look at you getting even more exciting places to dine as a certain someone made his exit. Normally, this infraction would come with some sort of grievous punishment but the food at Balena (and other 2012 rock stars) is too good to taint with vengeful ruminations. What an experience! The BOKA group does it again! My Cher Farewell tour of Chicago made a stop at this Italian eatery, courtesy of one of the 312/773's finest eaters and food enthusiasts: Yanyao N. I learned over the years that if she's raving, I need to get to eating. First off, there's not a single trace of Landmark left in Balena. For a restaurant that was a staple of this area of Halsted for so long, that's quite an accomplishment. The Balena folks came in and transformed the space into an urban-rustic (I like to make up terms) playground for carousing, dining and enjoying life. Even if you're not a drinker, when you come to Balena, you should start. The cocktail revolution hasn't taken over every major American city (I'm a sad spectator to this fact), so while you're around talent, take advantage of it. In the interest of research and science, I took a tasting tour of the Bitters menu. The menu is well-curated and intended to give you a taste of the region from a boozy perspective. I like the look. I started with a Strawberry No. 1 which boasted strawberry, prosecco, Grey Goose, and Fragoli amongst others. As a No. 1, the bitter quotient wasn't very high which was a-ok with me. The taste and presentation were phenomenal and rather drinking to get drunk, you'll sip on this cocktail to enjoyed the layered taste. The Pina No. 9 with grapefruit, sage, Cointreau and other delights kept the party going. By the time I settled in on a custom cocktail with a tea base, I knew that Balena was my long-lost food love. Yes, food. You're not ready for this. I began the food portion of the evening with a seafood salad. I tended to stay away from seafood in Chicago but the combination of mussels, calamari, arugula, octopus, pine nuts, raisins, and dressing proved too much for me to deny. While not huge in size, the taste left an impression. But none left an impression like my entree: lasagna pizza. Lasagna.Pizza. Pizza with lasagna ingredients. Pizza with creamy ricotta cheese that massages the tongue while herbs delight the senses and red sauce commands your attention. Lasagna Pizza. I ate the entire thing. I contemplated letting my tablemates share a slice of what was making me ohh and ahh, but let's not forget that I'm an only child. It's my nature and no amount of social pressure nurture was going to change that. With so much consumed, I didn't have room for desser... let me stop lying. You know I couldn't leave without a sweet treat! Our phenomenal waiter (no upsell, friendly, knew the menu like the back of his hand, asked questions to figure out what was best for us to try) told me that he had me covered. He knew what my little piggy self needed. I needed a Hazelnut Sundae. An equal part of nutella and chocolate love,the gelato comes topped withtoasted hazelnuts, amaretti sandwich cookies and nutella creme. I blacked out and came to with chocolate all over my face, shirt and in my hair. My tablemates were horrified. Children were crying. All was silent. I guess I did justice to the dessert. Phenomenal. Delicious. Perfection. Never doubt the BOKA group. Ever. Move South. Please?
(5)
Jody B.
Hubby and I went here before the Steppenwolf play on a weekday. I'll start with the good: Service was great. Attentive but not overly so. I like the convenience to Steppenwolf...right across the street! The design and ambiance are cool and comfortable. I loved the taste of my drink. I had the Montenegro. I just wish... (oops, I said this was the good.. I'll wait for the criticism.) Some of the food tasted good... The polenta side and donut desserts were very good. Ok... Now for the not so good stuff... $11 for a cocktail isn't bad.. However, theirs are small. I loved mine. I just wanted more and wasn't going to pay for another. They charged hubby $13 for his, which was no more than 4oz. He mentioned it nicely, and the waiter took $2 off. That was nice... but why overprice it in the first place? We ordered the cheese plate. The selections were quite good with appropriate pairings such as honey for the blue, strawberry jam for the mild goat, and dates for the sharp one. However, it came with very thin crostinis that broke when you tried to put the cheese on them. For the price it was all a bit skimpy. In a place like this, I expected fresh made crostinis with the cheese plate. Hubby got a pizza. He said it was ok. Nothing special. It reminded him of pizza hut; not much flavor. I decided to get 2 starters instead of an entree. I saw the mackerel and soft boiled egg in some photos. It looked great. The mackerel was nice. Not fishy and had good seasoning. The soft boiled egg was cooked perfectly... However, it was ice cold. I thought it would be warm... Or at least room temp to bring out the flavor. I also went for the kale/sardine salad. It was good enough, but there were 4 croutons and a couple pieces of sardine. Hubby and I shared the polenta side. It was the only thing we both raved about. For dessert we had the vanilla gelato with espresso (meh) and cinnamon donuts. I loved the donut! $8 At the end of our meal we both felt very disappointed. For the prices and the hype, I expected much better food, and more value. We did not feel this way the times we went to Boka. Hubby summed it up when we left the mediocre play we saw after our meal... "Well, this is one evening I'll never get back!".... My feelings, exactly!
(2)
J D.
Maybe we went on an off night. Host welcome was awkward...asking us if we were in the party of 6 even though we checked in with our name and party of 2. We were told "they could still seat us"??? Maybe I'm old school, but a place like this can't teach the host staff to pull out a lady's chair?? Other than that the service was polished. The cocktails were wonderful. The food fell a little flat. App: Scallop Crudo It didnt feel balanced. Entree: Uni/Crab Tag Could have been served hotter. Husband LOVES uni and wanted more =) Grilled fish with Rhubarb This was a great dish, a little too much oil for my taste. Dessert: PIstachio gelato with nuget and orange Looked much more substantial in PLATE magazine spread, but still tastey. MORE NUGET please =) I'm glad we went, but nothing really makes me want to return.
(3)
Anna P.
Gorgeous decor, excellent service, and absolutely delicious food. They clearly knew the way to my heart, because when I arrived a few minutes before my reservation and the first in my party, they seated me and let me wait with a glass of wine at the table even though it was pretty crowded. The pasta is out of this world, but is a pretty small portion. My only complaint is that it was a little expensive not to have any leftovers. But I will definitely be back!
(4)
Taylor S.
My boyfriend and I went to Balena for Valentine's Day dinner. My friends used to live close by and recommended it, but it was also restaurant week. Their menu pulled us in, but their food did not. I really wanted to love it... and I did like it, but didn't love. First off, the atmosphere is very nice... to your surprise, it is rather large, lots of twists and turns! You also walk right past the kitchen and can see inside which was neat. A bothering thing though was, there were a bunch of open tables but they ended seating us crammed right in the middle of 2 occupied tables. It was Valentine's Day dinner! Obviously we wanted a little intimacy... we did not get. The food... so the waiter broke the menu down for us and recommended a few things, and we took his recommendations. He said the cow stomach appetizer (cant remember the actual name of it) was amazing, so we got it, and it was good but not amazing. I love kale cesear salads and I ordered it... only after he tried turning me off saying it had a tuna taste to it. I was apprehensive but still wanted it. I ordered it with no sardines to remove the fishy taste. When it came, there were sardines on it, that I removed but I couldn't sense the tuna taste. I was slightly disappointed because the waiter never acknowledged that there were clearly sardines that I removed, after we had a whole conversation about me not liking them. We got the Brussels sprout pizza, which was really tasty and big. Nice to share! Lastly, we got the Tagliolini Nero which was good too-- different and unexpected, but I did enjoy it. We ended the evening with the Mocha Panna Cotta, which wasn't amazing... I am a dessert person ;) Lastly, the drinks were great! I really enjoyed them! I got the Manlino and my boyfriend got the Francesco (i think). Both very tasty and strong! Alright so the icing on the evening was... immediately after the meal my boyfriend got sick and was at the toilet all night. Something wasn't right with the meal... but I'm not sure what it was! Needless to say, we will most likely not go back. It is a shame because it was a nice place, good atmosphere, reasonable prices. I think this place may be more suited for a group of friends going to share some pizza and maybe salads and pasta and get in some good, tasty, unique drinks!
(3)
Lisa H.
My friend and I went to Balena on a Saturday evening at about 5:00pm for drinks and appetizers. Since Balena opens at 4:30pm, it was pretty empty when we walked in. The atmosphere was pretty cool. We decided to sit at the bar. My friend ordered the Montenegro and I ordered the Mirto w/out the Pernod absinthe. The drinks were tasty, but very small for the price ($11 each). We decided to order a couple of appetizers and went with the Wild Arugula Salad, and the Mushroom Bruschetta. The salad was bland, and needed more dressing. The bruschetta was outstanding, esp. if you love mushrooms. You need to eat it with a knife & fork. I was amazed how quickly the place filled up. It's across the street from the Steppenwolf Theatre, so this is a prime spot for show-goers to have dinner before the show. After feeling some pressure from the bar hawks waiting for seats, we decided to get our check. Can I say sticker shock? I was amazed that the bill came to $76 for drinks and appetizers for two people. I can't imagine how pricey it would be if there was a group of us. If you just want to check out a cool place and have a drink, then Balena is for you. If you want to have a full meal, I'd suggest elsewhere.
(3)
Dennis J.
I have been to Balena at least three times now; the first time when it initially opened. I am a big fan of the Bristol and was looking forward to how John Ross' take on Italian would compare to Piccolo Sogno. Well unfortunately, the pasta and entrees don't compare. The ingredients are fresh, yes, but we found it a bit bland. However, here are the things that are exceptional about Balena that make it worth the 4 stars: 1. The dessert. Blew. Me. Away. Their sundaes in particular are unbelievable. Some of the best dessert in Chicago. 2. Service and ambiance. These are some of the most pleasant servers. And the space really is phenomenal. Private event envy-inducing. 3. The pizza. The crust is superb. It's chewy and crispy at the same time, with a hint of tasty salt. Well-balanced with the toppings. It rivals my love for Piece's thin crust. 4. The bread service. They are not currently offering it for some reason... I hope it's not gone for good because it was amazing.
(4)
Amy G.
Delicious, glutenous carbs. Fresh herbs and spices. Rich dairy. Texture. And carbs! More of a 3.5 star experience, but I'm bumping it up because of the exceptionally relaxing and actually quite sexy environment, cedar-scented ladies' room, and attentive staff. They asked if we had any food allergies. I can't imagine why you'd come here if you did... You are going to experience carbs. Carbs are garnished with carbs. Don't worry, the dim lights diminish carb bloat. Also there is kale. In salad and pasta. And the forefront of our health-conscious consciences within our carb-filled bodies. Chicagoans are complicated. This food is simple. The most delicious crust with a spicy, peppery, oily dipping sauce outlines slices of pizza constructed of mozzarella and a blend of cauliflower and anchovy. Get any pizza. The crust will be memorable. Pasta is made in-house and does not need, nor does it receive, over-emphasized accoutrement. Butter sauce and sage. Lemon and cream. And breadcrumbs because carbs! Wine selections by the glass are all from Italy, a magical land, I believe, where alcohol aids beautiful people in the digestion and metabolism of carbs. You too can become one. There are cocktails, for $11, featuring quality and small batch booze. But in my professional opinion, take the opportunity to enjoy a bottle of Chianti or two. Don't worry, your belly is well-insulated from...carbs!
(4)
Jenny A.
Best pizza in Chicago! I have been to Balena twice now and both times was very pleased with the atmosphere, service and quality of food. The pizza is definitely the best thing on the menu though, something about the crust, toppings and texture make it my favorite pizza in Chicago. The menu changes seasonally, so the sides and pastas change often. On a recent visit, I had the gnocchi with fava bean pesto (delicious, but very small portion), burrata cheese (delicious!) and smoked mackrel. Desserts are also a must, however since former Top Chef Just Desserts contestant Amanda Rockman left, I feel like the desserts aren't quite as good. I would recommend the tiramisu and the sundaes. Can't wait to be back to try more of the menu items!
(5)
Galina M.
Beautifully decorated restaurant - honestly it took my breath away when I first walked in...I think it's the high ceilings. :) The staff is super nice and very accomodating - we were running on time for our show at Steppenwolf and we came in uber late. So I was very impressed. We did not get pasta or pizza, which are basically things this little Italian gem is known for. Oh well, next time. We got the trout with hazelnut butter - which was good but had lots of bones :( we got radioccini and polenta sides and the burratta with orange crustinis for appetizer! the burrata cheese was amazing! for dessert we got an affogato - hard to split - very hard. but great. i mean there was a sugary donut - i guess not a very creative dessert but tasty. My favorite drink ever - Strawberry No1!!! I'd get that any day! Lovely place, really. And not just for the Steppenwolf folks, it's worth the commute, wherever you're coming from. Great environment and great food. And very reasonably priced. Would probably recommend getting pizza/pasta though...I have a feeling that's da bomb. If you'd like to see pictures and read more about Balena, see my blog thetravelingfoodster.com…
"Balena": Italian for "beautiful restaurant near the Apple store on Halsted." Or something like that.* This place is the George Clooney of Italian dining. Or maybe the Ryan Gosling? Younger, hipper, less stuffy, yet still retaining that gorgeous jaw line. It's all awash in soft light from those cool light nests hanging from the ridiculously high ceilings. I'd describe it as romantic barn chic. Rustic. The kind of place you want to hunker down in with some wine and bread and cheese and wait out the longer winter. Anyway, start with the Peter's bread. It's a bunch of yummy breads and spreads a la Girl & the Goat. You can also get a range of meat and cheese with it, and probably call that a day. But wait! There's pasta! And pizza! We accidentally ordered one of each that ended up being very similar to each other (but still great), the bavette pomodoro and the mozz-basil-tom pizza. The crust. Oh man. I loved the crust. Not cracker thin. Lots of flavor. Super crispy. Substantial enough that the toppings didn't all slide off. The pomodoro was similarly basic but so rich and creamy. The portion was big enough to split but you won't be full so get two pastas or a pizza. I would love to try to the lemon kale oricchette and the brown butter terrine. The wine list is overwhelming (hello, table of contents) but there's a list of reasonably priced bottles at the front, so we just picked one that sounded good. *Google Translate says it means "whale." I find this hilarious.
(5)
Robby S.
I brought my parents and my boyfriend here for dinner last weekend - and it was a great time! Our server was super friendly and the places has a medium-volume, fun ambiance. The food was fantastic. We ordered a couple pasta dishes, a salmon pizza, asparagus appetizer, & brioche with an aioli spread. All of it was seriously amazing. With that said, we were all extremely full. To some degree, I felt that our server was "pushing us" to order more food than we really wanted. Granted, from her experience I'm sure a table of 4 could have consumed that much food - we told her we weren't that hungry - but that didn't stop her from insisting that we needed to order more. It would definitely be easy to get out of this place for a VERY reasonable amount. If a table of 4 ordered a couple pizzas to split, it would be about $50. On the other hand, you could easily spend $300 on a table for 4 if you order the way the servers suggest (apps, pasta dishes, pizzas, entrees, dessert). Depends on what you're in the mood for. Cocktails on the other hand...they are literally served in a shot glass. I realize that this place is somewhat upscale, but seriously. I wish I would have taken a picture, I could have knocked that thing back in 1 gulp. And for $11, I was expecting a bit more. I'll be going back!
(4)
Carly B.
I'm new to Chicago, but Balena has so far served the best meal I've had. The tagliolini nero was exquisite--and I don't typically like urchin. The chicken thighs were amazing as well, and I'm not normally a chicken thigh kinda girl! 5 enthusiastic stars. I can't wait to go back...
(5)
Jared D.
Came here last night for a birthday dinner and was impressed in some areas, but very disappointed in others. We made reservations almost a month ago considering how busy it is and when we got there on time for the 7:45 res, we were told it would take "one moment". This shouldn't happen. If you have people coming to your restaurant to celebrate an occasion and they made a reservation a month ago, the table should be ready. "One moment" turned into 10 minutes, which then turned into 25, so that's unacceptable. We started with the blue cheese salad and Peter's bread. The salad was good and the dressing went well. The breads and jams were all very tasty, but maybe don't get this if you're ordering a pizza (carb overload). Neither app blew me away, but were pretty good. I had the mortadella and pesto pizza for dinner and my gf had the orecchiette. The pizza was really good, but too much crust. I have issues with places charging 16 bucks for a pasta dish and then giving you a lean cuisine portion. This could have been an appetizer. It tasted good, but could have used a lot more of it. Finally, the service was pathetic. Starting with the near half hour wait to sit down even when we had a reservation. Our waitress was nice, but we needed a blowhorn to get her attention. She came over to the 2 tables next to us 3 times before taking our check, which we had to hold in her face. Waiters should know how to multi-task..she didn't. They also forgot to bring us our leftovers, which makes me think they probably threw it away. I then forgot the leftovers. Either way, frustrating. Maybe i'll be back, but not for a while.
(2)
Elizabeth W.
Came here with a good friend on a Sunday before seeing a play opening at Steppenwolf Theatre across the street. We shared the "Smoked Mackerel, Bread Crumbs, Soft Egg, Garlic Aioli" appetizer, which was surprisingly tasty and very interesting. We followed that with the brussel sprout and pancetta pizza, which was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. Great crispy crust, salty pancetta and delicious roasted sprouts. Seriously one of the best pizzas I've had. We each had a cocktail, too, and were both pleased with our respective decisions. The staff was very friendly...perhaps almost overly so, if that's a thing. Overall, though, a very pleasant dining experience. We'd go back!
(4)
Law S.
I used to frequent Landmark a lot because of its proximity to my job. This is a great improvement and the food and decor were really great. The interior is very interesting, Italian without being kitsch. The staff was friendly. We had two freshly made pasta dishes, a margherita pizza, and the mushroom bruschetta. They recommend sharing dishes with everyone at the table, which typically isn't my favorite, but here it works. The portions are a great size, everything felt light and fresh. My only complaint would be that I have had the margherita pizza twice here and it has basically no basil on it, that needs to be addressed.
(4)
Joe V.
Pros: Great atmosphere and vibe/ wine list Cons: limited menu and variety: not the place for kids/ pre- teens Food delicious- side of squash with ricotta / pumpkin seeds, salmon entree Mediocre little flavor- pizza Strange- sardines kale salad( I love kale too)
(3)
Sarah S.
Wow, what great pizza! This place was delicious, and had great atmosphere and service to boot. Our waitress was extremely nice, and gave us great food suggestions. We started with the smoked mackerel small plate and the cow's heart small plate, both of which were perfect executions of difficult to execute food. But the pizza, oh man, the pizza. Our waitress said that people have a tendency to under-order two of the ones we got, and man, are they missing out. One of them was a cauliflower and mozzerrella, and anchovy tapenade concoction that doesn't taste like pizza, per se, but does taste amazing. The mortadella with pistachio pesto was perfect too. And they all come with house-made chili oil, which provides just enough heat and which was so good that we used up the entire ramekin of it. They were also super nice: when my friend and I realized we'd messed up and forgotten to make a reservation, they were able to find us a table immediately anyway on a busy night, on the condition that we vacate it before 8: not a lot of places will do that, and it was really nice of them to do that for us. All in all, totally great experience.
(5)
Charlene B.
First time I went, I was blown away. The interior design is gorgeous, the pizzas, contorni + pastas are spot on. That's still the case - mostly. But repeat visits have taken the shine off just a bit. Flavors not as bright. Service more indifferent. Still recommend it, but it's not a place I crave to try again and again. Tip: get a table on the first level. The second level just doesn't have the same vibe - not as pulled together visually.
(4)
Lisa Z.
Came here with a friend for dinner on Monday night, which you might expect to be slow, but this place was hoppin'! Unfortunately, this meant that, despite having an 8 pm reservation, we ended up waiting about a half hour to be seated. Lame. The classic Seinfeld saying rings true: "You know how to take the reservation, you just don't know how to hold the reservation." Once seated, we waited even longer for a server, but by this time we had already picked out everything we wanted to try and were ready for refills on our wine. My friend had been once before, and she said everything was good last time. We tried: Starter: Burrata, Beets, Celery root salad. We were both nervous about the beets, but this was a really tasty and unique combination. I could have done with just the burrata, but the beets and celery root were fine additions. Pizza: Mozzarella, basil, tomato pizza. This was your pretty standard brick oven style pizza. The crust was a good thickness, although we could have used more cheese! But that statement--"could have used more cheese"--may as well be my motto in life. Pasta: Rigatoni, pork ragu, bacini mushroom. This was the best thing we tried! I could have gone for a second dish of this. The pork flavor was good but not overwhelming and it had a great cream sauce. As far as food, I'd say good and worth another visit, but the wait was disappointing. Also disappointing, our server wrapped our pizza and said she'd leave it at the bar for us, so we of course forgot to grab it on the way out. It's hard enough to remember to take your leftovers when they are on the table in front of you, but by leaving them at the bar up front, they are basically ensuring a 100% forget-leftover ratio for patrons. So I'd give this place 3.5 or 4, seeing as the food was so good and you're getting the level of food quality you pay for.
(4)
Mary G.
Great wine list...emphasis on good Italian (bout time, chicago!). last week, i had The Balena (as i do everytime) and loved the gin and juice salami. and the bacon spotted bread. just insane. next time, i'm stealing three of the chairs at the bar. i think they'll look better in my apartment.
(4)
Danielle B.
Really enjoyed the ambiance and the servers and staff were very nice. Cocktails were delicious and different. We shared a pizza and it was great. For mains we had three pastas, I'm not a huge pasta person or an expert but they were very good. Had tiramisu for dessert which was also tasty.
(3)
Rob J.
The food, good. The drinks, awesome. The vibe, even more awesome. Go for the ambiance. Good place to take out of towners, even if it is a little loud.
(4)
Katie C.
4 of us walked in on a Saturday night at 6:30p with no reservation. Dumb, I know, but we were hoping the theater crowed would clear out and maybe we'd get lucky. Upon arrival, we were quoted a 3 hr wait and the hostess didn't seem hopeful we would get seated at all. We decided to risk it and wait it out at the bar...30 minutes later we were seated at the front table! Pizza, pasta, entrees, wine... All amazing and I'm so glad we waited. I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Victoria M.
Update on my previous review. I spoke to a manager there named Rana and she was incredibly helpful. Turns out by a simple mistake we were incorrectly charged. For valentines day dinner it was $65 per person. Four course meal for $65 is incredibly reasonable and such a great deal especially with the meals. They were higher class meals than some of your typical restaurants at such a great price. It was an incredibly good deal with amazingly delicious food. How many times can you tell someone you ate delicious pasta with ox tail and bone marrow. By far the best was the nougat semifreddo for dessert. We ate it up in seconds. The ambiance was so beautiful and romantic. The gnocchi was so well cooked and delicious. Will definetly be coming back again thanks to the wonderful staff and customer service. She called back immediately and took care of us in a kind manner and I'm so impressed with the customer service. I can't wait to come back again and have that nougat semifreddo and gnocchi.
(5)
Laura M.
Went here for a family dinner, wasn't expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised! The beautiful lighting and the tall ceilings in the front room are impressive. We had the Rigatoni Pork Ragu, the Mushroom, Fontina pizza, the Baked Polenta and Sweet Onion Gratinato which were all amazing! We also had the Hen Egg Tajarin, but it wasn't as great. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Susan K.
There aren't many words that I can use to describe our experience on NYE this year. Literally one of the best meals I have ever had to date. We had a 5 course meal and it was fabulous from start to finish. Thank you Balena for making our NYE delicious!!!
(5)
Julie Z.
YES!!!!! Best Italian I've had in ages! This place has a great vibe. Fun, lively, great lighting (always key) and most importantly excellent food. #1 GET the platter of cheeses, meats, breads and jams. SO good and perfect for a table of 4. Beef Tartare - winner! Caesar Salad with Kale - Apparently no one at my table was paying attention to the "kale" part when we ordered it but we all loved it. Great texture. Rigatoni with Pork Ragu - holy goodness. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauce was well balanced. It was so good, we ordered another. Pizza (Spicy sausage, red onion, tomato, mozarella) - great crust, perfectly cooked Wine selection is legit. And this place is surprisingly very reasonable. We had to check the bill twice to make sure we were charged correctly. For feeling as satisfied as we were plus 2 bottles of wine, it just seemed like it should cost more $$. This is great for any size party. There were couples, tables of 4 and large parties here. If you are looking for upscale Italian, check it out. Balena definitely satisfied my craving for Italian particularly after being very underwhelmed by Next's Sicily menu.
(5)
Martha Z.
I really like this addition to the neighborhood. The food is very good, not expensive, and the wine list is superb. The atmosphere is loud and raucous, but still great for groups looking to let loose!
(4)
Jessica B.
This place will haunt your dreams....in a good and food way. I literally cannot believe I held off so long in going here because it was amazing. Like, even better than I thought it would be. And I already can't wait to go back. I remember when this was Landmark Bar & Grill and immediately feared it would be as loud as that place was, because that was a challenge when hanging out with a group (you actually want to talk to). Fortunately, noise wasn't an issue in the new set up, but it wasn't super busy when we went. The Tuscan decor is adorable and is simple (almost Pottery Barn inspired) but not in a bad way. Love the little touches throughout the place, including the insanely comfortable seating. The wine and cocktail list are expansive and I was very happy with my cocktail, which name I sadly cannot remember. Note: the cocktails are a tad...small and $11 each so beware if ordering multiples. Food!!! So, I was advised by friends to skip the pizzas (which did look delicious) and focus more on the other dishes, specifically pasta. While I love wood oven pizza (and I would go back for some here), I'm glad I skipped this time because the real hidden gems on the menu are the pastas. I'm STILL dreaming about the Pomodoro. It was THAT AMAZING. Yes, CAPS ARE WARRANTED. The sauce was light and creamy and mixed with the thin but fat pasta, it was just so perfect together. I cannot rave enough about this. The Hen Egg Tajarin with sage and brown butter was also incredible. Very thin pasta that was tossed to perfection with the brown butter. Neither dish was heavy at all, and I wish I didn't have to share because I would have savored both to myself...maybe two servings :) Almost forgot appetizers! We kept it light and went with the Tuna Bruschetta with white bean (very good and hearty) and the herbed foccacia with ricotta and honey. Also very tasty and a nice way to start the meal. The bread was perfectly done. Finally, for dessert, we got the apple pie gelato and the donuts. Both were very good but a little on the small side, especially the donuts. Glad we tried them but I would focus more on the gelato and sorbets next time. So, I guess if you can't guess already, we had an amazing meal. I 100% would go back and literally am thinking of how soon I can get back to Balena for another meal. So good! Highly recommend for a parents visit or nice date night. Or just any night!
(5)
Tera D.
I don't know that I'd raise the overall stars, as 4 stars just seems like a stretch, but I do want to say that my second time dining here I did have a few very good dishes worth mentioning. I know the menu changes, so this might not be that helpful, but the Brussels sprouts pizza and the Orecchiette with Kale and Lemon was addicting and delicious. Also, I was very pleased with myself for saving room for dessert this time, and although the donuts were nothing to write home about, but if I'm ever there again I'd give one of the sundaes a try.
(3)
Andrea G.
Loved. Can not wait to go back! Emily our server was fantastic. Knowledgeable and fun but not intrusive at all. We ordered so much food. Asparagus - YUMMM Mackerel - amazing texture flavor combo Pizza - sauce was not my favorite ever.. (lease favorite of everything I ate) The Tagliolini was deeee-lish. The pork ragu sauce was sooooo yummy (I almost wanted to lick the bowl) Desserts are a must. The homemade lemoncello is a perfect way to end the evening. The wine menu is a novel, but impressive. However the wines by the glass are well chosen and a perfect blend of all types. Next time I will try the cocktails. I will be back!
(4)
John G.
A remarkable meal for such a large restaurant. The cured meats and cheeses are a good start. We then tried the smoked Mackeral with a poached egg. I was prepared not to like the mackeral, but with the egg broken open and the yolk mixing with the fish, it was an unexpected treat. We had the tagliolini nero pasta which was recommended by our server. Again I was skeptical because it had sea urchin butter, but wow! For entree's we had the braised chicken thighs, a house specialty, and well worth it. Grilled prawns were perfectly grilled with grapes, finger chiles, and aioli. For desert our server recommended the Ricotta tart which was a perfect ending to a wonderful meal. The restaurant is a great looking space spread over different levels. The noise level was decent, so we could have a conversation without shouting. Our server, Carrie, helped us explore the menu with great results.
(5)
Nicole S.
Delicious food! Everything cooked and flavored just right! First, the wine: the list is extensive, but their sommelier, who likes like he's about 17, is very knowledgeable, and found us a great bottle of Zinfandel. Food: We started with a meat and cheese plate, which were all delicious and different from each other, and came with various jams to put on top. We also shared the pizza with brussel sprouts: Honestly, delicious. Something you would never expect. Even if you think you don't like brussel sprouts (I'm not the biggest fan), this will not disappoint you. Trust me. For dinner I had the salmon, which was cooked perfectly, which for some reason seems hard to do at many restaurants. It was lightly seasoned and very flavorful. Decor : Awesome. Very warm and inviting, with a rustic feel. I definitely recommend coming here!
(4)
Chirag P.
AMAZEBALLS... yes i'm a grown-a$$ man with two kids saying AMAZEBALLS. I love this place, the salads, pizzas, pastas, drinks, dessert... ALL AMAZEBALLS. ok i'm gonna stop saying that now. Definitely get the Burrata di panna starter, i could just have a giant bowl of that burrata and be a happy camper. Try the grilled peach pizza... sounds weird, tastes SOOOO GOOOD. Try the oriechette pasta and was ready for 2nds of that as well. Get one of their desserts... doesn't matter which... GET ONE (or more). Definitely try one of the apertivos, I didn't think i'd be a vermouth fan, but after trying Balena's drinks, I'm hooked... try the Bonal. The place itself is really nice, trendy looking. Our server was fantastic, gave some of the best descriptions i've ever gotten at a restaurant and my wife was basically left speechless by his looks... which is exactly what you want to hear/see when you're on your anniversary dinner. haha. Anyways, this place rocks. GO THERE.
(5)
Heather K.
Another Boka group slam dunk! 5 stars for the space, layout, and decor. 5 stars for in house bread - um, lemon pepper challah - Holla! We tried quite a bit and loved everything from the Kale salad, zuchinni panzanella, taglioni nero, pizza, polenta, pork, spring pea ravioli - it was all truly wonderful. I would really like to see this place offer brunch. wait, I didn't even mention the cocktails! Awesome - easily labeled by bitterness, the Fib10 is amazing. I'm not a wine connoisseur but they had a nice leather bound book of options with what I imagine to be filled with many great wines.
(5)
M S.
Great food, would go back without a doubt!
(4)
Tracey H.
Took my mother here for her 61st birthday after having to want to try it for a while. We were totally blown away by Balena; it may be my new favorite restaurant. I liked the cocktail and beer list; I liked the Italian beers and everyone else had cocktails which they really enjoyed. We did a mish mash of foods and just did family style. We tried the burrata, foccaccia, selection of hams, the cauliflower pizza, salte and pepe pasta, pomodoro pasta, the porchetta, and the onion gratin, and for dessert the tiramisu and the vanilla gelato sundae. The pastas were to die for, the pizza was amazing; everything was well above par; so excellent. The ambiance is nice. It is contemporary without trying to hard. Our server and his support staff were great, and we loved the fact that they had a birthday card on the table for my mother signed by the staff, it was a nice touch. I have a feeling I will be going back very soon. Yum!
(4)
Brian C.
This was certainly a nice birthday experience. Our selections included the bread platter, the unique caesar salad with kale instead of romaine, the pasta with pork ragu, and the mushroom pizza. For dessert we had the pistachio gelato which was balanced by an orange peel flavor. There was certainly a lot of creativity in all of these dishes. I think where this place really stands out is with its wine list. I had been looking forward to trying the Nino Negri 5 Stelle Sfursat for awhile, but to my dismay, they didn't have it in stock. I was a bit bummed by this, but the somm came through and we had a bottle of a blend from Campania that featured Pallagrello Nero and Casavecchia. That was certainly a unique bottle, and I don't think you'll find this on too many lists around town. It certainly opened up in a beautiful way throughout the meal. Their dessert list offers five different barolo chinatos by the glass. This was a nice surprise, because I had just been reading about this drink recently. Figuring I wouldn't get another chance to try one for awhile, I had a glass with the dessert. It matched the orange peel aspect of the dessert so well. This is the kind of place I'd want to try again and again, because it has the kind of menu and the kind of wine list where you can have a multitude of unique experiences. The somm definitely put a lot of effort into making this wine list one of the best in the city. I like that it focuses on all of what Italy has to offer, and doesn't just concentrate on a few of the better known Italian wines. I appreciate it even more because many of these wines are very hard to find in Chicago, whether at a shop or at another restaurant. And the markup is not the standard 200-300% across the board nonsense, either. I look forward to some more unique experiences in this place, anyway.
(4)
Aimee R.
Got the Peter's Bread, Smoke Mackerel, Rigatoni with Pork Ragu, Spicy Sausage Pizza, Grilled Prawns, Polenta for dinner...sounds like a lot but all worth it! Also got the Affogato (donuts) and Chocolate Hazelnut Tart. By far best meal I've had in Chicago in years (right up there with Girl and the Goat) and BEST service in a beautiful room. Rob was our waiter and he was great. Everything we got was delicious. The biggest standouts were the Rigatoni with Pork Ragu, Spicy Sausage Pizza, the Affogato (best donuts ever) and the Chocolate Hazelnut Tart. Love this place and glad I finally went.
(5)
Robert W.
Loved balena. Amazing atmosphere and service. Fantastic pizza. Went here a while ago and recall having a great experience but none of the food stands out.
(4)
Emann B.
I hate to say it, but what a disappointing end to my restaurant bender week. Let me be clear, that the food is a solid 4 stars, with some dishes (octopus, mackerel, pork mixed grill) at 5 stars. The space is beautiful, but they really need some baffling to reduce the noise. This place is LOUD! But look, if you're running a large restaurant, and cannot manage it to ensure that your customers are served timely, it completely ruins the experience. We had a reservation for 7pm on a Saturday, so we knew it would be bustling. But when you check in and are told "It will only be a moment" and a "moment" turns into 10 minutes, not good. Just say it will be 10 minutes! We then sat for another 10 minutes, and the server was so busy, the manager had to take our drink order. This shows the restaurant was not staffed appropriately for the busiest night of the week. There was so much time between our courses, and this really detracted from the experience. It doesn't matter how good the food is when the kitchen can't fire up the dishes in a timely manner. The server should not have to be burdened with repeat visits to our table with excuses for the long wait. We ALWAYS order dessert, but we were concerned it would take so long to arrive, we decided to close out the bill. Damn, and I really wanted to try that delectable pistachio deliciousness. Yeah, we arrived at 7pm and left at 9:45pm. Not good.
(2)
Anne C.
I've wanted to try this place for a while and when the opportunity arose for us to meet up for a double date with some other friends that love food and new restaurants, this was a great option. The space is beautiful and the atmosphere is relaxed and not too pretentious, which I always appreciate. We waited about 15-20 minutes with a reservation on a Saturday evening. Definitely not bad for a hot restaurant on a busy night. The menu here is great for sharing and even though one member of our party is not really into sharing, he still enjoyed it all. We shared a few starters-- the cheese plate, the focaccia with honey and ricotta (YUM!), and the kale Caesar Salad. We then shared 2 pizzas-- brussels sprout and pancetta (so good!) and the sausage pizza and also 2 pastas-- one with a pork ragu and a caccio e pepe spaghetti that was so good that we immediately ordered a second helping. And don't miss the affogato with homemade doughnuts for dessert. My husband ate the dougnuts and I finished off the affogato. So. good. Our waitress was very helpful in selecting drinks that complimented our meals and also in gauging how much food we should order for our group. All in all, a really delicious meal at Balena-- I'd absolutely go back!
(5)
Trish R.
The decor is beautiful, and the service is outstanding. I've been twice, and those are constants. The wine list is large and varied. Something about the food just doesn't move me, though. I'm now tried about eight different things on the menu, and would rank only two of them above a six (and the Tagliolini is not one of those). The way everyone raves about this place, I thought I would be absolutely floored - and maybe my expectations were just too high. It's very conveniently located to Steppenwolf, which is nice - and it really is very beautiful inside.
(3)
Steve G.
Big fan. The pizzas are outstanding, possibly the best in the city. Perfectly chewy, doughy crust and cooked for just the right amount of time. Was impressed by the cauliflower pizza, and the chili sauce offered on the side is great: much fresher than your standard chili flakes, great oily sweet-hot flavor. Terrific. Also dug the tagliolini nero, with crab and sea urchin and just the right touch of chili and mint at the end. Had one entree (the short ribs) that was pretty good but not the true star, which is the pizza and...oh, hell, the dessert of tiramisu is just as amazing as everyone says it is. I assume now-departed pastry chef Amanda Rockman taught an underling how to make it, because I can't imagine a better tiramisu. The "apple pie" sundae is also a must-get: apple sorbet, salted caramel gelato, pecans, and some crunchy crumble stuff scattered throughout. Baller desserts, no question. Would unquestionably go back, possibly to just sit at the bar drinking the (costly but great!) signatures cocktails and a pizza...and a pasta...and a dessert... Great service, fun and big space.
(5)
Kaleigh G.
The service at this restaurant was lovely and the ambiance was definitely unique, but I wouldn't hurry back here for a full meal. Perhaps for apps or a quick drink before the theater, but the prices on entrees do no match with their quality. And my pasta dish - a special that night - was delicious but the portion was tiny! The apps we had, including the bruschetta, were only so so, and I was left having expected more.
(2)
Keith G.
We wanted to wait until the 2nd visit before writing a review. Balena was just as satisfying the second time around. We love consistency! The atmosphere is pleasant and comfortable. From the hosts to the bus staff...everyone was very engaging. The wait staff is very knowledgeable regarding cocktails, wine, menu ingredients and preparations. While a little on the pricey side, the food is creative and very nicely presented. The pizzas are outstanding and generous in size. One of our new favorite places.
(4)
JW H.
My takeaway of Balena is it is a very good restaurant. It does a lot of things well. I hesitate a little to say it was worth the price because it is pricey for what you get. The food was good. My friend and I split the kale salad and scallop crudo. The kale salad came drenched in dressing and parm. It's decadent. The scallop crudo combined interesting flavors and was fresh and salty. I got the hen egg tajarin as my main dish. The pasta was cooked perfectly but a bit plain otherwise. I have no complaints about the simplicity of the dish, but it really consisted only of egg pasta, butter, and a few sage leaves. Not sure it should cost what it did. This is also not the place to go expecting Maggiano's-sized pasta portions. My friend ordered the tagliolini nero and she thought it was delicious. This is a gorgeous restaurant. We went on a quiet Sunday and were seated upstairs by the window. I loved the mellow ambiance, but I'm sure it is more lively on a busier night. The service was very good. Our waitress was knowledgeable, polite, and helpful. She was great! The host was very welcoming. I would go back, but likely for a special occasion, not for a "just because" meal.
(4)
Jeffrey Z.
My wife and I had been planning to try this place for a long time. It's a short walk from home, and it seems to have been on so many "best of" lists lately. We decided to get a handful of things and share. We started off with the Pecorino cheese plate, which was good but none of the cheeses impressed us. Next, we went with the Potato and Leek Ravioli with black truffle, which was absolutely amazing. The pasta was cooked perfectly, the sauce was creamy with great flavor, and the dish had just the right amount of truffle. The ravioli is enough of a reason for me to want to come back. The mushroom pizza was very good with just the right amount of toppings and a nice, thin, crisp crust. We were really full but still managed to eat some of the Hangar Steak that we ordered. It wasn't anything special and was a bit too smoky for my liking, so we didn't finish it and saved our little bit of room for dessert. For dessert we tried the Vanilla Gelato Sundae, which had a delicious cookie on the bottom and a rich chocolate sauce. It was was a perfect ending to a great meal. The service was very good and the decor was very nice. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. The cheese plate and steak kept me from giving this place a 5th star, but maybe they'll earn it on our next visit.
(4)
MP B.
What a lovely experience. On a weekday night, this space is relaxed, beautifully lit and just busy enough. The specialty cocktails are artfully made (can't wait to come back in warmer weather and try the Elixir again). Like other recent reviewers have pointed out, the oricchiette with crunchy breadcrumbs, lemon, chili and kale is fantastic and the perfect weight. The rolled porchetta was delicious too. A meat plate appetizer was more than enough for two (it would have served four well). Save room for the panna cotta, it's heavy, rich and complex. Very nice service- calm, relaxed, informative.
(5)
Tina K.
Yummy, yummy, yummy. Finally went here for dinner last Friday night and loved it! We started with The Balena platter for a starter, which is a variety of breads (e.g., lavender sage, chocolate cherry), cheeses and cured meats. I highly recommend it if you have more than a party of 2 (and if you have less than that, just pace yourselves since it's a lot of food). Next we shared some pasta dishes and a pizza. All were good, but I LOVED the orecchiette w/lemon, kale and bread crumbs. (I am wishing I had a plate of it right now.) Overall, service was good and the atmosphere was fun and energetic.
(4)
Guy K.
Awesome atmosphere and great service. Loved the kale salad, pasta, and pork dish. You won't need the big wine book. The wines on their menu are typically the best.
(4)
Chaz A.
I took that long break from reviews and in that long break, ate at a LOT of places. this one stands out. tagliolini nero is perhaps the best pasta dish in the city. boka + bristol + spot-on no-fuss italian = perfection enjoy.
(5)
Char Y.
we came as a group and ordered scallop crudo burrata di panna lamb liver bruschetta tagliolini nero pappardelle fennel sausage pizza very impressed with the freshness and flavor of the food.
(4)
Mandi R.
I was here a few weeks ago and had a wonderful experience! Our waiter, Linus, was really nice and had great recommendations. For an appetizer, he recommended the Zampone with lentils, and it was awesome! For dinner, we ate the Gigli pasta (yes.. like the horrible movie) and the gnocchi with beef heart bolognese- both amazing. I was a little nervous about the beef heart, but it was so delicious. We shared the chocolate-hazelnut dessert, and it did not disappoint. Several different people came to our table to ask how everything was, and they always explained a little bit about each of the dishes. Another server, Garen, even showed us the kitchen when she saw us checking it out. Overall, we had a great experience! I will be back. :)
(5)
Michelle S.
I JUST CAN'T SAY ENOUGH. both times have been an incredible experience, and the most recent visit just blew my mind. my significant other is a cook in the BoKa group so we definitely got some perks and samples- even without that, though, everything was just spot on. FOOD. AMBIANCE. SERVICE. shout out to our server randy- he nailed the wine recommendation and really let our meal flow at a perfect pace. things we consumed: cheese plate, mushroom bruschetta, sweet pea bruschetta, sweet onion gratin, gnocchi, burrata salad, porchetta, and a cannoli sundae. i would highly recommend any of them! that gnocchi straight up melted in my mouth. ummm p.s. the cucumber basil cello for an after dinner drink really just blew me away. sweet, earthy, crisp, smooth, and boozy. yup. i'm not even mad that i haven't had a cocktail yet that blows me away. because i know it's there, and when i find it, imma drink it all. night. long. OH WE ARE GOING BACK THERE ALWAYS.
(5)
Christina Y.
Love the ambiance and decor. Good date place. Amazing flavorful food. Smaller portions, but quality. Skip the cheese platter- not worth the price. Pizza was awesome. The black pasta is a must. Would recommend sharing plates. Our waitress was extremely knowledge and helpful. Tiramisu was best I have had.
(4)
Stefano G.
Food was mediocre. We think we left our credit card there, and we called the next day at 6pm to see if we left it there. They said they would call us back. After hearing nothing until 7:30pm, I called back. They said they would call back, and they never did. I called at 11pm. They said to call them the next day after 1pm. I think it is disrespectful, it wouldn't take so much effort to look up if they had found one card! Meanwhile, I blocked the card.
(1)
Lindsay J.
Went on a Friday night @7:30. We were late for a reservation, but they got us in no problem. We had the heirloom tomato pizza, very good. But what made it better was the chili oil side for dipping. We also asked for balsamic for dipping, smart move. There were two if us, so we split the pizza and got two sides. The grilled radicchio was good but very bitter, I wish the dressing would have been stronger. Then there was the irresistible onion gratin. It was out of this world. The only change I would make is to save more onions to top the pizza with, amaze!!! My friend had wine, but I went for the 'bitter' menu. Had the rosemary first, more bitter than its no. 2 rating & then I tried the Malino. I like it much better. It had citrus overtones. Trendy, chic, fun and a GREAT waitress equalled a wonderful night. The weakness on the prices for the portions (beyond the pizza menu, I mean) and the variety, there really wasn't all that much to pick from. Finall, super small pours, expecially on wine.
(4)
Vaidehi T.
Beautiful restaurant with amazing food. The ambiance at Balena is beautiful, upscale and intimate. The interiors is all made of wood, giving it a rustic, yet an elegant feel. The service was fantastic and we had a wonderful evening at Balenas. We ordered the chilled asparagus as a starter, and for the main course we ordered the orrichiette and the tomato, basil, mozz pizza. The food was delicious... well made... with clean flavor profiles. The food was made with fresh ingredients, with not too complicated flavors... where the flavors of the fresh ingredients came through. The kind of Italian food that I love. The pizza was one of the best Neopolitan pizzas I have eaten. The pasta dish was great... with kale and lemon sauce. The portion sizes are not too overwhelming. We also ordered the pistachio gelato sundae for dessert... and it was perfect... creamy, sweet and delicious. I wonder why I had not visited Balena sooner, but now it is definitely on my list of go-to special places.
(5)
Sam D.
My parents came to visit Chicago and I wanted to find a great place in Lincoln Park to take them. Balena was an awesome place and our evening was very enjoyable! Our service was impeccable and the server timed everything just right, from the appetizer and cocktails to the wine pour with dinner. The food was outstanding as was the atmosphere. Will definitely be coming back or to another restaurant in the Boka group (went to Boka earlier this year and had just as fantastic of an experience). Next time I definitely want to get one of the pizzas as an appetizer for the group - saw a lot of those come out of the kitchen!
(5)
Tony C.
A bit pricey. Overly pretentious and complex menu. Small portions for the pricing. Excellent desserts.
(2)
Lynn P.
The food was exquisite, so I can't believe that I am rating this place lower than Chuck E Cheese, but fifty percent of a restaurant experience is the service, and I was turned off from the minute my mother and I entered at 6:00 on a Tuesday night. When the hostess heard that we did not have a reservation and were not going to the theater, she asked if we could please sit at the bar. No, my elderly mother and I do not want to sit on high bar stools by the entrance way on a cold evening. After they deigned to give us a seat the service continued to disappoint. I find it pretentious to hear a waiter ask if I have food allergies and concerns; though in retrospect, I should have told her that I was allergic to waiting long periods of time for a glass of wine. Ok, aside from this rant, I did enjoy the scallop appetizer and the black linguini. It was savory and interesting and unlike anything I could have made myself or gotten at a more ordinary restaurant. Maybe I will go back and sit at the bar.
(3)
Harrison K.
This is a placeholder for my next visit-- but i can say Balena has made every and all efforts to make things right with me.
(5)
Ali A.
You really see what a place is like when things go wrong at your favorite restaurant. This place, no matter what would happen, will always be one of our favorite restaurants; my husband would eat the sea urchin pasta for breakfast. We brought friends from out of town in for dinner last night. Your favorite place sometimes will have a night when they are not on their A game. The food and their drinks (their wine list is fantastic) never has a bad night, but our planets were not aligned in regards to how long it took etc. The staff there is outstanding. From the hostesses, to the managers, to the individuals taking care of the tables, and our candles are never left unlit. They went above and beyond last night to make things right. Even to a point we stopped their kind gestures because it came to a point where I felt we were taking advantage of our favorite restaurant. They are one of the few places that still believes in customer service. This is a must - go - to place and if you happen to experience a not so perfect night, go back because that is a rare occurrence.
Yum. Yum. Yum! I cannot wait to return to this new gem. We showed up quite late in the evening and was told that the kitchen was pretty much broken down except for the pizzas. No worries, we were starved. OMG. Ordered the mushroom, spicy sausage and lasanga pizzas. Really, it was too much food for four people but DELICIOUS. Great dough. We all were split on what our favorites were. The group also had the good fortune to try the desserts. The donuts with the coffee/ice cream dripping sauce was awesome as was the tiramisu. Favorite, hands down, was the pine nut carmel tart. Soft, chewy, just perfect. I hope to get back soon before this place gets crazy busy. I want to pet the leather bar again.
(5)
Laura L.
Being on the Eater Heat Map I suppose I had high expectations. It wasn't that the food was bad...I just wasn't bowled over. The cocktails were great! We also didn't try the flatbread which I have heard is great but it's just not my thing. With so many places opening lately and in the next few months sometimes it's hard to distinguish yourself with the food I guess!
(3)
Justin M.
Review 39 4 Stars Visits : 1 Food : 4 Service : 4 Ambiance : 4 Value : 3.5 Summary Balena features a great space, well cooked food and attentive service. Mostly everything we ordered was delicious with the exception of the pasta which we feel needs some work. Details Balena has been on the list for a while! Admittedly, we are big fans of the Bristol and Italian food, so we've been looking forward to the combination of the two indeed and seeing what results... The decor is really welcoming overall - nicely designed, very comfortable and inviting. Good natural lighting, comfy chairs and nice finishes are throughout the old Landmark space. The place has a good wooden and modern surface feel, and its split level design for the kitchen makes good use of the high ceiling of the place. It feels large yet intimate, with the main dining area being split into two areas, along with a groovy bar and suspended spirit shelf. Noise level just right - would have been around 60% full and that is because our reservation was quite early. Overall great interior design which makes you want to stay more. So we started with drinks - the Carmella and Elixer - they come in small glasses that you would expect your Italian neighbours next door to whip up and nonchalantly slide you over their home kitchen and table. Not too bitter, not too sweet - just pleasant apertif's overall to get you in the mood for an Italian feast. Next was Peter's Bread. We considered getting the whole Balena platter, but reined it in to just the bread. Why you ask - well the thinking was of all the places we've eaten, bread and cheese are always pretty memorable but salamis and cold cuts are usually just good. The bread was amazing - lots of variety with dipping sauces, crusty and full of flavor and life. Carrot bread, chocolate breads, sourdough - something for everyone. One of the best things on the menu and highly recommended. I will remind you to get the bread later. We managed to save some bread (don't how it survived that long) and then moved on to appetizers. We had the Arugala Salad and the Smoked Mackarel. The salad was light and refreshing - toasted pine nuts and with a vinegarette that showed healthy restraint. The mackarel was outstanding - the smokiness quickly overcame the usual richness of mackarel flavour and combined with egg and crumbs was a standout. Pasta was next and we were disappointed - Taglioni Nero with Crab and Farm Egg Tajarin. These looked good, but one was very salty while the other was very tart and just too much lemon juice. The staff made everything right here and took it off our cheque - it was much appreciated. One of the biggest drawcards for us for Italian food is the pasta, and in Balena's price range we compare it to places like Ripasso and Anteprima. We feel that the pasta needs a bit of work, but perhaps we were a bit unlucky in out selection. Swordfish and Baked Polenta made up for the pasta - swordfish was deliciously buttery and seasoned while the polenta was straightforward but a nice complementary dish - rich roasty tomato atop polenta. Had a home cooking taste to it. Finally dessert - we summoned the Tiramisu and Affogato to finish with. The Affogato was good - donuts were light and fluffy, while the tiramisu was very nice with the cake done a little differently to get around the usual soggy tiramisu and some nice cake crumbles on the top. Service was very good overall and welcoming. We look forward to our return to Balena and especially for the bread.
(4)
H M.
Recently dined at Balena with 3 girlfriends. Given the hype, and that it's new, and extremely busy - I wasn't expecting much more than loud music, crowds, and just okay food. Boy , was I surprised! The restaurant is cool/lovely. Kind of "hip rustic" design, with very high ceilings and a stone floors with wooden tables. We were greeted promptly, and had a drink at the bar first. The hosts were wonderful; even though our table was ready (during primetime on a Friday night) they didn't pressure us to leave the bar & sit down. If you can, ask for a table on the 2nd floor, near the windows. The banquettes are really comfortable, and not too close together. They have an extensive Italian wine list, with many different price points. Our server was very attentive, and the meal (which was many small plates) was paced just right. We had a pizza, shrimp, pasta, bruschetta, and a few other things. Everything was very delicious, and not your typical red-sauce italian fare. The music loudness was "just right" (i.e., we could still hold a conversation and easily hear each other), despite how crowded the restaurant was. We will definitely eat here again. (Bring a few people so you can share things - the menu is really varied!)
(4)
Amanda F.
The food, service, decor, drinks...everything basically was top notch. I am still dreaming about the sausage pizza. And the cheese/meat plate. Holy moly it was so good. Our server Carrier, was incredible. The restaurant is so so so great...I cannot stress how a place like this is so perfect for Chicago. The price is perfect for the quality. I wish there were more places like this. The restaurant is full of 20-30s and older adults as well, so you should feel comfortable on a sexy date, girls night, or a family dinner. I will be back as soon as I can!!
(5)
Steven B.
My friend is getting married so we decided to get 8 guys together to dine at Balena. I called ahead and spoke with the GM Anna to see if we could set up a tasting menu for the table. Anna was extremely helpful and she made it happen for us. The food was incredible! Everything we had was delicious. I will be returning for sure!
(5)
Mariya V.
Loved the atmosphere and decoration. We ordered bruschetta with beets as a starter along with drinks and the bruschetta was delicious! We shared the pork ragu and orecchiette, and both were so filing and delicious. The pork ragu was my favorite! Would definitely come back just for that. For dessert, we shared the tiramisu which was so smooth and flavorful. I give this place a 3 stars because of the service. The bartender was great and attentive (and gave us recommendations!), however, our waiter paid no attention to us. It wasn't even packed the night we went and he took over 40 minutes (yes, we checked the time) to take our order and was no where in sight the whole time we dined. All we were doing was looking for him when we needed something. Disappointing.
(3)
Adrienne B.
Heard great things about Balena so I decided to give it a try on a Friday night! Balena had many openings for reservations probably because the restaurant is pretty big! There is an upstairs & downstairs! As we sat down our waiter introduced himself and was very knowledgeable about the menu. I first started off with the Italian Mamba as my cocktail it was a little different than what I was expecting but it was still refreshing and good! As for an appetizer we started off with the smoked mackerel, soft egg. Wow wow wow! Can't even explain this dish!! Fish and egg mixed together is deliciousness! For our entree we had the octopus and the Agnolotti, cauliflower, sunflower seed pasta. Both dishes were great! I really really enjoyed the octopus.. So tender! Lastly had two side dishes! The Beets & squash. Both were tasty! I really enjoyed this restaurant! The atmosphere is romantic and upbeat! Great date spot or group dinner with friends!
(4)
Liz T.
I recently took my husband to Balena for his 30th birthday after his co-workers raved about it for a solid year. I can't say we were disappointed after all the hype--not one bit. I think what makes Balena special is its truly artisinal food without all the pretense and price of its modern Italian counterparts in Chicago. I love that they serve up dishes family style. I love that they have affordable pizzas on the menu. I love that the pasta is truly some of the best I've had in the city. My husband and I got the arugula salad, the rigatoni alla ragu, and the sausage/onion/chili pizza. We also got a side of the cucumbers in sour cream/black pepper sauce. Of these, hands down the rigatoni was wonderfully al dente, with some of the most flavorful ragu sauce I've ever tasted--the perfect balance of savory and sweet. The meat was beautifully seasoned and paired the pasta perfectly. The pizza also had wondrously flavorful sauce with perfectly fresh-from-the-hearth dough. We'll definitely be coming back next time--the perfect place to bring out of town guests to show them some Chicago foodie love.
(5)
Diego C.
Balena has become a hotspot in Chicago and chef Chris Pandel has prepared an inventive and fabulous menu. Located in Lincoln Park, Balena offers a gourmet experience with a casual yet sophisticated feel, a lot like this new trend for hipster gourmet restaurants. The food is great, period. Innovative dishes, great quality ingredients, amazing flavors and a pretty ample wine list. Our favorites were the Mushroom Bruschetta, Tagliolini Nero with crab meat and sea urchin, the Brussels sprouts as a side, and the caramel budino for dessert. It's fame is well deserved. Prices were reasonable ($45-65 per person including wine) and staff was knowledgeable and friendly.
(4)
Kim O.
The bf and I recently traveled to Chicago to celebrate my 30th birthday. Out of all the meals I had planned for the trip, I was most excited about this one, but unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. I originally had made reservations that night for RPM Italian, but after reading reviews on Balena (with a nod in 2012 from Bon Apetit as one of the best new restaurants in America), I decided we should go there. While the service was attentive and friendly, though albeit slightly uniformed (when I asked if their pizza with apricot, broccoli leaves, and pancetta would still be good without the pancetta, they said yes, and spoiler alert it was so tart it was almost inedible), the atmosphere was very stuffy and scene-y (seen-y?), which I'm not crazy about. The burrata panna with olive oil and sea salt was the best thing we ate that night, and it was incredible. The toast was smokey and peppery, and the burrata was seasoned perfectly. The chilled beets I had were good at first, but the scallion mixture quickly became too overpowering, and I could only eat a little bit of it. We ordered the spaghetti cacio pepe, and while it was good, it was surprisingly thick and heavy, and not what we were anticipating. We also ordered the ricotta gnudi with sweet pea crema. It was different, and definitely an interesting flavor/textural experience. I did enjoy this dish. Don't get me wrong, Balena is certainly a good restaurant, though inocnsistant. It unfortunately did not live up to the high expectations we had.
(3)
Elizabeth N.
This place was a great surprise. I had never heard of it - but decided to check it out before a play at the royal george. They were very aware of timing for the play. The food was awesome and the ambiance was great. The drink service was a little slow but the margarita's were great.
(4)
Jeremy L.
Hate Birthdays, but love Balena. People are saying 30 is the new 20, I think they are saying that to me because they know I have issues with aging. At the age of 20 I thought Olive Garden was what it meant to have amazing Italian. I guess that is one thing about getting older: Actually know good food. Balena is great food. I had my birthday dinner at Balena and my friends and I had a wonderful experience. Was able to make reservations a week in advance through OpenTable. Our waiter was fabulous. Waiter is not even the right term, he was our food guide; answering questions, making suggestions and being great. Food was excellent. Menu is set up in different categories and meant for sharing: antipasti, bruchetta, pasta, pizza, vegetables, hearth and dolce. Here are some of my highlights. Bruschetta: The Tuna Conserva Bruschetta is excellent. Get it. Pasta: Out of the pastas we ordered, the gnocchi was my favorite. Pizza: We ordered three pizzas, spicy pepperoni, margharita and rhubarb. Liked them all. Spicy pep had a kick and the spice lasted. Veggies: Asparagus done great, lemon and sea salt. Hearth: Loved the way they cooked the octopus. Grilled and yummy! Thanks Balena for making getting older a little less painful. Happy Eats, Jeremy
(5)
Kate P.
I've heard good things about this spot and have been wanting to try it. Two friends and I tried to get a reservation same day but we were told the reservations were full but we could walk in in hopes of finding seats at the bar. We walked in on a Friday night around 7:15 and were seated right away! Not sure how common that is. The decor is beautiful, open, warm, rustic, and inviting. We enjoyed everything we ordered. The server was great with recommending wines for us. We started with the burrata which was amazing, fresh and mild. We loved the unique flavorful breadsticks with a perfect spice (black pepper?). The lemon kale orecchiette was fantastic -- a wonderful fresh mild lemon flavor. Wonderful. The brussels sprouts were also fantastic. We also ordered the spicy pepperoni pizza which was hearty, but the other plates stood out more. We also had the pear ginger crostata (good) and my friend had an amaro flight (very unique). We had plenty of food and drink for three. Overall, we enjoyed every aspect of Balena. Great menu for food and drink, impeccable service.
(5)
Mehran F.
Lovely. Service by Marcello was excellent, personable and attentive. Pizza delicious, as were the pasta dish we ordered, a couple of side dishes and the octopus. Need to return a couple of more times and try their other dishes. I needed a good meal after my bad dinner at Momotaro last night. Thanks.
(4)
Plamena G.
My husband took me to Balena for Valentine's day. The service, the food, the atmosphere, the whole night was perfect. We were seated in the downstairs room, which was very intimate and romantic. The menu for the night was a prefix menu that consisted of four courses. The first course was for the table: a citrus salad (burnt pine nut vinaigrette and finger chili) & a smoked trout dish (sunchoke, bliss trout roe, horseradish creme fraiche). Both were really good, especially the trout! The second course was for the table as well: chestnut polenta agnolotti (fontina fonduta, amaretti cookie) and rigatoni (oxtail ragu, bone marrow). Again, both were good, but the rigatoni was excellent! For the third course we had a choice of four dishes. I picked the icelandic cod (turnip kraut, mustard zabaglione, fried rye gnocchi) and my husband picked the chicken cacciatore (barley, pickled ramp). Both excellent choices. Both the trout and the chicken were very tender and cooked to perfection. The combination of flavors of each dish were paired superbly! For the dessert, we had two options and we picked one of each - the nougat semifreddo (dried fruit and walnut, lemon crema, pistachio gelato) and the chocolate and polenta tart (date syrup, coffee gelato). They were both really delectable, a perfect way to end a perfect night. I would definitely come back to Balena!
(5)
Teddy H.
This place is a gem. Went on a first date here (sat at the Chef's Table overlooking the kitchen) and have gone back for every anniversary (now at 3 years!). The staff is exceptional and extremely knowledgeable about their menu. The ambience is chic and romantic, and the cocktails are beyond impressive. I highly recommend for a quick bite before hitting the theater or a leisurely dinner on a Friday or Saturday. It's all about service for me and they hit it out of the park. Bravo!
(4)
Carolyn T.
My experience dining at Balena on a Friday night was pretty much flawless. I was 10 minutes late to our 5:30 reservation, but they were able to keep our table as long as we were done by 7:30 when there was another reservation. My friend was on her second drink at the bar by the time I arrived and she raved to me about the drinks, as well as the insanely good service she had already experienced. All the staff, including the hostesses, coat check, servers, and runners were friendly, warm, and poised. Our server gave us a great run-through of the menu and explained that people typically ordered two courses and that the pizzas were recommended for the table to share. He also told is that they could only cook six pizzas at a time, so to order sooner rather than later if we wanted one. I was in a pizza mood, so I decided I would get a pizza for my entree. Our server tried to convince me to reconsider by highlighting some other options on my menu. He said the pizza was big, but I felt like he really just wanted me to spend more because I had already forgone a drink (and, later, dessert). Plus, who says I can't eat a whole pizza by myself? We didn't have to wait too long for our food. My mozzarella, pomodoro, and basil thin crust pizza was really delicious. The sauce and crust were on point. The crust was crispy and not at all floppy or soggy. My friend raved about her duck fat potatoes and thought her prawns were great, but perhaps too small of a portion to satisfy her appetite. Even if I did feel a little uncomfortable that the server was trying to convince me to spend more than I did, I had an undeniable five-star experience dining at Balena. It was the perfect choice for dinner before seeing Animal Farm at the Steppenwolf across the street. I will certainly return for the squid ink pasta, the drinks, and dessert menu! What a wonderful stop on our Michelin Bib Gourmand tour.
(5)
Greg S.
My girlfriend and I went to Balena for our Anniversary. The hosts and wait staff were very considerate throughout the evening. They even gave us a quiet table in the corner by the window. The dishes are on the smaller side, so be sure to order enough of them for the table. I had one bite of the Mushroom Bruschetta and I was hooked. I've been dreaming about the dish ever since.
(5)
Jennifer E.
Came back last night after a whole year of hiatus. My husband and I shared the trio of cheeses and I liked 2/3 and he liked 2/3. We have different preferences on cheese so it helped that we had options. I brought my one year old with us. They were very accommodating with getting her lots of bread. They also made her pasta with butter (which my husband mostly ate lol). I had their Bass special. The fish was perfectly cooked with the right amount of salt and spices. My husband had the sausage pizza. I think what they do best is their pastas. Their pizza is good, not great. The drinks and the dessert was fabulous. Hope to return back since we live nearby :)
(5)
Katie P.
I stopped by recently on a weeknight for a quick bite before seeing a play next door. I sat in the bar and ordered the Trout and a hazelnut/chocolate desert. The service was good and there was a warm ambiance but I left being a bit disappointed. My trout with lentils was yummy but I was expecting a but more for the price. The portion was small, not many lentils etc. For $24 I guess I expected more of a side without paying an extra $8. The atmosphere is nice and it's probably one of the better places to eat if you're going to Steppenwolf or Royal George nearby. If I come back I think it will be for the pizza which seems more moderately priced and a desert!
(3)
Stacey N.
UGH. What happened to this place? We used to love Balena. Would have recommended it to anyone and everyone. Last night we went to take some friends and we promised they'd love every minute and every bite. We were horribly wrong. We waited to be seated though we had a reservation. We went to get two simple drinks at the bar (glass of champagne and vodka on the rocks), and it took at least 12 minutes for the bartender to bring us menus and ask us what we'd like. I'm in the industry, I know very well what it's like behind a bar, and I wasn't able to assess any valid reason for the delay. We were seated and waited 15 or so minutes to be approached by a server. Strike 1. He was hurried, short, and had few recommendations. Strike 2. We chose the first bottle of wine (out of two) and the burrata appetizer. The bread was burned. Strike 3. We eventually put in our next (pasta) course. We were not re-approached to ask how our appetizer was, nor our pasta course. When the server did re-approach us he was highly uninformative, told us they didn't have the full roasted chicken we planned to share (not his fault, but he did not come up with an alternative suggestion for us), so I chose one in haste because he was obviously in a hurry. The food used to be fantastic. We did not feel at all the same at all about last night's meal. Mediocre? Less than? Super upset from start to finish. After finishing our meals and second bottle of wine, we chose two desserts and an amaro flight to share. A woman, who I can only assume was the manager on duty, observed our disappointment? frustration? and offered us a complimentary 2nd amaro flight of our choice. Despite that being a kind gesture, it didn't fix the awful service and sub par food. We won't be returning. Also -- there is one of the TACKIEST, biggest signs in the women's restroom, the one that announces that 'all employees must wash their hands before returning to work.' Though I respect that sentiment, and I pray they all do--this used to be a beautiful, high end restaurant, where I would hope the staff do not need that simple reminder. Sad.
(1)
Tiffany P.
Highly recomended especially if you're looking for a place before a show at Stepenwolf. Balena is a neat place. I love love the high cielings and our waiter provided excellent service. All the food we got was good too- pasta, bread, AWESOME olives, and thin crust pizza! My family and I came here before a show, and they did a great job of having us in and out in an hour. We got two appetizers (including the olives which were small), the spicy shrimp pasta, and a 14" pizza. It was plenty of food. The waiter suggested that we get one more pasta when we ordered, but I'm so glad that we didn't! The pasta was good but we all agreed that it was a bit too spicy. It was spicy to the point that it masked the flavor. It was uncomfortably hot for my aunts. The pizza was very, very good however. And I would highly recomend those homemade, herb infused olives. I would actually return just for those olives and some wine! The food menu contains some wine listed by the glass or by the bottle. But they have an additional wine menu if you're looking to buy by the bottle, so ask for that.
(4)
Jennifer K.
When I was planning my solo trip to Chicago, I had my eyes on Balena. I just could not resist anything with Sea Urchin and Tagliolini Nero just sounded so good. I got lucky as 2 of my friends joined my eating Chicago trip so I got to try out a few more items at Balena. I like how the menu is seasonally and they has some specials that offers depends on season. So we ended up order a few items to share. Duck Liver Bruschetta ($10) Tripe Fettunta ($11) Chitarra ($16) Tagliolini Nero Seafood ($19) Strotzapetti with Razor Clams ($16) Frillman Farms Carrot ($8) Nougat Semifreddo ($9) Every dish was cooked and prepared with care. Love the Razor Clams pasta which is not even on the menu. I found the Tagliolini so so compared to other dish. Service is amazing! Attentive, Outgoing and Knowledgeable! I am so glad I included Balena as one of the stops and dragged my friends along with me!
(4)
Tyler B.
Great atmosphere and drinks are different and are good. Expensive but get what you pay for ha. Pizza is good but I'm fan of deep dish pizza. The breadsticks here are amazing. The service was by far 5 stars. Drinks filled without asking and the waiters were great. Only reason I gave it 4 stars is cause it had no deep dish pizza.
(4)
Norm J.
I've been wanting to come to Balena for awhile and was finally able to go there for one of my 6 birthday dinners. Location - 5 stars Balena is located a short walk from the North/Clybourn red line stop so it's definitely easy to get to (no need to drive and worry about parking or pay for valet). Cocktails - 3 stars I went to order a Tanqueray and Tonic while I waited for the rest of my friends to arrive and thought I had walked into the land of What The HELL Did You Say, when I was told that they didn't have Tanqueray. I settled for a Ketel One and Sprite, which was good and strong, but didn't make up for the fact that they didn't have the one gin that I like. Food - 4 stars The food was so good and I can definitely see why people rave about this place. The Fennel Sausage Pizza and Mushroom Pizza are must tries! Service - 2 stars Our waitress had an attitude that made me think she was from Lake Forest and being forced to work here by her parents for the summer. The fact that she failed to bring me my birthday dessert, but made sure 2 people sitting in my section got their birthday dessert definitely didn't endear me to her. Balena would have received 4 stars from me, but the crappy service knocked them down to 3 stars. I'll be back to try more dishes, but hopefully, I'll receive better service.
(3)
Kate W.
We visited Balena as part of our quest to visit every bib gourmond restaurant in chicago. We went on the second day of my last spring break ever--a reason to celebrate if there ever was one! We started with wine, which was excellent. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful. We shared three plates: the smoked mackerel with a soft boiled egg (amazing and strange and innovative and delicious), the nero pasta with crab and uni (am now spoiled for any other pasta holy sh*t this was INCREDIBLY), and the short rib (meh not great but decent). Also, not outrageously expensive! Yes please. The restaurant is very nice (except for the weird, burned out neon bulbs on the walls near the bar--what's going on with that?). We will definitely be back!
(4)
Niti B.
Expected just another italian restaurant but this was definitely better than your regular italian spot. I checked out the restaurant week menu and would have to say that this was worth it! I started with the beet bruschetta with whipped ricotta and pickled red onion. A wonderful twist on a traditional piece of bruschetta for sure! The pickled onion and sweet beets complimented each other very well and the Crunch of the crostinni and creamy of the ricotta was a great textural balance. For my second course I had the potato gnocchi with fontina fondutta. This was a pretty decent dish but nothing that really blew me out of the water. I was definitely satisfied though. Lastly, I had the nougat semifreddo with dried fruit and walnuts, a lemon crema and pistachio gelato. This was a perfect endnote for a rich dinner. The flavors blended well with a brightness from the citrus and the creamy gelato finish in your mouth you weren't left feeling like it was too much or you were stuffed. Overall, this venue is beautiful. With the high ceilings and rustic decor it is very breathtaking. Our waitress was also very accomodating and the service was fabulous.
(4)
Melissa N.
Went here for the first time last night for a girls' night out. The ambiance is great: trendy, yet not pretentious. The two-level space is beautiful. I enjoyed many Strawberry No. 1 cocktails, which were just heavenly and my favorite part of the entire dining experience (hiccup). Our table opted for the Restaurant Week menu, but we also ordered the brussels sprouts pizza, which was my favorite food item. Our first course from the pre-fixe menu was the beet bruschetta, which I loved (and I'm not big on beets). My friend and I shared each other's pasta course, so I was able to try the bolognese (meh) and gnocchi (divine). The entrees were the biggest disappointment of the meal. I got something called chicken sausage which I never should have ordered based on the name alone, but the only other option was whitefish, and both of them sucked. Bland, bland, bland. Major let-down. Dessert was good: I can't even remember what it was called, but it was some custard concoction with a scoop of pistachio gelato on the side. Very tasty. Our waiter was super nice in the beginning, but it seemed like he cared less and less about our table as the night went on (in fairness, the restaurant was packed all evening). When the bill came, it was higher than we expected, but then again we did get a lot of food. Overall, Balena deserves three and a half stars, but I'm in a generous mood and will round up instead of down. I'd come back here again, though, for sure.
(4)
Vicki K.
Not impressed.....at all. Burrata appetizer...good, but nothing that made my eyes pop. I had the teglio nero with the crab/sea urchin, after I asked the waiter what I should choose between that, or the octopus.....in hindsight, wish I would have gone with my gut and had the octopus......the pasta was just "meh".....again, nothing that I would order again. My daughter had the cauliflower/sunflower seed pasta....it had good flavor, but the portion size was TINY....yes, it was the small portion, but c'mon.....more than 3 bites was expected....we also ordered 3 sides....beets, cucumbers, and carrots...ALL VERY pedestrian...something that looked and tasted like they came from a regular mom and pop diner. Would not go again.
(2)
Erica L.
Second trip here, similar sentiments. Great selection of cocktails and wine. They also offer a refreshing lemon soda from Almafi, which is the same one sold at Eataly. The table had a jar of peppery thin breadsticks that were nice and crispy. We started with the Burrata di Panna, which is the most popular appetizer per our server. It was so creamy and delicious; however, the cheese to whole wheat cracker ratio was definitely large. I was disappointed it only came with 4 crackers. We split the Cacio e Pepe and Rigatoni pastas. The cacio e pepe was good, but I've had better. At least it was al dente. The rigatoni was overcooked. We also split the Grilled Prawns, which is meant to be an entree for one so we added the side of glazed carrots at the recommendation of our server. The prawn heads were crispy and seasoned well. The side was a generous portion of carrots of different colors and shapes. We had the pizza the first time around, but it wasn't that memorable. The food was presented very nicely. I really wanted to try the Chocolate and Hazelnut Croccante, which the server described as a "grown up Kit Kat bar", but was too stuffed for dessert. She offered to have that or the Tiramisu to go, so that's definitely an option in the future. Overall, nice ambiance and a great place to grab a cocktail and share a few plates before heading over to the theater or shopping on North Ave. The food itself was just okay.
(3)
amber h.
I came here with my husband for our anniversary. We both loved this place. We're fairly picky when it comes to Italian restaurants. My husband comes from a traditional Italian family. His mom was a cook for many years and he grew up in a kitchen and so is a very good cook himself. He has a knack for tasting a dish, being able to replicate it and even improve upon it. As a result, our standards are pretty high. We want a place with a nice ambience, professional waitstaff and amazing food. Balena hit the mark on all three. In terms of decor, the place is very spacious. Too many Chicago restaurants neglect comfort, opting to shove as many tables into the space as they can until it starts to feel like a bus depot or a cafeteria. In Balena, many of the seats are spread far apart and, in some parts of the restaurant, it can feel downright private. When we arrived, there _were_ a few tables close together (I think they usually use them for large groups) and our hostess tried to seat us uncomfortably close to another party but when I explained that we were there for our anniversary, she took us to a more secluded section of the restaurant. In terms of the waitstaff, they're extremely knowledgeable. From having perused some of the other reviews, it sounds like some people might be intimidated by this, but for us, the sharing of information is a good sign. It means that the staff have received extensive (and, in some cases, formal) training. Our waiter was very pleasant and was attentive without being intrusive. The food itself was great. Our appetizers, entrees and desserts were amazing and neither my husband nor I had the slightest complaint. The portion sizes were just right, too. Not so small that you leave feeling hungry but not so large that you don't have room for dessert afterwards. We've been back in Chicago since 2011 and this is probably the first really nice Italian restaurant that we've liked enough to add into our regular rotation of places.
(5)
Al P.
We went to Balena after booking our table with weeks in advance, on a Monday night. We were welcomed in the reception and a few seconds later went to the bar. The place is really cozy, right lights and music. The service is definitely a key to the great experience we had. When it comes to food, we had a selection of appetizers (too small) and they were really good and tasty. The main courses were amazing, especially the black linguine. Wine list according to the Italian concept of the restaurant. It's definitely a good place to go as a couple or in a small group. On a separate note, something I didn't understand: A friend of mine wanted to book a table for the same night and time (9 PM) but he couldn't, they said they were fully booked for the night; however, when we were there, 75% of the tables were empty. I really don't understand this policy of not allowing people to book when the place is almost empty.
(4)
Jen W.
I lived in Chicago for 10 years, and was on a recent trip back when my bff (and fellow food lover) recommended we check out Balena. I was in a group of 3, and we all left very disappointed. For starters, the service wasn't good. Our server started out as somewhat endearing, due to his insecure, yet also bizarrely confident, demeanor. Throughout our meal though, he made several questionable comments (ie: asking my friend why she wasn't drinking, not knowing she was 5 weeks pregnant and hence not showing/telling anyone yet). He also spilled a drink, told me that "literally" is a stupid word (after I used it to ask a question), etc. Just really bad service, some of the worst I've had...and I go out to eat a lot! Despite the service however, I was excited for the food, which unfortunately also fell short. We began with the Tuscan Kale Caesar which was decent, though not great. Next we split the Rigatoni, Pork Rago and Porcini Mushrooms pasta, which was tasty enough, but forgettable despite the great ingredients. We also shared a pizza, which was so underwhelming I don't even recall which one it was. On to dessert, figuring that would save the meal, we ordered their gelato. Our server once again put his foot in his mouth, as he proceeded to "teach" us what gelato was, not bothering to ask if we were curious/didn't already know. I did marketing for a major gelato brand a year ago, so we all found this moment quite funny-particularly because several of his gelato "facts" were incorrect. While it's true service can make or break a meal, this experience was no exception. And the reality that the food was mediocre too, it couldn't be saved by the great atmosphere. I won't be venturing into Balena again when I visit Chicago again-far too many other great restaurants, and neither will my two friends, who are foodies and Chicagoans themselves.
(2)
Dalia M.
My girlfriend and I came here for one of our "date nights". We try to hit up good eats and stuff ourselves without the boyfriends in the picture semi-frequently. We ordered ourselves a bottle of wine and had a total of six dishes between us. The dishes are not super large so we aren't that chubby... Maybe a little. We had the mussels and the short rib, bookending our savory with pastas: the sage & brown butter noodles and the rigatoni pork ragu. Ended with a gelato trio and the "Kit Kat"-esque dessert. We were sat right away, had a sweet waitress - Mylee, and our food came out fast. It was a large order and definitely on the pricier side but we did enjoy every bite and moment of our meal. A beautiful space and relaxing dining experience. I'd bring the boy here.
(4)
Constantin P.
My wife and I had a dinner reservation for our wedding anniversary here last Saturday. The staff seemed quite nice, they all signed an anniversary card which was waiting for us at the table. The only problem was that this wasn't a regular table but it was a corner of the kitchen counter with two seats, smoke, smell and an awesome view at the chefs. Really??!!! A table at the kitchen counter for a wedding anniversary reservation? Is that something special? If you like eating in the kitchen maybe. We asked and we got another table, but still... Food wasn't anything special, 3 glasses of wine and an ice cream...150$. On top of that you have 5-6 staff members coming over at your table a bit too often when you just want to have a nice quiet dinner. Thanks a lot for ruining our evening and anniversary!
(2)
Saba A.
Balena's service was impeccable. To be greeted a couple of times when walking in to walking out the door and having a team of two servers and a bus boy while being served. My girl friend and I came in with reservations on Friday night for Restaurant Week. We had a few minutes of a wait then were proceeded upstairs to the loft style restaurant. We both chose to stick a glass of Sauvignon Blanc for the night but they did have a wine pairing option with each course. The waiter suggested that we share everything on the restaurant menu as there were two items per course so we did it! I like how there was a 33 dollar option for 3 courses, and 44 for 4 courses that included the dessert and we definitely got dessert. I know people that have come here for pizza and wasn't impressed by it but the restaurant week menu didn't feature the pizza. The beef bruschetta was dressed heavily and delicious, the TAGALIATELLE BOLOGNESE was the best bolognese I have ever had in Chicago. It's a must order! The potato gnocchi was sweet where I like my gnocchi's so it depends on your taste. The chicken sausage was amazing as well as the tilefish. I liked the flavoring of the tilefish more than the smoked trout. For dessert the nougat semifreddo and chocolate and polenta tart presentation was elegant, the taste was all right. My favorite parts of Balena was service, the ambiance (fully packed restaurant!), beautiful dim lights, and perfectly small but not to small portion sizes. And of course the Tagaliatelle Bolognese.
(4)
Rebecca S.
I was here for a private event, and the venue is really quite perfect. Tons of open space, upbeat and friendly staff to greet, and some really fantastic bartenders. After returning from three months in Italy, I would be the last person to want to eat pizza. I was sick of the stuff. BUT I had about four slices of the pizza at Balena. The crust is not too thin, not too thick, and it's very tasty even on its own. The pizza comes in the traditional mozzarella and tomato to brussels sprout pizza. You really can't go wrong either way. The cocktails were so delicious. If you are looking for something sweet that completely masks the alcohol, I recommend Strawberry No.1. It has bubbly prosecco, strawberry and elderflower liquor, and just a liiiiiittle bit of vodka. I could've had ten, it was so good and sweet. Looking at their menu, I will definitely have to go back! Very curious how they make their Cacio e Pepe, and the Spiced Olives look very promising.
(4)
Amanda M.
Place was good, just not my taste, but have to give what it deserves. Was pleased to get a reservation for NYE at 6pm the night before via OpenTable. I was excited all day, wanting to try the black pasta with crab and uni. I saw online that they did have the special NYE prix fixe menu, but thought that that was just an offering. To my disappointment, that was the only option and did not get to try what I had been looking forward to all day. Extremely sad, as this isn't a restaurant I can just go to all the time, unless I had an unlimited bankroll. There were complimentary herbed breadsticks, and thought they were full of flavor. However, the texture was quite stale. Anyways, bf and I did the 3-course prix fixe. I really wish they at least had more options overall. For dessert, there were only two and it's like well, might as well get one of each. Kinda felt jipped with the prix fixe, as with most prix fixes. We got to share all three first courses. My favorite surprisingly was the beet salad, that paired well with the cheese. The fried mushroom risotto balls were also nice and had good mushroom flavor. The portion on that was larger than I anticipated, with about five or so balls. The endive salad was nice and refreshing with a bold peppery taste. I had the sausage for the second course, as bf had the short ribs. Both were very good. I was skeptical that my sausage came in a fried patty form, especially after already consuming the fried mushroom risotto balls, but they were not heavy at all. The sausage was very different and super tasty. I just did not care for the quinoa type salad that came with it. It was very bitter, and I usually enjoy some bitterness, but this was not palatable for me. Bf's short ribs were very tender and tasty. I had the semolina cookies with lemon cream and ice cream for dessert while bf had the chocolate one. Both were very good and suited to our tastes. Bf also had their amber lager, which was nice and had a subtle honey flavor to it. Service was splendid, as what you'd expect in a fine restaurant like this. I liked the overall ambiance of the place as it was romantic and liked the upstairs area where we were seated. However, I didn't like the specific table we were seated at and the whole row for that matter, as it was almost elbow to elbow with the next table, literally about one foot from the next table. No privacy. What I was most skeptical about this place prior to coming in was still being hungry or having to pay an arm and leg to satisfy my hunger. While I would have ordered other options, I was left quite filled, but again we were obligated to pay $55 each for the prix fixe, in which we likely would have spent slightly under per person. It is nice that it's right on Halsted, so we got to easily hop on the bus to our next destination for the night.
(4)
Danielle S.
Balena made me happy but not as happy as I wanted to be. I think I hyped it up in my head by hearing everyone else's opinion. I DO want to go back and try more of their menu! I had the Gnocchi, which was lovely. I will say I liked it better than Siena's. I also had the Mushroom/Fontina/Taleggio/Scallion/Thyme pizza. This was nice too, but, if you do not like scallion you need to pass. I had to try a pizza because I felt like that is one thing I read about most. It was very yummy and I will certainly go again. The venue is very open and cozy. It is great for a date night or a group dinner. Downstairs they have a neat private space that makes you feel like you are in a wine cellar.
(4)
Sue R.
Just had dinner here before going to the Steppenwolf. First time and we loved it. The service was great- our waiter Adam, and indeed everyone who came to our table, was awesome. The food? Delicious. Here's the thing we most liked about it- a varied menu that you could choose either small dishes from or entree sized portions. My husband and I chose to share small dishes- the Tomato Panzanella salad to start. Two pastas- the grilled corn star pasta and the rigatoni with pork ragu. Then three "sides"- beet salad, cucumbers in cream, and roasted carrots. Great inventive cocktails, too. Finished w limoncello (need to write this review before the memory eraser kicks in!) and pistachio gelato. Coffee, too, so I could stay awake for the play ;) will definitely be back!
(5)
Kayu T.
Definitely picked the right place for a group dinner! The atmosphere is casual yet elegant. Got to try a long list of items so prepare! Strawberry No.1 - although the ingredients is different from the online menu, it was still very tasty and dangerously easy to drink. Imbue Bittersweet - very light and with beautiful hints of florals. Had to hold myself back from ordering a double Dolin Dry- had a tasting of it and thank goodness we didn't get the full thing. It's sweet and thick like syrup Fried Zampone - fried pulled pork with jam & lentil salad. The meat is rich and with a mix of fat. Duck liver bruschetta - it comes with two pieces, but the pate on it is not skimpy at all. Our fav of the two apps! Rich and bold flavors with toasty bread. Wild arugula salad - fresh and citrusy. Good hard cheese on top Mortadella pizza - delicious! The pistachio pesto layer is very different in a good way. The mortadella was nice and crisp with melted fine cheese. Will get this again Basil pizza- people that didn't eat meat seem to like it. I didn't try cause the mortadella was so freaken good Tagliolini pasta - squid ink! So good. You can tell it was made in house. The seafood sweetness was perfect and not overwhelming. Gnocchi - skip. If you wanted fluffy lil dumplings.. this is not the dish for you. It was literally reg pasta in the shape of gnocchi. We were hoping for something else and although the flavor was good, we didn't finish it. The chicken thigh pieces was good. Ragatoni- so flavorful! Not much of pieces of tender pork that I thought it would have. Sides: Carrots I would skip. It wasn't anything special or even good. Bitter greens were fine, but wasn't that memorable. Spagetti cacio de pepe- I dislike spagetti so I didn't try it but it's in a white sauce. The person that order it didn't even finish... although he claimed that it was good. How good could it be good if you didn't want to take it home right? Espresso donut dessert- skip. The 2 donuts were small and didn't even feel fresh. The espresso w icecream shot that came with for dipping wasn't anything awesome. It's missing a star because the wait staff was low and not nearly attentive as needed
(4)
Stacy O.
Beautiful restaurant, well-balanced cocktails, okay food. Our server James was very good. Endive salad was recommend but very lackluster and dry. Pork ragu rigatoni was very tasty. They have a unique take on Carbonara, but it was bitter potentially due to incorporation of ramps - which are 'so hot right now'. 'Thin' crust pizza not actually thin. I wouldn't go back.
(3)
Rawlins R.
This is a very highfalutin place. I made my reservations for Balena on OpenTable and did so a few weeks in advanced to be sure to get a spot on a Saturday evening. We arrived a little under an hour early and they were still glad to seat us at the time we showed up. Balena is kind of hard to find if you are not familiar or looking for it. It is just north of North Ave. on the east side of Halsted. The best bet is to look for the valet sign because the restaurant sign is somewhat tucked away within the building. Looking for the location on Google Maps doesn't help either as it is newer than the images currently available. Balena is pretty large with a main seating area as you walk in as well as a bar area. If you are not seated there they will either take you up and to the right to the seating on the east or west sides of the building. Walking up this way you will walk right by the oven where they prepare their pizzas. They have seating for all types of parties. This is definitely a fine dining experience. You can expect to spend over $50 a person easily if you get an appetizer, drink, entree, side and a desert. You are provided Italian grissini breadsticks while you wait to order. The waitstaff is very courteous and knowledge of the menu items. They will suggest that you get several plates that you can share. The pasta dishes are too small to be an entree and they suggest this as more of an in between appetizer and your main entree dish. Again, they have entrees but those are expected to be paired with the sides listed below them. If not you will simply have an entree. I had the following: Montepulciano - wine Brigantaccio - cheese appetizer Hanger Steak - entree All were exceptional and were nice for a romantic dinner setting. Other patrons did not mess around. When I say that I mean they knew what they wanted and if they didn't get it that way they were not afraid to let the waitstaff know. Several people had things sent back to the kitchen for replacements. I'm not sure if this was due to quality, incorrect order, or simply very particular eaters. But the waitstaff was never offended and quickly replaced anything that the guests requested.
(5)
Brian G.
I go to Balena whenever I am attending a show across the street at Steppenwolf. With so many options in the area it's hard to pick a place but about a year ago I settled on this being my regular pre-show spot. One of my favorite aspects of this place is how spacious it is. You never feel like other patrons are on top of you or listening in on your conversation. The food is top notch but their drinks and desserts are what really do it for me. If I lived just a little closer to this place I would make the bar in Balena my regular spot. When people think Italian they think about lots of dishes with hearty red sauces, lots of bread, and red wine (which they have all three of those!) but Balena offers an alternative to the standard Italian fare. My family is Italian and some of the dishes here remind me of some of the cooking I would enjoy my great grandmother making.
(4)
Shan D.
Thought everything was just mediocre. The pizza was average. We sent back a pasta that the server really pushed us to get. They didn't charge us for it. Had a pistachio gelato type dessert that was decent. There's better Italian spots you should check out before coming here.
(3)
Andrea H.
Went to Balena for a Friday night girls' night. The decor and overall atmosphere are nice. Balena definitely does good business, they were packed at 9pm and we waited about 20-30 minutes even with a reservation, the place is large, but loud too. I think it's slightly better for groups than say an intimate date night. The service was friendly and knowledgeable, with pretty good recommendations on the whole. We did wait a while for drinks to come though, and you could tell our server was pretty busy. On the plus side, they brought out a complementary piece of bruschetta to apologize for all the waiting. The food was delicious. I would honestly order everything I tried again. We stared with the Brussels sprout pizza, which sounds a little odd but is pretty amazing. All of the toppings meld together quite well, I'd definitely recommend it! The butternut squat bruschetta was great. I ordered the pork ragu, which was amazing!! The pasta was tender and the meat sauce flavorful. I also tried a bite of the lemon kale orriechette, with was fresh tasting with a light crunch. The portions were fair, though you definitely need an appetizer or other item with a pasta order, in my opinion.
(4)
Maile N.
This was the 2nd stop on my conference trip for dinner, and it was quite memorable. Balena is a deceptively good-sized restaurant as it goes deep and has a couple floors of tables. We had a nice table by the window upstairs. The menu looked well-rounded and well, yummy. I wanted to try everything and I definitely wanted some meat. I started with buratta salad as anytime I see buratta on a menu lately, I must get it. Loved it! The buratta was smooth and creamy with fresh greens lightly dressed. They have a lovely wine list so I picked a nice Montepulciano to go with my meat. Before the meat, we got the housemade gnocchi - it was good. The hour-cooked costata (steak) was coming made for 2 people. It was lovely, full of taste and meat-o-plenty -- so plentiful that we split it as leftovers to be eaten for breakfast with rice (yum, the flavors came out even more!). And we had to get the tiramisu! This was seriously tasty, the flavors melded together so nicely and was well-orchestrated. Service was good, patient and had a sense of humor - all very much appreciated. I would totally recommend Balena! Taxis are reasonably easy to hail after diiner, thank goodness because we just wanted to roll home with our happy tummies.
(4)
Teresa C.
Came here to celebrate 2 friends' birthdays! The Balena staff is incredible -- they left birthday cards on our table (they asked if we were celebrating or if there's a special occasion when we made the reservation). At the end of the meal, they also brought desserts with candles on them! I love love the feel of Balena. Very classy and sophisticated. Definitely a great place to bring a date! This is my second time at Balena. To be honest, my first time here wasn't very memorable. Last time, I had a pizza and pasta recommended by the waiter, but this time around I had the orechiette with kale, lemon, bread crumbs, chilli, and it was incredible. It was zesty from the lemon and the flavors from all the ingredients just blended so well together. My only complaint is that I wish got more for a $16 plate! Although we did make a reservation at 8:45, we didn't get seated until 9:45. The staff was apologetic and the kitchen took care of appetizers for us. They gave us burrata + asparagus. It was really fresh and delicious. For dessert, we got tiramisu and cherry pie. Both were good, but I would vote for the tiramisu if you're debating between these two options. I've heard great things about the donuts, and so it is definitely on my list of things to try next time I am at Balena.
(5)
Cindy K.
There are many reasons to love Balena, always wonderful sophisticated menu with something for everyone, shareable, and wildly interesting. Every bite is a party in your mouth. The menu is easy to navigate with many salads, appetizers, pastas, entrees and sides. Love the simple yet delicious arugula salad; bitter greens with curry yogurt; grilled octopus; Alaskan Halibut. Terrific wine list and creative cocktails. The room is always abuzz. The design is urban sophisticate. But as much as the food is great, it is the superb service that keeps us coming back. They never miss a beat. This Chicagoan wants every traveller to Chicago to keep a spot on your hectic schedule to enjoy a dining experience at Balena. You'll be glad you did.
(5)
Chaim L.
I consider decent - just good - Italian food such a low bar to hit...and they really don't make it here. One of us thought the pasta was really good - the pasta - not the sauces. The pizza was tough yet soggy...so that was impressive...and top that off with a decided lack of flavor. My fish was definitely overcooked...but I had to trade it with my partner who couldn't eat his spicy pasta dish because it was too spicy...which I like in general but it's rather a lazy approach to flavoring a dish. Won't go back - don't understand the buzz - had great service.
(2)
Greg G.
This place is a a great italian style tapas with a really cool atmosphere, 3 different levels, very high ceilings, moon light windows, massive glass doors for the entry way, overall it just looks cool and feels "rustic". The server was great, and one of my favorite things were the unlimited crunchy bread sticks they provide when you sit there, they have a nice little kick to them too, something I've never had before. We got the Mozzarella and Spicy Pepperoni pizza, both were good, great crust on them too and I usually don't eat the crust of pizza.. Nothing too special about the pizza though, pretty standard stuff. We also got the Tagliolini Nero and Rigatoni Pork Ragu. Both pretty good too. I think the Nero was the better of the pastas. Had a nice spicy kick to it and a decent crunch that isn't too overwhelming. We also got the Tuscan Kale, that was okay, nothing to write about. I got the Vecchio No 7 cocktail. The first couple sips were great, a nice little orange twist to them. But slowly I started to realize it just tasted like cough medicine, kind of gross after 15 minutes... definitely do not recommend ordering this drink unless you like the taste of cough medicine. I'm giving Balena 4 stars because besides the atmosphere, nothing really stood out to me. Everything was a 4 star experience, none of the food was like WOW! Personally I feel like Sienna Tavern has better food and cocktails, but that's just me.
(4)
Roxana B.
I dined during restaurant week, but skipped their pre-fix menu. We skipped first course and went for starters. I had Tuscan Kale Salad which was very good and I had to have the Spicy Sausage pizza. I enjoyed the pizza a lot finished the whole pizza! The onion might be too much but it did not bother me. Also had cocktails cannot remember the name of what we had. Dessert was a trio of gelato which was nice and ended with regualar coffee. Try it out nice place to dine!
(4)
Valerie W.
Loved the food, great atmosphere and the service was top notch! I especially liked the " coat check" system for my food to take home, very well done Bolena team! We had a lovely date night and will be back for another!
(5)
Ashley C.
It has been a while since I have been very impressed by a place with good food and top notch service. Balena really delivered. Balena had been on my radar but overlooked over the past year so I was excited when our dining companions booked a reservation at Balena. I loved the almost barn-like feel to the restaurant with the exposed beams and high ceiling. The restaurant was also much bigger than it looked. When we were seated, our waitress (and what appeared to be a trainee) were immediately there to take care of us. The wine book is extensive and almost overwhelming. While the guys had their pick and went with our waitress's suggestion of a better option, the girls told our waitress what we liked and she nailed it. We ordered the cured meat platter, a the burrata and a pizza to start. The meats were very good and there was one in particular I loved but now can't remember what it was. The burrata was also delicious and was quickly eaten up. We ordered what is their Margherita pizza which was tasty although I was expecting a thinner crust. Yet, we couldn't stop eating it. I ordered the squid ink tagliolini that came with crab and sea urchin. The pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente and had a nice texture to it. The crab in the dish was wonderful and the uni was good too (albeit there was not very much there). Note: The pasta dishes are sized to be smaller than your typical Italian places and alone would probably leave me wanting more, but I found with what else we ordered it was a perfect portion. I also took a bit of the flap steak and the duck fat potatoes and both were fantastic. To come clean, I ate my fair share of the potatoes - I couldn't put them down! Our dessert was an after dinner drink. The guys ordered manhattans each with a different vermouth. Our waitress even wrote down the type of vermouth recommended on a card for future reference. I was impressed. The strawberry No. 1 was nicely balanced and not too sweet. Our waitress also made us feel at home while ordering drinks and not once did she try to rush us out or move us to the bar. We even asked if we should vacate the table for the bar and she told us to stay as long as we wanted. Aside from the amazing food, service was superb. It has been a while where a place really blew me away with their service. Balena hit it out of the park! Everyone at Balena did their part - host, waitress and the other wait staff. For instance, the bathrooms are downstairs and my husband said that several staff members waited for and insisted that he come up the stairs first before them even though they were carrying plates. They had a great attention to detail from start to finish. They made dinner a great experience without any snootiness. We left Balena happy and eager to return.
(5)
Katherine M.
Our server Patrick was excellent - unobtrusively attentive, fast, knowledgeable. They were very busy Sat 4/12 but the whole team was great... from the hostess who didn't look at us with horror when we arrived without a reservation at peak time and seated us with a smile, to the bus staff who would pass on any request & keep the table cleared the way it oughta be Food was excellent & they had us out to our show on time. Will DEFINITELY be back (this time with a reservation!) instead of trying either of the 2 Italian places near Steppenwolf that were also jammed, but couldn't even talk to us about getting seated.
(5)
Mary T.
When four busy people get together, minor details like where we're going to eat, sometimes slip through the cracks. Fortunately, a few days before our double date, I popped onto Open Table and booked Balena as placeholder. Calling Balena a placeholder is an insult. It implies that it wasn't good enough to make our short list, but in reality, it just really wasn't on our radar (but should have been). WARNING: I'm going to wax poetic about our server all through this review. I really wish I caught her name because fantastic feels inadequate to describe her. I think the men at our table were crushing on her encyclopedic knowledge of wines, liquors and meats; I'd be lying if I said I wasn't too. When we were seated, we were handed menus and a large leather book full of wines. The guys took the book first and picked out a bottle for themselves. Me and my friend floundered. Our server expertly swooped in and suggested a better, yet comparably priced bottle of red for the men; so expertly, we put our selection completely in her hands, simply telling her what we did and didn't like in our white wine. At our server's suggestion, we ordered a few starters and a pizza. We ordered the burrata appetizer, meat plate and mozzarella, pomodoro and basil pizza. I can't speak for the meats, but the pizza and burrata appetizer were excellent. My only knock is that I wish the meatless pizza offerings were a little more interesting. For our mains, we were a matched set. The guys ordering the flap steak and the girls the tagliolini. The meat eaters also ordered a side of duck fat fingerling potatoes for the table. The squid ink tagliolini was fantastic. Delicate and well balanced, my only knock is that the portion of sea urchin was rather small; fortunately they didn't skimp on the crab. Since we were too full for dessert, we opted for an after dinner cocktail instead. I love that we weren't rushed to settle up and move to the already crowded bar. Instead, our server extraordinaire helped us choose our drinks. The girls again ordered the same drink, the Strawberry No. 1. While I usually loathe strawberries in any other form than the actual fruit, the drink was delicious. Sweet, but not cloyingly so, and refreshing. The guys went with Manhattans, again tapping into her encyclopedic knowledge to craft their drinks. The have quite the selection of vermouths. We left Balena how one should leave every restaurant - smiling and feeling like our dinner was worth every penny. If Balena isn't on your radar yet, put it on.
(5)
Charles S.
This is a great choice in Old Town for a group of four, or even better six or more since they encourage the sharing of appetizers and entrees. Our group especially enjoyed the pasta, with the gnocchi out of this world, but we were able to share starters including Bruschetta and enjoy the seafood entrees. The ambiance is fun, and we were told that the building was once a candle factory before gentrification of the neighborhood many years ago.
(4)
Annie Z.
I came here with my coworkers on our business trip and we all loved balena. It exceeded our expectations! We ordered one of the stakes to share and it was amazing. I got the squid ink pasta which I remember now was probably my least favorite part of the meal. It was lacking some flavor, the pastas that my friends got were better. If you come here, definitely get the tbone steak to share! Oh yes, we got their cocktails as well and i definitely liked them. =) They range from sweet to dry. There's one to match everyone's taste!
(4)
Kerry C.
I came here for date night with my boyfriend on a Monday night. We had made reservations for 7, and we were glad we did because the restaurant filled up. Our waiter was Connor and he was wonderful: very attentive, thoroughly went over the menu with us first-timers, and he made great suggestions. We had the olives and the arugula salad to start. Both good, but the salad was probably the least favorite of everything we ate. We then had the gnocchi which was AMAZING. Seriously the best gnocchi I have ever eaten. My only complaint was that I wanted more! The two of us then shared the halibut entree and the fennel sausage pizza. Both were phenomenal. We were pretty full, so most of the pizza went home with us, but it reheated really well in the oven. Oh, and for drinks I had Strawberry No. 1, and my boyfriend had the No. 8, which had a really weird aftertaste, but he also had the whiskey drink that was a special which he loved. All in all we can't wait to go back. If we ever want a less elaborate meal, we'd love to go just for the pizza which was very reasonably priced.
(5)
Alexandria T.
Just to note, I should have written this review months ago, so it is not as detailed as I should be. My boyfriend and I along with a couple of his friends made plans for dinner at Balena prior to ringing in the new year. We arrived right on time for our 10:30 reservation, but weren't seated for another half hour or so. I understand that it was a holiday, and they can't predict exactly when people will leave, but we weren't planning on spending the entire evening here, and that's exactly what happened because we weren't seated right away. This was the major con of Balena, but on any other night, wouldn't have been that big of a deal. The atmosphere of the place is really cool. They have super high ceilings and great decor/lighting that create a very nice, romantic ambiance. They offered a prix fixe menu for NYE, which is what we went with. Our server was not the greatest, and it still ended up taking a long time to place our order. He also tried to get us to order many other things off of the regular menu. Balena isn't a cheap place, and the food that came with the prix fixe menu was more than enough to leave us all very full, so I'm not sure why he was pushing other items so hard. We ended up ordering two bottles of wine, and also champagne for the new year's toast throughout the course of the evening. Both wines were very tasty and high quality. The food was all amazing. Everything I tasted was better than the last. My memory is not serving me well right now, but the starters are what really stood out. I had the salmon as my main and the cabbage that was served on top was out of this world. My salmon was a tad overcooked, but still very good. We were served our main entrees right before midnight. There was absolutely no fanfare of any type for the new year, which was pretty disappointing to me. Overall, I really liked the food at Balena and would definitely go back to celebrate something.
(4)
Laurie S.
A friend and I had dinner at Balena last night before going to a show at Steppenwolf. It was the first time either of us were at Balena, and both the food and service were amazing. Our server and the other staff were very attentive and helpful. We enjoyed our experience and the ambiance so much that we ended up going back there for dessert after the show. I highly recommend Balena!
(5)
Laura C.
I came here for a surprise dinner for a friend, and they were super accommodating for our group of 10. It definitely is a cool, beautiful space. I ordered a pizza, which was definitely too big for one person. I wish I had split that with someone else and had added on one more dish. The other dishes that our table ordered weren't very big at all. The server was surprised that "all" I was ordering was a pizza, even though again, it was too big to eat the whole thing. This place is a definite splurge spot... my friend's boyfriend is amazingly generous and picked up the whole tab so I don't know what our total was, but I think it was a FORTUNE!! Balena is a very cool spot... just come prepared to spend the big bucks! The cocktail prices weren't even listed!
(4)
Janice M.
We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Balena. The service was fantastic - perfectly timed and not intrusive - and I think this is what sets this restaurant apart from others in the city. Atmopshere is delightful. Had a table along the wall - each of these tables has a wall sconce - which sheds just the right amount of light on the table. The restaurant is very dimly lit - but I liked this - and with the table light, it was perfectly cozy, even though the vaulted ceiling is extremely high. The menu is thoughtfully executed - very interesting flavor combinations. We all had something different: Appetizer: Fried sausage ($13) Kale Ceasar Salad ($12) Endive Salad ($12) Grilled Octopus ($17) Although the octopus was deliciously tender - It was quite expensive Entree: Duck ($26) Tagliolini w/ sea urchin ($19) Short Rib ($24) Rabbit cacciatore ($24) One side of fried potatoes Dessert: ($8 each) Chocolate Hazelnut Croccante Pear & Ginger Crostata (I had a bite of everything and I can personally vouch for the quality and flavors of each dish) Two glasses of Montepulciano and two beers. $240, excluding tip. One of the pricier meals we've had in a while. (I must agree with another diner who said that every item seems $3-$5 overpriced) However, we all agreed that when taking in the overall experience - atmosphere, service and food, it was well worth it. We highly recommend.
(5)
Rachel M.
Finally getting around to writing a wayyy overdue review of Balena. I've eaten at Balena a number of times, but my favorite was my wedding. We rented out the entire restaurant for a relaxed, upscale wedding where the guests were really our focus. We wanted to serve delicious food and amazing cocktails in a gorgeous space and not have to worry about all the details you have to deal with when you pick a venue, then a caterer, then a bar, then a vendor for tables, chairs, napkins, etc. etc. etc. Balena was the perfect choice. Michelle Herndon, the event planner at Balena, is absolutely fantastic. Not only was she incredibly inventive and helpful during the planning process (which helped us have exactly the non-traditional wedding I'd dreamed of), but on the day of she was incredible. Beyond incredible. She was helpful and attentive without being in our faces, and worked as hard as our wedding coordinator to make sure all the details were taken care of. She handled our picky guests' particular requests, got people chairs, and really went above and beyond. We were so impressed. Having an event at Balena was over-the-top impressive, fun, and easy, and having a meal there is just the same. The service is fantastic, with engaging wait staff and detail-oriented bartenders, the food is amazing (try the lemon pasta if it's still on the menu, we loved it so much we had it at our wedding even though it's an unexpected pairing of flavors), and the restaurant itself is so gorgeous you'll want to rent out the whole place, too.
(5)
Lily Z.
Boy and I came here last night after attending Zoo Lights in Lincoln Park. I must say, dinner was delicious. When the entire meal is delicious, it's the little things you notice that elevates the experience. We ordered smoked mackrel (innovative and loved the different textures), salmon (fresh and light but not as good as the mackrel), sea urchin pasta (delicious but Davanti Enoteca has a creamier dish) and the lamb chops (the very last piece was severely burnt on one side, but still had a strong flavor. I didn't like the beans but preferred to have a mash underneath like cauliflower puree). The service was friendly and never left a napkin unfolded when one of us left the table. Loved the L'Occitaine soap/lotion in the bathroom. Never felt rushed since we were one of the last tables to be seated. It's a bit pricey, but I think it worked quite well for a quiet Sunday night dinner. Well, aside from the customer who screeched like a monkey during dinner and brought the restaurant to a standstill.
(5)
Jenny K.
I took my husband to Balena after an Elite Yelper suggested it as a top Italian Restaurant, and now I know why. The ambiance and decor is great, high vaulted wood beam ceilings, rustic yet chic. Our waitress was a delight, very helpful with the wine selection and took us through the menu. We decided no to pizza and wanted to focus on the homemade pastas. We ordered: 1. Burrata di Panna, Grilled Asparagus, Spring Onion Mustard Vinaigrette 2. Bavette Pomodoro 3. Rigatoni, Pork Ragu, Porcini Mushrooms. 4. Orechette, Kale, Lemon and Breadcrumbs Each dish was finished and almost licked clean. I have to say that the Pork Ragu was the highlight. One if not the best pasta dishes i've ever had. 100% rich delicious packed with Umami flavor. We wanted to order the Tiramisu but were so full. We'll make sure to come back for more.
(4)
Sydney L.
My bf said it was the best Italian he's had! Perfectly cooked pasta, great cocktails, & the octopus was unreal! Adam was a wonderful waiter and we had an absolutely amazing dinner here. :)
(5)
Mike N.
We had a Friday night 9pm reservation made weeks in advance via Yelp yet we were made to wait until 9:30 to be seated (not so good). The management compd an appetizer to make up for the wait (good). The wine selection was excellent, some of the best we've had. The pizza was unique and delicious (lox, cream cheese & capers). The level of ambient noise combined with the high ceiling and lack of sound absorbing elements resulted in a super high noise to conversation ratio. Management and staff were very friendly, attentive and appeared to enjoy working there.
(4)
Laura L.
Lovely atmosphere and very good food. Nothing highly inventive, but what they do, they do well. Crowd is a mix of young & pretty, and older couples with good taste. For birthdays, they leave a staff-signed card for you and put a candle in dessert.
(5)
Emma K.
I came to Balena with Liz K & a group of our girlfriends on a Monday night a couple of weeks ago. The interior of the restaurant is adorable and comfortable. We had a reservation, and were seated as soon as our whole party arrived. The 6 of us were seated at a table that could have easily fit 8 or 10, so between the large space and the overall noisiness of the restaurant, it was difficult to hear each other during the evening. My entree was delicious. So many items on the menu sounded amazing, but I finally went with the Paccheri pasta that comes with Lamb Pancetta, Smoked Potatoes, Fava Leaves, and Pecorino cheese. It was a perfect size, and absolutely yummy. Everyone at the table seemed to enjoy their meals. I think the minus one star is really for the service. It all started off great as our waiter was considerate by asking if we had any time constraints (the restaurant is right next to Steppenwolf Theater) and going over the menu with us. However, throughout the meal he was somewhat awkward and became pushy between strongly encouraging us to order both appetizers and desserts for the group. All things considered, I can't believe I didn't come here when I lived so close because the food is delicious. If you are in the area for a show or are just looking for a delicious modern Italian meal, definitely consider Balena!
(4)
Anne S.
Went last night for the second time and I have to admit that everything was near perfect. The service is almost outstanding...the way service should be at every restaurant in Chicago - everyone is the right level of friendly. THE ONE BIG DRAWBACK (the thing that makes me feel like I was slightly ripped off) to our night was that two of our items were served cold (our short ribs and Brussels sprouts...our pasta had been served warm not hot but we ate it) We alerted our server and he asked us if we wanted to send them back (duh) and they served us fresh and hot replacements within about 10 minutes...the manager brought them and made the right amount of fuss. Between two of us we ordered 5 drinks, a desert, an entree, pasta and a side. When the bill came at $137 we expected to see a drink or the desert to be complimentary in lieu of our interruption but they didn't bother to comp us. It's a shame because they really do provide outstanding service and all they had to do to keep us feeling super happy about our evening was throw in a show of good faith.
(3)
Christina X.
Food was not good! But I'll give it an extra star for the friendly service. We ordered skirt steak, halibut, pastas, and salmon app. The pastas were so salty I couldn't even finish mine. The halibut was dry. I thought the steak and salmon were just okay. They were nice enough to comp out drinks since we waited a long time to get seated for our reservation. The staff was also courteous and polite. But I wouldn't be back unless it's someone's bday.
(3)
Paola S.
I give 5 stars for the most delicious pizza I've had so far. Went last night with our friends and ordered a pizza as an appetizer, we got the mushroom one. The waiter recommended the onion gratinato to go with the pizza... It was so amazing that we ended ordering more pizza. We also tried the chicken with peanut crema and the famous taglioni. We all loved the food, the ambience, the wine selection and the service.
(5)
Angie F.
Seriously... This is as good as it gets! My buddy and I did a girls night out at Steppenwolf. Our goal was to simply walk across the street and grab a nightcap. The hostess was SO NICE as she showed us 3 tables before we said "Can we just sit over there?!" Then our waiter, LEWIS WILSON was so on point with the specials, etc. We had dinner. Then the manager, WILL CURLEY brought the food the table and explained some of the cooking techniques. The food is SO CRAZY GOOD, I can't stand it! With every bite, I'm trying to figure out who else I'm going to bring here to maintain my foodie street cred! I'm shamelessly namedropping because I'm going to be a regular! These guys were so personable in their respective roles, we might as well all be good friends on a first name basis. Chicago gets the restaurant thing RIGHT!
(5)
Liz K.
Balena was the location of a recent Monday night dinner with a group of my girlfriends and I. I had quite the difficult time finding/picking a place that had a reservation available for 7 people, but Balena looked like it was reasonably priced and had a nice variety of Italian dishes. The space itself is decently big, but the high ceilings and dark walls make it feel a bit sophisticated and cavernous. There ended up only being 6 of us, but they sat us at a large table in what seemed to be a semi-private dining area...the table was so large that I felt like it swallowed us. They had originally asked me if a high-top table was ok, but that definitely wasn't what we ended up with. The setup was a little strange and those of us who were seated closest to the rest of the restaurant had a harder time hearing. Our server was one of the nicest, most polite people I have ever met, and I was practically in love with him, until he started trying to push us to order more. When we didn't order any appetizers, he mentioned that some of our dishes would take 25-30 minutes to come out, so he would recommend getting something to tide us over. When he said it again, he said 20-25 minutes. I mean, isn't that a normal amount of time? When the guilt set in, we ended up ordering olives for the table - which were good - but I think we would have been fine. They also bring a little bread snack to the table - quite different than a fluffy loaf you may be accustomed to at other Italian restaurants, but creative and well-flavored nonetheless. My dinner was the pork rigatoni which was well-portioned and flavorful. For some reason, I was imagining pork sausage and it turned out to be regular bite-sized pieces. It was still fine but didn't blow me away. Everyone did seem happy with their dishes but we weren't raving about the food. We got a similar sell with the dessert menu, but at least the waiter didn't push us when we said we weren't interested. For six dinners and drinks, it came out to about $40/person with tip. Not a bad price, but with a couple of the service faux pas and a just-ok meal, I can't give it a full four stars.
(3)
William K.
Some girl from Boston (snort) told me that this was her NEW favorite restaurant in Chicago. So, we went. Everything was very good: ambiance, food, and service. The place is beautiful. We had the black pasta, rigatoni and potatoes side. Yum! Our waiter was extra nice. And their extra brown-sugar-y tiramisu was a great ending. Balena is 4+ stars. yow, bill
(4)
Kelly R.
Absolutely loved our dinner at Balena -- so this is an easy 5 stars to award. Everything from the food to the setting to the service was top-notch. And to top it off, the space is big and versatile enough to work for a romantic date night... or a boozy group dinner. This visit fell into the latter camp. Our table of 7 was a hungry and thirsty bunch, and we ordered virtually everything to share. The mortadella and brussels sprouts pizzas were a delicious way to start... followed by the burrata (melt in your mouth dairy extravaganza) and arugula salad (basic but good). And oh, the pastas! We followed with the rigatoni, gnocci, and I *think* it was the orechiette (all perfectly sauced and with just the right amount of al dente bite). For the main, we shared a massive 63 ounce steak (cooked too medium for my taste, but not everyone at the table shares in my love of just-a-little-bloody meat, so that's okay, I guess). The dessert was good but by that point I was already in a food coma (and possibly a few glasses of chianti deep...) and I can't remember what it was. Decor is dim but warmly lit, "rustic chic" - very trendy. Definitely go, and order everything. NOM.
(5)
Vrati D.
Happy 1 year anniversary to us!! Our meal was fantastic and we were greeted with a card signed by the staff!! We were a little weary coming being vegetarians but there was delicious options! Drinks: strawberry no1 was light and refreshing! I usually don't like sweet drinks but I really enjoyed this one. The amber ale was also good. We started with the arugula salad (kind of blah) and the burrata appetizer (amazingly DELISH!). The sweet onion gratinato was not good, contrary to what the server said. It was a small dish of heavy cream and onions with burned onions on top. I would not recommend this to anyone. The pastas are small and meant as appetizers. We had the orecchiette which was, by FAR, the best dish we had! It was lemony with a great crunch from the bread crumbs. We also had the hen egg tajarin which I really didn't like. It was sweet and tasted too much like egg. The after taste was awful. The mushroom pizza was also very very good. The thyme made it very different than other mushroom pizzas I've had. It came with a great chili oil I drizzle or dip the crust in. As for the sweet ending, I took the advice of some of the reviewer and ordered the chocolate and hazelnut croccante. It was good, not the best dessert I've had. The base of the chocolate piece was a little too salty and the marmalade was a little strange. The chocolate gelato and the rice crispies were great! Overall a great experience!
(4)
Maria L.
Balena, I like you. Aside from the gorgeous environment, the food was approachable yet inventive Italian. Great cocktails to boot as well. We tried a variety of items but what I am still thinking about is the orecchiette with kale, omggg ::angels singing::. I don't ever want to know how much butter they use in this dish but damn it was GOOD.
(4)
John And Marcella B.
Highly recommend starting with the Vermouth and then move to a bottle of wine. The staff will help you select the perfect wine to pair with your entrees. The arugula salad is wonderful, smoked mackerel, and burrata are perfect starters! The orecchiete pasta dish is my go to every time! The pizza is also fantastic! You can't go wrong with this place!
I have used Yelp for many years but have never written a review. Last nights dinner at Balena has me YELPING with excitement. First of all, we arrived earlier than our reservation and we're still seated immediately upstairs at a perfect window table. The service was impeccable. They know their drinks and food! We were steered in a direction I am glad went. We started with the smoked mackerel. I do not eat fish but this was soooo good. The way they paired it with a poached egg and very fine, toasted bread crumbs was perfect. Next came the star of the show the spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. WOW WOW WOW. The best pasta I have ever eaten. We have already decided to go there again tonight as we are visiting from MN. We also ordered a sausage pizza. I went in wanting the lasagna pizza based on Yelp reviews but it is seasonal. No matter....their pizza is also amazing! I also wanted the donuts I saw on Yelp but they did not have those so we skipped dessert. We love coming to Chicago and I can tell you, this is now our favorite restaurant. Don't miss a chance to go there.
(5)
Brett E.
Just finished a great meal here with a group of coworkers. We took full advantage of the menu and shareable plates and some of their vermouth and bitters based cocktails. My favorites of the evening were the duck liver bruschetta, squid ink pasta, and mortadella pizza. And you can get a small sample of all their drinks before dedicating yourself to one. The atmosphere was very trendy and relaxed, overall it was a great meal. My only falter was that service was very spotty and hard to get ahold of a waiter.
(4)
Wayne H.
Had a wonderful date night at Balena. I cannot commend this place enough for their customer service. They go out of their way to make sure you have a special evening while dining there. Our server was excellent and made really good recommendations. We ordered a particular bottle of wine that they didn't have in stock and the sommelier came by and suggested a similar bottle of wine. We started with the Kale Caesar salad which was really good. Then we shared the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe which tasted like a grown-up's buttered noodles. It was okay, but I think I'll try a different pasta next visit. My girlfriend had the whole grilled branzino and the middle portion was de-boned which made it much easier to eat and enjoy. I hand the hanger steak which was also really good. The best course was our dessert, the chocolate and hazelnut crocannte. We don't usually get dessert, but I am glad we did this time. It was delicious! The best part of the night was seeing Derrik Rose dining two tables away. From the look of it, he was really enjoying his meal as well.
(5)
Joanne N.
I really love the atmosphere here. We had a really great time and the service was definitely great. The hanger steak was unreal and I would order it again in a heartbeat. We also sat at the chef's table which was pretty cool. However, I don't love how small the portions are. Maybe I'm alone here, but if I'm going out for Italian, I'd like to feel full. If you don't mind really small portions, then I think this place is a good option for you.
Mocktail Report: While I found the mocktail I ordered at Balena to be a bit underwhelming and over priced they have other very remediable nonalcoholic options! They have amazing imported Italian soda (lemon, chinotto and ginger) which are served in beautiful stem and glassware. No need to feel less then with a plain old water glass; these sodas some in flutes or rocks glasses and are served with twists or garnish!
(5)
Aaron S.
Quite possibly one of Chicago's top restaurants! This place is certainly happening on a friday night, we had a 9pm reservation which got pushed back to 9:45, however they offered us a round of drinks so we weren't complaining. We finally got seated and was basically in heaven for the next 2 hours. Our server Mary Lee was hilarious and had great recommendations. The Pasta and chicken dishes were phenomenal, as well as the array of drinks they have on hand. They also have a room downstairs for private parties which looked ridiculously cute. Come by Balena and you will truly have an incredible dinner.
(5)
Jamie B.
The food didn't wow me on our last visit. The cocktails here are great, love the selection of amaro. Pizza was the best thing we had, which was wonderful. I think on future visits we will stick with the bar and pizza.
(3)
Arthur G.
Easily can say this is one of the greatest ITALIAN restaurants I've ever been to. Simply put their food and service is something to brag about. Everything our table ordered tasted unique and bursting with flavors. Their dishes are mastered by some skillful experts and their recipes are made by someone who has a true gift for culinary art. The portions aren't huge like in many Italian restaurants, so if you're looking for quantity then this is not the place because it's unlikely you will pig out at balena - but in my book I thought their dishes were perfectly sized ( between me and my wife we ordered one pasta dish *gnocchi* one main dish *salmon* and one side dish *Brussel sprouts* we were thoroughly satisfied after eating everything . Each dish had its own uniqueness and was out of this world. Never tasted anything like this before. Their service also deserves something to brag about as well - every time a dish was brought out and we finished it and there was a brief pause before the next thing we ordered the servers would approach our table within seconds and clear off entirely everything. All silverware whether dirty or not was taken and replaced with new clean ones. I salute this concept. It was very nice and refreshing to see this type of service at a place where the meal cost us 80$ for both of us and that included two glasses of wine. And desert.
(5)
Ashley B.
A fantastic birthday dinner. Perfect for sharing plates, drinks and company. This place goes above and beyond to make their customers feel special. We began the night with drinks at the bar as our table was set. The cocktails were amazing. I had the Strawberry no 1, which was quite strong but definitely did not taste it! So tasty and highly recommended. Once they sat us, there was a birthday card at the table, hand signed by the staff. I have to say, I have not once encountered a restaurant that has ever done this, and it is such a great idea. Our servers name was on it too, which made it feel even more real and personal. I wanted a sharing plates restaurant as I always get order envy. Balena was perfect for it and our server, Conner, was very helpful in making sure we ordered the right amount of food for our table. We enjoyed the Burrata di Panna, Grilled Octopus, and Smoked Mackerel for starters. All were amazing, but the Mackerel definitely stole the show. Highly recommended. The pizza came out at the same time and we were advised to leave some of the pizza for leftovers so as to have room for the rest of the plates. That was certainly hard, but definitely a great piece of advice! The pizza was wood fired and served with chili oil, which they give you in the to-go box. When they took the pizza to be wrapped up, we were handed a ticket for our takeaway order which we picked up at the door upon leaving- such a neat idea! For the pasta we shared the Hen Egg Tajarin, which was to die for and such a rich, good pasta. Finally we shared the Braised Short Rib, which was perfectly cooked and tender, and the Cod. Every moment of this meal was perfect, and I cannot recommend this place more, especially for the experience and for special evenings. Not to mention, they deliver via grubhub, including their wine! Go here!
(5)
Kori E.
We came here for a girls dinner Saturday night and really enjoyed ourselves. They do Italian dishes really WELL - so stick with those. We started off with the Kale salad, and it left a lot to be desired. The salad needed something, although the croutons were pretty good. Next up, we had a pasta with lamb and pumpkin seeds and this was SO good! Probably my top dish of the evening. There is nothing better than handmade pasta and this dish delivered. We each decided to order our own mains and those kinda fell short. I had the Grilled Prawns and they were OK - had a nice grilled flavor to them. My friend had the Steak dish and I honestly thought it was cold, but had pretty good flavor and our other friend had that fish - she really liked hers. We had spied a brussel sprout pizza at the table next to ours and decided - why not! This pizza was AMAZING! I am so glad we decided to order it. The crust was probably the best crust I've had in a while and the toppings were excellent!! I would recommend sticking to either the pasta's or the pizza as both were delicious! I would definitely come back for either of those two. The atmosphere is fun/hip as well!
(4)
Nancy Z.
The space is beautiful. High ceiling, wooden beams. The food was really reasonably priced as well for being a trendy place. I loved their kale and sardine salad. The kales were tender, light and delicious. Their tagliolini nero with crab and sea urchin was good, but I was disappointed the sea urchin was only a one small piece, and the dish was a bit too dry. At least the pasta was well cooked, al dente. Overall, given the surprisingly affordable price, the food quality was great. Servers were friendly and with the great ambiance, I give this place a thumb up!
(4)
Lindsay G.
This place gets 5 stars for food, service, and management. Food was delicious - 100% recommend the smoked mackerel and aoli sauce. Totally unexpected delicious combination. Our server was extremely knowledgeable and made fantastic recommendations. And lastly - the management staff was fantastic. At one point my date ordered the rigatoni with pork. I didn't eat any of it bc I'm a vegetarian. We had already ordered and we're waiting on a pizza to split. The manager came over to make sure we were ok bc she noticed I wasn't eating. Then - there was a mix up with the pizza (100% completely our fault, we ordered the wrong one) and the manager sent out a complimentary appetizer of their olives - which were also delicious. Definitely go to this place!
(5)
S C.
A gorgeous space and perfect after a show at Steppenwolf Theatre. The service is A plus, from waiter to busboy. Great recommendations, and attentive at all times. We started with the Burrata appetizer. We ordered the Fennel Sausage pizza, it came out fast. They do let you know pizzas come out at any time after you order one. There was a nice long space, before getting the pasta course. I had the Orrechetti with Lemon and Kale. It was the star of my meal. We ended with a Blueberry crostata and Vanilla Gelato, divine!! Great meal, nice wine list as well.
This place has great food and a great atmosphere. My boyfriend and I went on a date night here and really enjoyed the food. We also each had a few glasses of wine, and they have a great selection to choose from. I would highly recommend getting a dessert here because they all looked amazing!
(5)
Melissa G.
Ok so I don't ever just stop in a place for desert but today was an exception. We ended up after a Steppenwolf show getting out early, we came here to grab an after dinner desert. My husband and good friend ordered the three scoops of Gelato that came with a pistachio, salted caramel and chocolate trio that was fantastic. The staff was wonderful and treated us as if we were getting a three to four-course meal. Can't wait to return!
(5)
Simon H.
I wish I could leave 1/2 a star just because we actually got served food. Where to start! Some highlights: -steak was inedible, sent back and still inedible -we were served our bottle of wine 20 mins after ordering it -no adjustment made on bill for steak, like ZERO! -the waiter actually told us that he a chilled shot of tequlia was not possible and could only be served neat. With all the great reviews, I am at a loss for words. This was truly one of the poorest meals with some the poorest service I have ever experienced. I don't like to leave bad reviews, but this place truly deserves it. Horrible!
(1)
Cheryl I.
I just had Balena for the first time two nights ago, and it was pretty tasty. I ironically discovered it via grubhub for having high reviews. Judging by the other yelpers notes it seems as if it would be better to dine in. My bf and I ordered the baked polenta and the Pork Ragu Rigatoni. The polenta was deliciously creamy and well seasoned. The pork Ragu was good but not as flavorful as I thought it'd be. The rigatoni noodle itself was in my opinion better than the sauce. If those noodles are made in house then well done! They we're thick and had a very nice texture. I would try this again but maybe dining in, the portions we're very small for delivery! I was honestly surprised how much noodles I got for almost $20. Also, for a grubhub order it came pretty fast and our delivery guy was friendly. All in all a good experience, but maybe not for the delivery value.
(3)
Elina S.
Balena, I am a fan! I've been waiting to come here for a while now so we finally made it for Valentine's Day weekend with another couple. The place is so cute when you walk in, it definitely has that trendy vibe, yet at the same time if you get a table towards the other room (not where the main light fixtures are) it's definitely a little more intimate and romantic in that area. But honestly, who needs romance when you have the best kinds of carbs? Anyway, we had a 7:30pm reservation and we were seated on time which is always a plus. We got a quieter table in the back which was great because we could easily speak and have great convos over pizza and wine. The place gets a star for great ambiance, it made me feel calm and at ease which is always great. Then we met our server who was terrific, he gave us great ideas for that night and we loved his enthusiasm, so Balena gets another star for great service. He literally was on top of everything all night and if it wasn't for him, I would have never gotten the opportunity to try the best pizza ever. (see photo). Now onto the good stuff, the important stuff that is, the food. When we placed our order, our server brought us complimentary bread which was a to die for sourdough, that literally killed a little bit of my appetite but it was amazing and right out of the oven so how could we not. Anyway, for an appetizer, we got the mortadella pizza, which I didn't see on the current Balena menu online, so maybe it's new, but forget ALL the other pizzas and get this one, in fact it should be the special for every single night of the year, I'm literally in love, see I told you that you could fall in love with the right kind of carbs. The pizza was amazing, crisp mortadella, an amazing kind of cheese, can't remember the name, a pesto sauce with some kind of crunch, literally there was nothing else like it. I had two pieces which is not what I was planning on since I already stuffed my face with bread and pasta and dessert were not even on the table. But it was THAT good, so please do yourself a favor and order it. For my entree I got the much talked about pork ragu pasta and it had pieces of mushrooms and melt in your mouth pork (which never happens) and a very hearty sauce, definitely a great pasta to get. But it didn't rival that pizza I must say. My husband got the special salmon on the menu and he thought it was okay, nothing out of this world, but then again, when is simple salmon out of this world? I'd get the hanger steak instead. Now, the prices aren't cheap here, so definitely come for a special occasion or just order that pizza because it's the best thing on the menu. But how could I not try the dessert, I mean I always, always get dessert. This is the time we didn't ask our server for advice and went with the special the chocolate polenta tart with ice cream on the side. I hate to say it but it wasn't good, didn't like it at all. My friends also didn't care for their tiramisu so the desserts is where this place loses a star, unless we missed something, maybe I should have asked our fantastic server. Overall, great atmosphere, amazing service, best pizza ever, and other tasty items as well. Definitely a great place for an anniversary dinner or just an evening with your friends.
(4)
Manish P.
Great food. . Lively environment . Had the gnocchi and it was amazing . Spaghetti caccio de pepe was awesome too . Only drawback Is the beer selection was fairly limited . Best taramisu I ever had!
(4)
Stephanie H.
A few friends took me here for an early birthday dinner last night, and everything was amazing! One other person and I arrived a little early, I ordered the Stawberry No1 while I waited. I like semi-sweet drinks so this one was perfect. They also have delicious crunchy breadsticks to munch on at the bar and dining tables to tide you over. For dinner, we started out with the arugala salad with pine nuts and dante cheese. It was definitely a very simple salad but tasty. For the entree, we all split the fennel sausage, red onion, tomato, mozzarella, and chili flake pizza which was also very good. We then split three pastas: the orechiette, rigatoni, and spaghetti. All three were delicious. I love that almost everything is made in house. You can definitely tell. The food runners and our server were also great. Overall, an excellent experience!
(5)
Cait C.
All around fantastic experience, every time. The decor inside is very chic and rustic. My top picks every time I go are: Tagliolini Nero (must have), Gnocchi, Burrattadi Parma, and the Baby Beets Bruschetta. The last time I went (two weeks ago) they had a delicious strawberry cocktail. Worth trying! I'll definitely be back again and again!
(5)
Paul N.
Great ambiance, great food, great service, great experience. Had a fun evening.
(5)
Kevin Y.
I went to Balena on a Tuesday night and made a reservation for two at 8:30PM. We arrived on time and it took them literally 20 mins to seat us. It wasn't busy and there were open seats everywhere. I have no idea why it would take us so long. At this point, I'm already hungry and frustrated. When we FINALLY sat down, we were lucky enough to be seated in the center next to the water and kitchenware (more explanation on this later) that served to be crucial. Everything was going great (aside from taking 20 mins to seat us) until the server comes up to us and asks, "Do you want more pretzel sticks?" Me: "No thanks, we're okay" After we told her this, she immediately took the rest of the pretzel sticks (still had about half left) and removed it from our table. Uh...we didn't say to take it off our table, we just said we didn't want more, WTf? We didn't see her for 15 mins after this. Our food came out, we were happily eating, but she was no where to be found. We needed more water and clean plates...but where the f*ck was our server? Luckily we were seated in the middle next to all the utensils and water pitchers, so I decided to serve ourselves... The barbacks did a great job being attentive to our needs, so this poises the question of: "What in the f*cking world is the server's job? Why the hell does she deserve 20% tip when the barbacks are doing all the work?" Server name was Rachel. I ended up giving her 20% but kindly left her a note saying her service sucked. Part of dining out involves having a great experience, and I left being disappointed by their service. Will not be coming back... Oh yeah, the food was pretty good, not mind blowing. Don't waste your money here.
(2)
Zena B.
When the waitress described the lemon sauce in the pasta we were about to order as "mostly butter" I normally would have said "No thank you. I'm on good terms with my arteries and they aren't big butter fans." Thank goodness I had already enjoyed a delicious, spicy cocktail at Balena and was a little tipsy. Alcohol + me = ready to indullllgggee. Plus, the hubby and I were celebrating our 1 year anniversary and what sort of celebration is it without butter? Well, the pasta was UNREAL good. It was perfectly al dente topped with just the most lovely lemon butter sauce. We started with the burrata which of course was fantastic, as always. We followed with the mushroom pizza- nice but not a show stopper. But the pasta, WOW! The cocktails were also perfect - strong, craft cocktails worthy of the best bars in Chicago. The ambiance was a lively rustic, chick and the service was spot-on. Overall great experience - I highly recommend making a trip to Balena. Leave your diet at the door.
(4)
Ted K.
Went here before seeing a show at Second City. Liked the decor, trendy in a good way. All of the pasta dishes were phenomenal particularly the tagliolini with crab, sea urchin and chili. The smoked mackeral and lamb and pork sausage appetizers were great. The pizzas were good as well but not as special as the pastas. of the cocktails I enjoyed the Mirto number 2 and the strawberry number 1. Save room for dessert. Both the tiramisu and the affogato were delicious. Service was courteous but efficient as we had no trouble getting to our show on time
(5)
erin s.
Love this place...the new decor/redesign is fantastic and the food and cocktails are equally amazing. Neighborhood fave of mine!
(4)
Natasha C.
The food here is delicious but what really sets this place apart is the service (hence the 5 stars). The waiters are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. They check in on you throughout the meal (not just once) and can give recommendations/their thoughts on everything on the menu. They also go above and beyond, which I don't see often. When the kitchen accidentally forgot to hold the onions on our pizza, our server brought us a complimentary gelati. Another time, when our leftover pizza mysteriously disappeared, the host(?) manager(?) was kind enough to offer us a gift certificate for our trouble or replace the pizza. Food is closer to 4.5 for me. Great, but not necessarily a wow/I've-never-had-this-in-my-mouth-before reaction. Pasta is cooked to perfection (the Pasta Nero is my favourite). Pizza is very good, though, I do prefer a slightly thinner crust. The flavours are unique and well-developed and the crust is very good (crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside - in a good way). The gelatis are amazing. I'm a big fan of texture in my food and I love how they manage to have play to that by adding a slight crunch with crumbles. All the courses work really well for sharing. Definitely get a drink - Mirto anyone?
(5)
Melissa K.
One of the most amazing food experiences! We had fantastic service and incredible food! Our table ordered pizza, rigatoni, and quail and we were all raving! The dessert was top notch as well. An overall great find
(5)
Adam E.
Eh-it was okay. Here is what I feel happened: We went during Restaurant Week and the staff there doesn't seem to enjoy this time because it's not their usual crowd. Wait-isn't that the point? I feel like they should take good care of us and make us want to come back rather than try to get us in and out. The food was good but not too memorable. A lot of dishes we had seemed like we could have made them at home. Plated very nicely and seasoned well but nothing too crazy. Flipside: The cocktails were great! The atmosphere was nice but I will say the bathroom situation is awkward. 2 reasons: 1. It is hidden (1 door unmarked) and 2. The Dyson hand dryer is totally out of place for a rustic classy style set-up (suggestion: fancy napkin/towels). Overall, prices seemed fair and we had a decent experience. I was full when I left but had to lick each plate clean (including the desert). Will I go back? Yeah-but we'd prob just get a pizza to share ($15 average), a few drinks ($11 per cocktail), and call it a night. Also, don't go on a night when the theatre is showing something because they seem to treat all people like they have a show to catch even of you want to just relax. Our server was nice but the food runners were how we learned about the dishes.
(3)
Jennifer P.
I absolutely loved this place. First of all, the decor is fabulous!! It's in a great rustic space. Their cocktails are also great and they have a great variety. We had great and attentive service which makes the place even better! For starters we ordered the cured meat which I am still thinking about today. It included a meat that had juniper and blueberries in it which was delicious! We also ordered the Tuscan Kale salad that was an excellent twist on a traditional Caesar salad. For pizza we ordered the Mortadella and Pistachio Pizza which was devine. The crust was so chewy and scrumptious. Two pastas we ate included the Pork Ragu Rigatoni and the Orchiette. Both were excellent and great contrasts for each other. The pork ragu was savory and the orchiette had a delicious burst of lemon and brightness. Definitely check this place out.
(4)
Stephen S.
Balena has quite a varied menu, I came for the pizza but found this the weakest part of the food offerings with Peter's bread basket and the sweet onion gratinato as the true winners of the meal. The variety and creativity displayed by Peter's Bread showcases the best this restaurant has to offer. Complex carrot multigrain, indulgent chocolate cherry sourdough, savory and delicious sage and lavender and the surprising anise flavored breadsticks. The wine menu is an exploration of Italian varietals and although I don't know much about Italian wines (and I don't think I'm in the minority of this) the descriptions and staff was very helpful at finding a good choice. The composed sundae was delicious and a perfect size to be indulgent yet reasonable. The service, however, offered too many missteps, poor pacing, checking in on the table immediately after things were delivered (no chance to try), failing to leave something off a dish we requested and then offering to box up our left overs but never bringing them back to the table.
(3)
Rebecca W.
After waiting way too long at Barn & Company, the hubby, sis-in-law, our 13 month old and I were looking for a place to eat. At 6:30pm. On a Saturday. In Lincoln Park. Impossible?! Never! Anticipating a long wait at Balena (I mean, it only JUST opened) we called ahead to see if we could do it. Not only did they not have a wait but, when we asked how "kid-friendly" they are the lady on the phone replied with a very exuberant "Oh, we are ABSOLUTELY baby-friendly!" Sold! We arrived to the very pleasant and welcoming hosts who immediately went about getting us a table, all the while smiling and making faces at our son. At a place like Balena (beautiful, new and relatively upscale), a place where one would expect children to be frowned upon, we were made to feel incredibly welcome. Already at 5 stars. Our server was delightful, and was very happy to help us navigate the wine list. We told her what we liked and she suggested a delicious (and reasonably priced) alternative. We ordered polenta for the little one and it came out in a flash -- which is a big deal when you're trying to keep an active toddler happy so as to not disturb the other guests. We ordered the lasagna pizza, the chicken thighs and the Tajarin pasta. All were delicious, the chicken thighs especially so. For an individual size, the pizza was large and a great value. The pasta and the chicken thighs were both reasonably (read: a proper serving) sized, and filled us up but not to the point of bursting. We finished with the tiramisu -- if you get it, be sure to eat the espresso poached pear! It looks a little intimidating (a miniature black pear on my plate? weird), but it was fantastic with the creamy tiramisu. To top off the already fantastic meal, the manager came over, crouched down and chatted with the little one. Totally not expected and very nice of him to take the time out to check in with us. Balena gets 5 stars for service and 5 stars for the food. A truly delicious meal!
(5)
Kaybee K.
came here for an anniversary dinner: when we were seated at our table, there was a card signed by the entire staff. it set a great mood for dinner. the service was just impeccable. and the food? we had peter's bread [i love bread], the burrata which was melt in your mouth, the tagliolini pasta that disappeared as soon as it was in front of us and the mixed pork wasn't anywhere near as scary as i worried it might be. [i'm not a huge carnivore, but my manfriend is]. cocktails were good, but not as delicious as our wine. simply put, it was a dreamy evening.
(5)
Christine G.
I wish I could give a 3.5. In all fairness, this review is based on a Restaurant Week experience and not the standard menu. The only issue I had here was that our bill was really high for a table of 4. How does that happen during Restaurant Week with a prixe fix menu you ask? The portions were small enough that we had to order items off the regular menu to supplement. I am perfectly fine with that when I feel we've received our fair share of excellent food, wine, and service, however none of us felt fully satisfied by the time we left. Don't get me wrong, the food was very tasty, I'm just struggling to find the whole value here. The service was great, as expected, and we all enjoyed the ambiance...warm, rustic feel for such a cold night in February in Chicago. We may return to try the pizza...
(4)
Henry S.
On a recent Check Please! episode, an Italian restaurant was being reviewed, and this question was raised: 'Is this more of an Italian American place, or a Modern Italian place?'. If the question was asked about Balena, I would say it is Modern Italian American. Balena pays homage to the Italian philosophy and technique, but everything is rooted in the America of here and now. The interiors, for starters. It evokes an Italian farmhouse, but perhaps in Monterey, or as the case is, Chicago. The food format is what I will call 'Party size to share'. I'm so tired of 'small plates to share'. That is only true for parties of less than 3. Any group larger than that, the small plate is never enough to share. So...enough of my editorial. Highlights so far... The bread basket. Enough has been said for bread being it's own 'dish'. Peter's Bread basket is worth every penny. Charred Quail, hazelnut butter, escarole. This is the Italian way to the max. Simple, flavorful, precise, with a twist. Mushroom, taleggio, fontina, scallion pizza. The usual richness of mushroom and cheese, punctuated with bursts of onion goodness. The chili oil in place of chili flakes is genius. Taglioni Nero of crab and sea urchin and chile. Anything with uni is going to be fantastic. I was afraid it will overpower the crab. But again, the balance of flavors is amazing. Tajarin with pork ragu. The ragu is not quite as Nonna's Sunday gravy as it needed to be, but I did say this is Modern Italian American. Grapefruit and aperol sorbet. I know Ms Rockman's re-interpreted tiramisu is everyone's favorite. But any sorbet with booze is a good palette cleanser after the pizza and pasta carb overload. Oh, and the fantastic wine list. They did not leave any stone in Italy unturned. Love it! Why 4 stars? Everything the BoKa group touches is gold, and Balena is the latest in this growing empire. Perfect place for a convivial gathering for 2 or 20. So is it a whale, or a fat dude? Regardless, I would gladly feast inside its cozy, inviting belly.
(4)
Tom A.
The food is pretty good - the issue is that it takes forever for them to get it to you. We had a 3 hour dinner on a Tuesday night and all we ordered was pizza and pasta! I heard tables around us having the same issues. I understand the slow Italian style service, multiple courses, etc...but the food is not good enough to sit here literally all night - especially for what ended up to be just decent pizza/pastas. I won't be rushing back with other great Italian options in the city.
(2)
Christine S.
Beautiful restaurant , fabulous food and wine list. Salt and pepper chicken thighs were amazing, one of the best things I have eaten in a long time, also tried several of the pasta dishes and the espresso & doughnut with gelato. Everything was wonderful! Very good service. Will be back!
(5)
matthew b.
When I heard the guys behind the Bristol were doing an Italian place, one word sprang to mind: mangia. But as much as I wanted to like Balena, it's just not there yet. The cocktails were hit and miss. Specifically, the Peat No 4 was a hit but the Rosemary No 2 finished with way too much bitters, sucking all the moisture right out of your mouth. The easy standout of the meal was Spicy Grilled Short Ribs. With their mellow Asian flavors, I'm not sure why they're on the menu at an Italian place, but when something tastes this good, it's welcome anywhere. Peter's Bread was good, but feels too steep at $5 since most places do and should give good bread away for free. The Lasagna Pie was fun but the crust doesn't hold a candle to Bricks or Peace. And the Tajarin with Pork Ragu was ok, with a light, tangy flavor and perfect noodles providing just the right resistance against the teeth. But it was crying for a little more sauce and would've benefited immensely from some salt and pepper. In a space this gorgeous, the flaws in the meal would've been easy to overlook. If our waitress had been attentive. But it took a half hour to get our cocktails and when my wife hated hers, we didn't see anyone in enough time to get another. The wait between our apps and entrees also felt like forever, and when my wife finally got the chance to ask for another look at the giant menu (literally it's like a foot and a half long and a foot wide) for a new drink, they just left it up to her to deal with where to put it at our tiny table. They also brought the bread out after our app which seemed a little weird. They'll get another go out of me because the place looks amazing. I trust that if these guys can run the Bristol as right as they do, they'll get this one under control in no time. But I really need it to be better when I stop back by.
(3)
Ryan S.
Nice surprise spur of the moment dinner with my Uncle, and I still thought the Landmark was here. Glad it wasn't, as Balena has some great dishes. Fresh Kale Ceasar salad was very good. Both pasta dishes were excellent and full of flavor. Gotta love squid ink pasta and Pork Ragu, the latter of the two had my Uncle singing. Don't think you could go wrong with any pizzas, some strange combos that work wonderfully well. Top that all off with a fantastic desert, and I am ready to book my next reservation.
(4)
Brittany K.
Beautiful experience! Went last week with a few friends for the Restaurant Week deal. The chicken thigh was so incredible...by far better than any of the other entrees. The panna cotta for dessert was amazing. The staff was so nice and knew when to back off and let us enjoy our meal. The wine pairings were amazing, and the atmosphere was just wonderful and relaxing. Great place for a date or for a night out with parents or friends!
(5)
Casey Z.
I had been waiting to try Balena for a while now. Their food was ok, nothing too special. Our pizza was not impressive. The tables upstairs are so close together, you almost feel as if you should be talking to the strangers next to you. The space itself is gorgeous. Very cool decor. Their cocktails are quite impressive, too.
(2)
C. K.
So long Lanmark, hello Balena! I had high hopes for this place having watched the transformation from its predecessor to this new establishment. I totes love the interior design, it's just enough of all the styles attempted here without a sign of slight multi-personality disorder. I love the entryway "patio." As to the staff, Class A act, those guys are (sorry for the Yoda phrasing). But all jokes aside. From the hostess, to our waitress and other wait staff (cause we had several service us), to even the bus boys, everybody was very pleasant, nobody had the "I'm at the bottom of the totem pole" inferiority complex or anger or attitude. They were attentive, we really did not have to wait around long. And, they were definitely mid-level ninjas because they cleared empty plates and glasses rather stealthily and did not really disrupt our flow of conversation. The drinks...meh. They were more on the small side and not that great. I guess I should have picked my own drink instead of asking the waitress for a recommendation (which was the Montenegro) but my drink tasted like Robitussin and I asked for something tangy. The price was $11, which is average for Chicago, but still, they were a bit small. The food. I was not THAT impressed and am kind of confused about the prices for those dishes. Our waitress told us that it would be a good idea to share dishes, so we did. We ordered two starters and one pasta dish. I was very confused when the amount of the pasta, a main dish, was the same as that of the starters. We had the Spicy Grilled Shortribs (which were rather tough and had lots of that cartillage, causing me to really just swallow each bite in order to avoid having to chew it) and the Zingermann's Buratta, which was actually tasty but so small that each of us got maybe two forks of it. As our pasta dish we had the Tarajin Pork Ragu (with freshly made pasta, which is their thing) which was really delicious but, again, after two forks each, the thing was gone. For dessert we got the Caramel Pine Nut Tart and a chocolate mousse type thing, both were on the salty side but a nice finish to our (small) meal. So, all in all, the atmosphere is good. Staff is great. Food seems overpriced for the portions they give you, tapas or not. Would I go back? Yes, but I think I would hit up other similar less-expensive spots which serve more food first over returning here.
(3)
Lindsay J.
This was just okay. I live in the neighborhood and had been meaning to come here for a while. My best friend and I were celebrating, so we thought we'd splurge. We got the bruschetta appetizer, which was just okay. Nothing special and the toast was actually a little burned. Maybe it was supposed to be that way? I HATE when things are burned, so I may be more sensitive about this than others. We then got the lamb liver bruschetta -- terrible. I can't even tell you how bad this is. I actually enjoy liver sometimes and this was ALL liver flavor -- like you pulled the liver out of a whole chicken and smeared it on a piece of toasted bread. We couldn't even eat it, so we sent it back and said we didn't like how "liver-tasting" it was and our server responded with "well, it IS liver". Touche. He was correct, but didn't need to rub in the obvious. And he charged us for it. I was quite surprised. Again, it was our fault, I get it...but maybe even apologize that it was bad? Then we ordered a pizza and 2 pasta dishes. The pasta dishes are really small, like appetizer size. We got the Sea urchin pasta and the Pork Ragu. The sea urchin was just okay, nothing crazy good, but tasty enough. The Pork Ragu...was DELISH! I would go back and order just that! We also got the mushroom pizza, which was also good. Our meal per person (with a bottle of wine to share) was $75/person, not including tip. The service was decent. I really liked the ambiance of the place, with the wood beams and the big, open bar! Overall, I would maybe go back, but probably not. I will say that my friend that I went with had been before, and she said her previous experience/food was much better. Maybe we just ordered bad?
(3)
Joe S.
The neon sign (or what's left of it?) behind the bar is perplexing in a good way. We loved our dinner and drinks...great place!
(4)
Nic R.
The staff is great and extremely friendly! Even gave us a card for our anniversary. Food was good. And that is about all I can say.
(3)
Josey B.
I had a 4* time at Balena last night. Great atmosphere, great service, great time. But the food just wasn't that special. it was good food, but not that exciting and sometimes, not even that great. We split two salads (zzzzz apple blue cheese, ok kale caeser), then two pastas (including the famous black noodle crab one which was cold and not that flavorful), then had the mixed pork grill (very good but for overcooked tenderloin) with an onion side dish (delish). Desert sundaes were yummy but again, not amazing. And yes, I expected amazing for the $99 bucks I spent (also had three drinks). Again, I had a 4* time but if you are looking for $$$$ caliber food in addition to a great atmosphere, I don't think this is your spot.
(3)
Sonny P.
Went to Balena on a Thursday night and first impression is that the place is huge. I thought that the food was okay and would highly suggest the flatbread pizzas as a great starter. I would give this review an incomplete because I would maybe want to try this place out again.
(3)
Amy P.
It's been 5 days since we dined at Balena and I'm still thinking about the pizza we had that night. That was possibly the best pizza I've ever had in my life, and I'm from New Yawk. Granted, being from the NYC does not a pizza expert make, but it certainly does provide one with a frame of reference. To me, great pizza must start with great dough, and this was one chewy, crispy, flavorful crust. The balance of toppings was just right. There was not a single bite of soggy crust or burnt edge. The pizza selection ranges from classic (tomato basil mozzarella) to more unique options such as the the mortadella and pistachio topped pizza we had. The mortadella made for a delicious topping, and I wonder why you don't see it more often than, let's say, prosciutto, which tends to turn into a burnt salty crisp when overcooked, or chewy strips that get dragged off the slice in most other circumstances. Pizza aside, we also ordered: - Peter's Bread, which much to my amazement I thought was just meh (I had predicted that it would be my favorite thing); - the chilled asparagus tossed with shaved cheese and hard boiled egg. Simple but yummy (if a little hard to eat); - the smoked mackerel, which was SP's favorite and really not what we expected at all. The mackerel was more like a crudo and the dish was a beautifully deconstructed plate with a mound of tender, melt-in-your mouth fish, a sprinking of toasted bread crumbs for textural contrast, and a perfectly poached egg that was practically quivering on the plate. We also ordered a side of baked polenta which tasted (to SP's delight) like cheesy mashed potatoes. It was good but forgettable. SP tried 3 of the bitters and I sampled a few of the wines by the glass. SP felt that the drinks did not pair well with the food but I thought they had a nice wine selection. The selections by the glass were reasonably priced and there are more choices than you'll typically find on most menus. In terms of the space, I liked the lofty open layout. The space seems to have a rustic barnhouse feel while still being contemporary and unique. We went a bit earlier in the evening so the crowd was a mix of families with kids, casual touristy types, and small groups that looked like they were getting ready for a show or a night on the town. The space was comfortable yet trendy enough that no one seemed out of place. The service was great and overall, it was a top notch dining experience.
(5)
Barri S.
The atmosphere and service is great. We had a wonderful experience but overall the food was alright. I'd really give this 3.5 stars but that's not an option. Mushroom pizza was my favorite.
(3)
James D.
Nice restaurant, but NOT Italian. Italians do not use cilantro or pita beans! This is likely a nice Mexican influenced place but it is NOT Italian. If you want authentic Italian this is not your place
(2)
Catherine S.
We popped into this place for a drink before dinner, and found it to be very trendy, classy, and seemed to be the happening place to be. Our drinks were good, and we loved the atmosphere. The food looks so delicious!! Will be back to try it.
(5)
Jaime P.
My husband I had been looking forward to Balena opening since we'd heard about it and went last night to celebrate his birthday. The whole experience beat our expectations. The atmosphere of the place is warm and welcoming while still modern. When we arrived we were asked if we would like to sit at the chef's table which we decided to try. It was a great experience. It was fun to sit next to each other and be able to watch all the action in the kitchen. The waitstaff was attentive and our waitress in particular was fabulous, making great recommendations and thoughtfully taking our coat ticket after asking if we'd like her to handle it and grab our coats once we were finished. We started with the bread basket which came with 5 different types of bread and 3 dipping sauces. The breads were all fresh and yummy and it was fun to be able to mix them with the different sauces. We also had the burrata starter that came with beets and celery root. The dish was nice and light and the celery root was a great addition that really brought it together nicely. For our entrees we tried the squid ink pasta and the tajarin with pork ragu. Both were delicious. The portions were perfectly sized and our waitress made great wine recomenndations for each. My husband would have liked a touch more heat on his tagliolini nero but we would order both entrees again. By far the best part of the meal was the dessert. We got 2 in honor of his birthday. The first was a chocolate budino which was a delicious if slightly more standard dessert. It was exectued perfectly but was upstaged by the playful "chocolate chip cookie" sundae with toasted milk. The sundae was so fun and playful and just delicious. The crunchy toasted milk was completely addictive. It was a great end to a fabulous meal!
(5)
Amanda R.
I love Balena. I have been here three times, and I typically don't visit Chicago restaurants twice, not to mention three times. But there are a few things that set Balena apart from other Italian restaurants. One is the high quality of all of the ingredients. Dishes as simple as cheese ravioli with a bit of butter and parmesan (I think - it's no longer on the menu) are incredibly memorable. Two is the versatility of the menu, with numerous options for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. We went with our vegetarian friends and mainly restricted our choices to options they could eat, and even my husband (who normally can't eat a meal without meat) was highly impressed. Three is the pricing. We have left Balena on all three occasions spending less than $50/person, including tax and tip, ordering way too much food, and drinking A LOT. The pizzas are huge and many of the starters are large as well. Peter's Bread is a good filler item, as it comes with a lot of delicious, fresh-baked bread and is very inexpensive. Four is the fact that, even after being named one of Bon Appetit's Best New Restaurants, I can always get a reservation on the night I want. Amazing, given the numerous popular Chicago restaurants that require reservations months in advance to get a table on a weekend night (Girl and the Goat, I'm talking about you!). And last, but not least, is the service. Last time we went, they were very backed up on reservations, and we waited about 35 minutes past our reservation time for our table. The manager came right over to the table immediately after we were seated and offered to bring us Peter's Bread and the Zingerman's Burrata with Roasted Beets and Celery Root on the house. I also want to mention that my favorite items on the menu are the Spicy Sausage, Red Onion, Tomato, and Mozzarella Pizza and the Tagliolini Nero with Crab, Sea Urchin, and Chili. Yum!
(5)
Erika P.
Tonight was my second visit to Balena, and I loved it both times. Fantastic, interesting, delicious food. Great atmosphere. If Will is your server, just order what he recommends from cocktails to dessert and everything in between...he knows and loves the food. You can't miss with his palate and passion. I'm reading comments about portions...this isn't Maggianos. It's not an American "Italian" restaurant. It's meant to be small plates shared and a progression through courses. Expensive? Perhaps. But when you consider the caliber of food, ingredients, and that this is a fine dining experience without the pretentious environment...it's entirely fair. You're eating black squid ink pasta with sea urchin not penne a la vodka with chicken. (I like both...it's just they are two different types of Italian restaurants.) What I like about it is it's a Foodie's paradise -- example, tonight a side dish of squash. A sweet and savory balance and so perfectly oven roasted that it wasn't mushy or on the flip side, tough at all. It was the best squash I've ever had. Ever. And it's "just" a side dish. If you don't geek out on food, I can understand why it's not what you expected. If you do have a passion for all things food (and wine/mixology), this is definitely a restaurant you'll want to try. Try it with other Foodies so you can share everything and sample as much as possible.
(5)
Henry B.
Fantastic spot. I love the decor, atmosphere, and attitude of the servers (friendly and extremely attentive without being overbearing) but let's be honest, it's a restaurant so the food had better be up to scratch. It was. We had: - The Balena (mixed plate of bread, cheese, meat, jardinière, and sauces) to start. This was fantastic, particularly the bread and the blue cheese. Many thanks to everyone who recommended this in their reviews; we would not have ordered it otherwise. - Tagliolini, orecchiette, and farm egg tajarin to follow. The tagliolini and orecchiette were both excellent. The tajarin was also very good but not quite at the same level. The pasta in all three dishes was superb. - A light, flavorful 2010 Tuscan Cabernet as a perfect accompaniment to the meal. Definitely a great spot to entertain or take a date. I will be going back.
(5)
Bryan X.
Dinner with 2 couples on11/16/2012. First let's start with charging 6 dollars per serving of bread. Yes, the bread was good. No, it could not be shared among 4 people. Then there's the "difficult", quasi Italian Menu where the chef tries (but fails) to push Italy's cuisine way too far beyond the "envelope". Ridiculous blending of mismatched ingredients. Then there is the matter of portion size. The "larger" entrees would best be served at a Weight Watchers convention. Everyone went home hungry. I suggest ordering a pizza because you'll need it to feel satisfied. As we left the restaurant, I noticed that most people were eating pizzas rather than other items from the menu. The portion control situation needs re-examination. Will not return.
(2)
Jay C.
If you desire creative dishes with fresh and distinct flavors and textures, you will be pleased. If you simply want familiar Italian dishes, you may be disappointed. The smoked mackerel starter was the consensus favorite at the table. The combination of the fish, egg yolk and aioli was surprisingly good and the crunch of breadcrumbs worked well with the creaminess of the dish. The charred quail starter was the runner-up favorite of the night. While I am not a big fan of quail and its little bones, it was tender and the hazelnut butter coating the skin was amazing. They should put that stuff on chicken. Both the tajarin and strozzapreti pastas were firm and chewy (in a good way). Neither was smothered with sauce or cream or cheese. Amen! The olives gave the strozzapreti a bright and slightly tart flavor and the rabbit had been cooked until it melted into tender goodness. After eating the head-on prawns, I am convinced the fresh green grapes should be used in more dishes. The sturgeon was the only disappointing dish of the night. It was cooked perfectly, but the overwhelming balsamic flavor did not add much to the fish. For dessert, I tried both the pine nut and caramel tart and the cinnamon and sugar doughnuts. I ate every last bite of the tart, but its distinct and refined flavor was definitely overshadowed by the melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts. This place makes for a great night out with folks who enjoy a more adventurous menu.
(4)
Scott B.
Went back again a couple weeks later. This time had the sturgeon. It was very good, but not as amazing as the taglioni nero. We both had the tiramisu for dessert. Easily the best I have ever had. I would like to try some of the side dishes next time, but I don't want to fill up because the desserts are so amazing. Our service was excellent once again. I think some of the reviewers are just having bad luck or are all getting the one bad server in the place.
(5)
cathy c.
What's not to love about Balena? Beautiful space. Attentive, friendly (and knowledgeable) staff, even on a jam-packed Saturday night. A warm-and-welcoming vibe. And the food, oh my. We could barely choose, everything sounded so good. And as big fans of The Bristol, we figured that the food would be memorable and we were not disappointed. We ended up with the kale cesear salad with sardines (delicious), sausage pizza that was absolutely incredible, two pasta dishes (squid ink with seafood and one very simple fresh pasta with cheese, both were fabulous) and the pistachio gelato and nougat for dessert (mind-blowing). We licked our plates clean. I can't wait to go back. The sooner the better. Thank you for being in Chicago, Balena!
(5)
helene f.
I love Balena. We got there every time we see a play at Steppenwolf or Royal George. The food is always outstanding. I have a complaint, though. I know they are proud of their cocktail list. Nothing on their list appealed to me, so I ordered my old standby--a French martini. Well, the bartender was not sure how to make one! She then asked the other two bartenders there, who told her they're made with pineapple juice. They don't have pineapple juice! Why not? I have never been turned down for a French martini before at a nice cocktail place. Why can't they have pineapple juice, just those little cans? So she made me a cosmopolitan; I didn't really like it but didn't complain. It was not the usual flavor. Just a disappointment from one of my favorite restaurants.
(4)
Lindsey O.
In love with Balena!! Delicious wide variety of food and Italian wine selection, really romantic date location. Start w a cocktail - strawberry 101 will rock your world. It's like a strawberry snow cone met an adult beverage and melted into delicious goodness. The wine selection is detailed and extensive. All wines are Italian. The menu also reads like a true Italian meal - appetizer, pasta, a 'from the grill' option, and dessert. We had the winter citrus salad and beet salad. Great portions to split. The smoked mackerel and hard boiled egg followed - smokey and light. We split the Nero black pasta (citrus, crab meat, parmesan) and ragatella. Dessert was lemon meringue gelato w lemon curd. The meal w three drinks a piece was $180 w tip which equals a great night out!!
(5)
Kaitlyn L.
We had the good fortune of coming here for a private event, so we were able to taste quite a sampling of their menu. Across the board, everything was delicious. The flavors were intense and unexpected without being overly bold or trying too hard, and the food was polished, yet comforting. The pasta was particularly memorable--the orecchiette, the bavette, the potato and leek ravioli--each one delightfully different and each one rich without being too heavy, which was a good thing, as I kept going back for seconds (and thirds, shhh!) of each dish. Would love to return to Chicago just to eat here again!
(5)
Joe B.
I practically live next door the Balena, so when they opened my roommates and I had to try it out. The experience was average. We got three pizzas, and the spicy sausage was the only good one. As for the service, it was subpar. If you want to have good service at Balena you better act rich. We walked over in jeans and tees and were treated like commoners. The funny thing is we probably tip better than 90% of the people in there. Good lesson for them. The second poor experience was when one of my roommmates and his girlfriend stopped by one night to order a pizza for carryout. The hostess told him they did not provide that service. She called over a manager who reiterated the same point, but said he would check with the head chef. The head chef had no problem with it and he got his pizza, after a 25 minute debate. NEWS FLASH BALENA. GET OVER YOURSELF
(2)
Tracy F.
I really enjoyed this restaurant. Came here with a group of girlfriends for my birthday. It was so hyped up on Yelp, I was expecting 4.5 or 5 stars but it's a healthy 4 star restaurant. The staff is great. Everyone is very friendly and SUPER knowledgable about the menu and wine list. Our waiter was excellent - I wish he was always my waiter! We started out at the bar where my friend couldn't decide on a wine. She tried 3 different whites and settled on a red. The bartender was very helpful and not at all annoyed with how long / how many tastes it took her to come to a decision. While the plates are all "share size", the hummus and both pasta dishes were much too small to be shared by 5 people. They should definitely be served in greater portions if they are going to be called "share size". Upstairs, our waiter, as I said, was fabulous. Attentive, friendly and knowledgable. We ordered the following: 1. Spring pea bruschetta: delicious and light 2. Coriander and cumin hummus: So good but pretty much a serving for one. There were five of us, so we each had only one bite. The dish should be larger, or the waitstaff should make you aware of the portion size. We would have ordered two - it was that good. 3. Arugula salad: Tasted like any other arugula salad with very simple/boring plating 4. Polenta with tomato sauce: Great portion size, thick and tasty 5. Mushroom pizza - delicious. Highly recommended 7. Squid ink pasta with crab and sea urchin: Also delicious but a very small portion. I could see 2 people easily splitting this, maybe 3 if you just want a bite or two 8. Yukon gold potato gnocchi: this was the most disappointing dish of the evening. The portion size, again, was fine for 2-3 people. However, the pasta was super salty. Would not order it again 9. Dessert: We ordered the donuts and the cannoli sundae. Both were fine but I'd rather spend money on another main dish. The best cannoli dish I've ever had was the broken cannoli at Natalino's. Too bad it closed. The wine list is amazing - unique and large. You won't be thirsty. The restaurant also has several different wine glasses depending on the type of wine you order. It's not common and very different from the standard white glass and red glass.
(4)
Ceal P.
4 solid stars. the Boka group restaurants can't seem to go wrong in this town!! went with some girl friends on a sunday night, reservations easy to get a week ahead. the space is just beautiful, although i don't get the neon lights on the side walls. decor reminds me of italian countryside. service was great. no complaints. loved: - chicken thighs!! crispy, salty and tender. coupled with a nice acidic sauce, green garlic, mustard greens. - beef ribs: cut similar to korean kalbi ribs. flavor was mildly spicy and citrus (cara cara oranges). great appetizer although hard to eat. great: - lemon orchiette kale pasta. everyone loved the lemon flavor - mushroom pizza: just amazing thick doughy crust for crust lovers. came with a side of chili oil which gave a great chili flavor in place of chili flakes - we loved. okay: - pass on polenta server recommended a great sangiovese which 4 women really enjoyed. would def return again and again. great addition to what is an amazing restaurant stretch of halsted!!
(4)
Hayley P.
So good! Amazing Italian without over-the-top portions. Great atmosphere in a great location.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Casey N.
My boyfriend and I got here right as they opened and sat at the bar....service was excellent and the cocktails were amazing...the bartender made several recommendations and was spot on...everything was phenomenal...must try the kale pizza
(5)Joel H.
Nice aesthetics, and atmosphere, and drinks were not bad. Servers were nice, though the food was really slow, which I actually liked, some would not. That's why it gets two stars. But, we went for restaurant week, which is supposed to be a great sampling of food for a god deal, and we got neither. I thought it was WAY over priced for what we got. Out of a party of 6, we ordered all 8 items from the 4 course menu, and all agreed there was really only 1 good dinner item (short ribs). The chicken thigh was also good, but, it had nothing special about it, and c'mon, I could make that at home, and the cous cous that came with it was oddly and extremely bitter some how. Desserts were good. We also tried a mushroom pizza from the regular menu which was good, but not worth $18, and if you want pizza, plenty of other places to go. Was sadly disappointed.
(2)Lynne J.
Balena, by the owners of The Bristol and Girl and the Goat, is great. I loved their Quail and pasta and their cocktails are amazing. I still love their other restaurant, The Bristol, more but Balena has only been open for a short time so only time will tell.
(4)John L.
Be prepared to wait even with a reservation. But it's worth the wait. Interesting almost funky Italian menu. Pizza is some of the best I have had. Traditonal wood fired Italian crust. Order one for the table before dinner. Portions for entree's are generally smaller but exceptable. Five of us all tried different items and were all pleased. The kale ceasar salad was interesting as was the polenta appetizer. The most pleasurable part of the evening were the desserts. We all raved for hours! Good food, knowledgeable servers and a great atmosphere. I can now see what all the fuss was about. Can't wait to return when in Chicago.
(4)Glen W.
One of the three best Italian restaurants in Chicago. Skip the pizza, which is very mediocre. Focus on the pastas which are out of this world.
(4)Michael W.
Hey, hipsters--I'm here to throw a little cold water on the heat being thrown off by this restaurant. First, I have to say that the ambiance and the service are superlative. It is extremely well managed and the entire staff is among the absolute best I have ever experienced. The remodel is beautiful and the vibe is tremendous. I had a good time looking at the trendy 20 and 30 somethings while waiting for cocktails to arrive. All decked out in their uniforms--5 inch platform shoes and short-shorts--better than a defibrillator for the oldest guy in the restaurant (me!!). My problem with the restaurant was the super-foodie menu, which I thought was trying much too hard to be so "now". I had difficulties finding anything I really wanted to eat on the menu. I went with the smoked mackerel and the sausage pizza. Both were beautifully presented but a bit too strange for me. I expected a warm appetizer and got a cold fish with a cold soft cooked egg, which was a bit off-putting. The pizza was very large, but not especially well dressed---they probably can make a dozen pizzas with one onion and one link of sausage, based on the volume of toppings that arrived on my entree. I loved everything about the restaurant except the food and didn't hear raves from my two companions either. I probably won't go back and will really miss Landmark, which for my money was among the finest restaurants in the city during its run. This too will pass and hopefully they will get back to basics in their next iteration.
(3)M M.
Came here for a celebratory dinner and we got fantastic service above and beyond what other restaurants will do. Food was delicious, and we got fantastic personal service to match. Thank you !
(5)Marissa J.
My husband and I had dinner here last night after seeing Blue Man Group as part of his birthday week. We started with drinks at the bar, prosecco for me and a wheat beer for him. You notice right away that the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. From the leather-covered bar to the array of light fixtures. It wasn't too loud and perfectly lit. We were seated a at 4-top in the middle of the dining room. Our server was nice, but not very knowledgeable about wine. Good thing they have a great somm who helped us choose an amazing bottle from Tuscany. We started with the scallop crudo with watermelon, uni, and radishes. We tried uni for the first time. I was a bit disappointed that it didn't taste like much. I also felt the watermelon overpowered the scallop, but still a nice dish. We also started with the burrata, which was divine. I only wish it came with more bread. Our next three items came out all at once, and I would have preferred them to be coursed differently, but no bigs. We had the squid ink pasta with crab and uni, the potato and leek ravioli, and the hanger steak. Everything was good, but a but oversalted and I like salt. The ravioli was a bit underdone, but tasty. We really enjoyed the squid ink pasta and the hanger steak was well cooked. For dessert we had the affogato with cinnamon donuts, which was a perfect end to the meal. Overall we had a lovely, extremely enjoyable night. I give service 3 stars, our waitress was nice, but not super attentive or knowledgeable. I give food 3 stars because it was over salted, but yummy. I give the restaurant decor and atmosphere a 5. This place is gorgeous! I give the overall value (bang for your buck) a 4. We will definitely go back, but not for a while.
(4)Casey N.
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this place. Do not miss the white pizza with mushrooms and scallions. And the desserts, oh. my. god. A full-blown carb festival in all its glory. Definitely worth visiting...and revisiting. Food: Service: Ambiance: Vibe: casual, laid back yet trendy Good for: casual date, group dinner, fun night out with friends, dinner with parents/family, pre-theater dinner, wine & charcuterie meetup Full review w/ pictures and all that jazz on my blog: caseycooks.com/2012/10/d…
(4)Mike H.
Balena is a real gem of the Boka group of restaurants. If you are not able to get a reservation at the Girl and the Goat, try Balena. It is perfect for both business dinners as well as a dates. Service: Top notch. Although it is not Ritz level, it is close. Food: Amazingly fresh ingredients and consistent. Recommendation: Nero pasta with seafood (yes....it also includes Uni on top)
(5)Colleen R.
I am sorry it took me so long to get to this great Lincoln Park restaurant. The spicy pepperoni pizza was outstanding- the crust was chewy and had hints of ground rosemary in it. The pastas were "out of this world." What a difference homemade pasta makes! The pistachio gelato didn't really taste like real pistachio, but everything else was fantastic so I refuse to take a star away. Service was friendly and attentive.
(5)Christopher D.
Balena was mostly enjoyable, but it has some work to do. What doesn't need much work is the decor. The whole industrial chic look is a bit overdone these days, but at Balena, it felt fresh. And of what food we tried, it was mostly good. My date had the black pasta with crab and sea urchin. I enjoyed the sweet, spicy, and briny flavors. Also, our shared carpaccio appetizer was top-rate. My pasta with pork "ragu" wasn't very impressive. I put "ragu" in quotes because a ragu is typically a meaty, long-simmered sauce. What Balena served was more akin to a tomato sauce with little pork bits scattered on top. (And those bits weren't particularly tender or luscious, which I'd expect from a ragu.) The portions were also fairly skimpy. To her credit, our server warned us the pasta plates would be on the small side, but the prices don't necessarily say so. (Fellow Yelpers say they were told the pasta portions are 6 ounces. I, too, find that doubtful.) The same folks behind Balena also run The Bristol in Bucktown. I've always been a big fan of the latter, and for now, I'd have to say it's the better bet.
(3)Michael P.
Yes it is crowded....with trixies and dates - why would you take a date to the loudest restaurant in all of Chicago... Oh wait none of that is my business.... The place is huge and FULL - not a problem....the tables are small and it is a "sharing" encourage shop - a problem...how does one share a bunch of tasty food when the table can't hold the plates of food, tableware, and bottle of wine.... hmmmm...just wondering was a little uncomfortable for me to sit and try to hope I did not bump one of the plates off the table and embarrass my dearly beloved friend...whom was gorgeous by the way. Just saying, get smaller dishes or larger tables.... Oh the hype THE HYPE lol the food is stellar - I really did enjoy the food and wine so very happy to have lovely Italian food and wine - one of my favorites! The sea urchin and ink pasta - MY favorite of the whole evening - though the pistachio ice cream with the fresh nougat topping - sign oooh yes the thin slice of candied orange --- oooh YES! Here me now - I did not witness any attentive service except the hostesses and tehe sommelier. Yes the hostesses, go figure but they were pleasant and attentive. wait staff/servers were wore out and grumpy - I would be too if I was trying to balance and a bunch of plates running around in a room full packed with too many small tables...but the food is AMAZING! ooohh oooh if you had a long day and really don't have the best hearing - not the place for you.... Kale Caesar Salad was simply PERFECT! - our wine was gracefully selected by the Sommelier and perfect Thank goodness my host/BFF are loud NYC style talkers - oy oy! XOXO
(3)David B.
No surprise here, Balena hit a homer. Great unpretentious service in an almost spiritual setting, with solid pasta and pizza, and fancy drinks and desserts. We warmed up with the seasonal bread offerings which came with appropriate accoutrements, including a gorgonzola honey and whipped cinnamon curry spread. Next came a chewy and perfectly peppery wild arugula salad, followed by a sizeable tomato sauced pizza of sausage and caramelized onions, with a soft, doughy and slightly charred crust. The rammekin of spicy chili oil really put this one over the top. We boxed up half of the pizza to save room for the real star of the meal - the orechiette, rich with kale and lemon cream and crumbs. At that point we were prepared to call it a night, but a deep dessert menu pressured us into the sugar donuts with espresso gelato, which really sealed the deal. The gelati (plural gelato), I'm told, is all made in house. For real Classy place, reasonably priced. A revelation
(5)Terrence B.
I've always been a strong supporter of the Bristol, this ended up being slightly less. Arrival: the place shows strong street cred. The interior is like walking into a Restoration Hardware catalog. Hey, very nicely done, but after the initial top note wears off, I'm missing the walk-away final impression. And its a noisy enviroment, but not unpleasantly so. It keeps you intimate but doesn't make communication impossible. Liveries: This is as good as you get, every tiny nagging complaint about the place is countered by THIS IS LIKELY THE GREATEST COCKTAILS IN THE CITY. I had the Negro and the Peat and the Montenegro. Scotch with raw egg whites, some other magic, it was a new experience. The Montenegro is dangerously sippable. On a much lesser note, the Pina is decent and I would probably pass on the Dark and Stirred.... Don't get me wrong, the mixology and construction are spot on, they just don't put on the Shark Pants. Liveries con't: The beer list was a scant 3 offerings when I was there. 2 being easily acquired and the 3rd being a thirty dollar offering I will explore elsewhere. Seriously Bristol guys, I know you have access to much nicer than Crooked Tree and I am not expecting you to have 30 different offerings, but challenge me with something hip here. Oh and there seemed to be some serious backlash from the wait staff that I insisted on drinking my beer from the bottle. Seriously, I consume finer beers from my garage. Lead Ins: At the waiter's recommendation we went with the heirloom tomato bruschetta which while simple was perfect. I also had the octopus/farro/olives starter. Now I had a magical grilled octopus dish at the Bristol and I was hoping of a repeat. The presentation is not too far off from canned cat food and without any interaction items like bread/crackers, it was honestly a chore to eat. It could seriously be a better dish for a table of 6 with some scoopable element. Mains: ok so if you are trying to pull off an exclusive/hip pizza joint, I will certainly test you out on your brick oven goodness. The mushrooms with fontina, while an amazing pizza completely smells like BO and leaves an evening long aftertaste of smoke (to the point I am ommitting my dessert section of this review), and the heirloom pizza which, once again, was spot on. Service: Generally spot on for a top shelf establishment. Very attentive, very detail orientated, but also very slightly over stretched. It took over 10 minutes to get my bar tab dealt with and they weren't willing to have it transferred over to my table. I don't feel inconvenienced by this but it was short of expectations. Also it felt like the waiter had one more table than the michelin stars Balena is aiming at. Lasting Impressions: I remember this place for the drinks and I think they will set the bar for quite some time for me. The food was a mixed bag. I will be back but it will be the scenario of slotting in a visit for a few rounds of drinks and some starters for a group of 4.... I think I will stick to the Bristol for fine dinner outings.
(4)Ermelinda C.
Very good restaurant. We started with the Goat Cheese and Beet Burrata and the Octopus salad, which were delicious. From the main dishes the Tagliolini Nero with seafood and the mushroom pizza were the highlight. Great wine menu and delicious sorbets. The service was on point!
(4)Susan F.
Had a great experience within the 2 weeks of Balena opening. It took awhile to get our drinks, but they refilled our water plenty of times! The menu has it all, let me give you the breakdown... The food. We started with the shared cheese and meat plate (The Balena, $26). If you have a party of 4, this will feed you all very well! It came with a wonderful assortment of meats, cheese, and bread with pickled vegetables and spreads. One of the better charcuterie plates I've had in the city. Meats Paprika Cured Pork Loin Gin and Juice Salami Coppa di Testa Cheeses Robiola Pecorino Grand Cru Oregonzola Breads Walnut Bread Fennel Crostini Roast Garlic Semolina Lemon Pepper Challah Spreads Bagna Cauda Whipped Ricotta Olive Oil We were overwhelmed with the various choices of pizzas, pastas, and main entrees, but I had already decided on the stuffed rabbit loin days before. Whenever there is rabbit served on a menu, I will get it. The portion was huge and I was surprisingly unselfish and gave a few nibbles away. The plate is definitely for someone who enjoys sausage and gamey meat, but it wasn't offensive at all if you're privy to throwing your palate a curve ball. I would highly recommend it! The boys ordered the large king prawn (yes, the ones where you suck the head off, that comes with EYES and everything). The verdict was that they were good, but a bit salty. The sturgeon, which I had a piece of, was cooked perfectly. The portion wasn't huge, so I wouldn't suggest only ordering that for your entire meal. The side of polenta also gets two thumbs up. The dessert list ($8-$9) was not to be missed. The donuts caught our eye. To be accurate, it was deemed the Affogato: Vanilla Gelato, Espresso, Cinnamon Sugar Donuts. The glass was filled with gelato and they poured the espresso over it. It tasted even better than it looks, if you can imagine! The drinks: I can't write any more without praising the drinks at Balena. Their robust (over 300!) wines hit all palates. Personally, I had never heard of any of the wines because they were all Italian, but they listed all of the flavor notes which made it easier to choose. I was extremely satisfied with my choice not knowing exactly what I was picking. Their signature drinks are ranked in order of bitterness: 1 being mellow, 10 having quite the bite. You'll find egg whites, absinthe, and cordials among the ingredients in the cocktails (which take a minute or two to brew, much like Hubbard Inn and Violet Hour). Among the favorites of the table included the Strawberry (low bitterness) and the Peat (with Scotch and egg white). The decor: The atmosphere is unpretentious and the bar is just the right size. The kitchen is on an elevated level with a glass window to watch everything. There is ample seating and the ceilings are sky high! What I enjoyed most were the rafters at the top. The ceiling came to a point and there were balls of warm lights which reminded me of an old barn set up for a wedding. It gave the space a nice open feeling--one that you might not find in your one bedroom apartment.
(4)Kelly C.
I will admit I didn't have a clue anything opened in this location since Landmark closed until a friend suggested it for dinner. I def liked what they did to the place very chic. We were sat upstairs and holy moly they smash those tables together - to the point where people had to move the table to get out (and these were not large people by any means)! I however wasn't blown away by my dining experience-to me just okay. The service overall was so slow! We were there for 2.5 hours which had it been a weekend no problem but it was a school night! It took a good 20 minutes to flag the server down to get the check. I have a feeling this is because it was around 10:30 and she was ready to leave as well and doing side work to get out sooner - just my opinion. I'm not a bitters drinker but the sweet strawberryno1 was perfect for me and tasted like couch syrup to my friend - she enjoys the bitters drinks! The food to me was decent but nothing out of this world. We wanted to start with the Bruschetta of oil based tuna...but they were out of that...boo! So we settled on the smoked mackrel - we were both shocked at how tasty it was (note that our expectations were low). We also split a pasta dish and it was okay, I honestly can't even remember what was in it. The polenta was quite good. The pizzas looked amazing and I did have food envy when the table next to us had it.
(3)Wendy S.
We went here in beg. of November. I think they were still ironing out some kinks but it seriously was a little amateur in terms of service. But with what they missed in service, they did try to make it up in other ways. Here are the specifics: - Our waitress didn't come over to us for at least 15 minutes after we sat down - we had no drinks, no water, etc..She was overwhelmed with tables. -ordered a bottle of wine - waited and waited, then our meal started to come out. I am very understanding with service, except this. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. And in this situation, they came back realized we didn't have our wine, then proceeded to tell us, it is out. Can we pick something else out. We did. Then another 10 min went by, she forgot about it., panicked. So almost through with our meal, the manager came over and was very apologetic. This is the part where they really did try to make it up. Because it was a very annoying dinner up to that point. So they: - comped us another glass of wine... - comped us another pasta dish and veggie side (at which point we said please no more food :) - comped us dessert to go Our bill should have been $150-180, we walked out of there dinner for two was $75 with tip. So hence my comment that I would go back again and try the pizza (everyone was getting it) rather than do the whole menu. And hope that the wine comes before dessert.....
(3)k e.
I love everything about this place - the atmosphere is great (intimate, even in a big space), the service was outstanding, and the food was amazing. Perfect date night. From cocktails to dessert, everything we had was great. The tagliolini nero is a must have. A friend recommended that dish to us and it was, by far, my favorite.
(5)Christine S.
My experience at Balena started out okay, but went way downhill very quickly. We went after a Steppenwolf play for an early (5:15) dinner, so it was pretty empty when we got there. Our waitress was very attentive - at first, but once the place filled up, she pretty much disappeared. Other servers delivered our food, so we didn't even see her for a good long time. Now, the food - started out okay too, we started with a mozzarella appetizer which wasn't that great, but also got a pizza which was really good. However, we also ordered a couple of seafood dishes (halibut and branzino) which were terrible. The halibut was not a steak as I had expected, but halibut cheeks, which were extremely rubbery and way, way, way over-salted. It was pretty inedible. The branzino was basically charred, unseasoned fish. No flavor, other than the flavor of the burnt exterior. Also pretty inedible. And we had asked for the branzino to be served with the head and tail cut off, but that did not happen. We wanted to let our server know about the quality of the dishes (keep in mind that the halibut is $26, the branzino - $27), but as I mentioned earlier, she disappeared. We mentioned it to a bus boy, who then had the manager come over. The manager was extremely nice, took the two dishes off our bill, and gave us a complimentary dessert, so that prevents the rating from being lower. But overall, aside from the professionalism of the manager, our service pretty much sucked. Even after all that, our waitress seemed to avoid our table like the plague. She came by to ask if our dessert was okay, completely ignoring all that had happened while she checked out from our table forever. The place is really nicely decorated, the drinks are good, but - ugh, the service and food leave a lot to be desired.
(3)Andrew H.
The Balena Plate. Tagliolini Nero, Crab, Sea Urchin, Chili. You're welcome. It's enough for two to share. Having ordered a lot of platters like the Balena plate recently at other restaurants, I can confidently say Balena's was the best. The breads were all killer and the cheese sides were all perfectly paired with one other ingredient. I think it's slightly overpriced for the amount of food given, but it's one of those places where I enjoyed my meal so much I didn't care what it cost. The drinks were also very tasty and creative.
(5)Seana S.
This restaurant is mind blowing! My boyfriend and I randomly stopped in for a quick drink before a show at the Royal George Theater, and the atmosphere alone made us want to return for dinner afterwards. Everything here is made from scratch. They take your entire order to insure you are not waiting too long for food being that each dish takes a little longer to prep. The waitress really sold us on each item she picked. She knew everything about the menu and guided us in all the right directions. We ordered (2) Pastas to share. These are smaller portions so know that you are sharing. We ordered: Burrata Orecchiette, Kale, lemon, bread crumbs, and Chili Potato And Leek Ravioli And BONUS Canestri, Pork Ragu, Procini Mushrooms For the main course we shared the salt and pepper chicken Polenta and Tomato Fondue Everything was outstanding from the service to the atmosphere. Our waitress really knew the menu and could have sold anything on it. The Burrata was to die for. It's one of my new favorite apps to get when dining out, and it was so flavorful and paired nice with the beans. The pasta is made from scratch and you can taste how fresh it is. It melts in your mouth! We ended up getting an extra/BONUS pasta to try, because the chef either saw us earlier in the night and then saw us again, but the waitress said it was complements of the chef for coming back! It was so nice of him, not to mention, delicious! The chicken I was a little hesitant on getting. I'm not a fan of dark meat at all. This was the most tender/flavorful piece of chicken I have ever had (perfect for two to share as well) We did skip on dessert, but next time we will totally get it The best part about the meal is that it's not super expensive. It's not cheap, but with the quality and taste of food we received our bill should have been twice as much! We cannot wait to go back and try everything else!
(5)Alex G.
Brought here by one of the line chefs (my brother-in-law), and was not disappointed. The service was phenomenal. The food was splendid. The atmosphere was enjoyable.
(5)D F.
This place delivers, and then some: Small plates for appetizers are all out of this world tasty and affordable. Pizza offerings are imaginative, tasty and full of flavor in every bite. Oven is the key to some of the best authentic pizza for the category of dining. Pasta courses are so authentic. Love the handmade pasta, and each time I have tried a new one, they are always out of this world good. Sugo di Carne with Tajarin still my favorite from when they first opened but each one after that has still been delightful. Desserts, like the affogato just hit the right note after a great meal. Go often, if you can get a reso.
(5)Alyssa C.
Another 4.5 stars. Cool decor, delish italian and great times had by all. We started off with the shishuto peppers and burrata cheese. I would say the burrata was awesome, peppers, so-so. My main dish was the Orecchiette pasta - phenomenal! Absolutely delish! We finished it up with some tiramisu and pistachio gelato, pretty good. My friends meals weren't as good as mine (I won!) and the desserts were pretty average. Ambiance was awesome, great for a girls dinner or date night. Our server was extremely knowledgeable and provided great recommendations. I would come back!
(4)Ryan P.
The first thing you will notice at this restaurant is the wide open space. The environment is great , and the space is beautiful. I came here for a double date, and it was a great environment for that. The room is loud, but when enjoying the fantastic craft cocktails with another fun couple, the noise does not bother you. The service was 5 star caliber, our server Max was super informative and had been trained to describe the menu beautifully. Food was timed perfectly, and drinks were always refilled. Do not expect the gigantic portion sizes you get at other italian restaurants, the food is pretty and nice to look at as seen in the pics. However, it is deleicous as well. I highly recommend the polenta as a side, it is a thicker more hearty kind of polenta that is not often seen at Italian restaurants these days. We tried one of the brick oven pizzas, and that was just average at best, nothing compared to the brick oven delights of Greenwich in New York city. Not sure what the fuss about the pizza is. The pastas are definitely the way to go at Balena, but what stood out the most for me were the drinks. Though the wine list is large, treat yourself to an expertly crafted cocktail. I wanted to try them all for sure; the bartenders have created an excellent menu that rates the drinks in terms of bitterness. Just fantastic. I was a little let down by the dessert though, as I was told that food network star Amanda Rockman had built and created the menu. Typical fare for italian restaurants, with tiramisu and other pastry. in all honesty the chocolate cookie gelato sundae was the stand out dessert. And when you have a celeb pastry chef, the ice cream sunday should not be the star. Awesome ambiance, drinks, pasta and service at Balena. Highly recommend for a date night or with friends.
(4)Nanda W.
Really didn't want to like this place, but it was seriously great. Walked in and immediately expected this place to be all presentation and nothing to back it up, but it was great all round. Fantastic service, decor, and the food was great. I got to try 3 of the pasta dishes and will have to fight the urge to never try anything new on my next visit...I'm seriously not even a pasta person, but my mind has been changed. Also tried two of the pizzas which were also not to be missed. Really awesome job, Balena! We'll be back!
(5)Kevin T.
great fresh pasta, great cocktails. I'l definitely be back. This space took over the old Landmark Grill which I liked before, but this is a great improvement!
(4)Kim A.
Came here last night for birthday dinner.... Was immediately pleased by the decor and the service.. and then the food. YUM It's been a while since I've really been impressed by unusual (but not pretentious) menu items, and Balena really delivered. We had the kale salad, shishito peppers, squid ink tagliolini, and I had the trout as my entree. If I wasn't trying to act like a lady, I probably would have licked the pasta bowl clean. For dessert we had the pistachio gelati sundae. You can tell the menu was built around what is in season, not just what is trendy at the moment. I hate going to places where there are "trendy" menu items, but they're sort of jumbled on the menu and on the plate, not really making sense. Yes, the bill plus a bottle of wine was more than just your average "going out" night, but I would totally love to come back with a group and share apps and some of their pizza.
(5)Kristi T.
Okay, WOW!!!!! "The B Team" (BOKA and Bristol combined) really outdid themselves this time. I was completely floored with how amazing this restaurant concept is, the look, the attention to every detail, the stellar staff training, and the specialists- from Debbi Peek,an award winning mixologist to start off your evening, to Amanda Rockman from Just Desserts creating hand crafted deliciousness to cleanse your palate and leaving you wanting more. Imagine Tuscan, rustic decor with Lamborghini service. UMMMM awesome! Started off with a strawberry cocktail by Debbi with wild, liquor soaked mini strawberries. I'm not usually a cocktail fan, but this was out of this world!!! She also gives you a ton of background on why and how it is so unique. Its like a cosmo, with the same amount of alcohol, but tastes like heaven. We were so impressed by the modern layout, the exquisite menu, and the knowledgeable & friendly staff. We truly think this place is going to be a ginormous hot spot! The menu was so delectible it was hard to decide. All in all, we tried about 12 dishes. I was impressed with EVERYTHING! Stand out favorites: Balena Platter - cured meats, cheeses, sauces, four types of bread. This was definitely a crowd favorite and sharable for a group. I could have just had that and left satisfied and happy. Fig, sharp cheese, herb crostinis, challa bread, cream sauces, oils... "Lasagna Pizza" - I know it sounds nuts, but its ricotta, bolognese, spinach, and other yumminess I can't remember (after my like 17 glasses of delicious Italiano light red wine). No, its not fat free, but its worth every bite of it (and good for breakfast the next morning, too!) They also offered freshly grated cheese (must) and a chili oil that just gave that much of an edge over any other pizza I've had. And yes, I have eaten quite a bit of pizza! Spaghetti - Sounds simple, but these noodles were perfectly al dente, thicker than normal, and so simply delicious! Buratta with beets - I mean, purple heaven on a plate? Yep. Crab Ravioli - Please just imagine it. Homemade pasta stuffed with crab and cheese in a light sauce. Do yourself a favor and try it! I wish I could relive all 12 dishes right now. I can't wait for this to be open to the public - it is going to be a complete knockout and definitely wont be turning over the location any time soon!!! Looking forward to bringing my foodie husband here, and wowing him with my great recommendations!!!!!!
(5)Gary C.
So, my name is Gary C. and I'm addicted to the Boka Restaurant Group (BRG)...and even more so after their collaboration with team at The Bristol. *sigh* Here we go again, another restaurant opened by arguably the best restaurant group in the Windy City. Sounds like I'm complaining, but really I'm excited.......to tell you about my experience. If you don't know by now, BRG is, as Ron Burgundy so eloquently put it, "kind of a big deal." Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz (the Bo and Ka of Boka) have collaborated with Chef Chris Pandel and Pastry Chef Amanda Rockman (both of The Bristol fame...Rockman on Just Desserts) and The Bristol team to bring Chicago a what I can only describe as beauty. Beauty in the form of interior design. Beauty in the form of food. Beauty in the form of beverages. The drink menu is very nicely laid out. Mixed cocktails are numbered from weak sauce to heavy hitting. Be warned! Balena also has a very nice selection of vino and beer. Take a nice long look, as the drink menu is extensive. Cuisine revolves around Italian flavors, noticeable by the cheeses, pizzas, and pastas on the menu. My buddy and I snagged a table during their soft opening (I ball so hard...my ankle hurts), and after months of anticipation we were not disappointed one bit. Balena is visually beautiful. Ridiculously high ceilings. Comfy leather chairs. Wooden tables that remind me of cutting boards. And the clock. Yes, that large custom clock is a focal point upon walking in. There is a gorgeous bar on the north side of the restaurant, and a private dining space upstairs next to the open kitchen. Walk around and explore if you have the opportunity; it's amazing. My foodie friend and I went hard on the menu, ordering something from each section, which there are six: meat/cheese/bread, starters, pizza, pasta, grill/oven/rotisserie, and (wait for it) desserts. We ordered the cured meats (a trio of thinly sliced delicacies), spicy grilled short ribs (with charred orange and basil), lasagna pie (best of two worlds: lasagna and pizza), tagliolini nero (served with crab, sea urchin, and chile), and rabbit loin (stuffed with garlic, chives). Two things stood above the rest: lasagna pie and tagliolini nero. Not taking anything away from the other dishes, the lasagna pie and tagliolini were the most interesting dishes of the night. As mentioned, the pie is the best of both worlds. Imagine a deconstructed lasagna on a crisp, fluffed crust. Yes. You know what's up. The tagliolini simply was amazing. The crab meat and sea urchin add so much flavor the this dish that it's near impossible to dislike. But that's not all. Chef Rockman's dessert menu will make you find room in your stomach for something sweet. If not, watch this video before you go to Balena: youtu.be/Pm7gxVXrXOg . The Just Desserts gal dishes out ten, yes ten different desserts, including six sundaes (gelati and sorbetti, to keep with the Italian-influence) along with a tiramisu that might rival her famous Basque cake for addictive-ness, affogato with cinnamon sugar doughnuts (which gives Mindy Segal a run for her money), a caramel pine nut tart so sweet that your girlfriend will leave you for it, and a chocolate budino (think choco-pudding). Her desserts are so mean, but she's such a sweetheart. So there ya go. Another fine addition to the Boka Group and Bristol Team; they make such an amazing couple. This baby is going to be the talk of the town for quite some time. Now go, make a reservation, and maybe I'll see you there!
(5)Wei H.
Got a table for 3 at 6:30 on a Friday night with no wait. Liked it from the beginning. Service was excellent. From our hostess to a manager looking gentleman that guided me to the ladies' room, I felt like a pretty important guest even in my short shorts and tank (it's actually quite embellished, not just a simple one color tank top). Apps: Peter's Bread basket - Very refreshing and creative. Loved the tomato crostini and Chocolate Cherry Sourdough. Mackerel - OMG OMG OMG. Would definitely go back just for this. It's like when you are about to fry the mackerel - you do your ritual of dipping the fish in egg yolk and then bread crumbs - except that you skip the nasty frying process. This is really really amazing greatly because of the fresh mackerel. Main: Tagliolini with crab and sea urchin - the use of chili gives this dish the perfect amount of heat. I am still dreaming about this. Summer squash Strozzapretti - IMHO squash was not mushy enough to integrate well with the rest of the dish. The almond pesto was subtle and well done though. Margarita pizza - too plain for my tasting. The crust was nice though. Desserts: Chocolate Tart - get this and embarrass yourself with your soon to be non-stop uncontrollable "hmmmmmmmmmmm". There are just so many textures going on. Excellent quality of chocolate. Tiramisu - feather light. Not too sweet. Not a big Tiramisu person but my best friend from NY loved it. Apricot Sorbetti - I don't remember what bubbly wine it was that they poured in but the presentation was beautiful. I did not like the idea of drenched sorbet though. Overall it was a very good dining experience. Great atmosphere, a few wow factor dishes and amazing service.
(4)Eric Y.
This place gets 5 stars because it does everything very well (actually 4.5 stars but I rounded up). The room is beautiful in a rustic way, with soaring ceilings, nice natural light, and an exhibition kitchen on the second floor. Service is attentive and informative, definitely enthusiastic and aiming to please. The cocktail service is great and there is a large selection of all-Itialian wines by the glass. If you like Italian alcohol, this is your place! We shared a number of dishes and sharing is definitely the way to go. There were a few items that really stood out. The fried Zambone is a wondrous deep fried patty of pork shoulder topped with an earthy orange marmalade that cuts the richness. The squid ink pasta with Jonah crab and urchin is truly to die for - we ordered a second one of those. Yum... there's a beautiful balance of texture, sea flavors, sweet crab, and acid. And the pizza ... oh ... my ... goodness ... the crust is as good as it gets. Simultaneously crispy, burnt, tender and chewy and the bottom is firm so it doesn't flop down as soon as you pick up a slice! We were told the secret ingredient is honey but I think it's the Calabresian chili oil that is served with every pie and you drizzle it as you eat it. Wow. We had the brussels sprouts and pancetta pizza and the mushroom and scallion pizza. Just delicious. The salt and pepper chicken thighs were also delicious. Who knew this simple meat could be so tasty? Other tasty items that we tried included the beef heart and the smoked mackerel with soft boiled egg. Balena is well known for it's dessert sundaes and these did not disappoint. The rhubarb sundae with coeur di la creme (goat's milk yogurt) was memorable as was the pistachio gelato with pistachio nougat. One reason we were excited to eat here was because of the bread chef and we were disappointed to learn that the bread chef had left Balena for greener pastures in San Francisco. However our meal did not suffer one bit for this loss. We were told that there are plans to revive the bread program but really how much more goodness can there be here?
(5)Reese F.
I can't wait to return to Balena. With so many great restaurants in Chicago, and only so many nights to go out, it's tough to have favorites because we keep finding new places to try but Balena could easily become one of ours... We sat on the second floor, an intimate enclave. We started with cocktails, which are listed on scale of bitterness. I recommend being adventurous -- our table of four ordered very bitter drinks and all were delicious. For our meal, we first shared the Balena platter of cheeses, meats and breads -- incredible! The breads are quite creative. We then shared two pizzas and two pastas, which was the perfect amount of food. The pastas (we tried the orchiette and taglionli) were incredible--can't say I've ever had sea urchin before... But we absolutely loved the pizzas (mushroom and spicy sausage). The mushroom pizza is a must!
(5)Timothy G.
This new eatery is s non stop surprise from the minute you see the exterior, and then walk in the door, its whole different personality. The interior decor is inviting, modern and chic, but personal and warm. The service was outstanding, as was the waiters suggestions, descriptions and explanations were engaging and personal. The menu is excellent, hard to make up your mind, we were two couples and tried 5 plates and all were very good, though the pasta dishes a tad small, they packed some flavor, and also were a tad spoiled in Chicago with large servings overall. Its nice to have this level of dining in the LP area without going downtown/westloop/bucktown, as we live in the Goldcoast and have tired long ago of the usual suspects. 2 Apps, 1 Pizza, 2 Pasta dishes and a bottle of red wine, and no time for dessert, for better or worse, was $135 w/tip. What stood out for me, as I travel and entertain often, was the level of passion and precision of the staff, very well executed menu knowledge. Hats off to the management.
(5)Claire S.
Chicago was deeply in need of a breath of fresh air in its Italian-inspired cuisine - which Balena has most certainly provided! From its date-night-perfection atmosphere, featuring warm lighting and rustic wood against its seemingly-soaring creamy walls, to its creative-yet-almost-pastoral cuisine, Balena fills a gap in the Chicago restaurant scene. My dinner partner and I started the night off with a negroni each, and split the sizable selection of cheeses, which could have easily kept us satisfied for the night. But of course we couldn't pass up the opportunity to attempt to turn our tongues black with delicious tagliolini nero, which we dove into as soon as it appeared before us. Lovely, but would have perhaps liked to see a bit more sea urchin. Following the tagliolini, we shared the hearty roast porchetta with polenta. Although the concept is small plates, the food is rich enough that small portions are sufficient, so we felt no need to order any additional items on this visit; however, I think I'll be back to see their take on my beloved cacio e pepe as well as the porcini and pork ragu, which sounded divine. The wine list is extensive and seems very carefully selected. We opted for a Sangiovese which was absolutely wonderful. Overall, this was a thoroughly pleasant spot for a weeknight date, with attentive service, a convenient location, and conversation-worthy wine and dining options.
(4)Linda H.
A great experience from the initial greeting at the door. We had reservations and were quickly seated in the room upstairs. The place is way bigger inside than I imagined. The rustic-chic decor is very comfortable and lighting is nice. Ok, I'm not fond of banquette seating, but I was still damn glad to be there. The cocktail and wine list is extensive and interesting, but I opted for a beer, which was not the best choice probably. There are just a few bottled beers available, and the one I chose (Goose Island's "Sofie") didn't go with the food so well...oh well, live and learn. Next time I would try one of the bitters cocktails or ask for a wine suggestion. We started with the bread, cured meat, and burrata with roasted beets. That was a lot of food for two people, but since BF and I are card-carrying members of the Clean Plate Club, we finished most of it. I think if you have 4 or more people to share, just go ahead and get "The Balena", with bread, cheese and meats, and you will be off to a good start. So I'm pretty full at this point, but I soldiered on. Next, BF got the salt & pepper chicken thighs and they were fantastic. Who knew a chicken thigh could be so delicious? I got the pizza w/mortadella and pistachio. The pizza was very good, but as BF and I have been doing a study of wood-burning oven pizzas lately, this one was not blowing me away. Plus, it turns out I don't really like mortadella too much. Anyhoo, I just ate a bit of the pizza (which was quite big...got it wrapped to go) so I could get dessert. We both got sundaes...blueberry pie, and pistachio something. I did love mine...some lemon sorbet with pecans and blueberries and blueberry gelato and a piece of lattice crust, and BF's was ok, but there was some candied orange pieces or something on there that kind of overpowered the taste of the pistachio gelato. So I don't think I made the best choices on this visit, but it was a lovely experience and everything is done very simply, but very well. I think it would be a good place to go with at least 4 people so that lots can be ordered and shared. Oh yeah, and the service was fantastic! I shall return!
(4)Audrey W.
I came here on a Thursday night around 6:30 and it was already packed. Thankfully we made reservations and got there early because by the time we left it was so crowded we had trouble walking out. Food was for the most part very good. I would advise passing on the not so special pizza and order the pastas! We ordered the orichiette (please excuse my spelling) and a pasta with sea urchin. Both winning dishes! I would pass on the charcuterie plate. It was pretty pricey for what you got and the bread that came with it was mediocre. The beet and burrata starter was amazing! I could literally eat it all day long. Pizzas were okay, but not as good as I was expecting them to be. I wish I had ordered all the pasta dishes instead. Desserts were all on point. Tiramisu is probably one of my favorites of all time, grapefruit sundae, blueberry, and pistachio were all delicious! Cocktails were all good too! WARNING: If you sit at one of the taller tables, the chairs are really light and easily tip over. Be VERY careful! Multiple members of my party, including myself, ALMOST face planted into the table. These chairs are definitely not made for fidgeting.
(4)Linda G.
Decor is nice, pizza is OK and the proximity to the Steppenwolf is a plus, but entrees were terribly overpriced for the amount of food. It was startling to see the portion sizes especially since they came with almost nothing on the side. My grilled prawns (6-8) were more like an appetizer than an entree. It was supposed to come with grapes and fingerling chilies, but this was more of a garnish than and addition to the meal. No bread on the table...you have to ask for it in advance and we were not offered that option at the beginning of the meal. Very disappointing as we had been there a year ago and really liked it, but who wants to spend that kind of $ only to go home hungry...which we did. Plenty of other really good options in the immediate vicinity. we won't be going back
(2)Andrew W.
Lately this has been my hands down favorite restaurant in the city. I have been here over a dozen times and each time has been a flawless experience. I take dining very seriously, and I don't throw around compliments like that lightly. I'm a huge foodie and a fan of dining at restaurants with a focus on service. This restaurant has both incredible food and incredibly attentive and knowledgeable wait staff. Allow me to start from the beginning and walk through a typical experience from beginning to end. Balena is a popular and trendy restaurant, yet they usually manage to seat you quickly, if not right away. The dining area has a really neat ambiance and you'll immediately notice the great vibe. Everyone around you seems to be enjoying themselves and it really adds to the dining experience. Your server will come to your table and offer to review the menu for you. Even if you've been here before, you should allow them to tell you about the menu. I've had about 10 different servers and each one described the drinks and food eloquently and passionately. Start with drinks. I highly recommend one of their 10 bitters-inspired cocktails. Each is carefully prepared by one of their bartenders and the drinks were designed with incredible attention to detail. I've had them all and they are all interesting and delicious in their own way. They also have an extensive and thoughtful wine list. Balena focuses on quality of ingredients and careful, artistic preparation of food rather than overwhelming portion sizes. If you are here for the first time, I encourage you to order a variety of appetizers and entrees and share them among your table. Every dish I've had here, and I've tried most of them, has intrigued my palate with an array of harmonious flavors and textures. I make sure to always order at least one of the pasta dishes, and the pizzas are quickly growing on me. Usually I end up ordering one of the specials as well and have never been disappointed. The last time I dined at Balena I ordered the Arctic Char special, which was absolutely one of my favorite fish dishes. Of. All. Time. Their chef paired a lightly salted, distinguished, and perfectly cooked fish with delicate fingerling potatoes, rhubarb, grapefruit, and some seasonal herbs for an incredible balance of flavors. As you dine, a multitude of different wait staff will attend to your table, constantly making sure you have everything you need, refilling water, bringing new silverware, and clearing away empty plates. As I mentioned, the service here is impeccable. Sit. Eat slowly. Enjoy the company you are with. Order a second (or third) drink. Now you are ready for the dessert menu. Order dessert. You'll likely be very satisfied (full) at this point. Order dessert anyway. Everything on the dessert menu is delicious. I'm not kidding. I don't even like dessert and I order it anyway. Basically, enjoy this place. Go here with an open mind and some people who really enjoy food and you can't go wrong. I've even dined here with some skeptics and picky eaters who were blown away. Overall incredible experience, incredible food, and incredible service.
(5)Michelle B.
Was really excited to try Belena for my birthday dinner, and was glad I did but not convinced I would rave about this place to my friends. The atmosphere and service were stellar (special treat seeing Bobby Flay slip into a table right after we sat down). The food however was a bit disappointing. Nothing terrible by any means, but I think we expected a bit more in terms of flavor and execution. Our pasta was a little cold and the chicken while flavorful, felt like something we could make at home. Our kale ceaser was also something that without a doubt we will start making at home, which is great but when I'm paying a decent price for a nice dinner out I would prefer to have food that I wouldn't be able to make myself, even if it's not complicated. Dessert Panna Cotta was amazing, and dessert liquor made it even better. All in all is was a good meal and a great experience, but not somewhere I have on my list to come back to for a while at least.
(3)Cristina T.
My bff and I planned dinner on a Tuesday night at Balena after hearing so much about it on the various food websites we look at. Upon walking in, one cannot help but notice how beautiful of a space this is. It has tall ceilings with dim lighting and the inside is separated with garage doors of sorts. The furniture all seems very rustic while at the same time retaining a modern touch. As soon as we were seated, John(one of the owners) came up to our table to make recommendations. He had read one of my friend's tweets and looked up where we were sitting in order to say hello. Per his recommendation we started with the mackerel. It was smoky but still had a smooth consistency. The soft boiled egg it was served with made for the perfect combination. I also had the rosemary cocktail which was unique and delicious. It was just bitter enough with a creamy consistency from the egg whites incorporated in it. We also split the homemade bread basket. I loved the Challah bread the most. It was sweet yet at the same time filled with herbs. All these breads were served with 3 dipping sauces-an oil, an anchovy based sauce and a ricotta spread. We also had the burrata and beets which was divine. We moved onto splitting the homemade pasta with rabbit meat. The lemon flavor cut the richness of the rabbit perfectly. The pasta was thick enough to hold the sauce in every crevice. We were happy so we decided to go crazy and try the sausage pizza. Although we barely finished half, the house made sausage was full of fennel, the sauce was just light enough and the crust was crunchy and light. There was barely any cheese on it, which I loved. John came back to our table and convinced us that we had to try dessert. We split the pistachio sundae and the tiramisu. I loved the pistachio gelato combined with a caramelized orange. It also had these chewy pieces of pistachio nougat that I loved. The tiramisu was so light and unlike any other I have eaten. Simply put, these desserts are delicious. Balena is a good and unique addition to the Italian food scene in Chicago. I would love to go back and try some more of their pastas, pizzas and desserts.
(4)Lisa T.
I would come back and give it another shot, as the food & drinks are at 3+ stars but Balena is off to a sloooowww start. My girlfriend and I ended up being in Balena for ~2.5 hours on a random WEDNESDAY because the service was so slow. And, as we were trying to wrap up our meal, it seemed like the servers were tending to cleaning tasks (sweeping the floor, etc) instead of bringing us (and other diners around us) our checks! I don't care that a server was swiffering the floor - by all means please keep the restaurant tidy - but seriously, there are three 2-tops looking around with the "um... i'm ready to leave!" look on their faces! As for the food; I'd love to come back and try a pizza. I came to Balena not super hungry (whoops), so we shared an appetizer and a pasta. Both were very good but the pizzas look outstanding. Appetizer - we were hoping to get the tuna, but they were out. Our server suggested the smoked herring, which my friend and I reluctantly agreed to - our expectations were very low. Much to our surprise and delight it was really very good - I would 100% order it again; a light and fresh summertime appetizer. We shared the carbonara pasta which was rich (to be expected) but delicious. The pasta itself was obviously homemade and truly great. Balena has a really interesting drink list, and makes an amazing Negroni (which, if you're not used to Campari, you may think it tastes like cough syrup so order wisely) :-) Our server was nice, just slow as molasses, which is partially her fault and partially the kitchen's fault. Hopefuly they streamline their processes a bit as they settle in to being open for business.
(3)Matthew L.
Had a great time here last night. The menu is packed with great options and I enjoyed the beet salad, chicken thighs, and the english pea ravioli the most. Their wine list is 99% Italian and they have a great selection of speciality cocktails all with Italian influences. The atmosphere is energetic, young and hip. Their bar area was packed and I can see it being a great destination for just drinks, too. They have a private dining room downstairs for events and parties - can see myself wanting to use that in the future. They will be beginning a pizza delivery service soon - cannot wait to take advantage of that!
(4)Steven S.
Everything I had here was very good, especially the pork ragu, the pizza, and the bistecca. Not super traditional, but tasty nonetheless.
(4)Kee V.
Some friends and I had dinner here on Sunday. I had been waiting all week to try Balena because The Bristol is excellent and I wanted to try Amanda Rockmans desserts after seeing her on Top Chef: Just Desserts. Dinner had its ups and downs. (more downs unfortunately) First, the entrance and main hall is really great. I thought the design and feel of the restaurant was fantastic. We were seated upstairs and we ordered cocktails right away. I had the Montenegro. If you like black licorice, and I do, you will like this cocktail. I can't say how the other cocktails tasted but everyone seemed pleased. After our drinks were brought to us, we waited a legitimate 15-20 minutes before our server came back to take our order. We saw him running back and forth and I think he might've been the only server working on the second floor that night. Timing was an issue all night long. For Dinner we ordered: The Balena - Excellent all around Buratta and Roasted beets - Also excellent Quail - Might've been my favorite of the night. Cooked just right and delicious Margherita Pizza - Simple and good. Lasagna Pie - It was good but I would recommend something else. I wanted to try the Mortadella pizza but I was overruled The pizzas overdone in my opinion. I think they spent a little too much time in the oven. Like I stated earlier, timing was a issue throughout the night. * There was another gap of 15-20 minutes between the small plates and pizza where we were just sitting there with no one checking on us* Some of the pasta dishes had no information on what sauce would accompany the noodles. I also ordered a side of the Charred radicchio but it came out ice cold. Maybe it's just me but that dish sounds like it would be served hot/warm. For my pasta I ordered the Tagliolini. I think the menu needs to be a little more descriptive. I was not expecting the dish to be in a lemon sauce. It was so tart and acidic I couldn't taste the crab. The sea urchin was lost in the dish as well because I tried mixing it into the pasta before eating and the acid just overpowered everything. My friends Tajarin suffered from the same acidic issue. Only a few bites were eaten before my friends decided it was not worth eating, no matter how wasteful it seemed. They were also surprised by the sauce because there was no description of it either. Much more was ordered but, again, I did not get to taste the other entrees and pastas so I won't comment on those dishes. I did not hear any complaints though. Dessert composed of: Affogatto: Donuts were excellent, especially dipped into the affogatto. Tiramisu: was also very good and the coffee struesel on top was a nice addition Pine Nut Tart: I thought this was the best of the bunch. Nutty, slightly sweet, nice tart shell. winner Chocolate Budino: Considering how small this was, I think $8 might be a little much for this dessert. It was good but not as good as the other three. Pistachio gelati Sundae: The gelato could've had a stronger pistachio flavor but that's just personal preference. The nougat was awesome and I selfishly scooped it all onto my spoon like Tom Hanks did with the caviar garnish in You've Got Mail. Overall, I think it was good but considering all the other reviews, maybe I caught them on a bad night where not much was going right. Personally, I spent $80 (incl tax and tip) and I did not think it was money well spent. I'm sure I'll be back but maybe after they've settled into a groove first.
(3)Sarah R.
Balena hits it out of the park every time! Definitely tops the chart of favorite places for a special occasion. Food: On our latest trip for his birthday, the boyfriend and I shared the shishito peppers with poached tuna, burrata with strawberry vinaigrette and greens, hen egg pasta with sage and brown butter, and mushroom pizza. Everything was incredible. We had never had the peppers before, but they were charred perfectly and the tuna was super moist and had good citrus tones. The burrata was as fresh as could be, like always. Their fresh cheese is truly standout. The crust on their pizza is excellent--probably my favorite in the city--and the mushrooms had great flavor. This was our first time with the hen egg pasta. I could eat that every night! Balena really nails the concept of flavorful simplicity. We also shared the pistachio sundae and the vanilla cookie sundae. He was partial to the pistachio and i was partial to the vanilla. Both were great! Also shared a bottle of sauv blanc. Crisp, mildly sweet, so delicious. Service/atmosphere: Everything about the service at Balena is impeccable. I told them that it was his birthday when making the reservation (they always ask if the dinner is for a special occasion) and there was a card on the table when we arrived! Very thoughtful. I love that they keep the wine chilling at the bar and pour more at the perfect time, ask before filling your water, ask just enough times if we need anything more, explain the food when it's brought out. The atmosphere is upscale without being stuffy. The booth cushions are so comfy, and the wine so good, I could have taken a snooze!
(5)Lynne j.
I love the Bristol and have been dying to try Balena. It was wonderful. I went twice last week and we tried a number of dishes. The ones that anyone would love are: The Quail: Order several. It is perfect with a wonderful, smoky, flavor. But, you won't want to share. It is that good and there is only one so make sure to order at least 2 orders Strozzapetti - A wonderful pasta that we mixed together with another entre, the smokey Sturgeon. Together, they were perfect Strugeon- It has a smoky flavor and is fantasic but, like I said, when you mix the sturgeon with the stozzapetti it creates a symphony of flavors. And I can't recommend their drink number one strongly enough. It has strawberry combined vodka with tiny, tiny berries. It is fantastic.
(5)Jackie W.
A well deserved rating for great service and bomb food! This place has been on my "Need to go to" google doc and in my personal food thoughts for some time. I made a 5:45pm res the morning of for a pre-Steppenwolf dinner with my parents (I promised the host we'd be out by 7:15 for the play, likely why they obliged my last minute request). Our server was awesome: got our orders in quickly, great cocktails suggestions. and quickly replaced a cocktail when it wasn't my cup of tea. The Manlino No.3... definitely a girl drink, and definitely awesome. The pork ragu pasta... wow! Porky and mushroom-y in a sauce that was creamy but not too much. We got two pizza's, Brussel Sprout and Spicy sausage, both amazing. The brussel sprout was the winner, just a great, unexpected combination. The pizza's were larger than expected, I felt fine pay 16-19 for each. Kale ceaser salad... will definitely be making kale salads more often. I will definitely be back!
(5)Aaron K.
Since the Boka and Bristol crews decided to hook up I knew Balena was going to be a hit. Both are excellent restaurant groups who know how to put food and drink first. From beginning to end our trip to Balena did not disappoint. Based on the drinks I tried the amaro-based cocktail menu is not just a gimmick but a real expression of Debbi Peek's love of good old-fashioned bitters. I would highly recommend the Francesco and Dark&Stirred but you can't go wrong with a simple Negroni. The fresh pasta is some of the best I have had, and the strozzapreti with rabbit sugo was off the charts (I do have a partial weakness for sugo!) as was the rabbit loin entree. Our pizza, the lasagna pie, had a perfectly crisp thin crust with just the right amount of blacked edges. And darn it if it didn't taste exactly like lasagna! Just like at The Bristol, Rockman's desserts perfectly complement Pandel's food. You can't go wrong with anything containing gelato, but the consensus at our table gave the most props to the donuts accompanying the affogato. The atmosphere at Balena exudes the feel of an Italian piazza with a style all its own. This is one of the few places where I would use the word "energy" to describe a dining room in a good way. (You could feel the energy without having to scream at your dining companions to have a conversation.) I'm looking forward to the summer when they can crank open the upper windows to create a refreshing breeze while still being indoors. Another A+ for the Boka and Bristol guys!!
(5)A H.
What a disappointment! After hearing such great things, I made a reservation on a Thursday night for my boyfriend's birthday dinner. The hostess told us they were running a few minutes late, and to grab drinks at the bar. There was a huge, noisy crowd at the bar and so we had to split up to find a spot to order. After placing my order with the bartender, I watch him proceed to flirt with a woman and make her two cocktails, before he started on mine. He then apologized for the wait, saying they were swamped. No, actually you were too busy flirting to make my drinks. So, we wait and wait. A full hour after our reservation, we are finally seated. While the menu is impressive, our server was not very enthusiastic and slow to help us. There was a lot of waiting, and not a lot of payoff. The food is good, but not so special that we couldn't have found it elsewhere. It is certainly not worth dealing the waiting, lack of service, crowd, and the expectations.
(2)Lois A.
I loved everything about Balena. This is a beautiful space and the staff are as friendly as they come. You can not come here without having a drink or several. I am dying to get back to have another Rosemary cocktail. This was incredible and the best drink I've had this year so far by a mile. I also enjoyed the Strawberry but found that the Dark and Stirred, a # 7 on their bitters scale, was good but a little too much for my taste. Peter's bread! Get it! The Lemon Pepper Challah was as good as it sounds. The spicy short ribs with orange and basil were fantastic and the rhubarb pizza was excellent. We tried several of the pastas and each one was enjoyable. I think the one with the pork ragu was probably my favorite. I walked away from this meal not feeling like I had just had a pizza and three plates of pasta and a ton of bread. That alone is amazing. Great spot for a date and an excellent place to bring out of town guests. I can't say enough good things. It surpassed all expectations I had.
(5)Steph L.
After months of anticipation, we finally dined at Balena on a Friday evening. We were not disappointed! The atmosphere was much different than I expected, but in a positive way. It was bustling, energetic, and though a tad louder than I prefer, a fun atmosphere for a Friday night. The food was incredible - we started with the breads while we tried some of the mixology offerings, and then ordered the Arugula salad. Our pizza came before the pasta, which was odd, but the sea urchin pasta was unique and very flavorful. The Brussels sprout pizza was incredible - the favorite of the night. We were stuffed by the end of our meal!!! The pizzas are not to be missed. The space is cool - high vaulted ceilings and interesting light fixtures - a treat for the eyes and taste buds! The only thing I wasn't impressed by was our server. She was a bit snobby and uppity - it's not like you're working next door at Alinea, sister. She didn't bother to welcome us or ask us if we needed recommendations from the menu. She also was scarce during our meal, which was especially annoying considering they keep the wine bottles on a separate table, so we couldn't find her to fill our glasses on a few occasions. We could have used some help on the wine list (a whopping 39 pages), too. Other tables seemed happier with their servers, so we just weren't lucky. Other than the attitude and aptitude of the server, it was a wonderful meal. We will definitely be back!
(4)Elle H.
Love this place. The renovations to go from landmark to balena are gorgeous- doesn't even look like the same place. Only came in for coctails, but it has such a fun list of old fashioned type coctails, it makes a perfect spot to have a full dinner, or duck in for some fun drinks. The "mixologists" are really nice and will pretty much cater to any alcohol craving u have. It's a little more crowded than I like, but that's all I can say that is a negative. The coctails really won me over.
(4)Ashley G.
Every dish we ordered was delicious. Do not miss out on the Mushroom Bruschetta and Bavette Pomodoro pasta. Yumm!!!
(4)Farley O.
I went to Balena during restaurant week last year and had been wanting to go back because I thought the food was good. Last night I found an opening on Open Table at 8:15 and booked it. Since I live in the area, we walked over about 30 minutes early. They told us it would be closer to the 8:15 time of our reservation which was to be expected so we tried to get some drinks at the bar. The bar is a train wreck. It was almost entirely filled with people eating at the bar. People were stacked 2 and 3 deep behind those seated trying to get drinks. The bartenders were only focused on the people sitting down to worry about us. I finally waved down a bartender to order a couple of beers, though it was so dark I couldn't read the menu. After the first beer, I actually ordered from the bar back. At 8:15, we checked back with the host, and he said it would be a little bit as they were clearing tables. By this time, six seats opened at the end of the bar. My girlfriend and I sat at the end of the bar. 20 minutes went by, and not one bartender even acknowledged that we were sitting there. Our drinks were empty and had been for the 20 minutes we were sitting there. We finally just got up, walked out, caught a cab to Tarantino's, and had a pleasant experience there. I won't be back.
(1)Elizabeth S.
**Updated review, after receiving solid feedback from the restaurant** Love Bristol. Love Boka, and I will continue to have hopeful expectations with this one. (We are Chicago, a city of amazing food experiences, right? And given the two influencers, this should be a no brainer- incredible experience). Without a doubt, the food here is on par with this family of restaurants. On a positive note, it was totally exciting to see tripe on the menu. On another note: I didn't have the best service experience, and because of that, I can't give it a higher mark. But I can offer grace: it happens at almost every restaurant. This started out with a 1-star for the unfortunate experience that spilled over into my work day, but I'll give 2 more for the solid food and a sincere note of appreciation to the restaurateurs. It's very possible that on any other night, I could have given it a 5. With a couple stars for growth, I hope to return after CS kinks are resolved. In the meantime, I'll stick with my favorites.
(3)Eric L.
I haven't written a review in over two years but my experience at Balena last night was so perfect that I felt compelled to put in a good word. I went to the restaurant with my girlfriend and our families for a graduation and birthday dinner. My girlfriend and I had been before and chose the restaurant because the ambiance and service were great and the food was good but not fantastic. This time, the ambiance was just as good, the food was even tastier, and the service could not have been better. My family arrived at the restaurant 30 minutes late due to traffic. We called ahead and were told it wasn't a problem. My girlfriend and her family had trouble catching a cab in the post-graduation chaos and weren't able to make it until an hour and a half after our reservation. While we were waiting for the rest of our party to arrive, our waiter made us feel at home, didn't rush us, and was respectfully patient. When my girlfriend finally made it, there was a birthday card (signed by the restaurant staff) waiting for her at her seat. Everything else about the service was also spot on. Our waters were refilled quickly and our waiter was magically present every time we needed him (he helped us snap some group photos before we could even ask). The food was also fantastic and had improved since we last visited. Our favorites were the Tagliolini Nero with Crab and Sea Urchin (which was a bit too lemony last time but perfectly seasoned this time), the Smoked Mackerel, a pasta with snail (which I forget the exact name of), and the whole roasted fish. My only complaint about the food was that, in my opinion, the pizzas were a bit dry. If you're a fan of fruitier drinks, the rosemary cocktail which my girlfriend ordered was also fantastic. All in all, my visit to Balena was one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. The food was tasty, the space was beautiful, and the service far exceeded my expectations.
(5)Mike B.
Overall: I really enjoyed this restaurant. Decor and layout were comfortable, the servers were attentive and the food was extremely tasty. I highly recommend. Decor: cool take on a rustic Italian experience. Noise level was just right - a good buzz but no need to shout. Service: read other reviews about slow service, but my experience was great. Granted it was a Sunday night. My party didn't feel rushed at all. Food: really good. Not your traditional comfort food. A bit more refined and modern. A few dishes that stood out were the Burraga, Bruschetta with Tuna, Orrichiette and the Chocolate Tart
(5)Ramya P.
Understated grandeur! Me and my husband were in the area and didn't have a reservation here. But we had no problem getting a table as the weather was brutal and they had many cancellations. The restaurant is beautiful. I love the high ceilings and the vintage'y decor. The service is very informative and attentive. Everything we ate was very innovative and flavorful. Since they had just a single option on every course in the restaurant week menu, they were nice enough to let my husband choose the restaurant week menu and I just got a pizza. The first course was a beautifully dressed salad, the second course was a bruschetta, the entree was the best course.. it was beet agnolotti that tasted amazing and the dessert was a gelato that tasted like heaven on earth!! The mushroom tallegio scallion pizza is one of the best pizzas I've had in the recent times. I'd say that this venture by the Boka group is definitely a success!!
(5)Lindsay S.
Dined with my sister and 9 month old baby. The staff was very accommodating and at one point offered to clean the binky that fell on the floor! The waiter was very knowledgable about the food and wine list. The food was delicious but several dishes lacked salt in my opinion. The seafood (nero) pasta was delicious! We also enjoyed the burrata and chicken thighs. Great spot in the neighborhood, will definitely be back!
(4)Jill H.
A new Italian restaurant in Chicago has a lot to deliver. The space here is awesome and the seating and noise level are nice. The food, what we saw of it, was a disappointment. We were there for 1.5 hours and only received our salads. The octopus, which is something I always anticipate, was shaved and had the texture and flavor of tunafish salad. The service was terribly slow and after we and cancelled our entrees resigning to leave the wine we bought, which was never refilled, the waiter came over and weakly apologized and delivered our bill. The food here is not worth the nice atmosphere, there are much better dining experiences in Chicago.
(2)Sarah O.
Fancy family style. Smart waiters and when the made a mistake they more than over compensated! This place was a pleasant surprise. The hummus appetizer was the best for me as a vegetarian.
(4)Lindsey W.
Although we had reservations and still waited 30 min for a table- they treated us to drinks as an apology and the rest of the evening made up for it. Be prepared to wait, but try the signature strawberry martini- delish! Can I just say WOW about the space? It's like a restoration hardware restaurant. Gorgeous. The staff was very friendly, made many suggestions that were helpful, very attentive. And the food- we split the cheese and bread platters followed by lasagna pizza and pork ragu pasta. All were so good we should have ordered two of each because we were scrapping the plates! For dessert we tried the cookies and creme gelato and it was certainly a treat. I can't wait to go back.
(4)Elaine L.
My husband and I ate here for dinner and we had a terrific experience. Each dish we had was fresh, full of flavor, and had excellent service. It seems they switch up the menu depending on the fresh ingredients they get in. We ordered the lamb liver bruschetta (fantastic), the pork chop with the fresh seasonal summer salad (fabulous), the quail (also fantastic), and the vanilla gelato for dessert. I don't regret any of our food choices whatsoever. We'll definitely be returning!
(4)Jessica T.
Dined here on August 2, 2014. Loved every aspect of this place. The decor was inviting and spacious. The service was polite, trendy and approachable. Went to the bar and had a delicious cocktail while I waited for the rest of the party to arrive. There were 8 of us. I had the Strawberry No. 1 and it was fabulous. If you are not into sweet then try another cocktail but the Strawberry No.1 was an excellent cocktail with a beautiful presentation. We were seated and the waiter gave a great introduction to the menu and what a typical diner would enjoy. We decided to order all the sides and 4 of the pastas and two pizzas. My favorite of all the dishes was the Taglioline with seafood. OMG, it was so delicious and it melted in my mouth. I would like to go back to this place with a date since as the night went on the lights were lowered and the whole restaurant had an intimate vibe to it which is amazing since it is so spacious.
(5)Sam I.
Great service and food. Chicken thigh beautifully balanced dish. Pizza is served with chili oil! The desserts are very nice as well as the mature selection of tea. Tiramisu a must have. Also try the lemon soda if not drinking.
(4)Paul C.
Maybe I expected too much from Balena. Everyone raves it's the best new spot in Chicago. Since nothing is too good for me I decided to take my boo over to Balena for a Friday date night. I really like the look and feel of Balena's restaurant space. It's huge but not overly noisy. There's definitely an intimate vibe going on despite the place's size, and you can tell love is in the air here as many dating couples can be seen sharing small plates and sipping the wine. We were seated promptly when we arrived for our reservation, and the service was fantastic throughout the night. For all the greatness of the environment, the food was a mixed bag. The highlight of the night was the spicy pork and lamb sausage appetizer. The sausage is about the size and shape of a Slim Jim, but unlike a Slim Jim tastes of actual meat. I just wish their was more of it as portion size was small. I enjoyed the tagliolini nero, but my boo thought it was too al dente (it was not). Our entrees were the disappointment of the evening. They are so forgettable that even as I write I am having a hard time dredging up their memory. I got some sort of pork belly which was the special that night (it was not so special). My boo got one of the seafood options and wasn't overly impressed with it either. We got a side of the baked polenta which, while very rich, avoids the usual dryness that is the downfall of many a polenta. So unfortunately for us the food got progressively worse as the evening continued. I give Balena a low three stars. The service was great and the ambiance is perfect for a date, but on our visit the food did not live up to the hype. I'd like to return to Balena and give them another shot. Maybe I just chose poorly. But for now, despite the hype, 3 stars is all Balena deserves.
(3)Demony Z.
Thank You Balena for a delicious anniversary dinner and lovely experience. First the Food and Drink We got a Francesco and a Collins-ish drink of the day - both were delicious and nuanced. On our server's recommendation we got the cold smoked mackerel with soft egg and also tried the Bruschetta with oil poached tuna and marinated beans. Nothing like starting with good bread and making Bruschetta on a wood burning grill. Both dishes were great and, for the price, very generously portioned. It seems not so long ago I was squinting at 17 dollar starters that hardly put anything on the plate - that tradition seems to be happily reversing itself. Our starters would have been enough for four to share and were both under 15 dollars. We moved onto pasta - Strozzapreti with Summer Squash and Almond-Oregano Pesto. Arrived steaming hot and was just about perfect. Aggressively seasoned but stopped short of overkill - just bursting with well balanced flavors, pasta was just right. Loved it. We finished with the Salt and Pepper chicken thighs. For one I'm glad to see the Chicken Thigh getting some well deserved attention and this was about the best cooked piece of chicken I've ever served. Moist, seasoned very simply but absolutely delicious. Service was just as good as the food - something I'm rarely able to say lately. Our server was thorough, patient, passionate, informed and sincere. He noticed my wife examining some details of the interior and came over and gave a breakdown of the intention (kind of a run down Italian movie theater) and a quick history of the style of the flooring. The staff gave us a signed card for our anniversary and the whole experience was uniformly great.
(5)Vanessa C.
This place was delicious! Went here for my birthday dinner with my boyfriend. Highly recommend the Manlino cocktail. We ordered the breads and peppers for appetizers--we were totally blown away by the peppers! Wasn't sure what to expect, but it was amazing!! The pasta was delicious, but I was really surprised by the pizza. It was phenomenal! Probably the best thin crust/artisan type pizza I have ever had, period. So so good! Would 100% come back here and plan to do so! Overall, it's a bit pricier than a normal meal, but well worth it. Atmosphere and staff are great as well--definitely see why Bon Appetit put it on the top 50 restaurants in the country!
(4)John K.
Probably deserve 4.5 stars. Really good small plate, inventive Italian food. Not as good as nico osteria but also not as expensive. The squid ink pasta with sea urchin and the smoked white fish were really good dishes. The whole branzino in brown butter with hazelnuts was amazing, but now off the menu. Will go back to check on them 1-2x per year.
(4)Rena M.
Food was ok. I've had far better Italian cuisine in the city. Ambiance was the saving grace for this place, nice and romantic.
(3)Kristal R.
I decided to come to this restaurant because it was on the bib gourmand list, and I've heard decent reviews from friends. I went here last night and was somewhat underwhelmed. The menu felt like it was trying too hard, and nothing that we ordered wowed me except for the desserts. The donuts were the perfect size, and pairing them with espresso and ice cream is genious
(3)Karen P.
We dined on June 9, a Saturday night at 6 pm before attending Steppenwolf Theatre. We actually had a 5:45 reservation, left plenty of time but OMG was traffic snarled that day! I called to let them know we would be a little late and was told "no problem". My daughter and her husband took the "el" and they arrived just when we did! The valet was very courteous and kept our car for us. The food was very different for Italian. The pizzas were awesome if you like a thin crust, rustic crust, this is the place! I ordered the langostino shrimp because I am doing low carb options. They were delicious! I did not care for the Caesar Salad with sardines. It was kale and kind of tough. However, it was not bad because I ate it all! The dressing was just perfect. So healthy! My husband ordered some kind of pasta that was black and looked like worms.I think it was a seafood pasta like in the photo shown here. He said it was "out of this world flavorful". The pulled pork plate appeared delicious and my son in law said it was also really good. Balena is not for everyone. The pizzas are a safe bet. The entrees are somewhat sophisticated. I would have liked to have seen a couple more low carb entrees like a steak or chicken. We did not order any mixed drinks. The waiter chose a crisp, white wine that was enjoyed by all. We were able to finish our dinner and walk over to the Steppenwolf, in plenty of time for the play! Thank you, Balena, for your atmosphere, well appointed staff and great ambience! We shall return!
(4)David J.
As someone who absolutely loves Pandel's The Bristol, and I have to say that Balena just completely misses the mark and is an inferior restaurant. Service: My GF and I were originally seated right next to the kitchen by a blazing hot stove. This seemed like an odd spot for someone who made a reservation for 5:00 PM over a month in advance. I asked for an actual table instead, which, fortunately, they had available. The waiter was polite, but a little distant. This is in stark contrast to the waitstaff at the Bristol who were very casual and easy to have a conversation with. Drinks: I had the Strawberry no1 and she had the Rosemary no2. Mine was ok, maybe a little too sweet. Hers, on the other hand, had this awful and weird aftertaste. The flamed rosemary tasted like a burnt christmas tree. We were craving the Bristol's Dark and Stormy after that fiasco. Starter: I skipped on a starter, but she had some sorta arugula salad (I'm blanking on the name now). This was one of the saddest salads that I've seen at a restaurant. For $14, you a mix of healthy and wilted arugula mixed with a vinaigrette and some pine nuts and cheese shavings. This looked like something out of Buca Di Beppo. They at least have the decency to charge you a reasonable price. Dinner: So the grilled quail that I had was pretty good. The meat was very moist and I really enjoyed the greens that it came with. She had the Potato and Leek Ravioli, which was a huge let down. They say that the pasta is hand-made, but man, it looked *really* artificial. It was also very bland. Dessert: We actually skipped this. The bill was already pushing $100, and I really just couldn't see myself spending any more money here. I keep hearing that the desserts are excellent, but we just stopped at a DQ on the way home. My heathbar blizzard was the highlight of the evening. So I hate to keep comparing this place to the Bristol, but for a Pandel restaurant, that should be the absolute *minimum* for service and quality and food. Part of me thinks that this place was made just to rope in folks who are going to the theater. Again, this was a huge disappointment.
(2)Don J.
A very strong addition to Chicagos restaurant scene with very good food and exceptional decor. Service was great throughout however one or two dishes could be stronger hence the 4 stars instead of 5. We had: - Fennel Cured Salmon 3/5, the fennel over powered the Salmon - Zucchini Panzanella 4/5, very simple roasted vegetables but tasted great - Rigatoni Pork Ragu 4/5, very strong dish which we finished in seconds - Sausage Pizza 5/5, one of the best pizzas in Chicago - Grilled Prawns 5/5, very tasty and fresh dish, I will go back again just for this dish - Potato with Salsa Verde 5/5, sooooooooo good - Vanilla Gelati 4/5 - Affogato 5/5 If looking for a new trendy restaurant with substance in Chicago, look no further than Balena.
(4)Aaron G.
I came here before a show at Steppenwolf last week. This place is truly a gem & I will be eating here everytime I see a show there! The decor is beautiful, and the food is authentic Italian and delicious. I was a bit close-minded at firs for trying new things, but our waiter was wonderful and answered any questions my partner and I had about the menu. We ended up going with Spaghetti Cacio E Pepe and Spicy Pepperoni Pizza. Both of the dishes were fantastic! Everything is homemade and delicious! We had the Vanilla Gelato Sundae for dessert which was also amazing. We will definitely be returning!!!
(5)vivian c.
so yummy, came here for holiday party. had the pasta with lemon and kale, meat plate, cheese plate, and tiramisu. the waitress went above and beyond to address our food allergies, talking to the chef several times and speaking with us to make sure that we were safe. she was such a doll and provided great customer service. thanks balena!
(5)Hector N.
Interesting food, very tasty, a bit pricey.
(4)Kate L.
I came with 3 friends for a 6:30 reservation- we had fantastic service from a red-headed waitress who was not only knowledgable about the menu but had clearly tried every dish and really loved the food. We went with many of her suggestions and loved and shared them all. Water glasses filled at all times, food came out in perfect succession and a warm and lively ambience. I'll recommend to everyone looking for a great restaurant in Lincoln Park!
(5)Rebekah R.
Had a wonderful experience at Balena. Great atmosphere and fabulous food. The decor is interesting and attractive, rustic but not cheap-looking as if they had tried to cut corners. This restaurant is in the old Landmark building. The crowd was stylish including people of all ages, and while the restaurant was full, it was not too noisy. We had a reservation and were seated immediately. We had six people with us so we probably ordered half the menu, and everything was excellent. The pizzas were awesome, especially the mushroom pizza. We also had the pizza with rhubarb and it was delicious, like nothing I had ever tasted before. There are a lot of vegetarian options. The orecchiete was phenomenal, probably the best pasta I've ever had, and the tajarin with brown butter was also pretty amazing. The only thing we didn't love was the bruchetta with with some sort of white bean, but it's probably hard to make bread with beans on top taste like much. Drinks were great and unique. Service was prompt and attentive. Great experience overall. Would definitely return. A wonderful place for a date, a gathering with friends, or any special occasion.
(5)katharine k.
I tried this new place last friday night, with my best friend visiting from ny and its delicious. we made a 9:30pm reservation about 1/2 hour before and they seated us at a very nice, roomy table. the place has super high ceilings, dim lighting and a nice, comfortable/homey atmosphere. the waitress was very nice and attentive and brought our wine promptly. every table we saw was having the pizza...and raji and i love pizza...so we jumped on the bandwagon. we started with the seafood salad, and honestly, it was a little off. not bad, but not executed perfectly. next, we split the fontina cheese and mushroom pizza and loved it! it was amazing and definitely large enough for both of us to share. the crust is perfectly crispy, yet the inside is soft (similar to the elasticity of the inside, doughy part of a croissant). this place is perfect for a date, a cozy dinner with friends, or just a drink at the bar. next time im going back just going for a glass of red wine and a pizza.
(4)Andy S.
went to balena twice in a 1.5 week span ---- and they were both one of the better dining experiences I've had. The atmosphere is great at a consistently good volume throughout the night. favorite dishes: the bruschetta w/oil poached tuna, linguine carbonara, mushroom fontina w/scallion pizza, polenta, and the tiramisu is a can't miss! honestly, don't think you can go wrong with any dish. keep in mind the portions are on not large which promotes sharing and that's never a bad thing!
(5)Stuart B.
I had big expectations, so Balena was a bit of a disappointment for me. We went to Balena Saturday night for a late dinner. We had a pescatarian in tow, so my review comes with a grain of salt - I did not sample many menu items that I might have eaten otherwise in order to ensure that everyone could participate in the meal. First, the room and the service. The inside is quite different than Landmark, the previous occupant of the space. The decor was attractive, rustic-ish with a strange 'Miami Vice' broken neon twist decorating the walls. Because the ceiling is extremely high (30 feet or so), the acoustics were bad, even late on a Saturday night with a half-to-quarter full restaurant. Service was great, with an attentive server and very pleasant ancillary staff. As for alcohol, the wine list was extensive and featured good selections from throughout Italy. Although we did not sample the bottled offerings due to the different palates in our party, we had no misses in the 7 glasses that came to the table. The cocktails were less of a hit - my wife's Strawberry No.1 was merely ok - a bit sweet for my taste and hers. My Montenegro No. 6 was similar - good but not outstanding. Finally, and most importantly, the food. The bread and cheese "First Courses" from the top of the menu were merely ok, with good cheese but mediocre bread (neither the Lemon Challah or the Walnut Bread were particularly good or worth the price). Better to stick with the crostini that comes with the cheese course, in our table's collective opinion. For dinner, there were two highlights - the ricotta ravioli with swiss chard and brown butter, and the roasted beet and burrata appetizer. The Zingerman's burrata was a particular standout. Both dishes were excellent and will be re-ordered on a subsequent visit. For the remaining items, our spaghetti (with tomato "fondue" and parmesan) was ok but uninspiring. The noodles were appropriately al dente, appeared house-made and were noticeably thicker than prepared pasta noodles. The sauce, which was similar to some of Marcella Hazan's simpler tomato & cheese sauces, lacked the robustness of those sauces. Maybe the flavor is lost in translation of smaller scale recipes to restaurant-size preparations, but we all agreed that we would not order the spaghetti again on a subsequent visit. We had two pizzas, the "Lasagna Pie" (following a fellow Yelper) and the Mushroom, Fontina, Taleggio, Scallion & Thyme. For the former, none of us (save the pescatarian, who didn't eat it), thought it was particularly good or interesting. Basically, the Lasagna Pie is a "cheeseless" (in the traditional sense) pizza with a bolognese sauce on a pizza crust featuring spots of ricotta and basil. We thought the pizza was underspiced and fairly pedestrian, especially for a place with Bristol and Boka pedigree. The mushroom pizza was better received, although the pescatarian, who is close to the food industry, thought the scallion was overpowering, possibly due to being left out before going on the pizza. The flavors were much more complex and interesting on the mushroom, but, as with the Lasagna Pie, the experience was just ok. Both pizzas were cooked appropriately, but neither offered the kind of snap/crunch or blistering that one would expect from a fired pizza. The pizza crust is much more substantial and chewy than any of us would have expected, and we all agreed that the pizza became more about the bread than what was on top, to the detriment of both pizzas. Given that we were stuffed (all of the above was plenty for four people), we did not try the desserts, so I can't comment on what looks like a good program. In sum, Balena was good, but definitely not great, at this point of its young life. I will be back, possibly with more meat eaters in tow, but I can't give it an unequivocal recommendation at this point.
(3)cait l.
Really lovely restaurant with excellent food and service. Walked in with my husband on a cold night. The cocktails were innovative and delicious (special points to the bartender for making this preggo a lemony mocktail) and everything was prompt. We ordered the winter greens salad, which had a perfect hazelnut vinaigrette and citrus, a burrata and beet salad, the prawn entree and the black squid ink tagliolini with urchin and crab. The pasta was outstanding. Other reviewers mention that the portion are "small" but these New Yorkers ended up too full for dessert. Reasonably priced for the quality (drinks, 2 starters, 2 mains for $100 before tip). This restaurant is well worth a visit.
(5)Roshani C.
Really good service and ambience. We loved one of the dishes which was the orchiette kale lemon pasta. Because we are vegetarian there werent many options, the pizza was just okay.
(4)Lindsey D.
In a neighborhood not short on Italian options (due, no doubt, to the several theaters nearby) Balena offers a modern take on the more traditional Italian options in the area. Overall, the food was strong and given the affordable price point, I plan to return often. The atmosphere is rustic yet sophisticated and both the main and elevated dining room were bustling. My boyfriend and I arrived right at our reservation time and waited just a few minutes for the table. We ordered wine and sat fairly awkwardly with our winter coats in the small bar seats, until he finally asked the bartender about a coat check. A restaurant with great service would have no doubt offered this upfront. Next came wine; we had one of the few by the glass Cabernets. The wine list is extensive and focuses on Italian wines. Not being an expert in that and with little guidance from the bartender, we went with something we recognized (hence the Cabernet). We shared a delicious light and airy burrata served with pickled beets and celery root. I probably would have preferred the traditional tomato and basil pairing (the earthy beet somewhat overwhelmed the light flavor of the burrata), but I realize they're trying to be a bit creative here. The short rib was a flop, in my opinion. It was grilled, so I wasn't necessarily expected the tender braised variety you find at most restaurants. However, what we got was tough and fatty (not to mention it was served with a butter knife), making it difficult to cut. We eventually had to ask for a steak knife to finish the job. The pizza, though, oh the pizza! Heavenly crispy yet chewy crust with the lightest tomato and mozzarella. And at only $14 for a small 8-piece serving, this is what makes Balena worth many return trips. All in all, I'll definitely return for the great atmosphere and affordable prices; come for the pizza, wine and burrata. Try somewhere else for a special occasion or when top-notch service is a must.
(4)Molly K.
One of the most delicious meals I've had in a very long time. Went here with my boyfriend on a weekday and they were packed. Started off at the bar for a few drinks, both bartenders are extremely friendly and funny! Even though they were busy they still made an effort to chat with us for a bit. When we got to our table, which didn't take long at all, we were greeted by our server who was very knowledgable about everything on the menu. I can't remember the names of everything we ordered, but I'll just say that the spicy salami pizza was DELICIOUS! We got ourselves two appetizers, pasta, pizza & one entre. The manager came over with wine selections for us that matched each course perfectly! The atmosphere was perfect, the service was excellent, & the food was unbelievable. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Kate S.
Great service! I was running 5 minutes late on a Saturday evening because of traffic on Halsted and when I called to them they told me no worries and drive safe. I thought that was very nice. Anyway, our meal was fantastic. We shared the Caeser kale salad. I ordered the mushroom pizza and my fiancee ordered the scallops. The scallops are better suited as an appetizer (there are only 3 and they are pretty small). That said, they were delicious and because the pizzas are so big he was able to help me (and we still had some to take home!). Save room for dessert. The gelato Sundays are really good!
(4)Kimberly M.
We went here last friday for our Anniversary dinner. I don't know if it was an off night or what, but I am not sure I would go here again. The waitress was overwhelmed with her tables, and lacked multitasking massively. The manager had to take our drink order, after we sat at the table for a bit. Then the bar back dropped it at the table. The waitress finally come over after we were half way done with our cocktails. This was about 30 mins later. She had no suggestions on food, we learned about a dish from the manager, which was tasty. The gnocchi, on the other hand, was horrible. This is usually one of my favorite pasta's to order and have had at other establishment. She only came back over once after that, no offers for more drinks. We had to get the manager to get the bill. On the way out, two floor managers asked how our meal was and after expressing, disappointing to both, no other comments occurred. Just sad for having positive thoughts for the night, turn out so badly.
(2)Fuudcritic C.
Awesome. Finally...this is the kind of place we need. Balena is somewhat new and still a smoking hot place to be and dine. There's no fuss here and the staff is so warm and friendly.....not like some of these new restaurants that has snooty hostesses, servers and managers. Very limited menu but perfect! Everything is amazing! Our server Garen was fabulous! Will return.
(5)Melanie M.
Everything was extremely fresh, flavorful and delicious. Service was impeccable and they even brought out a gelato for my birthday which was great as well. Pasta was the freshest I've tasted outside of Italy, the decor was beautiful, not too crowded at all and the next time Im in Chicago with someone willing to pay $50ish for an entree and some starters I will definitely be back!
(5)Don R.
Food was good. The pasta was the standout for us. I'm giving it 2 stars though for the service. The manager was fantastic, but had to swoop in and save the day after our server was very unattentive. We had to ask 3 times for the beer we ordered. And we waited 30 minutes in between our appetizer course and main course, with the server appearing but once during that time. When we asked the manager what was going on, he got it taken care of. Could have been a server error or a because the place is new, but the service was lackluster. At least keep our glasses filled so we ignore the inordinate amount of time we spent waiting.
(2)kellie f.
Went here for valentines day dinner. The service was great and fast enough but not too fast.. We had the cheese plate which was really good and the mushroom bruschetta as well... I had the hen egg pasta which was delicious and cant stop thinking about it. My boyfriend had the short rib and he liked his very much as well.. I highly recommend this restaurant and cant wait to go back! :)
(4)Maggie S.
I was so hoping this place would be as good as I hoped & honestly--it was better! The trio of sweet & friendly hostesses who greeted me set the mood for the entire night. Our server, Keith, was great. He was laidback but attentive; funny, informative & friendly. We started with the Balena--a mixture of their meats, cheeses, breads & dips. So delicious! The blue cheese with honey was my favorite & my parents loved the soft goat cheese. The meats were fresh & flavorful but the bread? OMG the bread! Freshly cooked, still hot from the oven with a trio of dips including a garlic aioli & a thick Caesar-dressing dip. There was also a housemade giardiniera made with pickled radishes, carrots & more--tart but extremely tasty! We were three & left some on the plate to eat I think 4 people is ideal for the dish. For dinner, my dad & I split the Spicy Sausage pizza & the Jota, Carrots, Borlotti, Pancetta, Kraut side. The pizza came with a housemade spicy chili sauce which reminded me of Sriracha but a thinner texture--just as delicious & with the right amount of kick. Mom had the Ricotta Ravioli with swiss chard & brown butter--rich, creamy & filling but delicious. The Jota Etc. was a real treat. It had a spicy kick, the kraut was anything but sour & everything was amazingly fresh. For dessert, we had the Affogato with cinnamon sugar donuts. AMAZING. The donuts were soft & practically melted in your mouth--especially when dipped in the espresso/vanilla! A few things worth mentioning: The decor is gorgeous! Everything is rustic & warm; the wood paneling creates a homey feeling & I love the light fixtures on the ceiling which are like ballooned chandeliers. Also, the leather chairs at the bar & tables make everything more comfortable & enjoyable. The kitchen is located on the second floor & exposed by huge windows--it's incredibly fun to watch your food being prepared as if on a stage! The wine menu is HUGE--31 pages to be exact--& features a wide variety with very reasonable prices. And again, the SERVICE! Everyone was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable & gracious. I highly recommend Balena & personally can't wait to go back!
(4)Swati B.
where to start?!? I loved the venue...I've never been to Tuscany before, but my guess is that is what they tried to emulate. Its pretty, its quaint, its romantic, yet trendy. The service...OUTSTANDING. Honestly, they pay attention to the littlest detail, our server was efficient, friendly, and knowledgable which is always a plus. Love their cocktail menu, the orange flavor one was actually really good. An amazing wine menu...so many italian wines, how to choose?! the food..OH THE FOOD... peter's bread...the chocolate sourdough..omg. must get this. the lemon orriechette was just absolutely amazing. such amazing flavors, so fresh, portioned to share. The pizza we had was pretty good, sauceless like Italy's pizza. the beet salad with buratta...really rich and delicious. dessert....you must try the bluberry dessert with the crumbles with the gelato. holy heaven. and a little limoncello to top it off? housemade? why not this place was outstanding. i can see why it was just named a top 50 new restaurant in the COUNTRY i will definitely be back! can't wait to try something new!
(5)L T.
My wife and I dined here in early July. We were really excited about it because we had heard so many good things and read about it on Eater. We came in on a Friday night after being downtown at a concert at around 9:30 pm for some delicious pizza. When we got there we didnt' have to wait - got seated immediately which was a big plus. We sat down, got menus and figured out what we wanted. It took 10 minutes to get our waitress to come greet us. It was busy so we thought we'd let it slide. Since she was there and we knew what we wanted we told we were ready to order. She seemed a bit offput by this, but said ok and took our order for beers, pizza, and polenta. This is when things began to go downhill. After we had placed our order, we waited nearly 15 minutes to get our beers, I had to flag down a busboy who went to tell our waitress and had someone else bring our drinks out to us. We got our polenta not long after that (delivered by someone else) and it was honestly some of the best I've had. It took us about another 20-25 minutes to get our pizza, we just sat patiently while bus boys refilled our water., our waitress not checking up on us as we wait and 1) watch the table next to us get constant attention from their server and 2) notice that our server is at a table of two young guys constantly just a few tables over. Our pizza finally gets delivered and I'm not sure what I expected, but the crust was very limp (I know Napoli style is like that sometimes) but it barely had any basil on it. While we knew the mozzerella was of good quality, and assume everything else was, the pizza fell flat on its face. During this time, our bus boy refills our water again and I ask him if he's our server for the remainder of the meal - he says no, and I said "ive seen you more than I've seen her". At that time we notice her over at the other table flirting with those guys again. We are done with our pizza and she walks by, I grab her attention and she doesn't ask how our food is, she just asks if we'd like dessert. We told her no and that we're just ready for a check. She's clueless we had horrible service and weren't happy with our food. Didn't even ask us if we wanted a box for the rest of the pizza. She brings our check back, and I ask our busboy who checked up on us again for a togo box. He gets it and we pay . I still hear raving things about this place from friends and blogs about how great the food is. Maybe if we went for an actual italian meal we would do better, but I think since we just had a pizza and a couple beers we weren't worth out servers time and I don't think we'll be back.
(1)Sonja S.
I know it gets old to say it , I know its cheesy - but Balena, you had me at Hello.. Well more precisely, you had me at the moment I walked into your beautiful , warm welcoming space and there was a BIRTHDAY card, signed by the staff on the table, I don't know Balena, are you seeing anyone? Yes here we go it was my Birthday proper and after a stunningly awful experience the night before at another Italian restaurant, I was bruised. Unwilling to trust that the sheer beauty of the room would make good on its promise of a stellar experience. I am delighted to report .... The service was thoughtful, warm , professional and kind ( I told you I was recovering) BUT THE FOOD - was crazy good starting with the bread/ cheese / meat basket which was so high quality, so varied and so well presented, I was enchanted. We also ordered the Polenta, the Burrata ( OMG) the tagliata ( SP) the pork ragu , the pistachio gelato - the hits kept on coming and my palate could have danced all night- AMAZING.
(5)Jeff K.
Went here on a date this week. What a great date place! We went on a Wednesday night and the place was crowded to the point were there was a nice vibe, but not too loud or crowded like you couldn't talk. I would advise coming to the restaurant a little before your reservation to settle up at the bar for one of their delicious cocktails with bitters. What a wonderful fresh concept! For dinner, we split the venison terrine, pork rogu pasta, and chicken thighs. All the dishes were deliciously prepared and seasoned. The food was rustic feeling without being heavy or outdated. I would like to come back again and try more items on the menu. Everything coming out was delicious. Oh and there wine list was extensive and unique.
(4)Caroline S.
This was an amazing meal. I would absolutely return. I went the starter and pasta route after also sharing the cheese plate. My smoked mackerel with a soft egg first course was incredible. The flavors weren't over powering at all. It was a perfect beginning. We had the cheeses. The blue with real honey comb on the side was perfect. As I mentioned, I started with the "Smoked Mackerel, Aioli, Pangrattato, Soft Cooked Egg." Phenomenal. I then had the "Orecchiette, Lemon, Kale, Bread Crumbs, Chili." The lemon flavor was dominant, but not in an off-putting way. My friend had the "Tagliolini Nero, Crab, Sea Urchin, Chile," which I tasted, and it was incredible. I am already plotting the next time I can go back.
(5)Abby L.
Went here for my birthday dinner last month... it was SO great. Everything about it exceeded my expectations...the ambiance is awesome (trendy, but lots of different rooms/spaces make it really unique from a lot of other similar restaurants), the food was excellent, and the drinks were delicious (and strong too!) I can't wait to go back!! You won't be disappointed :-)
(5)Peggy W.
I was wowed by the decor. Then we sat down; it is so noisy, you cannot converse. The service was fantastic, the food was delicious, if only the could hang some fabric or anything to absorb the sound it would be perfect!
(4)Mandoos G.
This is one of those places you go do and pay 25 dollars for a plate of food and they give you a small handful of whatever it is you ordered. Not my style. Having said that, the food was out....standing. It really was amazing in taste and quality. Usually this type of place I only go to because I'm being forced to (what can I say, I'm cheap) but I would honestly go back here. We had a few things, but the Mortadella pizza was stupid good. HAVE DESSERT. Do not skip out on this step. Their desserts are amazing. AMAZING.
(4)Alberto T.
Great food and great ambience, love the wooden ceiling. The pizza is good but the dough is a bit sweet, like the one you eat by the slice in Italy (pizza al trancio). The Smoked Mackerel is amazing. The desserts are delicious: you should try the affogato just to taste the Cinnamon Sugar Donuts. Service was a bit slow. We got seated a good 15-20 minutes after our reservation (made a month before!), but everyone was extra nice. The best part of the meal was when a waiter arrived with two free Smoked Mackerel to apologize for the delay. Can't wait to come back.
(5)Nicole M.
Unbelievable dinner at Balena last night. It was my husband and I's wedding anniversary, and Balena pulled out all the stops. We had a table by the window, they had a happy anniversary card waiting at our table when we arrived and we had fantastic service throughout the meal. It is hard to say which dish was our favorite because everything was so good. We ordered: Peter's Bread - the lavendar, rosemary bread was our personal favorite. Orecchiette - definitely had a spicy kick to it which made it interesting and delicous. The lemon and breadcrumb were really nice touches. Farm Egg Tajarin - This was my husband's favorite dish. We are both suckers for sage and brown butter. I am still thinking about this dish today. Prawns - melt in your mouth and extremely fresh. Chocolate Hazelnut Tart for dessert - homerun dessert. I think Balena is a fantastic place for either an intimate dinner with a friend or spouse or with a group of friends. We saw a lot of both last night. The atmosphere is energetic, lively and extremely inviting. We will definitely be returning.
(5)shai h.
I normally don't do Italian. I feel like there's so many terrible Italian restaurants. HOWEVER, Balena was REALLY GOOD. I went with my boyfriend last week. We had the cured meat plate to start. You pretty much can't f-up cured meat. My boyfriend said he wasn't super impressed with it, but I loved it. We then had the brucetta which my boyfriend LOVED, but I didn't enjoy that much. I didn't read it on the menu and I was expecting tradtional brucetta. It's pickled tuna and beans. I think it was the beans that I didn't like. It was good, but I was saving room. For dinner I had the head on prawn which was amazing. My boyfriend had a pizza (which I don't like pizzas, so that was whatever for me). I really wish we'd tried some pasta. We are going to go back soon to try some pasta!
(4)Amber S.
I just tried Balena this past week with two girlfriends and we loved it! First, the atmosphere is simple yet chic..maybe sophisticated? Our waiter was very attentive and the food was excellent! I would list our 2 appetizers and entrees but it looks like the menu online is different from the menu we had in the restaurant. We asked the waiter and the pasta noodles are made in house and we the BEST pasta dishes I have eaten!
(5)Mandy P.
First of all, if I didn't know I was walking into the old Landmark, I would just assume I was in some restaurant elsewhere in the city. The place looks totally different; in a good way! It's a bright and rustic scene that was shockingly vibrant on a Tuesday evening. Though there seems to not be a bad seat in the house, this single girl and her single lady friend easily lamented being tucked away upstairs with a view of Halsted. It would have been more, um...conversation-starting to be downstairs amongst the mixologists and imbibing noshers. Going off of recommendations from someone who had previously been here, we ordered the bread and the smoked mackerel. I could have easily called it a meal with my gin cocktail and been happy as heck. If you don't get the bread and you appreciate carbs, you should probably be glared out of the place. Having never tried mackerel before, I was a bit scared, but it was delish and smoky, as the name implied. We split the orecchiette - (holy lemon flavor!) and the mortadella pizza. Both of us each just had one piece of pizza, but sat there staring at the rest, willing our stomachs to expand. Instead we took it home and ordered the tiramisu. It wasn't the standout on the menu, but it just gives me fodder for returning and finding something I like even more. The service was as good as the food too. It's hard to find a server as attentive as ours was. Can't wait to return! And sit downstairs, of course.
(4)Mary C.
if you want to whisk away to Italy without the hefty price tag or long flight, head on over to Balena. Airy and light, the atmosphere is reminiscent of a piazza, with a chic leather bar and glass kitchen. And the Italian-inspired food has interesting, delicious modern twists: a kale and sardine salad, an inspired tuna and bean bruschetta, housemade fresh pastas and perfect pizzas. Everything I've tried is fresh and focused on letting the quality ingredients shine. Debbi Peek's cocktails are starting an amaro craze (try the Rosemary no2) and the Italian-focused wine program is impressive. Make sure you save room for Amanda Rockman's desserts - I am a chocolate lover, but the affogato, tiramisu with pear, and pistachio sundae (holy nougat batman!) are not to be missed. Wash it all down with a shot of housemade limoncello. Balena is sexy, cool, and delizioso!
(5)Stephanie M.
Absolutely loved this place - the food, drinks and service was great - started with the strawberry No 1 - very good - next we moved on to the cheese board and bread basket - great selection - our next course was the lasagna pizza - make sure you try this - YUMMY. We were bummed that we were full and unable to order pasta or an entree, but we did try the chocolate and burnt caramel dessert - again - another hit - love this place - will definitely be back soon!!
(5)D L.
Definitely one of my favorite meals of 2012. From start to finish. We had the smoked mackerel, bread basket, squid ink pasta, head on prawns, and ice cream with macerated berries. I'm writing this review 6 months later and I still remember every dish. That to me is a sign of a great meal.
(4)David S.
Great atmosphere, outstanding decor and good service. The food was great too and the prices were reasonable for the package! Will certainly return.
(4)Kali M.
WOW! ~ this was the impression, from the (unmarked-yet-appreciated) grand front entrance, to the monumental-yet-cozy interior, and continued throughout the night's experience.... Hats off to the crew of this subtle-yet-poignant new kid on the (Chicago Restaurant) block! Well done. I was blessed to join two friends tonight and thoroughly enjoyed the warm, certainly inviting, atmosphere (and I'm ALL about atmosphere) - they've done an outstanding job at making this grand space feel intimate & personal - though it's so huge & spacious, you almost don't notice - but it feels so good! You'll find the perfect balance between country/rustic & urban/upscale - it'll suit anyone's country mouse/city mouse split personality & taste. I think it's a perfect fit for Chicago - and seriously, who knew there was room for more?! I grew up in the country-side & consider myself an 'urban hippie foodie' - I was SO at home here, I expected to see relatives milling around. We decided to order 'family style' - and though it was difficult to choose, we started with a side of Grilled Rapini, Garlic, Lemon (delish & healthy!), and shared a few appetizers including Zingerman's Buratta, Roasted Beets, Celery Root salad - an unsuspecting trio so flavorful we wondered where it had gone so quickly?! ~ we then moved on to Spicy Grilled Short Ribs, Charred Orange, Basil which had a very tasty charred flavor, thin cut, & just enough kick to make you keep eating....so, we continued with our favorite, Charred Quail, Hazelnut Butter, Escarole - not to be missed! The combination is not really something that can be explained pre-experiánce... you should just trust, and go there! Since we couldn't come to a fair agreement regarding wine, we went with red AND white - by the way, good luck deciding - the cocktail, beer, & wine menu is so extensive(in a good way!), you might want to check it out in advance & save yourself some time & energy. I love the concept behind the beverage listing - for example, red wines are listed from lightest to biggest....so, we went with the happy medium, based on the very accurate description and ordered a bottle of Librandi "Ciro Rosso" Gaglioppo, Calabria 2009 10 / 39 (red cherry, dried fig, cinnamon) and were very satisfied. The description hit the nail on the head - the flavor actually did all three things in your mouth, in that order....red cherry...dried fig...cinnamon = brilliant!. Thank you for spelling that out for us! We feel smart. The extremely charming staff, who were attentive & very well informed, but not over the top - then arrived with our entré selection which was pared down to; Canestri, Duck Liver Ragu, Hazelnut, Balsamic ($16) - this turned out to be the table-fave of the night (pre-dessert!) ~ it was savory & rich, though not overwhelming with a hint of nutty sweetness - a perfect unexpected balance of flavors. This dish shared the lime-iight with Strozzapreti (pasta), Rabbit Sugo (sauce), Rosemary, Olives ($15), which was exciting & tasty, though we searched & searched for the teeny bits of rosemary that were virtually undetectable. Nevertheless, we cleaned the plate with a smile (x3). AND, drumroll.....please.............if you have the slightest sweet-tooth at all (which I don't, actually) you MUST not leave without trying the Tiramisu dessert. Simply put, it's orgasmic. Our unanimous consensus is that we'll definitely be back for more - and not soon enough! This is happiness, outside the box!
(5)Dos B.
Hip, not too loud, fantastic service and wonderful selection. Mozzarella app awesome.
(4)Ken C.
excellent food, service,and decor
(5)Debbie S.
Had an early date night here on Saturday night. Terrific meal and great atmosphere! I loved the decor of the restaurant -- wooden tables, high ceilings and beautiful open shelving. My husband and I spent several minutes trying to remember the old Landmark space. I had a terrific glass of wine to start the meal and hubby had a beer. They request that you order your entire meal at one time and they will bring out the dishes accordingly. We started with Peter's bread basket -- a seasonal selection of delicious breads made in house. I was impressed with the bread and the various kinds of spreads that are included -- my favorite was the pumpkin brioche. We then had the best dish of the evening -- an heirloom tomato bruschetta that was out of this world. Piled high with tomatoes, soaked with aged balsamic -- this dish was to die for. I could have eaten plate after plate of this. Apparently the tomates are from the sous chef's brother's farm in Lincolnwood -- boy do I wish I knew the sous chef's brother so that I could get tomatoes from him. After the bruschetta, we moved on to the Orechiette dish. We were both a little disappointed with this one -- it received raves on yelp, but both the hubby and I thought that it was so citrusy -- the bitterness of the kelp helped tone the citrus flavor down, but the bites without the kelp were a little overpowering. After the pasta, we had a mortadella and pistachio pesto pizza that was excellent. The mortadella was salty and flavorful and the combination of the pistachio pesto and the pesto cured mortadella really made this dish flavorful and delicious. I ended the meal with the Affogato and vanilla gelati. Fantastic. As I am not an espresso fan, I asked our waiter whether chocolate sauce could be substituted for the espresso and he happily obliged. A great way to end the meal. Hubby had the pistachio gelati and he said that the dish reminded him of Turkish Delight (in a good way). Both of us were very pleased with the desserts. The overall meal was terrific and the service was spot on. Balena has a lot of employees, but they don't hover, which I appreciate. We lingered over our meal and no one tried to rush us out the door. By the time we left, it was starting to get a bit loud in the restaurant. While I love the decor, there are no soft fabrics to dampen the noise -- towards the end of our night, it was a little hard to hear each other speak.
(4)KM R.
I may try it again since I live nearby. Excellent service. Nice space. Enjoyed our food, but out of top choices. Mackerl app was fantastic. Better pizza of this type elsewhere.
(3)Colleen F.
Ate dinner here last night and had a great experience. Started with The Balena, and enjoyed a great selection of meats, cheese and breads. Definitely recommend for a group... there were 6 of us and we did have a little extra. Mushroom Pizza - so good. The fresh green onions shaved on top were a fabulous fresh touch. Salami Pizza - crust and sauce were perfect. The salami itself was good, I would definitely eat it again, but might try the sausage next time. The pizzas are served with a red pepper oil and it's a great accompaniment for someone that wants a bit of heat. Tajarin with Pork Ragu - a must try. The sauce is rich and flavorful, and the noodle was cooked to perfection. Ricotta Ravioli - rich and flavorful. We split these and one was enough to get the vibe... a plateful might be too much. Tagliolini Nero - a bit overpriced for the amount of seafood included, I wouldn't order it again, but it wasn't bad by any means. Chicken Thigh - crispy outside, juicy and tender inside. The mustard greens served with this dish were on point and added a great bitter flavor. Our server was very attentive and friendly, made great recommendations. The space is open yet all the candles make it seem very warm. Loved the whole atmosphere.
(4)Jonathan G.
So those of you who know me.. I love food but I also focus on steps of service. Usually if I am at a restaurant I pay way more attention to the food than the service because from experience I know there will be mess ups of service the first week. The food was very good...tried a few of the small plates that were very good, the pasta was cooked perfectly and the duck was awesome...but the thing that left the biggest impression was the service on the second day of service. The Boka boys have obviously stressed the steps of service but not only to servers but the entire staff. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a table is not reset for the next course...second day of service with perfect execution, friendly not over the top service, with explanations that were not pretentious.
(5)Nat M.
excellent ambience. great drinks. good service. good food. excellent desserts. a bit pricey, but this is one of the best places Ive been in Chicago - so worth it. I'll defn go back for more
(5)Lindsay F.
Pros: 1. Getting seated at the chefs table - so cool to watch all the food being prepared 2. Service - waitress, hosts, chefs - all were helpful and friendly 3. Timing - all our dishes were timed perfectly and we didn't feel at all rushed 4. Appetizer - short ribs were unique and delicious 5. Rabbit Entree - unique application or rabbit; not game-y at all 5. Dessert - the tiramisu was by far the best I've ever had 6. Wine List - extensive and had a variety of price points Cons: 1. Pizza - just okay, too much sauce and lot very authentic 2. Shared Seating - although we didn't get placed at a shared table, I always dislike when restaurants have shared seating 3. Atmosphere - very loud
(4)Elle H.
went there last week, the atmosphere is awesome 9/10. The only reason I say this is because the upstairs tables are a little to close together. Its hard not to bump into the other table when getting up. The drinks were fantastic! The deserts were also great.. I had pizza, which was pretty good. I can't speak for anyone else, but I liked it! Oh and everyone on staff is super friendly!
(5)Beth N.
We hosted our wedding at Balena over Labor Day weekend 2012, it was perfect for our non-traditional vision with focus on the space, the food and a general great time for our guests. We had dined at Balena before and loved the food, and the space is a perfect mix of vintage and industrial that we both like, while the vaulted ceilings and open dining room lent itself to our ceremony site. Michelle Herndon and her team at Balena put on a beyond-amazing party for us! From leading guests to the appropriate spaces for our ceremony and dinner, to making sure my husband and I were taken care of, assisting any guests with special needs, to cleaning up empty glasses as soon as they were placed down, the staff was incredibly organized, attentive and friendly throughout. Our guests were very impressed with the dinner buffet, of course the magnificent food, but also the meal preparation that took place right there in front of them. The dessert table was a gorgeous array of fantastic sweets, including our amazing lemon/ginger/blueberry cake that then-pastry chef Amanda Rockman created. We cannot thank Michelle enough for completely planning our wedding at Balena! She was in constant contact with us to make sure every single detail was in order - from the placement of each table and chair, to where exactly the band would plug in, helping us choose a variety of dishes that would make the best menu, to keeping the entire show running smoothly! She even worked her hidden floral talent on my bridal bouquet when I wasn't totally satisfied with it. She did everything with a smile and made planning our wedding easy.
(5)Laura S.
Wonderful! I went with a friend and we were suprised to get a awesome table almost in the kitchen. We started with the beet and cheese salad. All I can say is YUM! Second we shared a black pasta with crab... Delicious! We finished with the Sea Bass, which was my least favorite, but still good. All in all this was a great place to eat. Our server was great and did not rush us at all. I can not wait to go back!
(5)Randal R.
First off I'm a big fan of Bistol. I love the monkey bread--no monkey bread her but they do have a $6 bread side. I'd rather have the $5 monkey bread. Everything was great but here is the one problem. The waitress had to warn me that the pasta dishes are the smaller sharable sizes. I don't quite get that because if they are smaller how are they sharable. Whatever, she actually said they were 6 oz portions. I'm not sure if the cook actually weighs the pasta but the pasta did not cover the bottom of the bowl. My pasta which had 2 little pieces of crab in it was $19. I felt like saying the pasta does not have the smaller sharable price. Is 8oz of pasta too much to ask for. We are talking pasta not steak. Both pasta we had were small but very flavorful. The pizza looked huge compared to the pasta. The desserts were creative and was even better then the pasta. This is a perfect place for women to go and graze and cat like the table next to us. Food is 4.5 star, don't bring 4 big men before a 3 hour workout.
(3)Vlad T.
Went to Balena for the first time last week. Its a fantastic space, well thought out, great modern rustic decor lots of light wood, exposed brick, high ceilings. Great drinks nicely rated by their bitterness. Food was rather disappointing. Although appetizers were great: bread basket, hazelnut quail (phenomenal), kale salad - all good. Pasta dished - they tried to do too much with it. Pasta should be simple, few ingredients and well prepared, at least to my taste. I am a sucker for simple pastas and southern italian cooking. Pasta negro for example - a more of a popular dish there was way too lemony. Deserts were not great at all: tiramisu - just OK, ice cream - same. This place needs a serious chef!!! I would recommend this place for drinks only.
(3)Jim W.
Give it 3.5. We went for our anniversary. Very nice restaurant, food and service are solid. But, I don't think it's a top tier Chicago restaurant. If your in the neighborhood, going to Steppanwolf, you'll enjoy it.
(3)Sandra V.
We wanted to have dinner at this restaurant after wandering in a few months ago for a drink prior to a show at Steppenwolf. They have interesting specialty drinks with bitters - the few we have tried were quite tasty. First off the service is very friendly (maybe a little forced - but friendly). Our reservations were at 4:45 and I will get back to that. My date had a bitters cocktail and I asked if they had any Super Tuscans by the glass - they didn't but the waiter chose a great wine with a similar taste profile for me. We started out with The Balena - a platter of meats, cheeses and home made baked breads, which also included a few dipping sauces. Every choice on the platter was delicious (we saved some of the chocolate cherry bread for dessert). There was more than enough on the platter that you could order that and a couple glasses of wine and you're done. But my date wanted entrees - so we split a couple. We explained to our waiter that we had a lot of time to kill - the show we were seeing didn't start until 7:30 and to not rush the food out and he offered to bring the 2 entrees out one at at ime. Our first was a pasta dish - Orecchiette, Lemon Butter, Kale, Bread Crumbs and Chili. (first don't expect to leave full if this is all you order - the pasta dish was quite small - but the price was fair - and by American standards portions are too big anyway - this was just right). The pasta was cooked to perfection - toothsome. My date, who is Italian was very impressed with the texture of the pasta and he is very difficult to please when it comes to Italian cooking. The lemon butter was light and flavorful with a nice surprise of kick from the chilis. The kale was not bitter and the bread crumbs added a nice texture of crunch. Outstanding! For our meat entree we ordered the Mixed Grill of pork - wonderful. Homemade pork meatballs served in light but again surprising sauce with a chili kick, pork chorizo, glazed ham, pork pate with some bacon on top. While the latter was good - I didn't find it as delicious as the other options on the plate so I let my date eat that entire portion. Served with a light argula salad over grilled fennel. Again - just outstanding. The dessert menu looked like quite a treat with homemade gelatos, etc but we were so full we opted for a couple of espressos. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for some good rustic Italian cooking ( I tried RPM Italian a couple weeks go - don't bother - get a reservation here). And speaking of reservations - the only "off" part of our experience - we called mid week for a reservation and we were told the only seating available for this Saturday was 4:45 or 10 PM. We had to do the earlier due to our 7:30 theatre tickets so we really took our time and milked the meal. But we noticed there were several empty tables all the way to 6 PM and even at 6:30 when we left there were still 2 tops that remained empty. We asked both our waiter and the host why we had to be seated so early yet so many tables remained empty. We felt they both gave us the same BS story - they allow 2 hours per seating - it made no sense. We could have easily been seated at 6 and out of there by 7:15. I think they save several seats for the theatre crowd walk ins - so if you get an early reservations - take your chances and walk in later - you can always sit at the bar.
(4)Karen L.
Love what they have done with the space... decorated really cool and trendy. I will have to say it is smaller than I expected, and from what I remember of Landmark, there was more room. The entry area is especially small - they even have people wait out in the middle area between the doors. Went there for my birthday dinner, which we had to book about 6 weeks out! If you like the fancy cocktails, this is the place to go! I love how they classify them by bitterness, made for a fun ordering process! I believe I tried three of them, all of which were really good! For starters, our table ordered the Balena, which is a compilation breads, cheeses and meats. It was good but nothing too impressive. For my entree I ordered the linguini carbonara. It was delicious! The pasta was homemade and cooked perfectly, and I loved the flavor. The only thing I would say is the portions are rather small for what you are paying for it. (I think my pasta was $15 or so, and I couldn't even share if I wanted to!) We also tried the chocolate gelato with sea salt which I thought was yummy, but nothing that wowed me. Overall, a fun experience - nice, trendy restaurant for a nice night out!
(4)Pete D.
Okay its all about the service here... and maybe the wine too. I got the pork plate which was good but if you're looking for the best pork in town I'll tell you to go to Tarantino's on Armitage. This place is just fun, I would go definitely go back. Excellent service and good food (I would recommend the pizza or chicken...start with the meat plate?) Great atmosphere, nice lighting, and well its just a good looking place to be inside of.
(5)Alan W.
Good tasting food!
(4)Tyler B.
We visited here on a Friday night as a group of 9, including several out-of-towners. Our table wasn't ready when we showed up so we sampled the cocktails at the bar. They were OOTWD (Out Of This World Delicious). I highly recommend the Dark and Stirred. We had a little trouble getting seated - Our table took nearly an hour after our reservation to become ready due to a lingering group. The owner took care of us, comping us Hors d'Å“uvre's and desserts. The owner personally recommended a wine to us which was delicious, and paired nicely with our entrees. The steak was perfectly cooked, and the homemade pasta was outstanding. Excellent service from the wait staff. Highly recommend!
(5)Melanie B.
I have to preface this by saying: I don't give out five stars lightly, but I can see myself returning to Balena again and again and finding something exciting each time, and that's what puts it over the edge. We were seated upstairs near one of the huge windows. The space is gorgeous. I love how they've transformed the space, I love the visibility into the kitchen, I love how cozy the whole thing feels despite being so large. The cocktail concept is neat: the drinks are created around bitters, and each is given a bitterness rating from 1 to 10. I started with the strawberry and prosecco -- really refreshing -- followed by the rum-based and orangey Carmella. Both were excellent, and I have my eye on a few of the others. While we perused the rest of the menu, we enjoyed the bread plate, which featured ramp crostini, garlic-infused bread, lemon-pepper brioche, and walnut bread with ricotta, olive oil, and one other dipping sauce, maybe with garlic. Our server, who was super cute and bubbly without being annoying, advised us to order the sweet and creamy burrata and beet starter (I will never turn down burrata), followed by the egg-yolk pasta topped with a light and thin but flavorful pork ragu. For our main, we shared the whole branzino topped with a peanut gremolata. It was exactly what I wanted. The fish was perfectly cooked and the gremolata added the right amount of citrus and crunch. We did a terrible job of saving room for dessert, so we'll have to go back for that (as well as the smoked meats and cheese platter, which we could definitely see doing as a weekday dinner). I've been waiting for Balena to open for what seems like forever, and I'm definitely planning to take advantage of living down the street from it.
(5)Andrew F.
Was here last night - I thought the service was great and the food awesome. Reasonably priced for the quality of the dishes and everything was very tasty. I would recommend the Tagliolini Nero and the Kale Caesar Salad as to must try things while you are there. The pizzas were also fantastic. We also had an outstanding server named Max who was very knowledgeable about the entire menu and made some great suggestions.
(5)Nick R.
AHhhhhhh!!!! I am so torn. On one side we had great food and on the other we had terrible service. I will give them a big thumbs up on their pizza pies but let me tell you...If you are ordering a glass of wine then get it by the bottle. I have never waited so long for a glass of red wine. The most important thing for me to see when I sit down is a friendly hello (which they did), a drink order (which they did), and a drink (which came 10-15 minutes later). I would suggest to tell the "water fillers/bus boys" to help out the waitress. I literally had my water glasses filled at a 5-1 ratio compared to my wine. I asked a waitress if they were under staffed and ever since that question the service went from bad to worst, quickly. I'll give them another try again in maybe six months when they get the bar/wait staff in order. I wish them all the luck but you're better off overstaffed than under.
(2)Ally B.
I went to Balena the other night to meet friends for dinner. The interior had a stark simplicity, modern ambience. The sommelier stopped at our table to answer questions and help with selections from the list of Italian wines. Our waitress was pleasant, but later less receptive when we ordered only wine and an appetizer to share. She put down the check and cleared the table as we talked, as if to signal the end to our night and that we should be on our way. I also must say that the "balena" platter had very meager portion of cheese- "three small cubes" which was disproportionate with the cured meats. It does not top my list for "drinks & appetizers" but perhaps I would go back again to try the dinner menu.
(3)Stella W.
Ok food but overpriced. Small entree portions. Think twice if you want to share. Tiny martinis, and oh, they charge for blue cheese olives. Really? Pizza was tasty but nothing out of the ordinary.
(2)cindy g.
We had dinner last night and it was terrific. From the arugula salad to the Shisito peppers to the pasta And the pizza- all were delicious. Everything was served hot and with the freshest of ingredients . It is hard to believe that a restaurant this size can so efficiently provide consistent and wonderful food. Waitress was just ok though
(4)Jeff G.
Food was great. Our waitress Emily made a great suggestion on a bottle of wine. Will be going back soon.
(5)Kelvin R.
Great pizza, super pastas, clever and tasty beverage program. This will be your new favorite soon
(5)Aubri B.
The food was fantastic, however the service was HORRIBLE. Our dinner took over 4 hours due to the slow service. Upon sitting down it took 15 minutes before we ever even saw our server, then when we ordered drinks they didn't arrive for 30 more minutes. The service for the night pretty much continued to proceed in this manner, with few stops at the table by our server. That being said the food was so outstanding that I will definitely give them a second chance in hopes that this was just an off night.
(3)kb j.
We went recently to this restaurant in the old Landmark space. We were seated promptly after we arrived (we had reservations) on the second floor. There is a large Italian-centric wine list. The egg, mackerel and aioli appetizer was very good. Service was attentive.
(4)K O.
Simply Amazing... Lots of good eats... Great service
(5)Megan S.
I had mixed feelings about Balena, coming in with very high expectations. The food was good overall, I highly recommend the ravioli with butternut squash and ricotta. However, the pizza was lacking something to be desired, and the asparagus app came out to our table cold. We were celebrating a birthday dinner and ordered a bottle of prosecco for 4 of us to share, and without asking if we wanted others, 2 more bottles appeared opened and poured through the course of the night. (We all thought the other had ordered and didn't realize until after leaving that no one had- rude!) We also had 6pm reservations, and knew we had to be out before 9pm because another party was coming in after us. However, the servers hovered over our every move and came to the table every 5 minutes asking if they could order us food, get us our check, etc. and we felt very rushed and unable to sit and talk and enjoy. The tiramisu dessert was lovely, and they did bring a candle for my friend's birthday, but that wasn't enough to make up for the overall impression for me. I'd be willing to go back and try again, but am going to need a little more personality and patience from the staff as well as higher-quality ingredients and freshness in order to recommend to friends.
(3)Rebecca C.
What an improvement from Landmark!! The remodel looks great- I think of Landmark as being kind of dark and gloomy- this place was bright (granted we were there at 6:15- the sun was still out!) and stunning. We had a 6:15 reservation for 4 women and they seated us right away. We were upstairs, which was great- it was quieter than downstairs, which was what we wanted- better for chatting. The staff knew we had 7:30 theater tickets and they were very conscious of that, helping us keep moving so we didn't miss the show! There were 4 of us and we chose to share everything. Brian's bread is well worth the $5- you get a large assortment of breads and 3 different butters/spreads. They were clearly freshly baked and delicious. We had the beet salad- it was great, and a large enough portion for us all to have a bit. We shared the mushroom pizza- it was big! I really enjoyed the crust- crispy and thin in the middle, but enough of a puff on the edge to be chewy and not crackery. The pizza itself didn't have tons of flavor (no sauce- it was a white one), but it was brilliantly served with a chili sauce on the side that was exactly what it needed to spice it up. We had the smoked mackerel and it was my favorite- a little pile of sashimi style fish, then at the other end of the plate a soft cooked egg that we broke apart and it made a lovely dipping sauce for the fish. We also had the pasta with a duck ragout on it- the pasta was clearly fresh and home made and we enjoyed it. Sadly, we didn't have time for dessert. I've already made a reservation to go back with my husband, so I'll try then. My only complaint about the whole experience was the server's insistence on walking me through the "extensive" and "complicated" wine list. Yes- it's big. Yes- it's by region and thus a little confusing. Now leave me alone for 2 seconds so I can study and pick a bottle that is $40 and not $75 or $85! The good news- once she finally gave up on recommending something for us, I found a lovely montepulciano for $45 and we had 2 bottles. Success!
(4)Debbie P.
I dined at Balena Sunday might. The bruchetta and sea urchin pasta were excellent. The cheese plate was a little sparse, we got three pieces of great cheese and a 1/4 of a date. The atmosphere is great except for the hostesses. The way they were dressed was inappropriate and they looked sloppy. They really ruined the atmoshere. I would go back but I wish they would hire someone with class.
(4)Jay K.
Welcome to Barfena, foulest food on the planet at this price point. The four of us went to this lovely place at the site of the former Landmark restaurant, known for great atmosphere and so-so food. Well, the same owners felt they should modify the atmosphere and downgrade the food to just plain disgusting. One high point: The cocktails, which were great, but sadly could not compensate for the overpriced disaster of a meal. Service was pleasant, timely, and professional. Except for not bothering to take off a cheapo 8 buck side of bitter 'charred' radicchio that everyone at the table told the server was 'inedible'. Pizzas are horrible- no cheese to speak of, and wood-burned. Squash side covered in a sauce that was putrid. Ochietti pasta with kale and one or two pine nuts (yup, we counted) and a marked ability to be flavorless, and 'gelato' that was actually icy (Hey, MORONS- don't overfreeze your gelato and store it for 2 weeks before serving it). Apalling, and we ain't never goin' back to this dump-hole.
(1)Eli M.
We started with the mushroom bruschetta and a margarita pizza, both of which were amazing. The bruschetta was rich and decadent while the pizza had a beautiful and flakey crust. We then ordered the oxtail gnocchi and the orecchiette. The gnocchi was unbelievable but the orecchiette was definitely one to skip on the next visit. Will definitely be back.
(4)Bradley B.
Yeah, yeah, yeah -- the dinner was great, but let's talk about the dessert. Pistachio-chewy-nougat-amazingness. You'll want to wear your best sweatpants, though. Yeah, it's that sort of place.
(4)Karen S.
I came here back in summer with 3 others and I REALLY like the setup, vibe, ambiance. I think probably one of my favourite insides of a restaurant so far. It's very large, and like a converted warehouse with very high roof and exposed brick (I'm a huge fan of exposed brick). Our server was VERY enthusiastic and helped us to decide on the wine (from the large and pretty exotic list) as well as help with deciding on what dishes to get (as we wanted to share). I'm certain the menu has changed anyway but from memory we had bruschetta, scollaps, another appetizer, the black seafood pasta and one of the pizza. As you can tell, as I can't remember everything we got the food was good... but not oustanding (aka memorable). It was an enjoyable night and if the food can step it up a notch this place would surely get a 5 star from me.
(4)Dana R.
Had a great experience at Balena tonight. Food was great, wine was superb and the service was excellent. Ethan was our fabulous waiter. He was adorable, accommodating and very knowledgeable. The ambiance is super cool. Love the decor and feel of the restaurant. The food was perfectly spiced, delicious and interesting. Will definitely be back for more.
(5)Diana O.
One of the cutest restaurants i visited in Chicago i love the cool chandelier when you walk in and all the woods and textures you see around the restaurant during sunset, the upstairs area has nice sunlight shining through which makes the restaurant feel cozy and inviting the smoked mackerel was hands down what stood out the most out of all the dishes that we ordered. i've never had anything nearly as good in terms of mackerel and something smoked. i would go back and just solely order this. the uni pasta was ALMOST perfection but i thought it was a tad too salty. the pasta was cooked to perfection and the sauce was not overbearing and the uni was served on top as the main attraction. there are some restaurants that make the sauce WITH the uni and sometimes u can't taste the greatness of the uni itself. i loved how balena served it. it was so clean and satisfying. even w/ the salt, it was probably be the best uni pasta i've had.
(4)G A.
One of my favorite neighborhood restaurants! I cannot recall the number of times that I dined here but every one of my visits was pleasant. Very warm,inviting atmosphere, nice decor,good wine selection,great food. Their pastas are on the small side but very delicious.I would recommend Rigatoni( Pork Ragu) or Tagliolini Nero(Sea Urchin). Roasted Beats and Burrata Di Panna are also pretty good choices for an appetizers. Save some space for sides like baked polenta or glazed carrots. Their food is consistently good and thats exactly what keeps bringing me back to this restaurant!
(4)Molly C.
Balena is one of my favorite spots in Chicago for great Italian cuisine. After initially trying this spot out with my boyfriend, I decided to take my parents here. Our server, Dwayne was very knowledgeable of the wines and food and really made the experience wonderful. We started with a bottle of Montepulciano Abruzzo and it was very reasonably price for how delicious it was! The wine was very drinkable and went down a little too easily. We then ordered the Burrata di Panna, the Tuscan Kale "Caesar Salad", and the Zampone with Beluga Lentils. The burrata is now a standard for every time we go. The cheese is creamy and delicate with the acidic bean salad complementing it perfectly. Next, the kale salad was excellent. The tonnato gave the salad a salty and satisfying flavor while the sardines were a nice alternative to the standard anchovy. The zampone was good. It was fried so a bit more on the heavy side. Not a huge highlight of our meal, however. Next, we moved on to our pasta dish (which served as our main course). Between the four of us, we all collectively decided on only two different pasta dishes (two of each). My mother and I had the Tagliolini Nero with Sea Urchin, Crab, and Chile. Wow! This is by far the best pasta dish that I have had! The uni really adds a nice creaminess to the delicate pasta. My boyfriend and my dad both decided on the Gnocchi with Beef Heart Bolognese. There is truly a difference between house-made gnocchi and store bought. The texture was cloud-like and the beef heart bolognese added a really nice richness to the dish. Dessert. Oh dessert! We orded the Tiramisu and the Affogato. Both were amazing and we all decided the tiramisu was likely the best that we have had. As for the affogato, you really can't go wrong with vanilla gelato, espresso, and mini cinnamon/sugar dusted doughnuts. Perfection! All in all, we really enjoyed our meal and have done so both times we have visited. The wait staff and food are consistently superb.
(5)Rachel S.
Holy cats, mkay? I loved Balena (been there thrice, so you know I mean it). It is a wonderful combination of: italian food prepared in a traditional way, innovative ingredient combinations, whimsical yet modern decor, and excellent service. So far I have yet to be disappointed by a Boka establishment, and Balena is no exception. The pizza is wonderful, the pasta destroys my life (in a good way) and the dessert is amazing. As a person who enjoys bitter beverages, I love the cocktail menu. The cocktails are numbered from least bitter to most bitter, which takes some of the fear out of ordering a bitter drink, which can make me sweat. I kinda can't get over how cool it looks on the inside, the space is amazing. And, unlike some atmosphere centric eateries, the food lives up to the decorator's promises. Two words: squid ink tagliolini with uni and crab. Eat it.
(5)Diane M.
I had my hopes up for tonight's mean at Balena. So many people raved about the food, atmosphere and service. I left very unimpressed. First, the drink menu. I wanted to have a pre-dinner cocktail and the bartender was nice enough to give me tastes of different ones. It's an odd menu with vermouths and other cocktails that I've never heard of. And yes, I know tastes are subjective, but all three drinks he offered me tastes of were so yucky. So we settled on prosecco. It was good. We finally got our table, only about five minutes late. We planned on ordering a pizza but the waiter wouldn't take our order until we had decided everything we wanted. Really? So we had to wait to place our order -- we decided to pass on the pizza since we had to wait. We both ordered starters and a main. After a long wait, the restaurant gave us a salad, which was a very nice thing to do. The free salad was the best part of the meal! I had duck pate bruschetta. The bruschetta was much too thick and too hard to cut -- I needed a steak knife to cut into that bread. Flavor was just okay. Friend had rigatoni which was good, but nothing special. Also, the menu said 1/2-chicken -- my friend ordered it, but it's only a 1/4-chicken, not sure why that was wrong. Overall, the service was wonderful. So my rating is more about the flavor of the food. Just wasn't that special. I see another review that said that the combinations of flavors and temperatures didn't work -- that is a perfect thing to say. I won't be back.
(2)Mary H.
Balena is the restaurant to dine at in this area. The food? Amazing. The drinks? Delish. The ambiance? So swanky. Balena caters to the local Steppenwolf crowd, but it also a favorite among residents in this area (myself included) so you know it's good. We ordered a tuna appetizer (which was just okay) pizza and the pork ragu, The pasta and pizza were SO GOOD! The mixed drinks were also great, with a little something for everyone, and of course, an extensive wine list for vino drinkers. The whole experience was wonderful, but you will pay a pretty penny for it. The layout of the restaurant is pretty cool and features three levels of seating. My only complaint, which is expected in a hip restaurant, was the proximity of the tables to one another. I would not recommend Balena for a first date or intimate dinner, but it's great for groups of friends or a weekend date night. And make a reservation! There's no getting in here without one. Definitely a favorite in this area!
(5)Kristina W.
Balena is my 2nd favorite (after Girl & The Goat) Chicago Bib Gourmand restaurant (of the 11 I've visited so far). I absolutely loved everything we ordered - all "hits" and no "misses!" Our waiter was extremely friendly & helpful in recommending dishes for us, and the hostess called a cab for us when we finished our meal. We ended up ordering: - Cumin & Coriander Focaccia - pretty good... as good as focaccia can get! - Tagliolini Nero w/ Crab, Sea Urchin, Chili ( s3-media2.ak.yelpcdn.com… ) - my favorite dish! I've had squid ink pasta at other restaurants & didn't really love it, but it's SO GOOD here. Totally changed my opinion. I was a little sad that there was barely any Uni, but the bit that I had was great...! - Rigatoni w/ Pork Ragu, Porcini Mushrooms ( s3-media4.ak.yelpcdn.com… ) - delicious. My friend thought it was a little salty, but I thought it was really good. I would recommend it if it's not the only pasta you're ordering (i.e. in addition to the Tagliolini Nero). - Brussel Sprout Pizza w/ Pancetta, Pecorino, Red Onion ( s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.com… ) - SO amazing. I was pretty full by this point but still couldn't stop eating! The brussel sprouts were perfectly crispy and balanced out the saltiness of the pancetta. - Tiramisu w/ Chocolate Sauce, Coffee Streusel ( s3-media4.ak.yelpcdn.com… ) - yummy, but I've had better. I think I was too excited after reading a bunch of great reviews about their dessert, so it didn't really meet my high expectations. OVERALL: I definitely recommend Balena for the delicious, reasonably-priced food & friendly service in a casual, romantic ambience. Order the Tagliolini Nero and Brussel Sprout Pizza! I'll be back for more.
(5)Justin B.
Had tickets to "The Motherf*cker with the Hat" at the Steppenwolf Saturday night, so we had a 5:45 reservation at Balena with my wife, dad and stepmom. In almost every way, Balena delivered the goods. Space is pretty cool and we were lucky to be seated at the back of the restaurant at a picnic table that would probably fit 10 people...and we had it all to our (four-person) selves. Definitely felt like members of the mob! We ordered the focaccia, the arugula salad, a bottle of cabernet, a sausage pizza, and three of the pastas: the orecchiette, the rigatoni and the hen egg tajarin. I tasted the focaccia, the pizza and the tajarin and all three were great. Loved the ricotta cheese/honey dip for the bread; the sauce on the pizza was excellent...and, I haven't had a sauce-less pasta that I loved like the tajarin maybe ever. Portion size was reasonable so I didn't walk away full... ...which is the only thing negative I can level at the Balena experience. We placed our orders just after 6 PM, and the entrees did not come (all three pastas and the pizza) until just before 7 PM. We had 7:30 PM theater tix, so while we did not have to rush through eating the food, we couldn't order dessert, coffee, etc. afterwards and I make a point to order dessert everywhere I go. GRANTED, the menu warns of this possibility when you order a pizza, but I did not think it would take one hour to get the pizza to our table. Otherwise, a good time and a place I will check out again before hitting a show on Halsted.
(4)Jack G.
Unique tasty dishes; Italian based. Really meant to be ordered and served family style (order several starters, entrees, and sides and share them). For our group of 4 (with 2 drinks each), the bill came to $265 - but I felt it was worth it for the enjoyment we had. Staff is very knowledgeable and attentive. Ask for recommendations and they will provide.
(5)Jen F.
3.5 stars. Dana F. and I started with the Peter's breads (mixed breads) and dips. There was a nice variety. My favorite was the sausage bread and cranberry bread with the yogurt dip. The mushroom pizza was wonderfully doughy and the mushrooms were not overpowering. The fazzoletti pasta was alright. There were marcona almonds, mint, oil, etc. The noodles were like little wrapped blankets. It wouldn't be my first choice but it was creative. The chinotto float was a tasty chai inspired dessert. There were dates on top and rum. Boozin' dessert. The ice cream was awesome and spicy. Service was okay, not the best, and its a bit pricy. We also had a reservation and got there early, there were plenty of empty tables, and they still didn't seat us until our reservation time.
(3)Kasey P.
I went to Balena for a birthday party this week and I have to say that I was unimpressed. I feel like the prices were high for the amount of food served and the creativity of the dishes. We ordered a large fish for the table and it came undercooked and when it was filleted the server over seasoned it and left tons of bones in the fish. I think the cocktails are amazing, but besides that I would not go back anytime soon.
(2)Ritu R.
Mushroom Bruchetta - 5/5. Decadent. 2 pieces. Very good. Cheese plate. 5/5. Perfectly balanced and portioned. Orecchiette pasta was very nice and flavorful. I'd order it again! Taglioni w sea urchin was unique and tasty as well! Panna cotta dessert was inventive and yummy! We will return! Fantastic service and BEAUTIFUL old world modern feel.
(5)Racer S.
I made reservations at Balena based on Yelp reviews and the fact that it's across the street from Steppenwolf Theater. We went to the 3PM matinee last Saturday, and then headed over to Balena. I've got to say that this was one of the most satisfying dining experiences that we've had in years. From the minute we walked in the door, to walking back out 2 hours later, everything was perfect. The food here is amazing! We started with two of their "bitters" cocktails, delicious and nothing like we've tried before - nice to find something completely new and innovative. Appetizers were wonderful (Buffalo cheese selection and olives), and then onto the pasta course. Delicious fresh pastas - my wife and I each had a different pasta - and again very creative and wonderful. I had the gnocchi w/chicken and lemon... awesome. Main courses (Pork sampler for me, Prawns for my wife) were just as wonderful. And then of course desert... Before I forget - their wine menu, from all the regions of Italy, was huge! Just a little overwhelming, but great suggestions. We had a Primitivo from the Puglia region - delicious, and surprisingly reasonably priced. Most of their wines seem to be fairly priced, which is a rare thing in the Chicago market. Balena is truly an amazing dining experience - perfect food, perfect attentive service (I wish I remembered our waiter's name - he was as great as the meal itself!). We'll be back soon.
(5)Mith R.
The food was decent, but VERY salty. Props on the excellent selections of vermouth and bitters.
(2)Cameron C.
Absolutely delicious dinner with my lady. First off the space is spectacular. It is located inside of an old candle factory and has almost church like vaulted ceilings. Took suggestions from our waiter and the pork ragu was life changing. I can't wait to revisit and try other items.
(5)Erick N.
I am very impressed with the entire Boka Group family of restaurants. After some amazing meals at Boka, Girl & the Goat and GT Fish & Oyster my wife and I dined at Balena tonight as part of my birthday week festivities. Our only other meal at Balena had been a special event in the private downstairs dining room where chef/owner Chis Pandel created a special menu for a dinner of the antiquities. Tonight my wife and I started the night with a round of cocktails at nearby sister restaurant Boka (home of my favorite cocktail in the city, the Weston). We then took the short stroll down Halsted street to Balena and arrived about ten minutes early for our 8:45pm reservation. Balena was packed to the gills; despite operating in a fairly large space every single table save a six top near the front was occupied. Balena has funky, modern decor; there is not just wooden floors, but a wooden ceiling and the back wall is laminate. They definitely have their own vibe going on, but it works - there is simultaneously an elegant/upscale yet casual/comfortable vibe. The menu at Balena rocks. Not the largest menu by any means, but so many awesome sounding selections. The first part of the menu consists of a variety of homemade breads, cured meats and artisan cheeses; instead of stressing over which to choose I recommend opting for the whole shebang; for $29 you can have a large platter with three cheeses, three cured meats, about a half dozen warm homemade breads (even breadsticks among them), a few spreads and honeycomb. What a way to start the meal! Balena's menu also features about a half dozen different starters (such as a Tuscan Kale Caesar Salad or a Venison Terrine), a half dozen different housemade pastas, a similar quantity of gourmet 12 inch pizzas, some larger plates containing different meats and seafoods and some sides. Tonight my wife and I shared the Tagliolini Nero pasta - a squid ink pasta served with sea urchin as well as a spicy sausage, red onion and tomato pizza. Everything was so delicious and portions were decent sized; despite being quite famished at the start of the meal we ended up taking home half the pizza for lunch tomorrow. Be sure to save room for dessert! Balena features a few classics such as affogato and tiramisu as well as several composed sundaes - each with a different gelato and fixings. I ordered the Grapefruit sorbet composed sundae that was served with meringue, cinnamon and aperol granita; wonderful flavors and textures. We had mentioned to Jordan (general manager at Boka) that we were heading to Balena and he surprised us by calling over and having a bonus dessert delivered to our table - chai spice gelato with charred dates, rum and Demerara sugar. This type of exquisite service is characteristic of the Boka Group; they truly have some of the best staff in the business and really pay attention to detail and make you feel special. There is really not much to critique about Balena; everything was so tasty, there is a wonderful ambiance and prices are extremely reasonable - probably why they were so busy on a Wednesday night. Service was friendly and attentive; perhaps the only minor faux pas' involved our pasta course being delivered before we were finished with the bread/cheese/meat plate and a long gap between the bill being dropped off and retrieved; aside from these very minor issues everything was flawless. Balena also has a tantalizing craft cocktail list; - the drinks are ranked based on the degree of bitterness; with it being a school night and already imbibing in a couple of potent concoctions at Boka we reluctantly took a pass, but definitely will partake next time - in fact it even provides a built in excuse to return sooner rather than later. Balena definitely exceeded expectations and is yet another stellar option in Chicago's robust dining scene.
(5)Jenny V.
Love this place for it's ambiance, people watching and delicious food. Our go to's usually are the tagliolini nero and the pizza - which is phenomenal. They will tell you pastas are too small to be a meal, but I disagree. My husband also has a huge appetite and he's fine with a pasta dish as his main). As much as I love Balena, a few let downs which explains the 3 stars. - I was really bummed to learn that the pastry/dessert chef left as our favorite dessert is no longer on the menu. I will always miss, crave and mourn the toasted milk ice cream sundae with those amazing chocolate chip cookies and cookie bits at the bottom. - On two occasions our waiter put on the heavy sell on the day's special. One of these times, after we agreed to order it, he said "phew - now I hit my quota", which was extremely off putting and made us less than excited about what we just ordered, and naturally made us not trust any recommendations in the future.
(3)Sheret N.
I really enjoyed my night at Balena. The service and ambiance was impeccable and the food was great, the wine even better. The only reason I didn't give it 5 starts is because my pizza was a little too burnt around the edges. I like a little char, which we'd all expect from a wood or coal fired pizza, but this pizza seemed like it was in that oven just a tad long. Also, the complimentary bread sticks that were on the table were flavorless. Otherwise, it was a perfect evening.
(4)Jules H.
Sometimes you have such a perfect experience at a restaurant, but then the second time around disappoints. This was not the case with Balena! It had been high on my list as a revisit, and last night it was even better! My favorites: shishito peppers with tuna & orecchiette with kale! The pizza was outstanding also. Everything is thoughtfully planned out, from the service to the atmosphere.
(5)Kevin H.
With all the options for dining in Chicago, my wife and I return to Balena at least every couple of months to see what new creations are on the menu. The service is the best I've seen in any restaurant in my life. The food is excellent. The amaro-based drinks are a welcome divergence from the standard mixed drink menu. I love this place.
(5)Deepti D.
Great food & trendy vibe!! My husband picked this place fort birthday dinner. We had the burrata which is served with a kind of jelly, absolutely delicious!! My husband got the gnocchi and I got the spaghetti pomodoro, both of us loved our dishes! We usually have leftovers that we bring home but not at balena! It was all too delicious to even leave a bite! Can't wait to come back and try the other dishes!
(5)Abby B.
The food was excellent. However, while the servers and management was nice, the service was really poor. We waited 45 minutes to be seated WITH a reservation because they had let prior parties still sit down when coming in an hour late to reservations. Likewise, our server and the manager were extremely nice, but it took a long time to get drinks refilled, food to come out, etc.
(3)Kristine C.
It's truffle season! We took the bait and went in for the Truffle Za Pizza! My boyfriend has been to the restaurant once before and really enjoyed it. I really wanted to try Balena so when I heard about the truffle-goodness being offered and both of us being truffle fanatics; we had to try this pizza. Our server, Joel, was gracious and patient with our questions. The pizza takes about 25 minutes to bake (We were informed their oven only holds about 8 pies as a time). I would recommend ordering a starter while you wait for the truffles to arrive. We decided on the Tagliolini Nero, Crab, Sea Urchin, Chili pasta. The pasta is a dark squid ink pasta. It is on the brittle side and hard to wrap around a spoon with crab and red chili's mixed in and a nice size portion of Sea Urchin on top. It's not a huge portion and will not fill you up while you wait for the main dish. It did take a good 25 - 30 minutes for our pizza to arrive. It was a busy Tuesday night and I could tell service was a bit slow/backed-up. Dun, dun, dummm. The pizza arrived. It smelled so good! We ordered the pizza half with the ham and half without. Props to the chef for accommodating! What a lovely combination of flavors. Piled on a light flat crust is the mortadella and leek crema, follow by shaved Jamon Iberic de Belota (ham), Perigord black truffles and then the white Alba truffles are shaved tableside. The pizza has 14 - 15 grams of each type of truffle. The server let us smell the Alba prior to shaving it, he took this part very seriously. I could have sat there all day and breathed the truffle scented goodness. With each bite I savored the truffles and chewed continuously to eek out every bit of taste. The ham at parts was a bit over powering to the truffle. I even got my boyfriend who doesn't eat meat to try a b bit of the ham. He didn't hate it! I dare make any suggestions, but I was unable to finish my crust. I would have hoped for some sort of truffle oil or garlic butter dipping sauce so we could savory every bit of the pizza. The dish is served with a very spicy chili oil, which for a wuss like me, did not help in the crust eating cause. Overall, this was a really fun experience and the pizza was nice. The service was great and I really enjoyed the décor and ambience of the restaurant. We will be back to try more of their eclectic and savory Italian dishes.
(4)Pat N.
Excellent spotless service; everything was flavorful; fresh and richly prepared. Had burrata with ciabatta lardo; tagliatelle pasta with crab and sea urchin; pizza with mortadella and pistachio pesto and harisa sirloin with white beans and pickled haricot vertex. Could not resist two desserts - tiramisu and hazelnut and chocolate mousse. A memorable anniversary dinner.
(4)Lisa A.
I'm usually a fan of Asian cuisine, but lately have been invited to several Italian restauants and was not displeased. I had a preset menu but the food was very very good. I started with the menabrea 'birra bionda' lager that had a hint of lemon zest and fresh mint. first course: herbed focaccia was stupendous, but the wild arugula salad had a lot to be desired. second course: wood-grilled flank steak was perfect and medium rare. the skuna bay salmon was perfectly cooked and seasoned with taggiasca olives and fennel...just delightful. the chicken thighs with pine nut dressing was good, but the braised greens were far too salty. the side dishes of polenta was perfectly done and I simply loved the charred radicchio!! dessert was tiramisu which was mundane. All in all a very good place to dine.
(4)Fanny G.
Balena is such a great place. It was my second time there and everything was awesome. They even give you super tasty grissini (just like in Italy) on arrival. They have real italian sodas that are sooooo good! (you can even get that and ask it to be spiked to have a beautiful cocktail! The food is all delicious but my to go dish there is definitely the pizza! The dough is so good and they come up with really interesting and original toppings that work very well together. All the desserts we tried we succulent. Balena rocks!
(4)Thor T.
After thwarting the hostess's attempt to seat my guest and me at the "chef's table" (her words for the two bar seats in the busiest traffic section of the restaurant), we were seated at a small table for two (preferable) and were lucky enough to have a wonderful waitress for the rest of the evening. First: the Italian wine list is one of the best I have seen anywhere, including Italy! A treasure-trove of outstanding producers from all over Italy, with a selection of amari and spirits to match (try one of the incomparable Berta grappas). We started with the Lamb Liver bruschetta and Scallop Carpaccio appetizers. The (icy cold) scallops were sweet and fresh, the lamb liver - with a pronounced lamb taste - very much to our liking. Prices for these very small appetizers are a couple dollars too high for good price/quality point. A better deal are the pastas and here Balena can really shine. The pappardelle with Lamb Sugo were outstanding - every part of the dish perfect, from consistency of the pasta to the intensity of the wonderful slow-braised lamb. A+ The consistency of the Tagliolini Nero was equally good, with fine pieces of crab and a pristine tasting sea urchin but - and this is a big but - the dish was so overly salty that every bite of the beautifully cooked pasta was a struggle. This might have been a singular mishap, unfortunately, it was our plate. I would love to re-try this dish. We also tried the pizza with taleggio and fontina - both cheeses were baked to a crisp on the pizza that was more like a flatbread. One of the desserts we tried was the Pear Crostata with Apple Butter, Crème Fraiche Gelato. Crostata??! I don't think so! This dish had nothing to do with a crostata but rather was a big piece of puff pastry filled with pear, chocolate, and apple butter. Tasty yes, crostata no (I ordered a pear crostata the next day at La Madia restaurant on Grant - it was textbook perfect). It is obvious that Balena is a very successful (very large) restaurant, with tables filled at all times of the evening. The food ranged from stunningly good (Pappardelle) to almost inedible (salt-lick Tagliolini). The little ruse by the hostess at the beginning of the meal was not appreciated, the skills and personality of our wonderful waitress all the more! 3.5
(3)Caroline A.
It is a scene here. It's loud, bustling and full of well-dressed beautiful people. The wine list is extensive; the cocktails are delicious (try the China); and the decor is rustic yet modern at the same time. I was a little disappointed in the pizzas at first, but then tried the mortadella/pistachio pesto and couldn't get enough of it. Don't forget to drizzle a little (or a lot) spicy chili oil to give it a nice bite. The squid ink pasta with uni is fantastic. However, I wish it included more than a nigiri-sized portion of my dearest sea urchin. If you're looking for something green, try to kale Caesar salad. Just don't expect it to be healthy. Great wine list and wonderful service. The restaurant gets really loud, so I don't recommend it for a date. It is a much better girl's night out option.
(4)Erica L.
Went to Balena on a Friday night and had an amazing time. While we were seated in a rather crowded area, but enjoyed the ambiance. The cutest old lady was at a table next to us enjoying her family's company. People watching was fabulous. Every bite of food we ordered was absolutely delicious. Our server was extremely helpful (I can't think of her name! Tall, thin, brown hair?) and helped us navigate the menu to make sure we took advantage. She suggested a red that suited both of us and complemented the food very well. She urged us to get the Zambone as a starter -- unreal. Even the lentils were very well flavored. Split the Ragu pasta and Meatball pizza. Looking forward to visiting again to try out more! I've also heard the cocktails are delicious.
(5)M B.
pretty fab clean nouvelle Italian. Great pizza, really outstanding wine by the glass list. beautiful décor, great staff and v. reasonable. Only drawback was the pasta could have been warmer. Need a hot plate to keep those small portions hot.
(5)Marisa A.
Came here for a weeknight dinner with a group of four. Everything we ordered was solid, but we all agreed that nothing was rave-worthy. Cured Meat - They all looked like identical pepperonis. Sorry, no other way to describe it. The meats were good, but the bread that came alongside it was probably the single best thing at Balena. It was SO GOOD. Our server mentioned that it was made with pork drippings, or something like that. Selection of Pecorino- It's pecorino, so the selections were all pretty pungent. Not your typical cheese plate. Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta- Tomatoes were super fresh, piled on crusty bread. I feel like this is the kind of food that Balena wants to create: simple recipes that highlight fresh ingredients. They were successful with the bruschetta-- the tomatoes were enough to make it pop. Kale Caesar Salad- Tasted exactly as you would expect. There were slivers of anchovies throughout. Croutons were pretty bland. Tagliolini Nero w/ Sea Urchin- Don't let "sea urchin" scare you off, it's barely fishy tasting. It was more like a subtle brininess. I really enjoyed this dish. Potato & Leek Ravioli- The pasta itself was good but the fillings were a bit plain. Creamy sauce. Canestri Pork Ragu- My favorite dish of the night. Rich and hearty. It's like what you wanted your mom's goulash to be. Spicy Sausage Pizza- Our server raved about this pizza. Hand-tossed, light and chewy crust. I thought it was good but... basic. It came with six slices though, so it was pretty good bang for your buck. Affogato- Pretty awesome. The gelato was exceptional. Unfortunately, I didn't get to try any entrees. Like I said, everything was just... good. Not terribly memorable. I'm not dying to go back but if I did, I'd stick to the pasta as I think that's their strong point.
(4)David B.
Very pretty space, friendly and knowledgeable staff, some interesting takes on traditional dishes, very well researched wine list. Food tasted accurate and thought out. However, we did not experience anything memorable and the cost-quality ratio was only adequate.
(3)Ciara G.
If Balena was a man, I would most certainly put out. The space was s-e-x-y. Simple, cozy, rustic, kind of reminded me of Bottega in Napa but better. I was breathless as soon as we walked in. Becky, phenomenal service. She did the "napkin fold" every single time (4/4). I was beyond impressed. We had the last reservation time slot of 10pm and were not rushed one bit and received flawless service until the very end. The food, exquisitely delightful. The detail and thoughtfulness put into the Peter's Bread selection was remarkable. The pizza, fresh tomato, ricotta salata, garlic, and oregano, to die for. My pork ragu rigatoni was heavenly but the star was the orecchiette. A light cream sauce, crispy kale, lemon, chili, and bread crumbs. I just about died at the one bite I was able to enjoy. I'd fly to CHI for this dish alone. It was perfect. The 36oz Bisteca was the largest piece of meat I have ever seen. It was meaty and wonderful. The roasted garlic cloves was a genius accessories to this hunk of meat. So full but we couldn't pass up dessert. Torn between the Apricot Sorbetti and Pistachio Gelati, we asked Becky's advice and she said that was a tough one as she favored both. So we did what any diners that were too full for anything else would do and ordered both. Becky also surprised us with a complimentary Tiramisu. Becky, you shouldn't have. No seriously, you shouldn't have. The tiramisu like all the other food we consumed at Balena was fantastic. The Apricot Sorbetti was fun, refreshingly tart treat. But my absolute fave was the Pistachio Gelati. Top 5 desserts I have ever had no doubt. The pistachio flavor was so bold. The pistachio laced nougat pieces were perfection, and the confit oranges, oh my.... Balena was truly a memorable dining experience and a must of the must eats when in CHI.
(5)Amy W.
I cannot say enough amazing things about my experience at Balena. First of all, the decor is so comforting and yet refined at the same time. I imagine that if I had the time and money, I would have decorated my own house the exact same way. Absolutely LOVED the lighting, the exposed wood/cutting board tables, and metal fixtures. Love love LOVE. And the FOOD, oh my god. I pretty much thought that every single thing we ordered was good, but the ones that especially blew me away were: the Balena cheese and meats platter; the burrata (so fresh!), beets, and celery roots starter; and the sea urchin squid-ink pasta. And my friends and I decided to go overboard and order three desserts, all of which were fabulous: the affogato, tiramisu, and pistachio gelati. Drinks were also great. I typically am very sensitive to the taste of alcohol, but I thoroughly enjoyed my Mirto no2 and thought that it went deliciously with all the food. One additional comment I'd like to make, though, is that the portions seemed a tad small for the price. But other than that -- a beautiful experience. I'd definitely come back once my wallet recovers a bit.
(5)Carrie M.
I've eaten here numerous times and Balena consistently delivers. My favorite dish on the menu is the orecchiette. The menu changes seasonally but some of the classics stay longer. Make a reservation because there are always crowds, especially on the weekends.
(4)Lucy Y.
We were lucky to get a late (10pm) reservation at this gorgeous restaurant on a Sunday night. The mood inside was mellow, and our server Becky was warm and knowledgeable. Becky and a super sharp busser provided us with the highest level of service throughout our leisurely meal - equivalent to the level of service at Napa, California's The French Laundry (Yountville). And that says A LOT. Our food was seriously awesome: Peter's Bread ($6) - a selection of freshly baked breads (Heirloom Beet Crostini, Carrot Multigrain, Chocolate Cherry Sourdough, Orange & Anise Grissini, Sage & Lavender roll) with spreads (carrot, berry jam, caramelized onions). YUM! Sweet Corn Sformati ($10) - a cold, firm, flan-like, corn kernel-studded, SarVecchio parmesan cheese-topped round, served with a lightly dressed salad of mustard greens Orecchiette ($15) - this heavy cream and wine reduction sauced pasta, with kale, lemon, bread crumbs and chili was in the top three pastas I've ever had. Right up there with the angnolotti at Redd Wood (Napa, Ca) and the gnocchi at Osteria Mamma (Hollywood, Ca). The lemony-ness brightened the creaminess to an angelic level of delicious! Come here for this alone, and the trip will be well worth it. Heirloom tomato, ricotta salata, garlic, oregano pizza ($17) - thinner crust, chewy and crispy, with chunks of unctuous tomato, slices of ricotta salata, garlic and oregano. Pristine, yummy. Rigatoni with pork ragu ($15) - honestly, next to the orecchiette, this paled in comparison, but not because it wasn't delicious! It was, but that orecchiette made a lasting impression on my tastebuds. 36 oz Bisteca ($69) - lemon, olive oil, roasted garlic head. Now THIS is a steak. A Fred-Flintstone-sized brontosaurus one! Slightly smoky, tender and lean all the way through, sliced for ease of eating, and delicious with the roasted garlic cloves. Pistachio Gelati ($9) - 3 scoops, drizzled with burnt orange caramel, adorned with pistachio nougat, topped with confit orange. Heavenly!! Our fave dessert of the night! Apricot Sorbetti ($9) - served with a scoop of burnt honey gelato, topped with honeycomb chunks and slices of nectarine, and then poured with prosecco at the table. Omg, a dessert fit for a princess! Tiramisu - so thoughtfully brought to us as a complimentary dessert. Rich and light at the same time, perfectly lightly sweet, the softest ladyfinger layers and the creamiest mascarpone layers. Yum!!! Decaf espressos went perfectly with our desserts. Our top-notch service included watching cloth napkins carefully folded by Becky and that sharp busser when one of us got up to use the restroom. And when we both approached the staircase leading from the restrooms to the restaurant, the same busser backed away from me, graciously gesturing for me to ascend first. The food here is wonderful, and the service has been one of the best I've come across this year. Thank you Becky, and Balena for an awesome dinner!
(5)lulu s.
We finally got around to trying this spot this summer, and we had a great all around experience. The food options were all so enticing that it was hard to decide for both of us. Everything we tried was spot on, and the pastas and fish were out of this world.This would definitely be a great place for a group so that you could try more things. Our server was excellent - offering advice when we asked for it, but not hovering so we could catch up with each other during the meal. Only downside is they forgot to bring a side that we ordered, and we didn't realize we'd paid for it until after we got home. Small oversight that we will overlook.
(4)Caitlin C.
The food here was great, and the ambiance was even better. The restaurant's multiple levels and glowy soft lighting leave you feeling like you have a private corner, even when you're in a room full of people. The wild arugula salad was so lemony fresh that a cold, rainy night felt like summer for a moment. The pizza was wonderful and warm and crispy, and the pork ragu was delish (I was here with another person and we just split a bunch of things). The only thing I wasn't a fan of here was my Negroni. It was really heavy on the Campari, to the point where I didn't taste much else in the drink. I'm hoping it was just a heavy-handed pour, but if that is their standard mixology, it's much less appealing than the food.
(4)Pepe R.
Very nice place and great food. A bit overpriced.
(4)Jeff S.
I have mixed feelings on Balena after checking it out for restaurant week. The restaurant has a great vibe and a warm inviting feel. The service was fast and friendly so no complaints there. The cocktails were also well balanced and tasty. The food is where I'm more unsure of what to think. Everything our table tried was good but not great. Many of the dishes were one note dishes and lacked the contrasting flavors and textures you look for in a great dish. The portions were also small even for a restaurant week menu if it were a tasting menu they would have been ok. I am going with three stars but I have a feeling if tried the normal menu I would enjoy Balena more.
(3)Lindsey A.
As of late, many of my reviews have been swayed by service. If it's bad, it weighs heavily on the overall experience. If it's in the middle, then I probably forgot about it. If it's amazing (and I mean when-I-think-of-the-restaurant-and-I-think-of-Âservice-before-food amazing), well, that just speaks for itself. Balena is one of these amazing service places. From the warm hosting station and laid-back bartenders (despite being swamped with orders) to our super friendly and knowledgeable waiter, we felt like royalty while dining here this week. We tried a bitter (strawberry no. 1 - not to be confused with its much hipper and more popular brother, Strawberry Letter 23) which was a delightful precursor to our meal. My fiance ordered the orecchiette pasta with lemon, kale, bread crumbs and chili. The pasta was cooked to an aldente T and the entire dish was just perfect - from the portion size to the amount of lemon playing off the kale and chili. Delicious. I went with pizza. The heirloom tomato, ricotta salata, garlic and oregano pizza. The tomatoes are the stars here - sweet and tender. But be careful: there's something spicy hiding under those beautiful tomates. And I'm a spice-loving lady, but, it still surprised me when my tongue lit up like a tiny sparkler. Wine list - good and good. Beer list - small but excellent. (Had the best wheat beer I've ever had in my entire life. Parisian wheat beer at that!) Dessert list - didn't even look at it. After stuffing ourselves with all things Italian-inspired (they never claim to be straight up Italian, ya'll. Check the website.) we didn't have room. Will definitely be back for more casual dinners and possibly office-outings.
(5)Rob S.
I had the distinct pleasure of dining at Balena with a few friends for my partner's birthday this week. What a treat! The menu is full of interesting items we actually had a hard time choosing from for the simple fact that everything sounded so good. What we ended up going with was amazing. I've been back, and I've never been disappointed.
(4)Judi S.
Fun from beginning to end! Great cocktails - try the pear ginger! The atmosphere is warm and cozy and the wait staff is attentive. They explained each dish to use and made recommendations. The fennel sausage pizza we started with was good, but very spicy. Ask them to go lightly on the chili flakes if that's not for you. The pasta with lemon and breadcrumbs was delicious. A simple dish, but the lemon was assertive, not lost in the background. The roasted chicken thigh is a must..Again, simple, but oh so tasty. I'm thinking they brine the chicken, keeping it so moist and flavorful. Side dishes ordered for the table almost out shone he entries. Roasted potatoes were very crisp, with just a hint of sweetness. The kale caesar salad was tender and a nice change from regular caesar salad. But it was the au gratin onions that really impressed. For dessert, you can' to wrong with their housemade sorbets or gelato. Skip the caramel budino, which was sweet, but lacked texture and reminded with of a caramel mousSe.
(4)Kiyoko F.
We were only in Chicago for a few days, so we did a massive amount of Yelping to figure out exactly where we should go. We wanted to try at least one Italian place (and we're not huge fans of deep dish -- sorry!!!), so we thought Balena would be a good choice. Thing is, nothing ended up being that good. Full disclosure: we only had pizza and the bruschetta, no pasta. So, maybe the pasta is the real knock-out? I don't know. The bruschetta was this really thick layer of pate on pretty decent bread. It was wayyyyyy too much. The pizza was fine, but nothing to write home about. Saving grace? The place was huge and bustling, so it made for a good night out. Just, the food fell flat.
(2)Robin D.
Great atmosphere, Good Food but VERY VERY LOUD! The loudness reminds me of SUNDA. I would have given this place 5 stars but if I have to scream to be able to have a normal conversation then that's not good. For this reason, I wouldn't recommend it for a romantic dinner even if the ambiance and lighting and the food sets a romantic note. Reservation is a must in this place as it is crowded especially on a weekend. We arrived at 9 and were seated maybe 15 mins after. Our table was on the second floor and our server was Priscilla who was very good. We ordered the salad with white anchovies and it was delicious. For our main dish, our orders were from the grill. Some of us ordered Halibut which they said was divine and I had the soft shell crab. I usually don't order this since it is deep fried but not at this place, it was grilled to perfection. I really enjoyed my entree. My mother in law is very traditional and she didn't enjoy her pasta. This place is modern italian cuisine so if you want traditional/old style then this might not be the place for you especially with the pasta dishes. Would I say this is a good value meal? Not exactly, its one of the places where you get small portions at a high price. I got 2 small soft shell crabs and that entree is $ 32. The Halibut is probably a 4 inch square cut for high 20s. You get the point. Would I say its worth it, Yes! I would be back but I cant do this every week.
(4)Michael S.
I surprised my partner with dinner at Bales to celebrate his birthday. We were there one Sunday in December. The evening got off a little slow as the greeting at the door was a little cold but a minute later a very pleasant woman greeted us and their friendly staff continued a positive experience through the evening. At our table there was a birtday card signed by the staff. They have a unique selection of drinks and Our waitress helped in our selections. All of their food is cooked from scratch and you can really tell the difference as the food was all fresh and flavorful. Our waitress was excellent, she was attentive and not overly so. She offered suggestions for ordering so that our food would arrive as we finished each course which is much appreciated. Our only regret was not ordering a salad or additional side dish as their main course didn't include a side. For desert we were surprised with cupcakes and a candle in one. The cupcake was excellent! It had a wonderful creamy filling which balanced perfectly with the chocolate cake. All in all everything was very tasty and enjoyable and the service was excellent.
(4)David E.
Good not great. The smoked trout was good. Also recommend seasonal soft shell crabs, but all very saucy ya know...
(4)Michelle L.
Long story short - you must go here. The food is simply amazing. We had the peppers for our starter then tried a pasta dish and pizza. Everything had great presentation and tasted delicious. Great atmosphere although it was kind of loud for a Wednesday evening and the place was only half filled. Will definitely go back for the food! This is easily one of my favorite restaurants in the city!
(4)Jims L.
Food was good. Our pizza was overcooked and out server forgot to put in an order for our pasta, everything we had ordered together. BUT they put both on the house.
(3)Eileen Z.
A signed birthday card for my birthday. A signed freaking card for my birthday. The entire staff. Being part of the industry lends to the empathy we share with our fellow hosts/servers being annoyed by the slew of all the it's-my-birthday-I-want-free-crap notes lined up in a row on OpenTable, so I get treating birthdays like "whatevs". But that personal touch was great, on top a service staff that was some of the best I've experienced in this city. Geeked out by the wine list, the smoked mackerel + soft egg, and Old Town Social's Finocchiona (even though OTS is a 1/2 mile down the road...). The hen egg tajarin was the exact simple I needed to round out a huge order of pizza and pecorino, plus the fact I pretty much follow anything of a brown buttered state. It's shame I couldn't attend the VIP Chef Ferran Adria reception...!
(5)Ashley D.
Good food, incredibly rude service. We were celebrating a birthday, very excited to dine at Balena, and our waiter was inattentive and seemed very distracted. He got our order wrong and was generally a poor communicator, would disappear randomly for long periods of time. Not too big of a deal, and we were willing to look past all of that. Toward the end of the dinner, no one ever bothered to offer us dessert and we had brought a special cookie for the birthday girl which we gave to her and shared amongst the group. The front of house manager went out of her way to come to our table and "shame" us. She stated, "this is not okay, I mean we serve food here" Wtf?! Way to go out of the way to make a party of five with a considerable bill (including alcohol) feel uncomfortable and embarrassed after their own staff couldn't even offer our table the option of dessert. Then she acted like she was doing us a favor by not charging us a plating fee after we offered several times to pay it since she acted like we were no better than common criminals. Thoroughly disappointed.
(2)Marie B.
Great Staff! I had the Francesco cocktail and I loved it! We had the brushetta, cheese/bread plate, and the polenta which were all what I expected from previous reviews that I read. Eating with a vegetarian, we skipped on the meat dishes (next trip: Rigatoni with Pork Ragu) which was fine, but the Duck egg tajarin sage with brown butter was surprisingly bland. I wanted to really like it but the flavor was very minimal For desert we had the Chocolate Hazelnut tart which was so yummy, but I totally missed the donuts. We should of gotten that! Definitely not rustic Italian, but as advertised it is Italian Inspired!
(4)Kathleen C.
Balena was divine! I'm sorry I haven't visited this spot sooner because I had the most wonderful meal there - some of the best pasta I've ever eaten! First of all, the space is gorgeous! It looks so much brighter and better than when it was Landmark. The bar is lovely and interesting and the space is very bright, yet lit nicely. I can imagine that it is very cozy in the winter. I met my friend for dinner, and while I waited, I had a seat at the bar and a glass of wine. While I will say that their wine list trends toward some of the higher wine prices in the city, they have a great selection and really perfect tasting notes (in case you haven't heard of some of these varieties - which I had not). The bartender was friendly, helpful with the menu and gave everyone excellent attention. Once we were seated, we were met by a very attentive server who explained the menu and gave honest and truthful recommendations about menu items. We elected for the bread assortment to start - chocolate cherry?? Thank goodness there were two pieces of that one! The spreads were also delicious and also quite unique. On to food...we shared the orichiette pasta and then the proscuitto pizza. I had read about the pizza dough and had to try it! We were thrilled with both. The pasta may have been my favorite pasta - ever. It was light, fresh and really tasty with a slight hint of lemon, kale and perfectly done pasta. The pizza crust was perfect - a bit doughy on the edges and with just the right amount of crunch. The proscuitto was delicious and everything blended really well together for a great tasting dish. Atmosphere - 5 Food - 5 Value - 4 (only for wine prices) Service - 5 Bathrooms - 5 I can't wait to return!
(5)Morgane R.
Food was amazing.....our waiter not so much. Had dinner there last Friday, we were a group of 3. Sat down at 8:15, and were greeted by our waitress right away. She asked if we needed to leave by a certain time, we told 10:00. She also asked if anyone at the table had any intolerance, we said yes (one was lactose and the other was gluten). We ordered a bottle of wine. We then didn't see our waitress until around 9:20, when we flagged her down so she could take our order. She then remembered that my friend was gluten intolerant, and went to grab the gluten-free menu. We then didn't see her again until about 9:50, when she finally took our order. We had to ask for the order to be rushed, and to have the check with the food. While the food was amazing (had the squid ink pasta with crab and uni), it would be really hard to go back there due to the service.
(3)Natalie L.
I was on the fence about this one, but my dining companions convinced me that Balena was 5-star worthy. I was looking for a fun and semi-reasonable place for dinner reservation with out of town guests over Labor Day weekend. Balena ended up being a great choice.They took reservations (that I was able to get at a reasonable time just a couple of days prior). The food was very good and the portion sizes were perfect. We had to appetizers: the smoked mackeral and the sweet corn. The mackeral was outstanding. The sweet corn was ok and a nice contrast but it didn't blow me away. For dinner, we all picked one dish and then shared. The highlight of the meal was the nero pasta. Our dessert, a chocolate hazzlenut panna cotta was heavenly. The bill came to about $100 per couple. Not bad. I considered giving 4 stars because of service. When we got there, our table wasn't quite ready and we ordered glasses of wine at the bar. The bar tender at first did not seem happy to be there and was a little curt when we asked questions about the wine selection. He made up for it by allowing us to sample some of the wines. At the table, our server was very pleasant but there were definite lags. We almost finished our pasta course before we received the bottle of wine that we had ordered when we placed our food order. But I was convinced to overlook these things because the food was that good. The space was also fantastic and it didn't feel too fancy or trendy.
(5)Niraj G.
Great rustic decor! Was able to try a couple of pizzas and the cauliflower/garlic crema pizza really stood out. Definitely need to go back to check out the rest of the menu.
(4)Lee Ann K.
An amazing experience Saturday night at Balena! Not only did they do their best to accommodate a larger party of eight (Rob in their office actually called me back about a cancellation that made room for us) but the food, wine and service was spectacular. Eric, our server, did a great job suggesting a few fabulous menu items like the Caulflower pizza and Chicken Thighs. They were probably items that we would have not ordered on our own but we are so glad that we did as they were our favorites! And his knowledgable wine advice was appreciated by all at the table (maybe too much). This was my third and favorite trip to Balena and one that was notably memorable. We will be sure to return!
(5)Carol K.
Loved the decor, loved the food, but it was the service that kept this from being a 5 star review for this food loving gal! We went on a weeknight but the traffic into the city on this night, made me almost an hour late for my reservation. "No problem", said the wonderful hostess even suggesting that I may want to "chill" for a moment at the bar with friends before she sat us. And at that moment it was as if all the angst of the day dropped away with a wonderfully prepared drink at the bar that even had custom sized ice cubes in it (why I still marvel at that given all the years that has been in play is beyond me) but we all had different drinks and they all had different ice. We were shown to a table in the bar and while my first preference would have been to sit upstairs, beggars can't be choosers when you totally miss your reservation. The attention to detail in the bar alone is amazing. The leather bar chairs are edged with a leather whip stick, the barrel chairs at the high top tables amazingly comfortable and the neon sculpture on the wall spelling what we could only surmise to be "Fromani" provided a few moments of creativity. We had been warned not to order the Balana Platter which is a sampling of all of their meats, cheeses and breads, but since one in our group LOVES cheese- this was obviously going to be a must have. And from the second it arrived, I knew we would probably not get to the grilled shrimp, burrata, or pasta that I had been thinking about all day. Oh well, guess I save that for another visit. The meats, cheeses and custom breads were delicious and the perfect accompaniment to the crisp wine we were drinking. We also ordered one each of the two types of spicy pizza that they have- spicy sausage and spicy pepperoni. If you go- you must have one of these delicious pizzas. I wish we had skipped the meats and cheeses and had just started in on these! Of the two- the spicy pepperoni was the more spicy although both were good. The pizza piping hot, the edges burned just the right way and the whole thing making your mouth water as it sits on the table in front of you! Where it fell down for me was with our server. This guy was a dud. No personality, no interest in our table other than to tell us that he had a lot of tables that night so we needed to hurry up and order. Funny- he wasn't even running the food- a manager (at least that's who we decided she was as she was dressed nicely but kept bringing us our food) Hey guy- if you hate being a server- go find other work . . .I'd list your name here but you know who you are! Other than the service challenge (not in speed but in attitude) our night was perfect. I will certainly recommend Balana to anyone looking for a wonderful meal in a great place. I'm happy I've got a new place to go before seeing plays at the Steppenwolf which is basically across the street. If you drive- valet parking is available for about $12 and I'd take it as street parking is a bit of a challenge in this area. Loved it and you will too!
(4)Andrea H.
You know, I generally don't like to spend money on Italian food. I guess I kind of feel like I can make a lot of it at home. For that reason, I was reluctant to try Balena. To be honest though, I never really felt like I was in an Italian restaurant. My first thought upon entering was, "Wow, they've made some really great changes in here!" The decor is beautiful. The space is large but they've done an excellent job of giving it a rustic feel. I love it. I really like the way they set up the cocktail menu. Ranking every drink on a scale of bitterness gives you a good idea of what you're going to get. I tried four different drinks, the Carmella (3), Francesco (5), China (6) and the Dark & Stirred (7). All were very good but I felt like each drink was a very slight variation on the same cocktail. Staying true to the menu, the higher numbers delivered more bitterness. It was very interesting to taste the subtle differences but then, I'm a weirdo who really likes cocktails. The menu also has a lot of interesting wines by the glass. My friend enjoyed exploring some wines we had not heard of previously. For the food, we had trouble deciding (of course, I can never decide!) so we started with the burrata, let our server choose our second dish, and shared the spicy sausage pizza. The burrata was amazing. The cheese itself had excellent flavor and consistency. Complimented by the beets, it was an awesome dish. For the second course, our server chose the Tagliolini Nero. Excellent choice! The flavors were light and delicate and, while I'm usually not a fan of mint, it worked with this dish. It gave it a refreshing kick. The sausage pizza was delicious as well. Of course we couldn't go without trying the dessert. You shouldn't either, the desserts are outstanding. We decided to split the Kir Royale sundae and the Semifreddo with berries and vanilla candied almonds based on our server's recommendation. Wow, they were both incredible. Don't skip dessert, it is worth every tasty calorie! Our service was great throughout the night. I like that they paced the meal in such a way that we never had too much on the table but never waited too long for anything. Every time my drink was empty, someone came along to offer another, even if it wasn't our main server. Great, great service. I have never seen a place that keeps your boxed leftovers until you're ready to go but more places should do this. It's nice not having to deal with a big bag or box on your table while you're trying to enjoy dessert. There were so many other things I wanted to try. Next time I come back, I'm totally going for The Balena meat and cheese platter. With a salami called "Gin & Juice", how can I resist?
(4)Hookah L.
i love it they have a good food and service
(4)Kris R.
can i just say, right off the bat, that the service here is wonderful. everyone is so nice, friendly and helpful. BIG, ginormous, ups to the staff. high five, y'all. came here on a date a while back. we arrived a bit late after some drankin' and ordered: squid ink pasta with sea urchin lemon orechiette espresso ice cream balls/donuts i think wine was involved. the food was great. the ambiance is romantic, intimate, and the servers don't over do it. they didn't judge me when i ated all the donut ball things. i dont even think they were balls, i just like that word. balls.
(4)Pam B.
I'm torn on this one, so I will start with the good: our bartender was great, waiter was good and the food is above average. The bad was that we showed up at our reservation time, put in our name, stepped aside and two couples who arrived separately after us were seated immediately. The hostess asked if we wanted to wait an extra 15-20 minutes for a table upstairs. We said yes. 30 minutes later, we are taken to our table. Downstairs. Back to the hostess we go and are then taken upstairs, where the waiter doesn't stop by for 15-20 minutes (likely because the hostess wasn't supposed to put anyone there for a bit longer). After that, the service was good. The two couples seated before us were also upstairs. The food is good enough to go back, but if we are treated the same way again upon arrival, I absolutely will not return given the other options we have. Take away the arrival debacle and I would give this restaurant a 4.
(2)Vanessa B.
I fully admit to completely stuffing my face here and not regretting one second of it. Some wonderful friends took me here for a belated birthday dinner and it was delicious! Started off with the rosemary cocktail which was very balanced and delicious. We then proceeded to have the "balena," a combination platter of their breads, meats, and cheeses. My favorite thing on that plate by far was the pumpkin brioche. I would buy a loaf of that if I could! Next up burrata and beets. Burrata is such a fantastic decadent cheese but has a delicate flavor and beets are not a subtle flavor. The dish was fine, but I did think it was a waste of a great hunk of burrata given that the beets really overpowered the flavor. On to my favorites. We all split the orecchiette with lemon and kale, the rigatoni with pork ragu, and the spicy sausage pizza. The orecchiette was definitely my favorite. The sauce was a light cream sauce with a little lemon and bread crumbs and I fully admit to being obsessed with kale right now for some bizarre reason so this was right up my alley. But the rigatoni was a great dish too and we licked both bowls clean! The pasta was PERFECTLY cooked to al dente, which you almost never find. And the pasta wasn't swimming in sauce either. The pizza was also good, but we were just so stuffed at that point that we didn't have much room. Of course, that being said, we somehow found room for dessert and ordered the tiramisu and affogato. Both were good. I really loved the simplicity but decadence of the espresso poured over vanilla ice cream. On top of all of the great food, the service was great. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Josh G.
I went here, not knowing what to expect, on a first date. I loved it! We sat at the bar, had great conversations over wine, and we snacked on the cured meat platter. If you go and sit at the bar, you will be in love with Megan, the bartender. SHE. IS. AWESOME! I would go back again just to have her recommend some more wine to me. I told her what I liked, and she made perfect recommendations each time. She is uh-maze-ing. :D She is personable, knowledgeable, and hilarious. She gets 5 Stars! The environment is nice. The host/hostess was friendly. It's a cute little place definitely worth visiting. I will be back to try the food. It's a great place to go have a drink as well!
(4)Aurore L.
When you lose your job under unexplained circumstances, a few things come to mind: - "What the #&!&@^ just happened?" - "Yay!! Funemployment! Time to nap and catch up on Netflix!" - "I need to stuff my face right now with delicious food, and no, kale chips won't do the trick this time." "Can I just disappear into the ground, and come back up when unemployment rates are around 0.758%?" I quickly acted on #3. Or my friend did. Because she loves me, and knows me enough to know that NO DIET was written all over this day. Word of advice: if you come here, do the same and leave your skinny jacket at home. You'll need to eat your heart out, and you'll want everything on the menu. We're no grandma, but we made a reservation the day of ('cause you know, being fired is usually pretty last minute business) and got a table at 5:30. Excellent, I was starving and was ready to devour everything in sight. We ordered two vermouths cocktails (VERMOUTH COCKTAILS!!!!!), and proceeded to destroy the following: - fresh burrata, perfectly balanced with a light salad of radishes, fennel and spring onions drizzled with white balsamic - spring pea bruschetta, home-made ricotta, pea shoots and a sprinkle of heaven? Best bruschetta of my life. Even the bread was perfect, crunchy but not gum-bleed inducing....you know what I mean. - the inescapable, unforgettable, eminently edible black ink taglioni with lumps of crab, sea urchin (is there any other kind?), red hot chili peppers and mint. There's really nothing to add. - brussels sprout, pancetta, pecorino and red onion pizza. Don't forget to use the wonderful spicy oil that comes with it. Sumptuous Did I have time to notice the decor? Not a bit. I was totally absorbed by my mastication mission, and had to time to stray from it. But I did acknowledge on the way out that it was spacious, well-thought and charmingly rustic. I would also recommend indulging in one of the sundaes, just because....well, just because what is a good meal without a sweet finish? The pistachio one with candied orange, home-made nougat and orange caramel is a great subtle option. No chocolate. Guess what? It's not a crime, and it's delicious. Best way to give the finger to an insane boss who couldn't appreciate what she had (me), and to welcome a short-lived (fingers, toes, eyes crossed) summery freedom.
(5)Kit G.
Perfection. I could just end the review there, but I won't. Balena is one of my favorite restaurants. At this point I have tried about half of the menu and have loved everything. Here are some absolute highlights: The Bruschetta - it is so good that the New York Times wrote about it. They change it up from time to time, but I have liked the few different styles that I have tried. It is so hearty that you are given a steak knife to eat it with. The $69 steak. Only order this if there are at least 4 people total. It is huge. It is perfectly seasoned and has a great crust. The Pizza - I have tried many, my favorites are the mushroom and the brussels sprout. The brussels sprout is such a stand out you begin to question why pizzerias haven't caught on to this idea. All of the pizzas are enough for a entree and have a nice crispy thin crust. The Composed Sundaes - They switch up the offerings but they are always really fun. Balena is a great place for a nice date. It is modern and romantic.
(5)Mahsa T.
We were 15 minutes late to our 6:15 pm reservation and told by the hostess that we had to vacate our table by 8:30! How R.U.D.E. What if I want to linger and actually enjoy my dining experience? Hmmm....miffed. So unto the matter at hand--our dinner, and less importantly, the slick takeover of Balena from Landmark. The takeover was peaceful (I assume), though there were some casualties, mainly Landmark's tired, dated decor and dark, dungeon-y feel. In its place: a bright beautiful glass entrance, expansive ceiling height, skylights letting in more natural light, and a light Oak-ish woodsy theme. Knotted wood beams everywhere give the place a warm, cozy, comfortable feel--a kind of indoor/outdoor dining experience. The tables were spaced pretty close together, but it didn't seem to bother me. We embraced Balena in its newly-opened phase and were full of expectations with the food. The menu offers a limited but varied selection of mostly small plates. The four of us ordered a few plates to share: SPICY GRILLED SHORTRIBS w/charred orange and basil--The shortribs were delicious, though not at all spicy (disappointingly), and the flavors went well with the orange, but my biggest complaint was that there was more bone than meat on the plate, not worth the $13 in my opinion. RICOTTA RAVIOLI w/Swiss chard and brown butter--melted in my mouth like brown butter. The best dish of the night. SPICY SALAMI PIZZA w/tomato and mozzarella--looked and tasted good, good size for sharing, the crust was the best part of the pizza for me, thin but dough-y, the sauce and toppings were a bit disappointing, just needed a little extra something more, more spice or a bit more flavor. TIRAMISU--do not leave the restaurant without ordering this tiramisu, it is unlike any other tiramisu you have had, it is heavenly and you will want to inhale it. BLUEBERRY GELATO--flavors change regularly, but this was a fun and tasty treat, especially liked the shortbread biscotti-esque item it was topped with. STRAWBERRY w/Grey Goose--specialty cocktail--light, sweet, and refreshing. The food has potential to be so much more, but right now it just hits the 4-star mark, though the fresh ingredients and preparation really do shine through. I'd like to come back and try some other menu items. Service from our server was satisfactory, and from other staff, excellent. Make reservations and be on time unless you want attitude from the hostess. If it hadn't been for the rude hostess, we wouldn't have felt rushed, unwelcomed, and unappreciated. I hope this arrogance subsides as the restaurant loses its new-ness. Do keep Balena in mind for a nice little place to entertain your date, group of girlfriends, out of town guests, or even parents. It will please all. I can also see it as a great place to drop in with a friend for an appetizer and drink at the bar.
(4)Kory K.
The lamb chops were incredibly small, and they like to char things to the point that it ruins the entree. Also, the pace of service was incredibly slow. Three courses required two and a half hours!
(1)Jinx T.
Had an all-around great experience at Balena. Made our reservations through Open Table and noted we were dining for a family member's birthday. Not only did we receive a nice table - in the upstairs (much quieter) section of the restaurant - there was also a lovely hand-made birthday card on the table that was signed by the staff. We tried a number of the Bitters Mixology cocktails - all were beautifully crafted. Favorites in the group were the Negroni No. 5 (Gin, Campari, and Vermouth) and the Mirto No.2 (Myrtle Berry, Bourbon, Absinthe, and Orange Bitters). There's lots of temptation on the menu - so best to order plates to share. Standouts were a Spring Pea Bruschetta with Green Garlic, Ricotta, and Pea Shoots, the Mushroom, Fontina, Taleggio, Scallion, and Thyme pizza (exceptional crust), and the very remarkable and not to be missed - Tagliolini Nero Pasta, with Crab, Sea Urchin, and Chili. The compositions of flavors in each dish was quite impressive. We ordered wines by the glass and allowed or server to choose based on our courses. I'd certainly recommend this option as we were delighted by the results. For dessert there are several appealing choices. Favorites were the Tiramisu, cleverly turned with the addition of a Coffee Streusel, and scrumptious Cannoli Sundae of Ricotta Gelato, and Amarena Cherries. Overall there is a lovely attention to detail here in all areas, food, wines, service, ambience, even in the simple recycling of the menus - cut as dessert coasters so your sundae doesn't slip around on the plate. Highly Recommended!
(5)J J.
Good food. Bad system. Decided to go out for a nice dinner on a Friday and made reservations for two at 9:30 p.m. All four people at the host stand were very nice (seriously, FOUR people needed to manage seatings?), but despite their cordiality, we waited, and waited, and waited. Finally, we were seated at 10:30 p.m.: an entire hour after our reservations. Why, I ask, even make reservations then? Our server was good given the circumstances, as the hosts had also sat a party of 8 and two other couples at the same time in the same section. Seriously, what the hell are those four host people doing? We finally got to eat at 11:15. Needless to say, I was insanely HANGRY! Food was really good, but spend your money and time elsewhere.
(3)Jeremy N.
The coolest thing about Balena - if you want to go there and grab a great pizza at a totally reasonable price you can do it. if you want to go out for some serious wining and dining a little more upscale, you can do that too. I'm not sure I can think of any other place where you can order a $69 36 oz steak with a $12 pizza. The menu is very diverse and there were a lot of options I wanted to try that we'll have to go back for. Their pizza is great, the crust is light and crunchy, I loved that it is not soggy at all. They serve the pizza with some chili oil which really complemented the flavors.
(4)Richie S.
Best meal I've had in a while. Couldn't remember why we'd cancelled reservations at Spiaggia, but glad we did. We arrived early to have a couple cocktails at the bar and were immediately overwhelmed by the booze selection. Wife had a prosecco concoction to start and I went Negroni. Both were light years better than what I've attempted at home. Then I went for a Manlino (ironically enough it was pink and fizzy) and may be my new favourite with gin, St. Germaine, aperol, lemon sour, etc. To the Table! Settled on a sparkling red to accompany dinner, before we'd read the menu. Shared chicken liver on crostini and beets/burrata. The beets and burrata were heavenly. I'm used to pickled, earthy beets but this dish was delicate and very clean. Wife had an farm-egg pasta with sage and butter and I went mixed grilled pork. Hers was perfectly portioned and mine was just morsels of pork to grind through. I was in heaven. The side of baked polenta wasn't reeeaalllly needed, but was excellent. Desserts were served in stemware: wife had vanilla gelati with cookie and I had grapefruit sorbetti. Perfect end to a great meal. Waiter was quite friendly and had good ideas when we asked what we may want to hit while still in town.
(5)Maria D.
Perfect Spot for pre-theatre dinning! They respect your reservation and do all the watching of the time for you, so your dinner is a great experience and you don't worry about a thing! They are most certainly a notch above "Landmark" with their gorgeous, but super comfortable space, perfect lighting and well-oiled service. Their menu, maintaining the harmony of Italian themed items, still offers an array of interesting choices which could accommodate a variety of very picky guests! FOOD & WINE This was our second visit and we shared Smoked Mackerel, Octopus followed by Orecchiette with Lemon & Kale (pasta dish) and the Mixed Grill of Pork. Smoked Mackerel was the highlight of our dinner! Full of flavor smoked fish dipped in soft and creamy egg with crunch breadcrumbs added texture contract, ultimately perfecting this dish! Octopus and Orecchiette came in close second - both dishes very well cooked and plated. Octopus was grilled to perfection and came with roasted red peppers and baby potatoes, in delicious sauce. Orecchiette featured a distinctive lemon sauce and again the chef chose breadcrumbs to add texture. You must like kale to appreciate this dish, we enjoyed it very much. *PASTA TIP: Their Tagliolini Nero (with Crab) is a true gem! So if you are in the mood for pasta at Balena, don't miss this unique and absolutely fantastic creation! We ordered it the first time we ate here and it came beautifully presented and incredibly delicious! Now, Pork (4 ways) wasn't bad, but was not impressive. It tasted a bit re-heated and what I mean by this is the meat wasn't as juicy and flavorful and it should be right off the grill. The Pork Shoulder was especially dry, the short rib and pork belly should've been softer and all three had the same subtle flavor, which was a bit boring. However the Chorizo on this plate was excellent. Wine list was absolutely fantastic, especially impressive that they managed to gather such an amazing variety of wines only from Italy, yet offering great prices! I am always happy to see a wide range of choices "by the glass", since my boyfriend is often in a mood for craft beer or dark liquor. Speaking of which - the bar is very well stocked! We look forward to exploring many tempting choices on their menu!
(5)Emily B.
New favorite restaurant in Chicago? I think so. Brainchild of Boka and The Bristol, Balena has a killer wine and cocktail list, a simple but sophisticated menu, awesome interior design, beautiful bathrooms, and fantastic service. What more do you need for a perfect night out? Chilled asparagus salad: refreshing and delicious Sliced mackerel with egg and granola: best flavor and texture combo you can imagine Nero pasta: their version of "seafood pasta" - it's rich and delicious Pork ragu: like mom makes it....but Chris Pandel made it, so, it's better Pizza: not a huge fan of this actually, little bit like Pizza Hut's sauce on a gourmet crust. Didn't do it for me. That's okay because my desserts were from another world. Actually, they were from Amanda Rockman of Top Chef's Just Desserts. The best tiramisu I've had in the city, hands down coupled with a chocolate gelato and sea salt sundae? Yes, please. Save room for dessert; it was WELL worth it. Other FYI's: Noise level: totally okay Lighting: actually, perfect No screaming kids There is a full bar Tons of seating options (bar, high tops, tables, etc.), 170 capacity PS: Wine menu is a leather-bound book; get ready, wine-o's.
(4)Brenda D.
The only reason this restaurant didn't get 5 stars is because we had to wait 35 to 40 minutes past our 9:30 reservations to get seated plus another 10 plus to get waited on. You might be wondering why I even gave it 4 stars?? The food, also very slow to come out of the kitchen, was incredible once it arrived. I had the Orecchiette pasta. The flavor was full yet light with the kale and lemon. The pizza was also a wonderful bite. The heirloom tomatoes were large chunks with ricotta dropped all around on the soft chewy dough. The signature drinks are very unique and very strong. Although not impressed with their service, we will be back to visit.
(4)Amanda G.
For what we expected based on the price, being named a "Top 10" restaurant, etc., Balena failed, and we will not be back. The food was pretty good, but my pizza was almost too salty to eat. My husband got the squid-ink pasta, which was also salty, but still good. The service, which is what I believe you are paying extra for, left something to be desired. My water was not refilled for a long time, and they forgot to bring us bread (which you can get by request). The worst part was, when you order a bottle of wine, they take your bottle and keep it on the bar. This would be ok if they did a better job of watching your glass, but my husband and I both had empty glasses, which is frustrating when you have bought an entire bottle. We finally flagged down someone and requested that they leave our bottle at the table, and they brought us someone else's bottle of wine by mistake and poured it in our glasses. At least we got a free glass of wine out of this mistake, though! I would give it 3/5 if my expectations weren't so high. The atmosphere gets a 4/5.
(2)Shradha A.
Looking forward to a very special dinner to celebrate my bff's birthday, this place was perfect for the occasion. Really enjoyed the ambiance and the food. We were about to skip the bread basket but a quick glance over the Yelp reviews convinced us to give it a try, and so glad we did. The unique warm fresh breads were a superb start. Our server was not great, because she kept assuming what we may like without asking our preference, for example when it came to recommending a beer. The cocktails were good as were the beer and wine selections. We added the asparagus salad that was a special that day. I had the orecchiette pasta made vegetarian and my friend had the strozzapreti. We both really enjoyed our food. Loved the wooden decor, the friendly hostesses, and the creative but yummy food~!
(5)Tiffany L.
Yet another fine addition by the Boka restaurant group people. The space is huge and beautifully designed exactly how you'd expect a rustic Italian restaurant to be. The bar is extensive and their cocktail menu was interesting enough. My handsome date ordered the Francesco No. 5, which sounded like their take on an old fashioned. It was nicely presented with a square ice cube and an impeccably peeled orange rind, but lacked potency. The food is pretty fantastic, especially the pasta, which are all lovingly handmade. My favorite was the Tarjarin, an egg yolk based noodle (which makes for a toothier texture), also known as "rich people's pasta", and boy, did it make us feel like kings. Despite the simple sauce of olive oil, brown butter and sage, this was a dish after my own heart. Also tried was the Chitarra, also delicious. Would have tried the squid ink pasta too, but I don't have enough stomachs. If I had a nickel for every time I thought that... Balena also earns props for listing "Grilled head-on shrimps" as their first entree. There is something unnerving when you see beady eyes staring at you right before you devour its brains, but as they say, when in Rome! They're served with halved grapes and mint leaves, which give a nice contrast to the salty char of the shrimp. The aioli seemed unnecessary and lacked flavor. The desserts were good but i wasn't blown away (Grapefruit Sorbetti and Tiramisu). Though there was a mini roasted pear covered in what seemed like coffee grinds. It reminded me of a shrunken head and kinda grossed me out. But for real, try their pasta. In fact, I think I'll go back and have some more right now.
(4)Nelly S.
Drove by and fell in love with this place at first sight. The ambiance and every detail of decor is just gorgeous. Husband and I celebrated our anniversary here and we're just so pleased with everything, the service, the delicious food! Balena you knocked our socks off!
(5)Christopher R.
We had a reservation for 6 @ 9:30. So our group met at the bar for pre-dinner drinks at 8:45. We weren't seated until 10:20. Almost an hour late. Our food took 2 hours to get out to us. All the while we can see the kitchen staff through the windows into the kitchen. And what were they doing? Texting. How frustrating! We walked out of the restaurant at 12:15, so much for the rest of the evening. Although the ambience and food were great, the speed of service was horrible. We would not go there again.
(2)Mariah V.
Deceptively huge. Downstairs is cavernous and inherently loud, while upstairs is cozy and the booth side of tables are comfortable enough you'll want to take a nap. The hostess looked back at us at least 8 times on the way to our table, checking to see that we weren't lost or left behind. We did get to sit upstairs at a table by the full length windows facing Halsted, though. Asking my friend who was visiting to go to an Italian restaurant could've been disastrous, because he's spent a good amount of time in Italy. Fortunately, our meal was pretty good. To start we had the burrata with roasted beets and celery root along with an order of Peter's bread. We both liked the burrata, and the bread was well worth $5. Seriously there is no reason to complain about being charged for bread. You get walnut bread, fennel crostini, roast garlic semolina, and challah to dip in olive oil, ricotta and something that tasted like cream of mushroom soup. More than enough carbs to keep two people satisfied. However if you really want to go balls out on a meal at Balena, you must get The Balena which is what I went with on my second trip. Three meats, three cheeses, and bread galore. This time we had some ramp crostini, pea mint bread and lemon challah. Outrageous. Perfect. Drinks are rated by bitterness from 1 to 10. My friend had the Mirto No. 2, while I tried the Francesco No. 5. The Francesco was good but wasn't that bitter. I had to get the FIB No. 10. If you like grapefruit juice, you will like the No. 10. Next up was the orecchiette, lemon, kale, bread crumbs, chili - nothing on this menu has a name per se. Dishes are listed by their main ingredients instead. The bread crumbs were nice and crunchy, and the delicious lemon/kale combo is something I often make at home. I've had it twice, it's been delicious both times. The duck leg with dried fig and amaro was tender and didn't require the large, heavy steak knife given to us. A bit on the sweeter side. The salt and pepper chicken thigh blew the duck out of the water. On the side we had charred radicchio with pecorino and basil. I didn't expect it to be a cold dish, but it was nice and tangy anyway. It was doused in pecorino. To finish off we had the pistachio gelato, burnt orange caramel, pistachio nougat, confit orange. The winner was the nougat - not excessively chewy and really delicious. We were full but became jealous when the adjacent table's two pizzas came. The affagato's cinnamon sugar doughnuts are sinfully pillowy and amazing. Our plates and cutlery were changed for every course, but we didn't really need a meticulously laid out serving spoon and fork for every dish. Nor did we need plates to eat the pistachio gelato, because who eats gelato on a plate? I'm just not that high maintenance, but judging from the loud, snooty couple next to us, some people eating at Balena are. However this is one place where I don't feel out of place lingering for hours, and I love it. Also Jamie, who has been my waitress twice, is very nice and attentive.
(5)Laura G.
I would give Balena 3.5 stars because it had a lot of very positive aspects. The decor was very cool, and the service was pretty good as well. The food was good-you could tell the ingredients were fresh and high-quality; I guess I was just expecting a bit more. After some wine, we started off with the bread basket. I was expecting to be blown away, which I wasn't. Next, we had the beet salad with burrata. It was small, but very tasty and fresh. Next came the tajarin with pork ragu which was the best thing we got. Small portion, but I would recommend this dish. After a recommendation by the waitress, we got the mushroom pizza. We all liked it, but nothing too special, especially for being the "best pizza they had." We all had a nice time, but I don't think any of us are rushing back right away.
(3)Maria C.
We easily found a place to eat at the bar. The wines by the glass are terrible and overpriced. The pizza is super thick and the grilled pork plate was mostly fat. The octopus salad was super fishy. This was my second time there so I feel like we gave it a fair shot. I wish there was something better in the neighborhood.
(2)Rich M.
This restaurant is stunning! They did an amazing job with the décor and the view of the kitchen is the best in the city. The host and hostesses were extremely friendly and made you feel welcome right as you walked in. In my opinion the food itself was under seasoned. I have to say everything we ate was good but sadly nothing wowed us. I would stick with the pasta dishes.
(3)Jenny F.
This is my second time here at Balena. I would say that my second visit was slightly disappointing. I had high hopes as my first experience was fantastic! It's still a great restaurant with great food and a extensive Italian wine list. The Wild Arugula Salad and Tagliolini Nero Pasta were both fantastic again. The pizza - Spicy Pepperoni and Spicy Sausage - are both really savory and delicious. During my second visit, I also tried the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe - I was not a huge fan. Its a creamy, salt/pepper pasta - supposedly very simple. I was under the impression it would be lighter but it felt very heavy and a little too salty. While I would revisit Balena, I am slightly disappointed the second visit wasn't as mind-blowing as the first; I brought my parents here trying to win them over as well, hah! I think the reason the second visit was less enjoyable was the service. Our waitress rarely checked in with us and was slow in between courses (we had 2 dishes that came very quickly, then waited awhile after our table had been cleaned and reset for the next 2 dishes to come. Then, after we were finished with our meal, we had to wait a while before our waitress checked in again for dessert or coffee).
(4)Shauna M.
Cannot say enough good things about Balena. Have dined a few dozen times over the years and always get the orecchiette and nero for pasta dishes. The pizzas are also great especially the rhubarb, spicy pepperoni, and sausage. We miss the affogato and donuts on the desert menu. Have tried various other dishes over the years, but always return because of the classics (orecchiette).
(4)Jonathan S.
This place is a solid 3 stars. It's a cool date place and worth a visit. All food was tasty but the rotolo steak was kid of simple and overpriced for what it was. Wine was good- vibe was good- all good.
(3)Jami S.
I wanted to like this place given I had heard great things even a friend saying it was her fav italian place in the city. Unfortunately b/c of the SLOW service I cannot give it anything more then 2 stars. It was Friday I will give them that but the place is pretty big and we did have a reso. Still had to wait about 20 minutes. Then as we are getting seated they put us in a 2 top squished between 2 other tables. I hate that shit. Seriously make some more room in the restaurant - no one wants to eat on top of other people & it's not Valentines Day! I asked for a table with some more room and the hostess stared at me blankly and said she had to go all the way back to the stand and check. Waited some more... finally got a table next to a wall in the back. Fine. Another 10 minutes or so to get a menu and another 10 minutes for the waitress to even say hello! I mean c'mon we get it's Friday and you just got slammed with a table you didn't think you would have but come by and say hi i'll be right with you. jeez. being a waitress before I can say this. She was plenty friendly and nice but the slowness continued the whole night. We ordered a bottle of wine - it took nearly 20 minutes maybe longer. Seriously. Our dinner was almost 3 hours. Ridic in my book. & sux b/c the food was actually really good. The pastas we had, gnocci, and like a mushroom ragu were delish. The brussel sprout pizza was to die for. We both really loved the food. Get some more servers on a Friday!
(2)Chelsea J.
This was probably hands down the best meal and dining experience I have had in Chicago!!! NO LIE. I moved here 9 months ago from New York City and consider myself a bit of a foodie... Always searching for a new experience and new tastes to try. I stumbled upon Balena by accidentally on my quest to get a reservation at the infamous Girl and the Goat (when I couldn't get a res, Balena was offered as one of those. "If you like this, you should try..."). So I took a quick peek at the menu, scanned over Yelp reviews and decided to try it. First of all, the atmosphere is so trendy and rustic. The open beams, eclectic lights on the bar side wall and large wicker chandeliers are elegant and the lighting sets just the right mood. We had a 7:30 reservation and were sat immediately upon entering. Our waiter (forget his name but he was amazing) was over within minutes, knew I was an east coaster (probably through my open table account) and immediately gave us an extensive overview of the restaurant and menu. I had my parents with me and my dad like to banter with anyone. This waiter took all of his jokes and sarcasm and would even indulge in some great conversation. He also gave a great recommendation for wine (we had the montepulcianod'abruzzo... amazing!!!!) Okay back to the food, we aren't huge eaters but ended up ordering the Kale caesar, marinated olives and the orichiette with kale and lemon as appetizers to share. These were all mouth watering choices. The orichiette had the perfect amount of lemon and the breadcrumbs on top added great texture. The kale caeser had anchovies (if you like them) and was also very good. Our olives did not come out with those dishes, however the manager Nick was at our table offering us a round of drinks on the house and comped the olives. We were sipping on wine and relaxing and didn't even realize the time but the manager approached our table again and apologized for the wait for our entrees. We really were not upset or were aware of the wait but they again offered a round of drinks. This staff and manager truley showed us the definition of hospitality. For dinner, I had the hanger steak and my parents each had the halibut and half roasted chicken. I rarely eat red meat (to me it's always chewy) but had a half marathon the next day... This steak was succulent and flavorful. Came with this amazing sauce and mushrooms. The chicken had a perfect amount of crisp to the skin and was so juicy! The polenta under it was rich and comforting. The halibut was very delicate and had tasty lentils underneath it. All in all these entrees were decadent and flavored to perfection. For dessert we went with our waiters recommendation to get the chocolate and hazelnut croccante. The way he described it was perfect... A grown up kit kat with a hint of caramel rice krispies topping and a nice chocolate based gelato. When it arrived the food runner had a second plate on hand. The manager again as a kind gesture for our "wait" had given us a second dessert on the house, the rhubarb tart. I can't even tell you how wonderful these desserts were. They were rich and melt in your mouth good. I couldn't even pick a favorite. The rhubarb dish had a great balance between tart and sweet and the croccante had this amazing mousse set atop this crispy wafer like crust. All in all an amazing way to end the meal. We thanked the manager and waiter and told them how amazing our experience was and that Balena is a superb example of how a restaurant and dining experience should go. I even asked for the managers card so that I could set up my birthday dinner here in a month or so. The general manager Erin approached our table and personally gave me her card and told me she could setup a great small table for the occasion in the back room. If this review was too lengthy for you to read, here is the take home message. YOU NEED TO GO TO BALENA. Hands down best food I've had since moving to Chicago.
(5)Arthur M.
Before Bling Ring we had dinner at Balena. They had fresh cheese and mozzarella mixed with Nichols Farm strawberries. Girlfriend said it was the best burrata she's had. Il Nostro Chinotto was recommended to me by the server at Balena as a bitter cream soda. It was amazing: the taste of the evil bitter even an alcoholic could love. I thought the spicy sausage pizza was just okay until the spicy sauce arrived a minute behind. Yes, I had eaten half a piece of pizza like a T Rex before the spicy sauce even arrived: the spicy sauce was great. She chose the cannoli sundae for dessert. The gelato was creamy and cheesy, a sweet foil to the burrata. The shards of freshly fried pastry dough had a zested orange element. The cherries were luxurious, and there was a perfect ending of bitter liquor at the bottom of the cup.
(5)Kristin M.
4.5 - Delicious food, great service and tasty cocktails! I've been here a couple times, first on NYE with a prix fixe menu which was delicious. We shared a trio of pumpkin arancini (interesting and delicious!), bitter greens salad (you know, it's salad) and beef carpaccio (my fave starter, it was delicious!) For mains the short rib was delicious, it was well cooked and a super flavorful sauce. The stand out were the minted carrots, which were buttery and delicious (though they didn't stand up for the following visit). For dessert the chocolate cake was tasty, and the panna cotta tasted surprisingly like fruity pebbles, a fun throwback to childhood. My second visit was during Restaurant Week. I had the burratta and beets, but the tuna and white bean bruschetta was the hands down winner at the table. For pasta, the peppered spaghetti with buttery cream sauce was deceptively simple, and higly delicious. For mains, the chicken thighs were good, but didn't blow me away. The mushroom pizza, on the other hand, was something we added on and it did not disappoint! We literaly fought over the remaining piece, it was amazing. The cocktails were delicious, each one different from the next but all very tasty. My only complaint was the craziness upon arrival/departure. The entrance is very congested, I felt bad for the table right by the door because we had no choice but to crowd it when checking in/waiting for our table. A word to the wise: don't check your coat. It was chaotic and took 10 minutes to get our jackets, I wish I had just hung it on my seat. That aside, great experiences at Balena!
(4)Helen N.
Delicious cacio e pepe. One of the best Italian pizza I've had in Chicago, just slightly thicker than the slices in Eataly but rich flavor and chewy crust. Great value if you enjoy authentic pasta and pizza dishes.
(5)Donnie D.
Dined for the first time last night at Balena and it was everything I hoped it would be! There was a group of us that have been wanting to go for quite some time and we were very pleased. The food was fantastic, the ambiance was very relaxed yet upbeat, and the service was impeccable. For dinner we had the grilled octopus, the (I forget the name) ink squid pasta with crab...this was one of the best dishes I've had in Chicago. So amazing! We also had the short ribs, the chicken, the mussels, and a few dessert that were hazelnut and I believe the shortcake. Overall, food was fantastic! Can't wait to be back...
(5)Stefphanie H.
Was in Chicago for the weekend and stumbled upon this place....the food was AMAZING! Loved the vibe.
(4)Stephanie L.
RESTAURANT WEEK! Balena...oh how I have meant to come to you way before this...alas, I made it. Ah, I remember many nights at Landmark in my prime...too funny. The space is still set up the same. Just a little facelift. So one thing I wasnt a fan of was everyone at the table had to do restaurant week...boo to that. Also, the menu for restaurant week was meh. I would have liked more of a selection. Burrata was yummy, tripe was average, white bean bruschetta was damn good. Pastas were DELISH!!!!!! YUMMY! All of them were so great. Pepperoni Pizza was delish (ordered in addition) Salmon was good, chicken was good Desserts pretty darn good Service barred on the edge of annoying. After each dish was served, the server would come over and wait for us to finish talking and ask how is everything. Now, I can understand coming over occasionally, but after every dish was served was EXCESSIVE. and interruptive...we couldnt even have a conversation. But, I guess she was there if we needed her. I would definitely like to go and check out the normal menu.
(4)Romana Y.
We walked in, and the host seemed rather perplexed; Fortunately, our waitor did not. Our waiter was accommodating all throughout, but not the most helpful. He recommended a red wine with subtle, smooth notes. It was great! We started with the pungent selection of Pecorino. Not your typical cheese plate; worth trying and pairing with wine. Next, the gnocchi, which was the main dish, had taken 45minutes too long. 45minutes in, and there was still no gnocchi, or no word of gnocchi. We asked it be canceled, as the restaurant was closing, and we were ready to jet out of there. The waiter apologized for the long delay, and accommodated our request. An additional 15 minutes later, we get the check and gnocchi packaged together, "on the house." It took an hour to get our dinner out... and packaged. They were sincerely apologetic, as we stated out disinterest in taking the food home. The service at this point was at it's peak, oddly. Day after, we tried the gnocchi: decent. I'm sure it's better served freshly on spot. Coffee was a tasteful international brew, served French-press. The rustic-chic decor, dim lighting, and quiet setting make it a beautiful spot, nonetheless.
(3)Mallory S.
AWESOME food and atmosphere, good service, and reasonable prices. I made a reservation via Open Table one week in advance for four on a Saturday night, and we were able to get in at 8:30 PM. The host seated us immediately upon arrival. I feel in love with the restaurant before even tasting the food. Our server was knowledgable, attentive, and personable, and the atmosphere is rustic and inviting. There were a few serving "oops," but they did not detract from the experience. My friend and I were not given clean forks for the entrees like our moms had received, and the server forgot about my friend's mom's gluten allergy and served a dessert with flour. We started with a bottle of Lambrusco and olives. ($55; $6) Our server suggested sharing plates, and we're so glad we did! We ordered baked polenta ($8), honey glazed carrots ($8), spaghetti cacio e pepe ($14), gnocchi ($17), Lake Superior whitefish, and hanger steak ($22). We finished with affogato ($9), grapefruit torte ($9), and a trio of gelato ($8). All of the food was rich an flavorful, but we agreed that the polenta and whitefish were our favorites!
(5)Michael U.
Items selected included: Elixer No4 Green Chartreuse, Nardi Acqua di Cedro, Beefeater 24 Gin FIB no10 Amaro dell Erborista, Ransome Gin, Pink Grapefruit, Basil Strawberry No1 Dimmi, Grey Goose, Fragoli, Wild Strawberry Peter's Bread: Salami and Red Wine, Heirloom Beet Crostini, Orange and Anise Grissini, Pumpkin Spice Brioche, Cranberry Walnut Roll (Maple Fig Butter, Gorgonzola Milk Jam, Cauliflower Curry Yogurt) Venison Terrine, House Pickles, Violet Mustard Mushroom Bruschetta, Rye Toast, Marsala Onions, Cream Bayley Hazen Blue, Honey Crisp Apples, Frisee, Caramel Vinaigrette Tagliolini Nero, Crab, Sea Urchin, Chili Hen Egg Tajarin, Sage, Brown Butter 12" Pizza with Mozzarella, Basil, Tomato Baked Polenta, Tomato Fondue, Dante Wood Roasted Squash, House Ricotta, Honey Chili Butter Afogato, Vanilla Gelato, Espresso, Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Caramel Pine Nut Tart, Vanilla Gelato, Rosemary Chinotto Float, Chai Spice Gelato, Charred Dates, Rum, Demerara Sugar Vanilla Gelati, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Malt Chocolate Sauce, Toasted Milk Apple Pie Gelati, Salted Caramel, Pecan, Brown Butter Crumble Americano The night after a late dinner at The Bristol I found myself seated alongside my family at sister restaurant Balena, a classy high ceilinged, white walled space on Halsted where Chris Pandel and Amanda Rockman take on Italian cuisine with the same local-seasonal ethos and "Honest Cooking" sensibilities as at their Bucktown staple. Similar in craft - an extensive cocktail list, plenty of seasonal vegetables, and a few meat dishes - but swapping out meats and charcuterie in favor of pasta and pizza (though charcuterie still exists at Balena just as pasta does at The Bristol) and comparable in atmosphere as well as clientele the difference between the two is subtle but certainly worth exploring. Beginning first with the service, our captain Keith did an admirable job throughout the evening, but taking into account the size of the room and use of back servers at Balena it simply is not possible for the restaurant to offer the same personal connection a diner feels at The Bristol - suggestions feel pre-determined, descriptions formulaic, and timing a bit more stilted with plates at times appearing too quickly and at others with substantial delay (such as when my Americano arrived nearly 15 minutes before desserts as opposed to with, or even after.) Perhaps as a result of - or perhaps leading to - the above, plates such as the bruschetta and polenta also suffered from temperature issues, both cooler than I'd have expected (though both were admittedly excellent even luke warm.) ...and speaking of the food, selecting nine plates plus five desserts amongst our party of five, I'll first echo my comments from The Bristol and suggest not overlooking the vegetables as the beautifully balanced frisee salad, decadent mushroom bruschetta, and unexpectedly complex wood roasted squash were amongst the best dishes of the evening. Less successful, while others have raved the bread program I personally found all but the Pumpkin spice brioche to be rather standard while it was the accoutrements that truly made the basket - particularly the expectedly sweet maple-fig butter and pungent, rich Gorgonzola milk jam. Focusing on the more "Italian" options, the pizza was fine - neither particularly bad nor particularly memorable while the pastas shined; the ribbon like tajarin coated in butter but not at all heavy while the jet black tagliolini nero was springy without being chewy, spicy without being hot, and delicately briny from the uni while retaining the crab's unmistakable sweetness - the best dish of the night by a landslide, especially considering the desserts - none nearly as impressive (a tall order to be sure) as the duo at The Bristol just one night prior; the Pine Nut Tart a lone exception in its interesting balance of sweet and salty with texture aplenty. A good meal, though not a great one, there are certainly some impressive things going on at Balena and with careful ordering I've no doubt one could have an exceptional meal, yet at the same time I really cannot think of a reason to revisit the space considering A) the quality of Chicago's Italian scene in general and B) the overall superior experience available from Pandel and Rockman at 2152 North Damen.
(3)Charlie B.
Great food. Great vibe inside and perfect stop before you hit up Steppenwolf for a show. I had been wanting to go for a while but thought it was going to be mostly pizza and sort of boring basic Italian stuff you always see. Not the case! Unique dinner options and we didn't even try a pizza. I had my niece with me and they made her a fantastic non-alcoholic drink (and tasty ones for us grown ups, too). The server was new, so he had some work to do and things seemed to get a little backed up in the kitchen which he had to juggle. For a newbie he did a great job and has some learning to do, but that's the only thing that put me on the fence between a 4 and a 5. I will be back and hopefully trying the pizza this time around!
(5)Lisa S.
I've never had better service than I did at Balena! Our server was friendly, attentive, helpful and NOT pushy, which we really appreciated. She also knew the menu extremely well, which was super impressive. Everything we ordered was delicious....if we went back, I think I'd try to go as a party of four as opposed to a party of two so we could try more things. The mushroom pizza was fantastic! (not as rich and equally delicious as Siena Tavern's) We were smart enough to only eat half so that we had room for the rest of our meal. Our server was nice enough to leave the box up front so it don't crowd our table for the rest of the meal. I don't usually order dessert, but it would be a crime not to order the affogato. The combination of the house made gelato, espresso and fresh donuts is be the perfect sweet, but pick me up end to any meal.
(4)Sage P.
Probably a much better idea to dine in. I ordered Balena a second time (from grubhub, so maybe the fault lies there) because their food is delicious. My first time ordering was a lovely experience. The delivery guy found my house without trouble and was very nice. The second time? What a nightmare! The delivery guy couldn't find my house, which fine, no problem - most delivery people have trouble finding it. My problem is that he gave me a completely wrong order and when I told him, he left with the food before I could say anything (I wanted to have him wait while I spoke to the manager at Balena). I called the restaurant and spoke to the manager. She was very nice and told me I could keep the food (nice, but unfortunately too late) and that she'd take care of the bill. Long story short, HERE IS WHERE MY PROBLEM LIES: my food came back cold and my bill was NOT taken care of, not even the delivery charge.
(1)Michael B.
Excellent pasta and pizza. The other mains I've had were good too, but I really think this place excels at their fresh pasta offerings and pizza. Love sitting at the bar there, which is first come, first serve. The bartenders are always great. For two people, I'd recommend sharing a pizza and two pastas.
(4)Stefani C.
I just arrived from Italy and this is not an Italian restaurant. I eat yesterday and I this morning I couldn't wake up. Too much sauce and the menu has too less choices. We spend too much for what we get. The place is nice but I couldn't suggest to try this place.
(2)Ben B.
To my great delight, Balena treated my girlfriend right on her birthday. I let them know we were there for a special occasion, and they got us an appropriately romantic seat (at the window, overlooking the majestic Steppenwolf parking garage). We also sat down to a birthday card, signed by all the Balena staff. Classy. As for the food, I was not a fan. The menu seems too clever by half. For my main dish, I got the rigatoni with pork ragu and mushrooms. It was good, but not mind-blowing. The portion was quite small. It's pasta, man! Why hold back? My girlfriend ordered the orecchiette (with kale, lemon, bread crumbs and chili). It was zesty. If there's such a thing as dessert pasta, this is it. We also ordered a pizza - Mushroom, Fontina, Taleggio, Scallion and Thyme. There were roughly 4 trillion scallions to every mushroom. Pizza wasn't that great, unless it was doused with the sauce they provided. Then it was a bit more enjoyable. The servers were polite and friendly, but they swarmed a bit. Here's a hint: When you see a girl crying because she's emotional over the birthday letter she's reading, maybe take a pass on stopping at the table. Water refills were frequent at the beginning the meal, but trailed off drastically midway through. We also ordered a bottle of wine and our server put it on ice for us. That was nice, but the ice wasn't tableside, so we were dependent on her to fill us up. I'm still not entirely sure we got to drink the entire bottle. I guess it's Wine Honor System at Balena. Balena's shining moment came at dessert. I ordered apple pie gelati (with salted caramel, pecans, and brown butter crumble). Really flavorful. I loved it. My girl ordered the affogato (vanilla gelato, espresso, and cinnamon sugar donuts). Hot donuts? Hell, yes. The best. Should I feel weird we ran up a $200 tab and they didn't comp my girlfriend's birthday dessert? I'm okay with it, but a comp would have been a nice gesture... * Warning: Balena is very, very loud. Not a great place for a date. I recommend dining elsewhere, then hitting Balena for dessert.
(3)Mark C.
A quick weeknight meal at Balena was a pretty solid and memorable one. We ordered pretty simply, and the menu at Balena definitely has numerous more adventerous and interesting choices than a tuscan kale salad and a plate of cacio e pepe. But that's what we got and it was solid. The kale was fresh and sharp with the right amount of bitterness, and topped with a healthy dollop of fresh parmesan. The Cacio e pepe is simple, but incredible. The spaghetti has that perfect al dente texture that you can only get with fresh handmade pasta, and the balance of parmesan and black pepper was absolutely dead-on. Add on the crispy bread crumbs that crisped up the textural element of the dish, and you have a dish that is simple in its ingredients with a subtle underlying complexity. For an entree, we got the hangar steak - solid, well cooked to an almost perfect medium rare, but overall nothing special. Dishes like this remind me why I tend to stray towards fresh pasta at places like this. Balena's a tough place to order for two as the menu makeup seems to be designed for a party of four or six, but you can still make it work for a couple. That being said, there are plenty of solid choices - the pastas are definitely the highlight, but the focus on fresh greens and fresh pasta make it a solid Italian option. Pics and more up at: chohschow.com/2014/07/14…
(4)Kevin B.
With so many great restaurants in our wonderful city, it is a treat when you find extraordinary. Balena is that find. We were headed across the street for a show at Steppenwolf, so we actually picked this restaurant for convenience...but were we surprised. Walking into this restaurant you are simply awestruck by the overall simplicity and beauty of the restaurant. The flavors were unique...just the right mix of uncommon ingredients to make this entire meal exceptional. We started out with the burrata (similar to goat cheese) and mustard with bread, Arugula salad...simple, but nice starter, and the roasted beets, walnut pesto, each item was perfectly prepared, and served with great attention. We did a lot of sharing as this menu really works well for this. I forgot to mention the fresh made bread sticks! We then moved to a mozzarella pizza, rigatoni, pumpkin angolotti and gnocchi and sides included the brussel sprouts and sweet onion gratinato...each item was better than the next. On top of all this our waitperson, Jenny, was totally on her game. She made the right suggestions and helped tremendously with the our choices. Her support staff, whether it was the bus boy, or the floor manager, they were all stepping in to fill water glasses, clear plates, etc. Can't wait to go back!
(5)John R.
My bride found this place to go before a show and it was awesome. Our waiter Chris was attentive and very helpful with lots of great suggestions. Gnocchi was to die for and pizza was great. Desserts are worth saving room for, although I could have eaten more gnocchi and called it dessert and been really happy. We definitely recommend and will be back!
(5)K K.
We tried every pasta, and they were all fantastic. My favorite was the black pasta with sea urchin. Staff was super attentive and helpful, spent as much time as needed to pair the right wines. I will be back!
(4)Daniel S.
Got to try both the pizza and the pasta, the pasta was way better, i got the paccheri, which was very creamy and tasty, i forget what kind my friend got, but i tried it and that was also excellent, however the pizza was just ok, the crust was too hard and burnt, we also got a side of polenta, i dont usually get that, but here it was pretty good, prices are what youd expect given the look, ideal spot for if youre going to the steppenwolf theater
(4)Sarah S.
PERFECT PLACE FOR A SPECIAL DATE!! Amazing service, amazing food, amazing wine list! We celebrated our anniversary here and the servers actually MADE us a card and wrote cute messages on it and had it on our table waiting for us to sit down. In 2013 I feel like thoughtfulness is often replaced with rudeness (looking at you Kuma's Corner), especially in a big city, so it was nice to see a restaurant put a little extra effort into making our night special. We will definitely be back!
(5)Sheryl T.
There's not a lot of places I wouldn't mind driving 45 miles in a snowstorm for, but Balena is definitely one of them. The Tagliolini with Sea Urchin is by far, the best I've had in the city. Boarding House does a similar dish which I found to be too spicy while Balena's is the perfect harmony of texture and flavors.
(5)Allison M.
I wanted to love Balena because I heard great things and had been waiting quite awhile to visit. Unfortunately, this rating is probably on par with others who visit a restaurant for the first time during restaurant week in that I was completely disappointed from the time I walked in to the time I walked out. The place was packed, as expected, on a Friday night at 8pm. The restaurant is fairly large but it's not spacious. The layout is tight and it's awkward to walk through the aisle from the host stand to the bar with a winter coat and a purse. Odd, then, that they have a coat check, but don't offer it. You'll need to ask for a coat check when you walk in if you don't want to drag your North Face around the floor. The woman at the table next to me didn't realize they offered the service either until she saw me without my coat. The tables are close to one another, but that's typical in Chicago. Think Mercadito. Our server seemed great-- recommending some pastas and appetizers when we chose to order a la carte-- until he forgot to put in our pasta order after our mussels, which we had ordered as an appetizer. I've worked as a server so I can understand that this happens once and awhile. The problem lies in the fact the server never apologized or acknowledged it. In fact, our pasta dishes didn't come to the table until I got up from the table and told him it had been 30 minutes since we had finished the mussels. The pasta dishes-- the bolognese and crab Tagliolini-- were average and just left me feeling like they had been something I could make at home or get at Quartino for half the cost. I realize it's restaurant week and nearly every place is packed, but we never even received an apology from our server, let alone any comp on our $200 bill. Restaurant week or not, Balena was completely disappointing. With so many choices for inspired Italian in Chicago, I won't return here or recommending it.
(2)Jeff A.
A great experience. Lively atmosphere, good food and service.
(4)Becky P.
Went back again last night and had a mediocre experience. We ordered an appetizer, a pasta and the steak dish. The steak came out and hour and a half after we placed our order and we couldn't find our waiter. We also ordered a bottle of wine and we didn't have our waiter to pour it for us because they moved the bottle far from our table. The worst part was that our steak arrived cold. They told us the plate was very hot and to be careful, made me think they forgot about our steak and put it on a hot plate to make it seem like it was just prepared. Still is a beautiful restaurant and the tastes were good, but the service was so bad last night and our food was so delayed and cold.
(3)Jason A.
Upscale trendy Italian that falls flat. The place is too big and busy for an enjoyable quiet meal. Service was a bit lacking. The ingredients were high quality but the preparations unimaginative. I don't want to slam this place, but not my thing and I can't recommend.
(3)Heather D.
I really am a big fan of Balena. The food, ambiance, decorating, the service, it's all just very very good! I'm a HUGE fan of Italian food and I wouldn't say Balena is the most 'Chicago' traditional of what you'd expect - but it's difference from the every day trattoria in Chicago is what makes it stand out and shine! What to get: Appetizer: Whichever they have going for the season - but the huge platter of cured meat, bread, and cheeses is always a table fav! Pasta: The Hen Egg Tajarin is amazing. So additively flavorful! Balena pastas, in general, are a very small portioning - so if you plan to get this as your entree without ordering a few apps or a salad before - I strongly suggest adding an additional 'half order' of the pasta to the dish. Plus your dinner partner is bound to steal a few bites due to the amazaballzness of the dish! I do this all the time and they are great about it and it's the perfect filling amount. Grill/Entree: Salt and Pepper Chicken. It is ALWAYS really good regardless of what seasonal version they are offering. Cooked to perfection and always flavorful! If you're a fan of really sweet wine - their Lambrusco is good! Otherwise stick to a Chianti, Cab, or Malbec! Dessert: Vanilla Gelato Sundae - The chocolate chip cookie and malt chocalate sauce! YUM It is AMAZING! Final Verdict: It's not cheap but totally worth! Choose wisely young padawan!
(4)Cathy M.
I am being a little cheap with the stars on account of the long, long, long.....space in between courses, the fact that our reservation had not been found, and the "I can't hear you-even though you are sitting right next to me" acoustics. Now, on to the good parts! The manager, Erin, was OH MY GAWSH awesome! I almost forgot that the pizza was freshly original, the pasta course (we tried them all!) was flavorful and tender, the steak was fork-tender and lovely, and the candle-lit ambiance was spectacular! Our server, by way of the chef, asked if my shrimp and lobster allergy would be bothered by the urchin and crab. Of course not, I said...assured that I have eaten both. Yeahhhh, nope. As my eyes started to fall out of my face and hives swelled my mouth, Erin send a friend to rescue me! We were able to complete the night without an urgent care visit. Gooooo to Balena! Even if it's only for wine and pizza. Thank you for an interesting birthday treat! P.S. Always eat the dessert first! It's exquisite!
(3)jeffrey c.
Third time visiting this restaurant and each visit got worse. Service was excellent but the food has gone steadily down. My opinion is the are getting away from the fundimentals and trying to be avant-garde. Several of the combinations of flavors and temperature just didn't work. Had pizza that was overcooked. We noticed another table nearby complaining about how long dinner took to arrive and our experience was similar. Had to get to theatre so we couldn't send it back. Overall sad that this restaurant has gone down as it is convenient to two theaters we like to visit. Don't think we will give it a 4th chance.
(3)Kaitlin M.
It is hard for me to write about my experience here because it was so BAD! This place has HORRENDOUS SERVICE and FLAVORLESS FOOD. Stay Away!!! I'll try to give you the short version of our frustrating evening. It started with us showing up to a 7 PM reservation about 10 minutes early and not getting sat till 20 after 7 pm. We got the excuse that they were "busy because of the show next door." Because we were early we decided to try to get drinks at the bar while we wait... and again, the bartender ignored us. He chose to clean wine glasses over making some cash. Once we got seat, things just went even farther downhill. By the time our server finally came by our table, I had finished a full glass of water out of boredom, which never got refilled. He asked if we would like to order drinks and basically started walking away before my bf finished stating he wanted a splash of ginger in his whiskey. REALLY? We wanted to order food as well you prick! Our drinks showed up and of course my bf was wrong. There was no splash of ginger. And well, it took most of the way through dinner for a bus boy to finally show up with some in a glass for him to add himself. I ordered the Orecchiette and my bf ordered the Scallop Crudo and the Hanger Steak. If you had told my dish was supposed to have chili and kale in it I would have laughed at you. It was plane boring flavorless pasta. And from what I could tell it was not homemade past as well, is it was completely over cooked. How do you f-up PASTA??? On top of it my bf was completely underwhelmed with his crudo and his steak was over cooked. Meanwhile, our first drinks had been finished for a while and by the time our server came around to see if we wanted another round... our plate were being cleared away. Needless to say we immediately passed on dessert and asked for our bill. By the time he actually brought it, we could have finished another round of drinks! I don't think I have seen my bf leave such a small tip EVER. And to my surprise my boyfriend walked straight up to the manager and explained to her how poor our service was. She procedure to apologize BUT excuse the situation because they were in a "rush of people trying to get to the play next door." My bf: "So that means you throw service for everyone else out the window?" She then became a broken record using the same excuse. Like I said... done waist even your thoughts on checking out this place. It's not worth it. Whatever you do...STAY AWAY!
(1)Lauren G.
Went here with my boyfriend for a delayed anniversary dinner. The atmosphere is super trendy and rustic - we had a great table on the second floor in the corner- cozy and quiet compared to the first floor bar area. Our waiter was great- attentive and sweet but not overbearing. The food was great - to start we ordered spiced olives (loved), a kale caesar salad, and bone marrow (for him! He loved). For the main course I ordered the white fish (amazing! Yummy salty crust on a perfectly cooked bed of lentils). The boyfriend ordered a spicy flank steak- he said it was good. I wouldn't know. For the sides we ordered polenta - ehh it was fine. Also we ordered bitter greens- they were weird. Too bitter. ;) The dessert was so disappointing! We ordered the ricotta torta and it tasted a little old and flavorless :( Overall definitely a great dinner and would come back!
(4)Taylor K.
Fantastic place for a date night. The food was awesome and the staff was very attentive. I recommend the Arugula salad to start and the oxtail ragu for dinner.
(4)Danielle S.
We arrived in Chicago after a (really not that) long trip via United and the El, and my aunt and uncle took us here for dinner to celebrate my birthday. It was a nice reprieve from public transportation. This restaurant is beautifully designed - very understated yet pretty stunning. It seems like it was an old bank or warehouse or something kind of cold and uninviting - they've done a great job of making this large space quite intimate. We started at a table upstairs, but ended up moving to the main dining room due to my aunt's choice - I would have been fine with either. It seemed more cozy upstairs, but our table downstairs had a bit more room. Our server was very friendly, and fed off of our energy. They also surprised me with a birthday card signed by the staff and a little sparkling lemonade since I was not partaking in beverages of the adult variety. The menu is coursed, so when you order, you'll give them your whole order so they can properly space it out. That being said, you don't have to order every course. I ordered a fantastic pasta that I'm still thinking about - I can't remember what it was called, but it was a mix between spaghetti and linguine and the sauce was to die for - just a basic tomato/basil/cream sauce. SO good. It didn't look like a huge portion but it was perfect, especially since I had a salad prior and was awaiting a full branzino to come my way. When I ordered dessert, the waitress knew I was staying away from alcohol, so on the cherry tart amazingness, they ended up removing the additional glaze which had even more alcohol than what was baked in (and baked out) of the pie itself. Dinner took almost 3 hours but it didn't feel that way - it was a nicely paced meal and other than the wine taking a bit long, it was very well done. The food was spectacular, and the choices were really extensive for being a smaller menu. I'd definitely go back - if you're headed to Steppenwolf (though be sure to give yourself enough time!) or just want a good meal, go here!
(5)Anna K.
Probably the best service I have experienced ANYWHERE! From our hostess to our server to the bussers, everyone was personable, knowledgable, and efficient. The food was fantastic-there are different course options and we chose to order a bunch of smaller courses so we could try everything. My only complaint is that they wanted to do a unique cocktail concept based off bitters. I'm not a fan of bitters, so I stuck to wine! Don't expect a quiet evening out-it's loud and bustling! Reservations are definitely a must on the weekends-we even had to wait for our reservation-but it was definitely worth it for the amazing evening we had.
(5)Christina C.
Excellent meal, cool and interesting space, diverse menu, great cocktail menu, nice wine list, and great service. I will be back and I do recommend it.
(4)Joy F.
Good cocktails and food! Salad, pasta and chicken thigh were tasty, well timed and pleasant to eat.
(3)Christine H.
Great selection of bitters cocktails. Additionally, the sommelier was able to recommend some excellent wine, as the wine menu was quite expansive. We started with the kale salad which was very good. We moved On to a pizza, which was wonderful. The pasta we selected was just okay and then we got a whole branzino fish as our main entrée. We thought the branzino would be a little more buttery and rich like the traditional Seabass but it wasn't. Great atmosphere and Decour. Worth going back, but would probably stick with the pizza.
(4)Lindsay H.
The Food:We actually went when they had the Truffle Za' pizza with 20 grams of truffle (White Perigold & Black Alba), with Truffle Cream & cheese sauce, and 5J Jamon Iberico Bellota. It was one of the best things I have ever eaten. We only ordered 1 other item as the pizza was the star and there were only 2 of us.The porcini pasta with pork was fantastic & the sauce was packed with flavor, and they did a great job of not 'over' saucing it or drowning out the noodles. I think the noodles were house made as well, and cooked perfectly. The Ambience: I loved the ambience and rustic-ness. I did think these florescent orange-ish line shaped lights on the walls were oddly modern, but loved the chandeliers. Everyone was having a great time. The Service: Was so great! I sometimes get a little annoyed at restaurants with top notch service as I don't mind a few extra things on the table as long as we have privacy but they did a great job of not coming to the table to often, and keeping it clean and tidy at the same time. Everyone was really familiar with the menu, even the waiter knew the wine on the wine list (so often restaurants only know the staples and call the sommelier over for Qs). We even talked to one of the bus boys about the food and they were familiar!
(5)Britt D.
I heard very good things about Balena from friends, so decided to try it next time I knew I'd be in town. I had to change my reservation a couple of times to include more people, and fortunately the hostess was able to accomodate us on a Friday night with relatively short notice. First of all, let me qualify this by saying my memory is a bit fuzzy about everything we ordered...there were a number of drinks involved. But I do remember that everything we tried was absolutely delicious. We started with a couple of appetizers including fresh burrata and zampone - both with unique accompaniments, and a legit way to start the meal. We sampled a couple of salads, mostly to get our vegetable quotient before the ensuing caloric damage that was to follow. We had six lovely ladies at our table, and the waiter suggested we order 4 pasta dishes and two pizzas to share. While that seems like a lot, I would have ordered 2 more given how small the pasta portions are. We tried the Cacio e Pepe, Hen Egg Tajarin, Orechiette with Kale, and Tagliolini Nero - all of which were perfectly al dente with the right amount of saucy goodness. After nearly stabbing my best friend with a fork to get the last bite of Cacio e Pepe, we absolutely should have ordered another round...but this dish was so good it was almost worth a little bloodshed. By the time dessert rolled around, the drink and carb coma had set in, so I really can't remember what we ordered - just order whatever the waiter recommends and be prepared to fight over those, too.
(4)Mark S.
While it is on the north side in lincoln park it is worth the trip from downtown. After several trips here I can write that everything has always been delicious and the environment has always been fun and worth of a celebration! No surprise with the incredible people behind this fresh and wonderful spot!
(5)Raoul C.
It's a rare, rare event when I purposefully choose Italian over other cuisines. But screw it, it's Chicago, and the ghost of Al Capone refuses to leave me alone until I've forced booze and linguine down my gullet. Fine. But wait, better than fine. Amazing! Balena served my friend and I a spectacular meal - the squid ink pasta, the persimmon salad, the constantly evolving menu with seasonal flavors. And here was I expecting penne with red sauce (they probably could do that too!).
(5)Frances G.
Enchanting is the first superlative that comes to mind when I think of Balena. It's as if I was shrunk down to fairy size and living in the Ferngully forest. The high vaulted ceilings adorned with these low hanging, staggered, whimsical light fixtures wrapped elegantly in twigs create a space reminiscent of a tall forest that envelopes you with natural beauty and light. After I got over the awe of the amazing aesthetics, we were greeted by an even more delightful waitress that explained the communal style type menu boasting flatbread pizzas, small and true-to-Italian style Italian dishes, and antipasto plates. The pastas are made in house, which is always a plus as the texture is always more enjoyable. Though small, the pasta dishes served as a easy transition into the pizza and were actually plenty of food for a family style line up. You don't want to overdo on pasta before pizza after all, so 4 small pasta dishes between 6 people seem to work. A few bites here and there is the perfect amount, while teasing your taste buds a bit. Pasta favorites among the table had to be the Rigatoni, Pork Ragu, Porcini Mushrooms, the Orecchiette, Kale, Lemon, Bread Crumbs, Chili, and the Bavette Pomodoro, Basil, Olive Oil. Bonissimo!
(4)Sof B.
Best pistachio pizza I have ever had. Love the crust so crunchy and a little flakey! The flavor of the toppings blends together very well and no one ingredient was over powering. Definitely worth coming back!
(5)Tim L.
I ordered spaghetti for delivery. It cost $14. But the portion was as small as a catfood. When I started eating, I felt like I was eating catfood. Granted, I don't know what catfood tastes like but I'm sure their spaghetti is what cats like to eat. It was the biggest ripoff for food I ever had.
(1)Dan R.
Pizza = good green pasta with crab = bad.
(5)jules l.
We held a work event here in the early spring and it was phenomenal. All of the food was delicious, the drinks were incredible, and the staff was super friendly and attentive. Everyone loved the atmosphere as well. I highly recommend Balena. Our event had about 20 people, and we used a large room downstairs with a private bar. It was a great space.
(5)Andrea R.
Well this sure doesn't look like landmark anymore! Balena is prettier, more upscale and the great news is the food tastes way better than it did at Landmark. If you're looking for some of the best Italian food in Chicago go elsewhere. However, if you're looking for a trendy, fun atmosphere with pretty decent food you'll be satisfied with a meal at Balena. My party of 4 enjoyed a variety of food from the menu. Some of it was better than others. 3 stars: Cesar Salad and asparagus 4 stars: Peter's Bread and the ribs 5 stars: mushroom pizza, tiramisu & ricotta ravioli Every table in the restaurant was full since this is considered to be one of the new "hotspots" in town. If you want "in" on the scene be sure to make a reservation ahead of time!
(4)Beth G.
Everything from start to finish was incredibly delicious. We ordered the chicken and Arctic char as our entrees. Both were crispy on the outside and the definition of succulent on the inside. It was do delicious and perfectly portioned for our appetite. The server even suggested that we cut back our order, which I appreciated, since he genuinely was interested in our experience and not his own tip. If I could eat here every date night I would.
(5)Barbara D.
Ate here the night before the Chicago Marathon. Loved the location and layout. Ordered the tomato fondue as an app and the Bavette Pomodoro for entree. Finished up the meal with the Emperor's Chamomile tea, served impressively in a french press. Meal was affordable, wine was crisp, and food was savory. Can't wait to come back again!
(4)Joseph G.
Balena is a quality restaurant. It's very pretty as well. Service is excellent. Their menu is vast and will please any one. Fresh pizza, fresh pasta, wood fired oven. I guess the thing that makes Balena special is their abundance of drinks. Check out their section based on how bitter the drink is. Make sure to make a reservation! This place is poppin'.
(4)Haley D.
Fantastic Birthday Dinner here. Most memorable dishes were the Grilled Zucchini Romanesco appetizer and the Chocolate and Hazelnut Croccante for dessert. The Croccante was one of the best desserts i have EVER had. Not kidding i think the bf got jealous because of how much pleasure that gave me. The waiter described it as a nutella kit kat, which was close, but does this dish no justice. Food was a 5/5. Also the place is absolutely beautiful. Rustic chic done very very well. My only complaint is that our server was slooooow. We got food before I even got the taste of wine I requested or my boyfriend got his drink(before we picked a bottle to purchase). Overall - very much recommended for a date night or a girls dinner.
(4)Judy H.
Balena was a solid place to have dinner this evening with my family, but I'd say Girl and the Goat and Boka were both much better restaurants from this restaurant group. The wait staff was a little slower than I expected. They may have been short staffed but it didn't seem like it. While the food was good, nothing about it was exceptional enough to warrant the price range. Even as I'm writing this review, the meal isn't coming back to me that readily. We had the following for our meal: Smoked Mackerel - This was the most novel item we had and it was really tasty, a bit heavy on the salt though. The waiter suggested we mix the egg with the mackerel before eating it and then just walked away. He probably should have just mixed it for us, and it seemed like too much effort to get him to come back after he'd already walked away Roasted Beets - Good, the candied onions were a nice touch, but nothing too special. Pork Ragu, Hen Egg Tajarin - Once again, good but nothing mind blowing about the pastas. Wood Roasted Salmon - The sauce with the salmon was good, but I suspect the salmon sat out for a bit before getting to our table as it was a bit lukewarm when it arrived. 36 oz Bistecca - Well cooked and cut for us before it was brought to our table which was nice since we were sharing Desserts: Tiramisu, Crostata, Trio Gelato - all pretty standard.
(3)Shota P.
It was delicious. Everything was nice from the hostess to the food, service & drinks. Perfect! Will be back!
(4)Ivette I.
The hostess was very sweet, so with that being said...We were hoping for a good night, however when we arrived I asked the hostess to please take my American Express platinum card and that I would be totally responsible for the bill. However during the evening one of my male guest asked the waiter Elliott to take his credit card, and Elliott and the Manager a women, decided to do just that, undermining my request, my reservation and proceeded to take his card and the bill was paid by my guest. I in turn go to speak to the manager who begins to cry... Really what kind of manager behaves in this manner? I will never ever visit this establishment again, at the end of the evening the waiter and the manager were very wrong to undermine the first guest request to take the bill. The service was so slow had to remind several people about our cocktails, one waiter for two large groups. Service was slow. Food ok, however, I will not dine at this location again, the Faberge Law goes into play now, everyone can read about this incident, which was so unprofessional in so many ways. The Management needs some refresher courses on listening to the customer. One star for my Martini and pizza!
(1)Rebecca C.
Wow. I had the pleasure of dining here twice, and both times were absolutely amazing. I dined here last February for my 21st birthday with my father. Our server (Will?) was attentive, made great recommendations, and was genuinely interesting and fun. This night we had a beef heart appetizer, the black pasta they're known for with the crab meat and sea urchin, onion gratin, and I had a sorbet for dessert. If you've never had the pasta I'm talking about, you absolutely MUST go give it a try. I wasn't too crazy about the sorbet, but I have a nut allergy which can be hard to accommodate so my options for dessert were limited. My second time in, I dined with my boyfriend. Our server Leslie provided spot-on service. She recommended a great bottle of wine to pair nicely with both of the dishes we ordered. First up was the burata cheese which came with little crostinis and white beens. Really yummy- my boy and I fought over the last piece (I wish they would give you six pieces of toast!). Next up was beef heart ragout over homemade gnocchi. The gnocchi were much lighter than traditional gnocchi, little amazing pillows of dough! We also had one of the pizzas, which I believe had brussell sprouts and red onion. So good! We again got the onion gratin, though I have to say it wasn't as tasty as I had remembered it from last year. Notable to me was that the first time I came in I was told I could not have cocktails because of my allergy. This was disappointing since it was my 21st birthday celebration. The second time I came in however, Leslie was able to have the bartender serve my drink sans amaro (the Italian liquor that their drinks are based upon here). She was also able to assure me I could safely order the affogato for dessert. I really wish this allergy confusion could have been resolved last time because both the cocktails (even without amaro) and the affogato were a major highlight for my meal. The ambiance of this place is rustic but simple. Both times I dined here were a Monday, so it was quieter but still lively enough for a fun atmosphere! There are subtle quirky things strung throughout the restaurant such as the neon lights on the north wall that blend in so well with the more tradition features. Balena could be an affordable quick date at the bar with exotic beers and great pizza, or a romantic 4 course dinner. Balena is definitely worth a trip, especially with the spectacular service and food I've received both visits. Thanks Leslie and the Balena team! We will definitely be back :)
(4)Chris S.
My wife and I dined at Balena on Saturday night to celebrate our wedding anniversary and were thrilled with our meal there. From the welcoming vibe at the front to the proficient but unrushed service and spot-on food, we had a fantastic dining experience. Thanks for a great memory!
(5)David J.
Beautiful restaurant and great ambiance. I loved the tumbleweed inspired chandeliers. Really cool design with widows/doors into the kitchen were unique and fun. Friendly and attentive staff. Never had such great water service in my life! One of my pet peeves is having to constantly ask for more water. Not here! :). The server made great suggestions. Don't leave without having their pizza and onion gratinato! My mouth is still watering from them!!
(5)Laura K.
Good food, great service and an enjoyable atmosphere! A big step up from its predecessor, Landmark. I have been twice now, and both times I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience. What I love most is that you really get a dining "experience" without paying a huge sum of money. You wouldn't expect that given the prime location. Between the two visits, I tried a number of the pastas and pizzas, and all were very tasty. They made me some pretty delicious mocktails (good for those out there craving fruity cocktails without the alcohol.....aka pregnant women). I DEFINITELY recommend Balena.
(4)Sierra G.
After hearing two rave reviews of this place, my friends planned a lady-dinner for four of us on a Friday evening. We had a 7:15 res and still waited about 20 minutes for a table- not a huge deal, but the hostess didn't seem to communicate the issue and just left us standing there wondering what was up. We had a table upstairs and our waiter explained the menu...plates meant to be shared, whole order goes in at once, dishes are coursed. For the 4 of us, we ordered: Starters: Arugula salad & Burrata: arugula salad was the most basic dish, good...but probably wouldn't order it again with the other menu offerings. Pizza: Mushroom with scallion & thyme: served with an amazing chili oil that I couldn't get enough of. The crust was perfectly chewy and the cheese perfectly salty. The pizza was the most memorable part of the meal and I can't wait to try the other combinations. Pasta: Orecchiette with lemon & kale: Highly recommended by friends and yelp (same thing?), I had never had a flavor combo that matched this...lightly creamy, lemony and some crispy breadcrumbs. Main: Halibut w/ Fregola: served with bacon vinaigrette. The fregola was the round little pasta balls? This dish confused me a little, but was fantastic. Everything was outstanding. I cannot wait to go back, try another pizza and explore their wide-range of 'bitters' based cocktails. Bravo Balena
(4)Gyi T.
First trip here. Beautiful rustic space. Pretty great wine selection. Italian small plates. Pasta dishes stood out. Burrata dish is also worth mentioning.
(5)Michelle R.
Decor was dark and cozy. Food was ok and pricey. Not my cup of tea, but I'm sure the ambiance is perfect for others. They put a lot of effort into make the food look like a piece of art. The desert and complementary chocolate was a nice touch.
(4)Kelly G.
The food wasn't very good. The short rib was cold and the Burrata was unimpressive. The pizza was the best thing we ate. Overall, great ambiance but our experience was not the best.
(3)Corey N.
Came here last night for an early birthday celebration. We weren't terribly hungry so we concentrated on the mains. I had the branzino, which was delicious. It was a whole fish, that had somehow been deboned and grilled to perfection. My better half had the hanger steak, which was also very good. We had a side of charred greens that complimented our mains nicely. The room projects a hip vibe and the service was quite good. Already looking forward to a return visit.
(4)Biqi C.
My dinner at Balena was absolute PERFECTION. From the drinks up to dessert, I couldn't have had a better meal. This is now one of my favorite italian places of all time. Our waiter was so awesome and adorable too, it was just a good time with great food. I HIGHly recommend the tripe (SOOO buttery and smooth and pure umami), kale caeser salad, squid ink pasta, and ice cream. god if i had a bigger stomach, and more time in chicago, i'd probably have tried everything there already. The food here is SO good, it blows some of the bogus italian restaurants in nyc with michelin stars out of the water.
(5)Erin Y.
Came here for the second time and was not disappointed! First of all, I love the look of the restaurant. Rustic yet modern, and a great atmosphere to share a meal in. I came with a large party of people, and we decided to have a family style dinner. The pizzas as always were fantastic--we tried the peach proscuitto pizza and the mortadella pistachio pizza. Love the chili oil they give you to drizzle on top! Both pastas we had were also delicious. The squid ink pasta with sea urchin and crab has become my favorite thing at Balena--an absolute must try! The rigatoni with sausage was awesome as well. As for main dishes, we ordered the trout and the chicken thighs. The trout was absolutely amazing--so tender, and the skin is super crispy. One of the best things on the table that night. The chicken thighs were also very good, but a little on the salty side. Either way, I loved the simplicity of both dishes, and they tasted so, so good. Other things we ordered included the meat/bread plate, duck fat potatoes, polenta (very rich and cheesy!), arugula salad, and burata with eggplant. All were also very good. Overall, another great experience at Balena. I definitely advise doing family style here--there's simply too much good food on the menu, and you want to try as much as possible! I love this restaurant and don't think you can go wrong with anything. Can't wait to dine here again!
(4)Craig T.
There are a lot of great restaurants in Chicago. There are a lot of great servers. It is a true joy to find a great restaurant, with great service, and nice caring people who love what they do. My wife had been here once and wanted to go again for her birthday. They found out it was her birthday and when we arrived they had a really nice birthday card signed by their staff. We had an amazing table and they truly went out of their way to make it a special dinner. Can't recommend these guys highly enough-they're fantastic. In a city of great restaurants, they really make everything great.
(5)Maheen M.
All I have to say is one word - AMAZING! My SO and I had reservations at Balena for dinner in Chicago. We wanted to dine at the Girl and the Goat but they were booked solid the day we wanted to go. Luckily, the reservation site recommended Balena (Balena is a part of the same restaurant group as the Girl and the Goat). We were celebrating our anniversary and I informed Balena when I made the reservations. Service was phenomenal - they went out of their way the whole night to make the evening special for us. We even got a hard written card from the restaurant staff to commemorate our anniversary! Food was DIVINE! Our server took any food allergies or dietary restrictions before taking our orders; she even made suggestions based on them. Here is a list of what we ordered: Appetizers Kale ceasar salad - interested play on a traditional ceasar salad Pea brushetta - so refreshing and light, I could have eaten more Mains Seafood pasta with uni - so fresh and well-balanced, I loved the crab pieces Mushrooms pizza - delicious, had to pack half of it home and it was even better the second day Dessert Pistachio gelato sundae - orange, nougat and gelato perfection, I could have had another bowl to myself Overall, it was a very memorable night with excellent service and food. I will definitely be back when we are in town next. Make sure Balena is on your restaurant list when in Chicago!
(5)Jessica B.
Came on Saturday with a girlfriend and loved it. Had made our reservation through Open Table. Arrived on time and were seated immediately. Love the atmosphere. I liked that the tables weren't too close. Sometimes these types of restaurants will have tables on top of each other. Loved the decor and ambiance. Service was okay. Took them a bit of awhile to take our drink orders, but we barely even noticed since we were chatting. But once our waitress did take our order she was extremely friendly and helpful with drink suggestions. I had never seen a Bitters menu and wanted to try a drink off the list. The waitress asked what drinks I enjoyed and I said Old Fashioneds. So she suggested the Francesco no 5. Was excellent! Drink I had: Francesco no5 Averna Amaro, Old Forrester, Carpano Antica, Combier Dishes we shared: Arugula Salad, Pine Nuts, Dante Cheese 11 Tagliolini Nero, Crab, Sea Urchin, Chili 19 Hanger Steak, Grilled King Trumpet, Porcini Mustard, Frisee Salad 25 Sweet Onion Gratinato, White Wine, Cream, Grana Padano 8 Chocolate and Hazelnut Croccante, Citrus Marmalade, Caramel Krispies, Gianduja Gelato 9 Grapefruit Sorbetti Sundae, Dry Meringue, Cinnamon, Aperol Granita 9 All were excellent!! The Arugula was good - nothing to boast about. The Taglionlini though was amazing! Have to say was a little nervous ordering this one, but the waitress said it was one of the most popular and loved dishes so we just had to try it. And it was all that it is said to be. We very much enjoyed it! Then I really wanted to order a protein and had seen a picture on here of the Hanger Steak, so we ordered that. And loved it!! It was so tender and the flavor was great. Then we wanted a side to go along side, but weren't sure which to order. So the waitress suggested the Sweet Onion as it complimented the steak. I would have to agree - was a great side for the steak. Overall excellent experience and can't wait to go back!!
(5)Rick F.
Fantastic experience from beginning to end! Service and server were excellent and well informed, made great recommendations! Decor is rustic Italian and very comfortable. From the valet to the host and hostess 5 stars! Mushroom Bruschetta, Rye Toast, Marsala Onions, Cream tasted like a vegetarian steak delicious. Spicy Lamb & Pork Sausage, White Beans, Pickled Red Onion, again perfectly cooked and seasoned, the white beans were a great accompaniment Burrata Di Panna, Wild Citrus Marmellata, Fennel Crostini, when I see this on a menu I have to order it and it did not disappoint. Mushroom, Fontina, Taleggio, Scallion, Thyme Pizza 12 inches, 8 slices cooked with the right amount of crisp. Orecchiette, Kale, Lemon, Bread Crumbs, Chili, you would think this would be a heavy dish. It was nice light and refreshing, kale is the hot veggie right now and they used in a creative way that worked! Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. The national dish of italy, homemade bucatini, fresh cracked peppercorn, pecorino cheese and pasta water. This is the best Cacio e Pepe I've had outside of Italy. we loved it so much I'm embarrassed to say we ordered 3 entrees, thank god they were small portions. Affogato, Vanilla Gelato, Espresso, Cinnamon Sugar Donuts, just ok was a little disappointed. Vanilla Gelato, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Malt Chocolate Sauce, "Toasted Milk" Just ok! Mixologist Bitters Drink Menu amazing! MANLINO no3 Aperol, St. George Terroir gin, fresh sour, soda. I asked for the least sweet, dry cocktail you have this recommendation hit the ball out of the park, I ordered two STRAWBERRY no1 Dimmi, Grey Goose, Fragoli, La Marca Prosecco, wild strawberry. Sweet and Sassy! ELIXIR no4 Green Chartreuse, NardiAcqua di Cedro liqueur, Beefeater 24 gin. My friends ordered this and loved it!
(5)Jill and Ying J.
Came here with some friends for Restaurant Week, though none of us ended up getting the restaurant week menu because everything else looked so good. Our waiter was super knowledgeable about the menu and very pleasant in answering all our questions. We ended up getting the two lamb pastas (to compare them), two pizzas (brussel sprouts + pesto pistachio mordatella), two sides (carrots + bitter greens), and two bottles of wine for the four of us. Everything was generally good, except the lamb pappardelle was a bit salty and underwhelming, though when we mentioned this to the waiter he didn't hesitate for one second before bringing us out a new one, without us even asking (it was less salty the second time around but still not AMAZING). The pizzas are large and the pasta dishes are small--when the two pizzas first came out we thought we'd ordered WAY too much food, but then when the two pastas came out it ended up being just right for the four of us. The pizza crust was divine--baked with extra olive oil or something ,so it was super moist and shiny--one of the best I've had. Conclusion: excellent ambiance, decor, pizzas, wine, and service. Okay pastas. Pricey.
(3)Jessica N.
This is one of my favorite places in the city. So many things to love Ambience - look the modern rustic feel Service - always great Food - love the take on italian.... Smoked Mackerel - One of my favorite dishes EVER. It's only on special but you MUST try this. The flavor of the fish is so good and the poached eggs and crumbs - SO GOOD!!! Pizzas - Always good. Order it even if you need to take home leftovers. Pork Ragu - Unexpectedly wonderful. Pasta is cooked perfect Hanger Steak - Perfectly cooked, beautiful presentation Lovelovelove this place! Can't wait to come back and oh - it's also reasonably priced!!
(5)Angie M.
I would have rather gone here with a date than with my female colleague, but you can't always choose these things, right? Reservations were very easy to make via Open Table. I had no problems securing a 7pm time slot on a Tuesday night. The atmosphere at Balena is stunning. Just gorgeous, but I would expect nothing less from the Boka Group. Anticipate lots of glass, candles, creams, exposed brick... It's a perfect, understated yet fabulous restaurant that is a choice spot for a date. Total panty dropper. We started with the MIRTO no2 and the FRANCESCO no5 cocktails. Delicious. The MITRO no2 was definitely the less-sweet of the two whisky/bourbon drinks. Quite honestly, the cocktail menu may be a little difficult to navigate if you're not familiar with ingredients beyond vodka and soda, but the waitstaff is more than happy to help you navigate through drink options. Which brings me to the service and the wine list. HOLY WINE LIST. Again, a little difficult for a more clandestine wine drinker because it's so extensive. Don't be that person that just points at a bottle on the list (more like a book, actually) and prays for the best. Feel free to ask questions! If you know you want a lighter red, ask for suggestions and your server should be able to tell you about some choices you might enjoy within your price point. Our gal had a bottle open for wine by the glass she thought we might enjoy, so she brought us a sample. Knowledge and service. Dig it. Another tip: Order the pizza. You might feel like ordering pizza at a nice restaurant is a little... pedestrian? Get over yourself and do it. They're absolutely divine. That thin crust that's just a little burnt from the oven? Yes. We went with the mushroom pizza with fontina, taleggio, lots of yummy scallion and thyme. The scallions are uncooked and a little strong, so be forewarned, but it all just worked. We also split two pastas, the orecchiette with kale, lemon, bread crumbs and chili flakes and the beef ravioli in red wine sauce. Talk about two super opposite tastes! The orecchiette was so light and lemony and fresh tasting it was unreal. The bread crumbs, which sound weird on paper, really work to give the dish a nice contrast in textures. It's a winner. The beef ravioli is actually beef short ribs, so expect a rich, robust flavor. The sauce is also wine-y. Very much so. I loved how well it complimented the short rib. It's also topped with toasted pine nuts for that nice, extra crunch. And because we obviously didn't order enough food, dessert was a simple tiramisu. Simple, yes, but it packs a huge flavor punch. It was the perfect finish to a fabulous meal. And seriously... I was expecting our bill to be much higher, but two cocktails, a bottle of wine, a 12 inch pizza, two entrees and dessert set us back just under $150 before tip. One could certainly order a bit more modestly and enjoy an excellent meal for a reasonable price. Get there. Balena is fantastic.
(5)Lyndsay G.
Very strange/disappointing dining experience. I'd been to Balena in the past and loved it, so I brought an out of town guest for a weeknight dinner. We sat at the table for 15 minutes before any one came up to greet us. We never got breadstick service (or a waiter for that matter) until a manager finally came up to us asking if we knew what we wanted to order. She didn't apologize for our lack of service and failed to even offer to explain the menu. Our waiter didn't come up to greet us until we had just been served our last course. Very bizarre. The food was good but didn't make up for the horrible service. There are too many great restaurants in Chicago to go back to Balena.
(1)Shardool P.
Balena was good, but didn't hold up to all the hype. Me and my 3 fellow diners arrived on short notice at about 9pm on a Friday night, and were able to snag a table in a little area between the first and second doors, with the promise of being seated inside when something opened up. It gets a little chilly in that area, even with the doors not opening very often, so be weary of that. We did it as it was our only option so we were happy to get it. We ordered some drinks, shared a 12' pizza and then ordered about 1 dish each. I ordered a "Montenegro no6" off the impressively well thought out cocktail list. The drink consists of Amaro Montenegro, Nolet gin, Bitter Truth grapefruit bitters, and orange peel. I frequent a ton of mixology spots, and this is far up there on both scales of taste and unique flavor ... I look forward to having it again some day. It's pretty easy to drink, not overly bitter or anything, it's perfect as a jump starter. I did later another drink though it wasn't very memorable, it may have been the Carmella no3. We shared a pizza consisting of Grilled Peaches, Speck, Tropea Onion, Chevre, Arugula. I love pizza, and I thought it was good, but -definitely- nothing extraordinary. It has a very rustic quality to it. The speck was delish, but it wasn't really speck, it was more of a prosciutto we all agreed. The peaches are light and barely noticeable to don't be afraid to try this pizza because you think it's going to be too fruity, it's well balanced. The chili oil sauce they serve up with the pizzas is superb, definitely use it ... alot! It'll make everything better, I promise :) I had the Tagliolini Nero which was fantastic! I'm craving it as I write this actually. It's a squid ink thick spaghetti type pasta with crab, sea urchin, and chili that's very well balanced, though at times the dish felt like it approached over-saltiness but it never actually crossed the line, so well done. The decor and ambiance was warm and great, and it's generally a nice place. There's a buzz in the air, but it's not overly loud so we were able to maintain a conversation at a decent noise level. It has a romantic vibe, but with an inviting casual Italian overtone, so it's a good place to have a date or night out. One adornment I couldn't keep my eyes off of was the gigantic custom clock towering overhead, very nice! It's also worth noting that the staff is attentive and quick, and will take good care of you. My real qualm is that for a place that is supposed to be known for the pizzas, it falls kind of flat. When you charge $24 for a tiny, very light pizza, it should wow your customers. I would definitely return to give it another shot, as maybe I just didn't order the right one, but I wouldn't go out of my way. If you live in the area, definitely check it out though, it's a good restaurant to visit if you're in the area.
(3)Patty C.
Pretty good. Didn't find anything exceptional, but nice place. The noise level is pretty loud. Service was good. The brussel sprouts pizza wasn't really good though.
(3)Jessica A.
So Balena is a favorite of mine...not sure why I haven't reviewed yet, but they did a solid by me last night so it's time for the lack of review to be remedied. To make a long story short...Balena was not our intended destination last night, but was where we ended up for a celebratory dinner, and the issues that caused us to arrive there in the first place led to a promise that Balena would "take care of us." And oh, did they. An array of additional plates made their way to our table, and every single dish knocked it out of the park. We were first visited by their sommelier, who noted our wine preferences (dry, vegetable-y whites), and recommended a fantastic and economical Slovenian white. A wonderful choice that got us through the whole evening, as it's excellent flavor profile meant it needed to be savored and enjoyed rather than simply gulped down. Between our own choices and what the staff selected for us, we had: -Arugula salad: the bitterness of the arugula was very nicely balanced out by the pine nuts, light dressing, and nutty Parmesan. A light but enjoyable start. -Blistered shishito peppers and tuna: tuna was perfectly cooked and had a great citrusy taste, peppers had a nice char (and were pretty addicting for this non-pepper lover). -Orechiette: I think, if I had to pick a highlight of the evening, this was it for me. Such a wonderful mixture of flavors and textures! -I cannot remember the name for the life of me and their website's menu isn't coming up, but we also had a very nice pasta with lamb. -Chicken thighs: actually, maybe this was the highlight. Perfect char, perfectly juicy inside. Wonderful. -Sausage and red onion pizza: we have to get this every time we come here and this visit was no exception. I could sit at the bar with one of these and a glass of wine and be happy. -Sorbetti: a really nice, light finish to the evening. -Tiramisu: you know how every Italian restaurant has this? Ignore those versions. Get it here. The food was nothing short of spectacular. If I marked down anywhere--and it's not been enough of an annoyance for me on this or previous visits to do so--it's that service tends toward the slow side. Nonetheless, what had the potential to be a rough night was not, due to the wonderful meal we had at Balena. (Side note: I realize that, due to our evening being a "mea culpa," our meal may have been remarkable, for them. I don't begrudge a restaurant making an occasional mistake, as things happen and we're all human. What matters to me is how they recover from it, and since the recovery was handled incredibly gracefully and generously, I'm sticking with the five stars. This was also one of many previous visits, and I have yet to be anything but impressed by them.)
(5)Karen S.
Everything was absolutely yummy. Amazing staff....5 star customer service (and this is from a restauranteur), even a card from the staff wishing me a Happy Birthday!!! Where do you get that?? I was so touched. Will definitely be back & recommend this place. Eater was right!
(5)Dominique G.
My family and I drove all the way to the north side of Chicago to have dinner at this restaurant for my sisters birthday. The food was just okay but the awful part was that the portions are soooooo incredibly small, we were so disappointed. My husband had to stop by burger king on the way home because he was starving. If you want a restaurant with flavorful food, go somewhere else!
(1)Kathy S.
I'm already looking forward to my next visit. Given that, there were some dishes that were complete home runs while others were good but not memorable. The two highlights were a starter and dessert. 1) Smoked Mackerel, Soft Egg, Garlic Aioli. The texture combination of the mackerel with the soft egg and crunchy garlic aioli was an explosion of delicious flavor in my mouth. It's one of those things that just make you so happy to be alive to be able to eat it. 2) Caramel Pine Nut Tart, Vanilla Gelato, Rosemary - my friend ordered this and we enjoyed it so much (especially me), that we ordered another one! The 4 of us also tried: 3 pastas: Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe; Tagliolini Nero, Crab, Sea Urchin, Chili; Rigatoni, Pork Ragu, Porcini Mushrooms; 1 pizza: Mortadella, Pistachio Pesto, Mozzarella 1 entree: Grilled Head-On Prawns, Grapes, Finger Chiles, Aioli. All were good but not mind-blowing in my opinion. I love sea urchin so I thought I would really love the Tagliolini Nero but I prefer Davanti Enoteca's version as it has more of the sea urchin flavor. The Mortadella pizza was tasty but what really elevated it was the spicy chili oil that comes with it. Service was a little slow at first - it took the server some time to take our order - but overall was great. I'm not a big drinker but the hubby and friends we were with seemed to enjoy them.
(4)Bertha M.
I tried this place for the first time during restaurant week. Unfortunately I wasn't quite sold on it. Decided to come a second time, while the actual service wasn't great (not very attentive) and I wasn't a fan of the signature cocktail drinks... I will be coming back for the food! As appetizers we had the Tripe dish and the burratta dish, both awesome, especially the burratta if you love cheese, very fresh! For pasta we had the pork ragu and the orchiette. the hint of lemon in the orchiette was amazing!!! probably the best dish besides the burratta. The pork ragu was good too! For pizza we tried the sausage one, again, amazing! probably some of the best pizza i've tried in a while!!! (warning- it is a bit spicy). We tried a steak dish but it was okay, I can't even recall the name of the dish if that says anything. The dessert was great as well! overall I am glad I gave it a second chance!!!!
(4)Meredith K.
I'm only removing 1 star because the set up is a little odd if its cold out. On a Sat night when you wait for your table there's really no room! They should redesign the entry. Also it can be very loud in there. If you want intimacy then don't come here. But if you're here w/ a group of friends then its great! Also minus 1 star for their chicken which was a little dry. We had it 1 day after we had wonderfully flavored chicken at Cafe Spiaggia so it had a tough act to follow (no pun intended) But the food, drinks and service are all wonderful. We all got the Restaurant Week menu and augmented it with a side of carrots and a mushroom pizza. The pizzas are outstanding. A really well made crust. I had the peppered spaghetti which is perfection. Really I could have stopped there. It was so much food! I would come back again but probably as a group so you can try more things.
(4)Tanmaye B.
We met up here for a friend's birthday and had a great time! We started with some cocktails, the buffalo milk cheeses, and the roasted beets, which were delicious (the blue cheese was particularly awesome). I ordered the tagliolini nero, the black squid ink pasta with crab and sea urchin (recommended for the adventurous! The pasta was perfectly al dente, and the squid ink gave a tangy, salty flavor). Dessert was the affogato served with sugary, crunchy, and all-around amazing apple fritters. Definitely planning on coming back!
(5)Dana F.
Whenever my sister and I reunite, you can bet the first thing we do is notify the parental unit of our rendezvous and get Bank of Dad to pick up the tab for some extravagant dinner. Spoiled? How could such a thought cross your mind! Jen F. and I were a little early for our reservation, so we hung out at the bar where I (not Jen, who was still battling a relentless hangover) ordered a glass of Montepulciano from Abruzzo - a medium-bodied red that was guaranteed to go well with everything we considered eating. Everything on the wine list (both by the glass and by the bottle) is Italian; I liked that there was an array of price points for the Tuscan wines (rather than just offering $500 bottles of Brunello) and a section at the front of the wine list for those not versed in Italian grapes. The two of us were seated by a very chipper waitress who would be our server for the evening. The "carbohydrate fanatic" gene is dominant throughout our bloodline, so we shared the Peter's Breads to start. Although I generally find it unethical that restaurants charge for bread (what is this, Andalucia, Spain?), I would gladly pay for warm Pumpkin Spice Brioche with a yogurt garnish or the Salame-Red Wine bread. The two of us were famished, so we ordered the mushroom, fontina, taleggio, and thyme pizza. I normally find the stinkiness to taste ratio for taleggio cheese to be misleading, but the cheese had a good deal of sharpness. The crust of the pizza was perfectly charred, flavorful, and chewy. It was definitely my favorite part of the meal. The pizza was a lot to share for two people, so we ended up taking most of it home. After hearing so much about the ever-popular tagliolini nero with crab and sea urchin, deciding on an entree seemed like a no-brainer. I normally find uni to be prepared in such a way that it's pungent and offensive, but this uni was surprisingly sweet with a rich and buttery texture. The pasta was cooked a little bit more than al-dente, which was the only flaw with the dish (but pretty important in my opinion). For dessert, we ordered the chinotto float - an interesting combination of chai gelato, dates, and rum. Although having a little booze with dessert is always cool with me, I found the chai flavors to be pretty bland. In retrospect, dessert was probably not worth the calories. These "misses" aside, I had a very enjoyable time at Balena and found the food to be generally good and the service attentive. Between my positive experiences at Balena and Boka, it's official: I'm a fan of the Boka Restaurant Group.
(4)Jeff R.
One of the newest restaurants to open recently is a partnership between the BOKA group guys and the team from the Bristol. With that kind of pedigree the stakes and expectations are sky high. The space is the former Landmark and the re-concept is stunning. It's huge but doesn't feel overwhelming or cramped. They utilize the sky high ceilings, wood everywhere and have the kitchen on the second level at the top of the stairs on the way to the upstairs dining room. They've done a great job of setting the tone and making you feel like you've left Chicago. The cuisine is "Italian Inspired" and features a wide range of options with starters, pastas, pizzas, meat from the grill/oven and even table size portions of fish and steak. The entire all star crew from The Bristol is here (chef, pastry and mixologist - all independent award winners) and it felt like they have more freedom and resources to explore than at Bristol. We tried a lot of different things and like everything that came out. Our main concern is that after ordering every appealing dish, there wasn't a lot left to choose from. So even with a menu with many options it felt very limited. We started with delicious asparagus served with egg and cheese, Spicy Grilled "Korean Cut" Short Ribs and a Spicy Sausage pizza (with Red Onion, Tomato, Mozzarella). We were in a pasta mood for dinner and tried three: Ricotta Ravioli (with Swiss Chard, Brown Butter), Orecchiette (with Lemon, Kale, Bread Crumbs, Chili) and Tajarin with Pork Ragu. Joel went for the meat and ordered the Salt and Pepper Chicken Thighs with Green Garlic, Coriander, and Mustard Greens. We finished the meal with two desserts, gelato with fudge and cookies and warm doughnuts with espresso and gelato. Both great and a nice ending to the meal. Our food was great and the service was spot on and the value was in line with expectations ($100 per couple all in). We love the decor and vibe and can only imagine how much of a scene it becomes on the hot nights. I wish there were more choices that looked intriguing but if someone asked me to join I certainly wouldn't say no. The partnership between two power players in Chicago appears to be working and I hope they have more ideas to try.
(3)Sheila K.
It's a really decent italian place, that is in my neighborhood, with a good wine and cocktail list (the cocktails are pretty awesome, I must admit). The ambience is rustic modern, the service is pretty good, and the food is not bad. What's not to like? The pastas are rich but enjoyable, the pizza is not the best we've ever had, but will satisfy the craving. The cheese and meat dishes were pretty good, as well. I would come here more for a cheese plate and apps with wine and cocktails for a light pre-dinner rather than a full dinner. I suppose you could do worse for pre-theatre fare before you hit Steppenwolf. If I could, I would give it 3 and a half stars.
(3)Alfreda D.
Craft cocktails = 5 stars I started off my evening at the bar while I was waiting for my friend to arrive. BTW, he's the best dinner companion ever... for a good time call 312-xxx-xxxx! LOL. I kid, I kid. Anyway, I wanted something light and refreshing to start, so I went with the Strawberry no1. It hit the spot and definitely met my standards of a fine cocktail. When my friend arrived, he ordered the Manlino no3 and seemed to enjoy it as well. I'm not a fan of gin so I took his word for it. Service = 5 stars We had reservations so we were offered to be seated immediately. However, we wanted to relax at the bar for a few more moments which they accommodated just fine. Not trying to overstay our welcome, though, we took our seats a few minutes later. The restaurant decor was pretty cool. I can't quite describe the scene but it was nice (trust me, ok?!). I really wish I knew our server's name. He never introduced himself, which I noticed immediately, but for some reason I never had to ask... why not? Well... he was VERY attentive... sometimes a bit too much though. Seriously, sometimes I felt like he was trying to make new friends and wanted to pull up a seat at our table. Like he had NO problem being the third wheel... nope, not at all. LOL. He still deserves 5 stars though because he was very knowledgeable. He knew the food menu in and out and made good recommendations and suggestions regarding portion sizes, etc. He also knew his wine. For whatever reason, he had an affinity to Sicilian wines (we had never had Sicilian wine before so that was cool) and recommended the COS Frappato red wine. At the end of the day, good choice! It wasn't the cheapest bottle on the list but we enjoyed it. Food = 3.5 stars Hmm, so the food... overall, we enjoyed our meal, however, it wasn't the best, to die for, to rave about, etc. The portions are rather small so trying a few items from each category is suggested. We went with two starters, two pastas and one entree. It was the right amount of food for two people to feel satisfied, but not full/heavy/weighed down. For starters we ordered the cured ham and asparagus. There were only two types of ham on the charcuterie plate... umm, not what I was expected. They were good, but I really thought there would have been more variety. The asparagus was fine too, not stellar. Pastas - the Tagliolini Nero sounded amazing!! I was so excited to try the black squid ink pasta with crab, sea urchin and chili. Yummmm... or not! Salty and tangy is the best way to describe it. It left a lot to be desired and I was disappointed. The chunks of crab were good. The sea urchin... not gonna lie, I'm still not really sure what that is. If it was the yellow, slimy blob that wouldn't mix into the pasta and kind of did its own thing on the plate then... PASS. It looked ratchet and my friend and I couldn't bring ourselves to try it. On the flip side, the Rigatoni with pork ragu and mushrooms was delightful. I really enjoyed that dish (although it came out room temperature and not hot). I would definitely recommend it. I wish we had ordered 2 instead of the Tagliolini. Finally, we had the Halibut. The fish was cooked nicely and I think the stars of that dish was the Fregola and bacon vinaigrette! Fregola is similar in look to couscous. The pasta is in the shape of small, round balls... maybe 1/2-3/4 the size of pea. I thought it was really good with the bacon vinaigrette. Overall, I had a good experience and I liked the venue. A dinner for two with cocktails before and after dinner, a bottle of wine, and a decent portion of food (but by all means, not a lot of food) will run you $250-$275 with tip, so take that into consideration. I was actually pleased with the bill when it arrived because you do feel like you get served a lot, whether it's food or drinks, so paying over $200 was expected. Then writing this review I remembered to factor in the cost of our drinks at the bar so it does add up. I would come back again but more likely for the cocktails and maybe to try the pizza at the bar.
(4)Ashley S.
The service is why I give this place 5. Even though we were late, there was no rude or pompass attitude that you get at places like Girl n Goat. Nor threats to give our table away. Most of the food we ordered was amazing. When we requested more [fresh]parmesan for the gnocci pasta dish, we were laughing and told him we didn't like it and he offered to change it to something we would like better. They also offered to have someone give wine recommendations. The atmosphere is perfect, high ceilings & brick walls, not too close that you hear your neighbors conversation. The service truly made for an amazing dining experience. I will be back again (soon)!
(5)Karen T.
Oh, Balena, thank you for finally opening. I came here with two friends a few nights ago for some much needed catching up, and Balena was wonderful for providing the ideal ambience, food and drink to complement the event. Strawberry Number 1 was sweet and fruity with grey goose, fragoli, prosecco and tiny macerated berries. I also tried my friend's rosemary number 2, another pink drink but with a little more depth and body from egg white and campari. The manlino number 3 was much more up my alley, light and refreshing with aperol, gin, fresh sour and soda. The starters were succulent and flavorful. A quail with escarole and hazelnuts was delicious - the hazelnut butter brought out the richness of the game. And the short ribs dish had a really nice brightness from the orange zest. From the pastas, we tried the tagliolini nero with crab and sea urchin. The seafood was delicious and the squid ink pasta was made to perfection. This perfect detail and execution extended to the Grilled Head-On Prawns: 5 well-seasoned shrimp with a light garlic aioli, grapes and finger chiles. For dessert, we ordered the pistachio and hazelnut gelati, but they brought us the vanilla instead of the hazelnut. When we pointed this out, they left us with the vanilla to try anyways and brought out the hazelnut in addition, which was definitely a very generous way to compensate for the error. If you like pistachio, that dish is not skippable. the nougat was incredible and the orange was a perfect companion to it. Even the vanilla impressed us - the malt chocolate sauce and the "toasted milk" crumbles were totally addictive. The drink options from rare tea cellars were excellent. The space was really well laid out. They turned the old Landmark space into a huge hall with fun, whimsical lights, a mixture of tall tables in the front and standard dining tables in back, and a very open bar area so you could see everything going on even from the tables. Decor was eclectic yet understated, and the service was on point, turning even a stray note into an enjoyable highlight of the evening. I'll absolutely be back.
(5)Bran W.
Ok, I've tried this three times...... Nice atmosphere and location, being right across from Steppenwolf. In the old Landmark space, which was one of my favorites. Food was average, and prices very, very high. If you don't know better and are wowed by an "elegant" though extremely noisy location, especially the claustrophobic upstairs, you may like this. My grilled calamari was minced into pieces and mixed with greens , served in a molded pile. The fish and specials were ok, but everything was an over engineered attempt at culinary artistry. Too bad they failed in my book. I prefer Vinci across the street, it may not be as elegant , but its consistent. Service is ok, nothing to write home about, tables are awfully close, and as mentioned, noise level is obnoxious.
(2)Meghan K.
My brother chose this restaurant for his birthday celebration back in August. We had a rather disappointing experience, which was really surprising based on everything I had read about Balena. However, they invited us back with a generous offer, and we recently returned for a second try -- and I'm so glad we did. We had amazing service, tasty cocktails, a perfect wine recommendation, and tons of tasty food. Bruschetta, pizzas, ravioli. Everything was executed so well, and we enjoyed every minute, every bite, and every sip of our visit. So thank you, Balena, for inviting us back in, because it was truly fantastic and I am glad now to recommend this place.
(5)Caroline M.
Out with the old, in with the HOT. This place is smokin' fab-u-lous! Sure, Landmark looked alright. But hot damn, Balena is gorgeous. A fellow pastry guru and myself had some seriously sexy sweets last night. We had drooled over the menu online and still weren't prepared to make a decision. It was a full house on a Tuesday night, but we were able to snag two bar seats. Um, leather bar (what what!!?) One of the bartenders guided us through the cocktails, recommending some to us based off of what flavors we liked. I like the bitters rating system, and would suggest to stay at the 4-5 range, if you're unsure. You can always get another drink with a higher bitters content if that suits your fancy. We chose the Mirto Number 2, which seemed to pair well with our chocolate (sweet/salty combo) sundae. We also got the Strawberry Number 1 to sip on. The pistachio sundae was our favorite--the nougat and confit orange made the dish fun, yet elegant. I'd love to try their savory dishes sometime, but, as many of you know, I have a serious sweet tooth and am all about the desserts. Amanda Rockman did a fab job creating the dessert menu and the execution of the actual desserts were so elevated and refined. Yes, I have a serious girl crush on her, but really, who doesn't!? I toast my glass of delightful prosecco to her and everyone at Balena!
(4)Senad R.
The space is very nice. The drinks are fine. The hostess was useless, the waitress was pretentious, and four of the six busboys who came to our table - all within the span of five minutes - were downright assholes. It seems as though we arrived too late and then did not order enough food to make it worth the staff's while for us to be there. To which I say, tell us that you are closing and do not seat us in the first place. Also, when we tell you that we are there for drinks and appetizers, and you do seat us, do not act shitty towards us for not ordering three courses and for not giving a rat's ass about what farm the peaches on your pizza come from. It took the hostess well over five minutes to seat us at a time that at least half of the tables in the restaurant were empty. Again, the waitress, and the busboys for that matter, were visibly annoyed by our presence. Definitely because we ordered a plain old pizza and not the porterhouse that is cut from selectly-breeded, fairy dust fed cows, who were nurtured with daily doses of positive reinforcement and shots of B-12, and then humanely put to sleep with all natural tranquilizers before being butchered by faith healers using only the finest Austrian knives. Fuck this place.
(1)Tosha J.
It was my birthday and we had tickets to a play at Steppinwolf so we wanted to have dinner someplace close by the theater so ofcourse Balena's came in mind. This was my first time here and let me tell you the food and the service is absolutely AMAZING. I had the hanger steak, polenta and pistachio gelato for dessert. Honestly, it was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. Everything was cooked to perfection. One small tip: When you make your reservation, be sure to tell them you want a window seat otherwise you might be out of luck. Can't wait to go back to here again! :)
(5)Erin F.
I went to Balena on a recent trip to Chicago, prepared to go berserk trying lots of menu items - really do it up bigtime. Imagine my disappointment when my BF tells me he isn't that hungry & had a late lunch that day....erm, come again? Say what, honky? I tried my best to ignore this horrific disclosure by soaking in the decor as we awaited our table, and I must say Balena is lovely - just the perfect warm but modern decor that doesn't overwhelm you or make you feel intimidated. I look for places with this feel all the time but they can be hard to come by. Given BF's admission about his lack of appetite, we each ordered only an entree to share. I'd been dying to try squid ink pasta (for the number of times I've heard others rave about it) so this was our opportunity - he got the Tagliolini Nero and I got the Tajarin (egg pasta) with brown butter & sage. And neither of us was disappointed - neither dish was like anything either of us had ever tasted before (especially the squid ink pasta). We were blown away by both...and I had to catch him in time before he finished the nero - had to take it right out of his hands so I could have some too! It really is a unique flavor unlike nothing else - and the Tajarin was equally delicious (or almost.) We ate every last noodle and practically licked the bowls clean. Classy. Really love the concept of their cocktails being listed in order of bitterness - that was very helpful. The two I had (on the less-bitter side) were very well balanced. I dig trying new cocktails but often they're so strong that they're undrinkable (really "put hair on your chest")...but this was not the case here. Wish I could say I had dessert but it was not to be. Balena thanks for a truly splended meal - we'll think of you next time we need to carb-load in Chicago!
(4)Lee F.
This place is a gem! The atmosphere is great, very warm and inviting. The food was delicious. We started out with beets and a Brussel Sprout pancetta pizza that was delicious. We also shared the creamy tomato polenta with Reggiano Parmegiano cheese and a wonderful seasonal Pumpkin stuffed tortellini . The service is fantastic, I really can't wait to return.
(5)Inna B.
It's a bummer to have to write this review. I'd been to Balena for drinks before and really enjoyed it, however my dining experience left a lot to be desired. Although the service & the atmosphere were still top notch, the food was quite a disappointment. My sister and I shared the burrata for the appetizer, which was the highlight of the meal. We then shared the rigatoni with park ragu pasta and the fermented pumpkin agnolotti. Both of these dishes were salted to such a degree as to obliterate any other flavors. The portion size of the agnolotti was also laughable....litterally a 2 bite dish (with a $16 price tag.) the Chocolate and Hazelnut Croccante was average. The meal was an overpriced hot mess. My recommendation would be to go somewhere else for dinner but consider stopping by the bar area for a drink.
(2)Matthew P.
Visiting some friends in Chicago and they took us here for dinner. The Bistecca was amazing, and at 36oz enormous. We split it four ways as the second course and everybody had plenty. The steak was nicely seasoned and cooked perfectly medium rare as ordered. The pasta course was fresh and subtlety seasoned to emphasize the cheese and spring vegetables. The server was very knowledgeable about both the menu and the wine list. She suggested a couple of excellent wines, that were within our price range, that complimented each course. As for ambiance the restaurant pulls off a rustic/modern style and can get a bit loud. The kitchen is on the second floor and may be viewed from the dining room through large windows, which made for a unique arrangement. There is a good sized room in the basement for private parties. On the whole an excellent dinner and highly recommended.
(4)Underhill T.
Great meal Friday night. It started a little rough... We arrived a couple minutes before our 8:00p reservation. We were told we would be seated in a couple minutes - "closer to 8:00p". We checked in again at 8:20p and were finally seated at 8:30p. Not terrible for Chicago on a Friday night... However what made it worse was the inability to get a drink at the bar. The bar was packed and the bartenders never looked past the people immediately sitting at the bar. I looked down the bar and could see at least four other guys trying to get the attention of a bartender. Not a great start to the evening... Once we sat down, everything changed. The waiter was very good - knowledgable, but not pretentious. Attentive, but did not hover. We enjoyed all of our food except the pizza. There was too much Italian chard on it. The chicken thighs were fantastic, as was the hen egg pasta. A very solid meal at a reasonable price.
(4)R J.
Hands down, this reincarnation of Landmark is a home run! Stopped in for a $14 pizza on opening night, and was motivated by the menus and my mixologist to thoroughly enjoy a full meal. Beautiful decor, stunning leather-wrapped bar surface. Bar staff are perfectly trained and knowledgeable as I was not of Italian bitters and liqueurs I've heard of but had never tasted before. Everything is oriented around a high quality, elegant, but not snooty Italian theme.. You could come in jeans or more dressy with right after work clothes, whatever makes you comfortable. Started with: Peat no4: 10yr scotch, egg white, various syrupy bitters. Loved this drink! Think Scotch whiskey, tangy bitters, and a little perfectly foamy egg white, reminiscent of the best slo gin fizz you've ever had. This will be my favorite cocktail here from now on. Francesco no5: with rye whiskey and Cointreau and more. Another top shelf guy's whiskey cocktail choice. Tuscan Kale salad with sardines, by far the healthiest and best Caesar salad alternative I've ever had. Recommended! Glass of Italian red recommended by my bar keep, can't recall the name. Loved it. Lasagna pizza -bolognese, ricotta, fresh basil. Just the right thickness, not overly heavy, nice spicy heat coming from somewhere, 14" of something very different. Chocolate Budino with crunchy coco nib. Excellent layered chocolate and caramel mousse like pudding. Loved the caramel mousse at the bottom of this dessert treat. Pastry chef is to be commended. Aromatized wine, Cocci Americano 16%, citrus with hint of cinnamon Excellent. Civilized. New to me. Will try the many others with the Mrs. asap. Thanks again to the well-trained happy staff. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal on your opening day.
(5)Joyce C.
I really wanted to like this place more than I did, but alas... Pluses: -Got seating on short notice on a Saturday night. 6pm. Right before the Theater. -The decor, at least on the first floor, was elegant and swanky. -Pizza was good. Pastas are ok. Minuses: -We sat upstairs, where tightest seating arrangement ever is located. It's almost like sitting on a CTA bus. NO JOKE. To the right of me was a mute older couple who barely spoke to each other and it seemed like they were just there to kill some time. To the left of me OMG.... let's just say AWKWARD first date. Things seemed to be going fine for them, but the dude sitting kitty-corner from me who looked like Newman from Seinfeld apparently was a regular there and so all the waiters and waitresses and hostesses and their mamas came out to talk to this guy during this date. One of the waiters even commented that he was surprised to see that he was there.....with someone else...because he is usually ALONE. Sad. And I heard just too much, just...too...much... -In case you ever want to squeeze in an early dinner and you run into the "theater crowd", if you do not drink a lot of wine, have white hair or are dressed like you were hip in the 80's, then you might not fit in. -The three dishes we got- the lamb sugo with parpardelle, the tagliolini with sea urchin and the brussel sprout pizza? All just ok. Each dish could have used something more to make it more robust or to make it at least more balanced. *The lamb sugo was a little greasy and salty, but the parpardelle was cooked well and you can tell it was fresh. *The tagliolini was so one note it needed way more than that one speck of uni to make it richer tasting. What we got was well cooked squid ink pasta that was very lemony and had a sufficient amount of crab but not rich tasting at all, which was unexpected (I suppose if you used more than one piece of uni for the entire dish it would have been better). *The brussel sprout pizza with the pancetta. The pizza was surprisingly the best thing here. But that being said it was far from perfect. The crust was a bit underseasoned but cooked well- the middle of the pizza was dry and it was crispy throughout. Actually the entire pizza was dry. There was romano cheese shavings, and brussel sprouts galore on this thing, and the onion and pancetta was almost nowhere to be found. I don't understand how they can justify $19 for this piece of pizza that had like $.50 worth of brussel sprouts and maybe $.75 worth of cheese. Also, because the pizza is so dry and kinda underseasoned, you definitely need to use the chili sauce that comes with. - The dessert was just ok. We got the pear crostada with the creme anglaise ice cream. The pear was undercooked (read: crunchy!) and the ice cream was surprisingly tart. My thought was they might have used goats milk because it was a little funky and really kinda sour tasting. - Service toward the end got really really slow. So slow that we had to hear more of the agonizing first date to the left of us which included some of the most awkward hand-holding I'd ever encountered in my life (it was either a "romantic gesture", or the start of the sickest handshake ever!!!), and then a conversation of a new couple that came in to replace the mute couple to the right of us. So the new guy to the right of us goes "what is a burr-ay-tay di pay-nay" to the girl who's birthday they were celebrating. The girl was so excited about the freaking birthday card that the staff presented to her that she damn near dismissed the poor uncultured dude. She was talking about that effing card for like 10 minutes. Jeez. All in all, disappointing. The bill and tip for 2 pastas, a pizza and a dessert came out to $91 with tax and tip. This is with JUST WATER for drinks. Pair this with the parking and that's an entire $100 for an extremely mediocre meal/experience. Most likely never coming back.
(3)Joel G.
Summary: Great restaurant with firm roots in traditional techniques, mixed with fun twists using top, seasonal ingredients. I lived in Chicago for more than 9-years before moving to San Francisco. I recently came back in town to see family, and I didn't have a lot of time in the city, and having loved Balena in the past, this was my choice! (Okay - I love Bristol too, but that was where we had our going away party!). I got to the restaurant earlier than my friend, and the bartender (I forget her name - sorry!) recommended the manlino? Nice way to start until my friend arrived. Bartender (brunette who lived in Ohio for a few years) also gave me the recipe (i asked for it) to the drink - thanks again! Linus, our server, was excellent. He brought my friend and I some tastings of wine, recommendations on food and dessert. Service was excellent, low key and laid back. Food didn't disappoint either. I was happy to see the Nero pasta still on the menu, so that was an easy choice. Mushroom pizza with calabrian chili oil - check. Steak tartar, short ribs and some chocolate dessert rounded out the meal. Everything was great except unfortunately for the short ribs (a bit tough). Linus checked in on us, agreed it wasn't perfect and took it off the bill - no problem. Great service! The night we went, there was an event going on at the table behind us where the owners were testing new menu items. They brought out a stunning porchetta with pork jus. I was watching different meals coming out of the kitchen and asked the manager what was going on. When she explained it was the owners going through some new menu items, I told her (based on looks only), the porchetta looked awesome and I hoped to see it on the menu. 5-minutes later, low and behold, the manager placed to thick cuts of porchetta on our table with pork jus. COMPLETELY unexpected. Note - I would have given 5-stars WITHOUT the generous gift. Note: I didn't have a chance to thank manager/owners/chefs for the tasting, so a big "Thank you" now. I can confirm I want this on the menu. Pluses: Great service, great food, great atmosphere. Minus: No location in San Francisco.
(5)Christy L.
My friend and I enjoyed a great meal at Balena last night! Upon entering the restaurant, we immediately noticed the impressive, newly-remodeled interior. The woody openness reminded us of being in Napa/Sonoma. Both of us had trouble remembering the space as Landmark, a restaurant we frequented often. The wine list is HUGE with plenty of options at all price points. The detailed descriptions of each wine make selecting a bottle a bit less intimidating. The food menu is surprisingly limited after flipping through the 20 page wine list. For starters, we shared two of the evenings specials: a Burrata & Beet Salad and a Lamb Prosciutto. My friend loved the Burrata & Beet salad, which, while I thought it was good, the amount of Burrata was a bit skimpy. The Lamb Prosciutto was my favorite - the meat was perfectly flavored and a great texture. For entrées, we selected two pastas from the regular menu. My friend had the Tagliolini with Seafood, and I had the Tajarin (egg-based, angel hair noodle) with Pork Ragu. The portion sizes were small, though that's good since we were still hungry for the desserts, the highlight of our meal. The pasta was homemade and delicate - the Pork Ragu sauce could have been a bit more flavorful. The highlight of our meal was the dessert. My friend loved her Tiramisu, and I loved the donuts (Affogato), which were served warm. If you're craving an Italian, red-table cloth-type place, Balena is not for you. The portions are on the smaller side and the menu is fairly limited. The highlights were the wine list and desserts. I'd love to go back with a larger group to try the cheese and breads.
(4)Lopa P.
Service: Down-to-earth, knowledgeable, and friendly. Our server warned me about menu items that weren't obviously non-vegetarian (for example, a seemingly vegetarian bruschetta that used chicken broth). Interior: classy rustic. High ceilings, wood, and cute giant string/light balls hanging from the ceiling make it feel spacious and cozy at the same time. Food: great vegetarian options, even more great options for meat-eaters! Herbed foccacia- good, but better with the ricotta it's served with Burrata- you can't go wrong with burrata. Orecchiette with lemon and kale- one of my favorite pasta dishes anywhere Mozzarella/basil/tomato pizza- classic and tasty. The pizza dough is so good that I actually eat the crust. Brussel sprout pizza (without pancetta)- unexpectedly wonderful Affogato with doughnuts- yummm. Pistachio gelato- very pistachio-y, in a good way Tiramisu- not bad, but I would skip it next time Cocktails: well-made and complex; lots of bitters (they use bitterness rankings in their menu!) Negroni- a great classic drink Strawberry- tasty, especially for those who prefer something sweeter Rosemary- so refreshing, a little less sweet than the Strawberry. I could easily have had several more of these. Parking: Street parking has been easy to find, even on a Friday night. Valet parking ($11ish) is also offered. Price: My group (4 girls total) had the foccacia, 1 pasta, 2 pizzas, one meat entree, a side of polenta, 3 desserts, and 6 drinks. We were stuffed and brought home a few slices of pizza and some of the meat (so we probably could have done with just a tad less food), and it came to a little over $50/person-not bad!! Reservations: Probably not needed during the week, but definitely make one on the weekends.
(5)Kira S.
I've been to Balena twice now and have had a fantastic experience both times. The ambiance is very pleasant, the service is consistently strong and the food is great. The selection of cheeses is a great way to kick off the meal and I really enjoyed the grilled head-on prawns as my entrée. Do not miss the desserts! The pistachio gelato and tiramisu are both fantastic and I've also tried a root beer float type dessert that was a fun way to end the night. Highly recommend.
(4)Kaitlin W.
I don't fully understand the hype of this place. The food was just okay. I don't normally complain about portion sizing vs price, but the dishes were small, disappointing, and overpriced. Our service was slow. We waited 15 minders just to get our server's attention to bring the bill. Unless it's someone else's pick, I probably won't be back.
(2)Soniya T.
I haven't felt this way about a particular dish in a long time... their orchiette pasta with kale and lemon sauce is hands down one of the best pastas I've ever had. I don't know how they do it but it's absolutely amazing, so naturally I was thrilled to see they deliver on grubhub!!! Now I can enjoy the orchiette delivered straight to my door! :)
(5)Angie K.
No other Italian place in the city can compare to Balena. None. I've done Piccolo Sogno, Carmine's, Rosebud, you name it. Nobody's nearly as good as this. The bread appetizer was mind blowing, the oricchiette with kale and one of the vegetarian pizzas with massive, juicy tomatoes was out of this world. The service was amazing, the space is gorgeous, wine was delish and the experience, superb. This is the best spot in the neighborhood and my top 5 restaurants in the whole city. I love it so much, I save it for special occasions so that it remains new to me each time. Try it out and see for yourself!
(5)Susan K.
We were treated to dinner here for our birthdays from our son and his girlfriend and then were going to se Million Dollar Quartet. From the moment we arrived everything was perfect! The atmosphere was calming and ecletic. Our server explained to us the menu portions and that he would ensure we would be out in time to see the show. We never wanted for anything. The food was fresh, not over powering, very authentic and creative. The presentation was beautiful but not over the top which is what we like. The server was very helpful in guiding us with some of our choices. We will definitely return if we make a trip into the city again.
(5)Steve W.
The food at Balena was sensational last night. Everything was close to the "best _______ I've had." We came in at 8:30 to celebrate my younger brother's birthday, a few days early. Some people say it's bad luck to celebrate a birthday early, but there was nothing bad about the meal, so if your birthday is coming up, maybe go celebrate! We enjoyed the hell out of some wine, an appetizer, two pastas, and a pizza: Burrata and Roasted Beets - Creamy, wonderful Mozzarella with the most savory, delicious beets I've ever had. Orrechiette with a lemon - butter sauce, kale, bread crumbs, and chili. This al dente pasta had a vibrant lemony, buttery richness that made me smile. The kale added a nice textural contrast to the dish, and the heat from the chili was subtle and well balanced. It was maybe the most perfect pasta I've had, here or abroad. Tagliolini Nero - Squid ink pasta with fresh crab, sea urchin, and chili. Echoing my first visit to Balena, this was rich with flavors of the ocean, and also well balanced. Spicy salami, Tomato, Mozzarella - The crust is the star of the pizza here, it is just as good, if not better than anything you're going to find, anywhere. The salami definitely had a kick to it, and might be too spicy for those that hate heat. The chili-infused olive oil that accompanies the pizza here is a delicious, and wasn't overkill on the heat, even with the salami. Balena is definitely up there for one of the most well-executed, wonderful meals you'll find in Chicago, don't miss out.
(5)Michael M.
I have had the opportunity to dine at Balena several times now and have never had a bad meal. Outside the Great food, the staff is particularly friendly and helpful. We had theater tickets and let them know when we arrived, so they made sure to get our food out quickly to us, and of course it was fantastic, and we had time to relax, enjoy our fantastic food and get out to the theater on time. I highly recommend dining at The Balena
(5)Ela G.
Yum! So good! The pastas are the a stand out hit here in my opinion here. Everything is house made, which to me, is what makes eating pasta at restaurants special. The service from hosts to water and bus staff to our server was excellent. The atmosphere is cozy and comfortable, especially on these Chiberia days! The wood fired pizzas and the burrata appetizer are also great to try.
(5)Rebecca N.
New Itallian spot in Lincoln Park lived up to my expectations! The meat and cheese appetizer was wonderful. The quail and short ribs were also great--I preferred the short rib. Lastly, we got the mushroom pizza which was great! Nothing out of this world, but the crust was delicious. The decor, great service and extensive wine selection add a lot to the resturant. The food didn't "wow" me, but everything was very good.
(3)Michael M.
I thought Balena exceeded my expectations having read some dramatic comments on this page and other mixed reviews from friends. To simply sum it up, I thought the environment was very cool. I can't remember what our waitress said the building used to be before renovation, but what they did to the place was very well executed. It's a woody/rustic/comfortably dim setting which in my opinion relaxed the mood and really made the experience enjoyable. Overall the service was on point. They really didn't bug us too much and they came at the right times. The waitress and another did a great job describing the drinks and courses, and did a solid job with the few recommendations they made. The lady friend and I split two starters, a pasta, had our own entrees and still had plenty of room for dessert. And I'm the type of person who has to eat everything on my plate... and I did. This is a huge reason I would recommend this restaurant to others. I don't know if it was the size of the portions or the way the food was prepared, but regardless I felt great walking away. However, I would say there were about two things that turned me off. I would say their wine selection was great but they really didn't offer many bottles less than $40-45. Which is whatever since it is a nice place, but it would be nice to see a couple alternate options. The second would be when it came time for dessert we had built a good enough relationship with our waitress that she had brought out a "complimentary" dessert that she really wanted us to try. It was a great recommendation but she ended up charged us for it... It wasn't the biggest deal, but overall it was an awesome time and would definitely recommend it.
(4)Carolyn L.
My father and I took my mother here for Mother's Day 2012. I was so excited to try the restaurant because it had just opened, I had heard some really cool things about the decor, and I LOVE pasta. Especially really homemade fresh pasta. It was such a hard choice to figure out what to order! Ultimately, I got the tagliolini nero because I love seafood and I love black pasta dishes. Reminds me of traveling in Barcelona! The portion was just right and the taste was salty, clear, seafoody perfection. I really wish I had written this review earlier so I could remember what my parents got. I just know that I was thrilled with my choice. I'd love to go back and try out the pizzas!
(5)Claudia M.
I was very happy with my dinner at Balena and so were the other 3 people with me. I advice fellow diners to try the cheese platter: it's heavenly. Among the starters, the zampone was also very good and the burrata is as fresh as I had in Puglia. The quality of pasta dishes varied: the rigatoni with pork ragù were too salty according to my dad and boyfriend. I had the Tagliolini Nero with sea urchin and they were fully enjoyable. The sauce was maybe a bit too rich and too little spicy for my taste, but other than that very good. The texture of the pasta was superb, in particular. Desserts are not outstanding and service was okay: our waiter kept forgetting to replenish our glasses as we finished the wine. Good spirits menu, esp. amaro.
(4)Dory O.
My husband and I dined at Balena on New Years Eve and it was FAB! Our waitress was super attentive and we loved everything that came out. They had a fixed menu for the night, but since I'm pregnant, they allowed for a couple substitutions. The glazed carrots, shortribs, and some type of fried rice ball were delish!
(5)Big Rick J.
The "gentleman" host was nothing short of rude, crass, judgmental...shall I go on? No, just walk right past this minion and enjoy the tasty pizza and wine list thicker than the Old Testament.
(3)Mke C.
Food and service were excellent. My wife had the chicken thigh and I had trout . Arugula salad and pasta were very good. The charred greens was a bit too bitter for my taste. Tiramisu for desert was as good as any. Nice place to eat , can't wait to try pizza next time. Mike C.
(5)Aly U.
LOVE! Great food, service, atmosphere. Make sure to make a reservation, not that easy to get the table.
(5)Allen S.
NEW PASTRY CHEF DISSAPOINTS I tried the Pear Crostada...Rather than traditional buttery pie-like crust with fruit baked into it, this had a rectangle of puff pastry with a large half pear just plopped on top. A very small scoop of gelato was in a small cup on the side. Unappealing in appearance, untraditional in makeup, and UNDELICIOUS in taste. And this was the most tempting dessert listed.
(2)D M.
Made reservations here after reading the reviews. We were late due to traffic and they were kind enough to hold our table. We started with the pea and ricotta bruschetta and it was awful. It was like eating baby food on ricotta that had no taste. We also had a spicy rigatoni dish that was good for the few bites that cost big dollars but not worth it. Also had the potato and leek ravioli and they were good but not worth $4plus each. Would not return here.
(3)Scott N.
Really good service. Great drinks. Great Price. Food is fresh fresh fresh, and awesome! Recommend getting a salad, a pasta, pizza or entre, and a dessert. Split each with 2 people. All that and a couple drinks each for right around $100
(4)Liz A.
I came here because they were on the Eater 38, and the menu sounded like something my friend and I could both enjoy. The food was very good; specifically, the pasta has an excellent taste, and I would recommend the potato gnocchi. Overall, I am slightly surprised they made the eater 38 because nothing jumped out at me as being very special or unique, but they do have very good pasta that is worth trying if you are in the area. Also, the aperitivo offering is definitely a must if you choose Balena for dinner.
(4)Katherine M.
Excellent. Flawless pasta, great drink menu. No complaints other than our drinks came in these rinky dink cups/sizes. Loved this place!
(4)Brooke A.
Boyfriend and I made reservations here for Valentine's day and were not disappointed. The atmosphere is nice, and we were seated within five minutes upon arrival. The service was amazing! Our waitress was incredibly nice and explained the dishes thoroughly. Both of us tend to drink a lot of water while we eat, and they filled our glasses almost instantly each time they were emptied.. it's almost as if that was somebody's job to fill the water glasses. The food was great. We ordered smoked mackerel as an appetizer (highly recommended if you like fish), pappardelle with lamb sugo, and manilla clams. Everything was awesome and we would totally go there again!
(4)Johnny T.
Oh, Chicago. Look at you getting even more exciting places to dine as a certain someone made his exit. Normally, this infraction would come with some sort of grievous punishment but the food at Balena (and other 2012 rock stars) is too good to taint with vengeful ruminations. What an experience! The BOKA group does it again! My Cher Farewell tour of Chicago made a stop at this Italian eatery, courtesy of one of the 312/773's finest eaters and food enthusiasts: Yanyao N. I learned over the years that if she's raving, I need to get to eating. First off, there's not a single trace of Landmark left in Balena. For a restaurant that was a staple of this area of Halsted for so long, that's quite an accomplishment. The Balena folks came in and transformed the space into an urban-rustic (I like to make up terms) playground for carousing, dining and enjoying life. Even if you're not a drinker, when you come to Balena, you should start. The cocktail revolution hasn't taken over every major American city (I'm a sad spectator to this fact), so while you're around talent, take advantage of it. In the interest of research and science, I took a tasting tour of the Bitters menu. The menu is well-curated and intended to give you a taste of the region from a boozy perspective. I like the look. I started with a Strawberry No. 1 which boasted strawberry, prosecco, Grey Goose, and Fragoli amongst others. As a No. 1, the bitter quotient wasn't very high which was a-ok with me. The taste and presentation were phenomenal and rather drinking to get drunk, you'll sip on this cocktail to enjoyed the layered taste. The Pina No. 9 with grapefruit, sage, Cointreau and other delights kept the party going. By the time I settled in on a custom cocktail with a tea base, I knew that Balena was my long-lost food love. Yes, food. You're not ready for this. I began the food portion of the evening with a seafood salad. I tended to stay away from seafood in Chicago but the combination of mussels, calamari, arugula, octopus, pine nuts, raisins, and dressing proved too much for me to deny. While not huge in size, the taste left an impression. But none left an impression like my entree: lasagna pizza. Lasagna.Pizza. Pizza with lasagna ingredients. Pizza with creamy ricotta cheese that massages the tongue while herbs delight the senses and red sauce commands your attention. Lasagna Pizza. I ate the entire thing. I contemplated letting my tablemates share a slice of what was making me ohh and ahh, but let's not forget that I'm an only child. It's my nature and no amount of social pressure nurture was going to change that. With so much consumed, I didn't have room for desser... let me stop lying. You know I couldn't leave without a sweet treat! Our phenomenal waiter (no upsell, friendly, knew the menu like the back of his hand, asked questions to figure out what was best for us to try) told me that he had me covered. He knew what my little piggy self needed. I needed a Hazelnut Sundae. An equal part of nutella and chocolate love,the gelato comes topped withtoasted hazelnuts, amaretti sandwich cookies and nutella creme. I blacked out and came to with chocolate all over my face, shirt and in my hair. My tablemates were horrified. Children were crying. All was silent. I guess I did justice to the dessert. Phenomenal. Delicious. Perfection. Never doubt the BOKA group. Ever. Move South. Please?
(5)Jody B.
Hubby and I went here before the Steppenwolf play on a weekday. I'll start with the good: Service was great. Attentive but not overly so. I like the convenience to Steppenwolf...right across the street! The design and ambiance are cool and comfortable. I loved the taste of my drink. I had the Montenegro. I just wish... (oops, I said this was the good.. I'll wait for the criticism.) Some of the food tasted good... The polenta side and donut desserts were very good. Ok... Now for the not so good stuff... $11 for a cocktail isn't bad.. However, theirs are small. I loved mine. I just wanted more and wasn't going to pay for another. They charged hubby $13 for his, which was no more than 4oz. He mentioned it nicely, and the waiter took $2 off. That was nice... but why overprice it in the first place? We ordered the cheese plate. The selections were quite good with appropriate pairings such as honey for the blue, strawberry jam for the mild goat, and dates for the sharp one. However, it came with very thin crostinis that broke when you tried to put the cheese on them. For the price it was all a bit skimpy. In a place like this, I expected fresh made crostinis with the cheese plate. Hubby got a pizza. He said it was ok. Nothing special. It reminded him of pizza hut; not much flavor. I decided to get 2 starters instead of an entree. I saw the mackerel and soft boiled egg in some photos. It looked great. The mackerel was nice. Not fishy and had good seasoning. The soft boiled egg was cooked perfectly... However, it was ice cold. I thought it would be warm... Or at least room temp to bring out the flavor. I also went for the kale/sardine salad. It was good enough, but there were 4 croutons and a couple pieces of sardine. Hubby and I shared the polenta side. It was the only thing we both raved about. For dessert we had the vanilla gelato with espresso (meh) and cinnamon donuts. I loved the donut! $8 At the end of our meal we both felt very disappointed. For the prices and the hype, I expected much better food, and more value. We did not feel this way the times we went to Boka. Hubby summed it up when we left the mediocre play we saw after our meal... "Well, this is one evening I'll never get back!".... My feelings, exactly!
(2)J D.
Maybe we went on an off night. Host welcome was awkward...asking us if we were in the party of 6 even though we checked in with our name and party of 2. We were told "they could still seat us"??? Maybe I'm old school, but a place like this can't teach the host staff to pull out a lady's chair?? Other than that the service was polished. The cocktails were wonderful. The food fell a little flat. App: Scallop Crudo It didnt feel balanced. Entree: Uni/Crab Tag Could have been served hotter. Husband LOVES uni and wanted more =) Grilled fish with Rhubarb This was a great dish, a little too much oil for my taste. Dessert: PIstachio gelato with nuget and orange Looked much more substantial in PLATE magazine spread, but still tastey. MORE NUGET please =) I'm glad we went, but nothing really makes me want to return.
(3)Anna P.
Gorgeous decor, excellent service, and absolutely delicious food. They clearly knew the way to my heart, because when I arrived a few minutes before my reservation and the first in my party, they seated me and let me wait with a glass of wine at the table even though it was pretty crowded. The pasta is out of this world, but is a pretty small portion. My only complaint is that it was a little expensive not to have any leftovers. But I will definitely be back!
(4)Taylor S.
My boyfriend and I went to Balena for Valentine's Day dinner. My friends used to live close by and recommended it, but it was also restaurant week. Their menu pulled us in, but their food did not. I really wanted to love it... and I did like it, but didn't love. First off, the atmosphere is very nice... to your surprise, it is rather large, lots of twists and turns! You also walk right past the kitchen and can see inside which was neat. A bothering thing though was, there were a bunch of open tables but they ended seating us crammed right in the middle of 2 occupied tables. It was Valentine's Day dinner! Obviously we wanted a little intimacy... we did not get. The food... so the waiter broke the menu down for us and recommended a few things, and we took his recommendations. He said the cow stomach appetizer (cant remember the actual name of it) was amazing, so we got it, and it was good but not amazing. I love kale cesear salads and I ordered it... only after he tried turning me off saying it had a tuna taste to it. I was apprehensive but still wanted it. I ordered it with no sardines to remove the fishy taste. When it came, there were sardines on it, that I removed but I couldn't sense the tuna taste. I was slightly disappointed because the waiter never acknowledged that there were clearly sardines that I removed, after we had a whole conversation about me not liking them. We got the Brussels sprout pizza, which was really tasty and big. Nice to share! Lastly, we got the Tagliolini Nero which was good too-- different and unexpected, but I did enjoy it. We ended the evening with the Mocha Panna Cotta, which wasn't amazing... I am a dessert person ;) Lastly, the drinks were great! I really enjoyed them! I got the Manlino and my boyfriend got the Francesco (i think). Both very tasty and strong! Alright so the icing on the evening was... immediately after the meal my boyfriend got sick and was at the toilet all night. Something wasn't right with the meal... but I'm not sure what it was! Needless to say, we will most likely not go back. It is a shame because it was a nice place, good atmosphere, reasonable prices. I think this place may be more suited for a group of friends going to share some pizza and maybe salads and pasta and get in some good, tasty, unique drinks!
(3)Lisa H.
My friend and I went to Balena on a Saturday evening at about 5:00pm for drinks and appetizers. Since Balena opens at 4:30pm, it was pretty empty when we walked in. The atmosphere was pretty cool. We decided to sit at the bar. My friend ordered the Montenegro and I ordered the Mirto w/out the Pernod absinthe. The drinks were tasty, but very small for the price ($11 each). We decided to order a couple of appetizers and went with the Wild Arugula Salad, and the Mushroom Bruschetta. The salad was bland, and needed more dressing. The bruschetta was outstanding, esp. if you love mushrooms. You need to eat it with a knife & fork. I was amazed how quickly the place filled up. It's across the street from the Steppenwolf Theatre, so this is a prime spot for show-goers to have dinner before the show. After feeling some pressure from the bar hawks waiting for seats, we decided to get our check. Can I say sticker shock? I was amazed that the bill came to $76 for drinks and appetizers for two people. I can't imagine how pricey it would be if there was a group of us. If you just want to check out a cool place and have a drink, then Balena is for you. If you want to have a full meal, I'd suggest elsewhere.
(3)Dennis J.
I have been to Balena at least three times now; the first time when it initially opened. I am a big fan of the Bristol and was looking forward to how John Ross' take on Italian would compare to Piccolo Sogno. Well unfortunately, the pasta and entrees don't compare. The ingredients are fresh, yes, but we found it a bit bland. However, here are the things that are exceptional about Balena that make it worth the 4 stars: 1. The dessert. Blew. Me. Away. Their sundaes in particular are unbelievable. Some of the best dessert in Chicago. 2. Service and ambiance. These are some of the most pleasant servers. And the space really is phenomenal. Private event envy-inducing. 3. The pizza. The crust is superb. It's chewy and crispy at the same time, with a hint of tasty salt. Well-balanced with the toppings. It rivals my love for Piece's thin crust. 4. The bread service. They are not currently offering it for some reason... I hope it's not gone for good because it was amazing.
(4)Amy G.
Delicious, glutenous carbs. Fresh herbs and spices. Rich dairy. Texture. And carbs! More of a 3.5 star experience, but I'm bumping it up because of the exceptionally relaxing and actually quite sexy environment, cedar-scented ladies' room, and attentive staff. They asked if we had any food allergies. I can't imagine why you'd come here if you did... You are going to experience carbs. Carbs are garnished with carbs. Don't worry, the dim lights diminish carb bloat. Also there is kale. In salad and pasta. And the forefront of our health-conscious consciences within our carb-filled bodies. Chicagoans are complicated. This food is simple. The most delicious crust with a spicy, peppery, oily dipping sauce outlines slices of pizza constructed of mozzarella and a blend of cauliflower and anchovy. Get any pizza. The crust will be memorable. Pasta is made in-house and does not need, nor does it receive, over-emphasized accoutrement. Butter sauce and sage. Lemon and cream. And breadcrumbs because carbs! Wine selections by the glass are all from Italy, a magical land, I believe, where alcohol aids beautiful people in the digestion and metabolism of carbs. You too can become one. There are cocktails, for $11, featuring quality and small batch booze. But in my professional opinion, take the opportunity to enjoy a bottle of Chianti or two. Don't worry, your belly is well-insulated from...carbs!
(4)Jenny A.
Best pizza in Chicago! I have been to Balena twice now and both times was very pleased with the atmosphere, service and quality of food. The pizza is definitely the best thing on the menu though, something about the crust, toppings and texture make it my favorite pizza in Chicago. The menu changes seasonally, so the sides and pastas change often. On a recent visit, I had the gnocchi with fava bean pesto (delicious, but very small portion), burrata cheese (delicious!) and smoked mackrel. Desserts are also a must, however since former Top Chef Just Desserts contestant Amanda Rockman left, I feel like the desserts aren't quite as good. I would recommend the tiramisu and the sundaes. Can't wait to be back to try more of the menu items!
(5)Galina M.
Beautifully decorated restaurant - honestly it took my breath away when I first walked in...I think it's the high ceilings. :) The staff is super nice and very accomodating - we were running on time for our show at Steppenwolf and we came in uber late. So I was very impressed. We did not get pasta or pizza, which are basically things this little Italian gem is known for. Oh well, next time. We got the trout with hazelnut butter - which was good but had lots of bones :( we got radioccini and polenta sides and the burratta with orange crustinis for appetizer! the burrata cheese was amazing! for dessert we got an affogato - hard to split - very hard. but great. i mean there was a sugary donut - i guess not a very creative dessert but tasty. My favorite drink ever - Strawberry No1!!! I'd get that any day! Lovely place, really. And not just for the Steppenwolf folks, it's worth the commute, wherever you're coming from. Great environment and great food. And very reasonably priced. Would probably recommend getting pizza/pasta though...I have a feeling that's da bomb. If you'd like to see pictures and read more about Balena, see my blog thetravelingfoodster.com…
(4)Amy T.
Stumbled upon Balena by chance after discovering the Argentinian restaurant next door was closed. Ended up being a great find! With an Italian share plates style menu, great wine selection, and delicious pizzas - what more could you ask for? Décor is very simple and elegant, nice for a date or gathering with friends, and the service was fast and courteous. I even sampled a new wine which is now a favorite, so I have Balena to thank for the tip Only negative I'd have to say are the steep prices given the small portions.
(4)Jen B.
"Balena": Italian for "beautiful restaurant near the Apple store on Halsted." Or something like that.* This place is the George Clooney of Italian dining. Or maybe the Ryan Gosling? Younger, hipper, less stuffy, yet still retaining that gorgeous jaw line. It's all awash in soft light from those cool light nests hanging from the ridiculously high ceilings. I'd describe it as romantic barn chic. Rustic. The kind of place you want to hunker down in with some wine and bread and cheese and wait out the longer winter. Anyway, start with the Peter's bread. It's a bunch of yummy breads and spreads a la Girl & the Goat. You can also get a range of meat and cheese with it, and probably call that a day. But wait! There's pasta! And pizza! We accidentally ordered one of each that ended up being very similar to each other (but still great), the bavette pomodoro and the mozz-basil-tom pizza. The crust. Oh man. I loved the crust. Not cracker thin. Lots of flavor. Super crispy. Substantial enough that the toppings didn't all slide off. The pomodoro was similarly basic but so rich and creamy. The portion was big enough to split but you won't be full so get two pastas or a pizza. I would love to try to the lemon kale oricchette and the brown butter terrine. The wine list is overwhelming (hello, table of contents) but there's a list of reasonably priced bottles at the front, so we just picked one that sounded good. *Google Translate says it means "whale." I find this hilarious.
(5)Robby S.
I brought my parents and my boyfriend here for dinner last weekend - and it was a great time! Our server was super friendly and the places has a medium-volume, fun ambiance. The food was fantastic. We ordered a couple pasta dishes, a salmon pizza, asparagus appetizer, & brioche with an aioli spread. All of it was seriously amazing. With that said, we were all extremely full. To some degree, I felt that our server was "pushing us" to order more food than we really wanted. Granted, from her experience I'm sure a table of 4 could have consumed that much food - we told her we weren't that hungry - but that didn't stop her from insisting that we needed to order more. It would definitely be easy to get out of this place for a VERY reasonable amount. If a table of 4 ordered a couple pizzas to split, it would be about $50. On the other hand, you could easily spend $300 on a table for 4 if you order the way the servers suggest (apps, pasta dishes, pizzas, entrees, dessert). Depends on what you're in the mood for. Cocktails on the other hand...they are literally served in a shot glass. I realize that this place is somewhat upscale, but seriously. I wish I would have taken a picture, I could have knocked that thing back in 1 gulp. And for $11, I was expecting a bit more. I'll be going back!
(4)Carly B.
I'm new to Chicago, but Balena has so far served the best meal I've had. The tagliolini nero was exquisite--and I don't typically like urchin. The chicken thighs were amazing as well, and I'm not normally a chicken thigh kinda girl! 5 enthusiastic stars. I can't wait to go back...
(5)Jared D.
Came here last night for a birthday dinner and was impressed in some areas, but very disappointed in others. We made reservations almost a month ago considering how busy it is and when we got there on time for the 7:45 res, we were told it would take "one moment". This shouldn't happen. If you have people coming to your restaurant to celebrate an occasion and they made a reservation a month ago, the table should be ready. "One moment" turned into 10 minutes, which then turned into 25, so that's unacceptable. We started with the blue cheese salad and Peter's bread. The salad was good and the dressing went well. The breads and jams were all very tasty, but maybe don't get this if you're ordering a pizza (carb overload). Neither app blew me away, but were pretty good. I had the mortadella and pesto pizza for dinner and my gf had the orecchiette. The pizza was really good, but too much crust. I have issues with places charging 16 bucks for a pasta dish and then giving you a lean cuisine portion. This could have been an appetizer. It tasted good, but could have used a lot more of it. Finally, the service was pathetic. Starting with the near half hour wait to sit down even when we had a reservation. Our waitress was nice, but we needed a blowhorn to get her attention. She came over to the 2 tables next to us 3 times before taking our check, which we had to hold in her face. Waiters should know how to multi-task..she didn't. They also forgot to bring us our leftovers, which makes me think they probably threw it away. I then forgot the leftovers. Either way, frustrating. Maybe i'll be back, but not for a while.
(2)Elizabeth W.
Came here with a good friend on a Sunday before seeing a play opening at Steppenwolf Theatre across the street. We shared the "Smoked Mackerel, Bread Crumbs, Soft Egg, Garlic Aioli" appetizer, which was surprisingly tasty and very interesting. We followed that with the brussel sprout and pancetta pizza, which was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. Great crispy crust, salty pancetta and delicious roasted sprouts. Seriously one of the best pizzas I've had. We each had a cocktail, too, and were both pleased with our respective decisions. The staff was very friendly...perhaps almost overly so, if that's a thing. Overall, though, a very pleasant dining experience. We'd go back!
(4)Law S.
I used to frequent Landmark a lot because of its proximity to my job. This is a great improvement and the food and decor were really great. The interior is very interesting, Italian without being kitsch. The staff was friendly. We had two freshly made pasta dishes, a margherita pizza, and the mushroom bruschetta. They recommend sharing dishes with everyone at the table, which typically isn't my favorite, but here it works. The portions are a great size, everything felt light and fresh. My only complaint would be that I have had the margherita pizza twice here and it has basically no basil on it, that needs to be addressed.
(4)Joe V.
Pros: Great atmosphere and vibe/ wine list Cons: limited menu and variety: not the place for kids/ pre- teens Food delicious- side of squash with ricotta / pumpkin seeds, salmon entree Mediocre little flavor- pizza Strange- sardines kale salad( I love kale too)
(3)Sarah S.
Wow, what great pizza! This place was delicious, and had great atmosphere and service to boot. Our waitress was extremely nice, and gave us great food suggestions. We started with the smoked mackerel small plate and the cow's heart small plate, both of which were perfect executions of difficult to execute food. But the pizza, oh man, the pizza. Our waitress said that people have a tendency to under-order two of the ones we got, and man, are they missing out. One of them was a cauliflower and mozzerrella, and anchovy tapenade concoction that doesn't taste like pizza, per se, but does taste amazing. The mortadella with pistachio pesto was perfect too. And they all come with house-made chili oil, which provides just enough heat and which was so good that we used up the entire ramekin of it. They were also super nice: when my friend and I realized we'd messed up and forgotten to make a reservation, they were able to find us a table immediately anyway on a busy night, on the condition that we vacate it before 8: not a lot of places will do that, and it was really nice of them to do that for us. All in all, totally great experience.
(5)Charlene B.
First time I went, I was blown away. The interior design is gorgeous, the pizzas, contorni + pastas are spot on. That's still the case - mostly. But repeat visits have taken the shine off just a bit. Flavors not as bright. Service more indifferent. Still recommend it, but it's not a place I crave to try again and again. Tip: get a table on the first level. The second level just doesn't have the same vibe - not as pulled together visually.
(4)Lisa Z.
Came here with a friend for dinner on Monday night, which you might expect to be slow, but this place was hoppin'! Unfortunately, this meant that, despite having an 8 pm reservation, we ended up waiting about a half hour to be seated. Lame. The classic Seinfeld saying rings true: "You know how to take the reservation, you just don't know how to hold the reservation." Once seated, we waited even longer for a server, but by this time we had already picked out everything we wanted to try and were ready for refills on our wine. My friend had been once before, and she said everything was good last time. We tried: Starter: Burrata, Beets, Celery root salad. We were both nervous about the beets, but this was a really tasty and unique combination. I could have done with just the burrata, but the beets and celery root were fine additions. Pizza: Mozzarella, basil, tomato pizza. This was your pretty standard brick oven style pizza. The crust was a good thickness, although we could have used more cheese! But that statement--"could have used more cheese"--may as well be my motto in life. Pasta: Rigatoni, pork ragu, bacini mushroom. This was the best thing we tried! I could have gone for a second dish of this. The pork flavor was good but not overwhelming and it had a great cream sauce. As far as food, I'd say good and worth another visit, but the wait was disappointing. Also disappointing, our server wrapped our pizza and said she'd leave it at the bar for us, so we of course forgot to grab it on the way out. It's hard enough to remember to take your leftovers when they are on the table in front of you, but by leaving them at the bar up front, they are basically ensuring a 100% forget-leftover ratio for patrons. So I'd give this place 3.5 or 4, seeing as the food was so good and you're getting the level of food quality you pay for.
(4)Mary G.
Great wine list...emphasis on good Italian (bout time, chicago!). last week, i had The Balena (as i do everytime) and loved the gin and juice salami. and the bacon spotted bread. just insane. next time, i'm stealing three of the chairs at the bar. i think they'll look better in my apartment.
(4)Danielle B.
Really enjoyed the ambiance and the servers and staff were very nice. Cocktails were delicious and different. We shared a pizza and it was great. For mains we had three pastas, I'm not a huge pasta person or an expert but they were very good. Had tiramisu for dessert which was also tasty.
(3)Rob J.
The food, good. The drinks, awesome. The vibe, even more awesome. Go for the ambiance. Good place to take out of towners, even if it is a little loud.
(4)Katie C.
4 of us walked in on a Saturday night at 6:30p with no reservation. Dumb, I know, but we were hoping the theater crowed would clear out and maybe we'd get lucky. Upon arrival, we were quoted a 3 hr wait and the hostess didn't seem hopeful we would get seated at all. We decided to risk it and wait it out at the bar...30 minutes later we were seated at the front table! Pizza, pasta, entrees, wine... All amazing and I'm so glad we waited. I can't wait to go back.
(4)Victoria M.
Update on my previous review. I spoke to a manager there named Rana and she was incredibly helpful. Turns out by a simple mistake we were incorrectly charged. For valentines day dinner it was $65 per person. Four course meal for $65 is incredibly reasonable and such a great deal especially with the meals. They were higher class meals than some of your typical restaurants at such a great price. It was an incredibly good deal with amazingly delicious food. How many times can you tell someone you ate delicious pasta with ox tail and bone marrow. By far the best was the nougat semifreddo for dessert. We ate it up in seconds. The ambiance was so beautiful and romantic. The gnocchi was so well cooked and delicious. Will definetly be coming back again thanks to the wonderful staff and customer service. She called back immediately and took care of us in a kind manner and I'm so impressed with the customer service. I can't wait to come back again and have that nougat semifreddo and gnocchi.
(5)Laura M.
Went here for a family dinner, wasn't expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised! The beautiful lighting and the tall ceilings in the front room are impressive. We had the Rigatoni Pork Ragu, the Mushroom, Fontina pizza, the Baked Polenta and Sweet Onion Gratinato which were all amazing! We also had the Hen Egg Tajarin, but it wasn't as great. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)Susan K.
There aren't many words that I can use to describe our experience on NYE this year. Literally one of the best meals I have ever had to date. We had a 5 course meal and it was fabulous from start to finish. Thank you Balena for making our NYE delicious!!!
(5)Julie Z.
YES!!!!! Best Italian I've had in ages! This place has a great vibe. Fun, lively, great lighting (always key) and most importantly excellent food. #1 GET the platter of cheeses, meats, breads and jams. SO good and perfect for a table of 4. Beef Tartare - winner! Caesar Salad with Kale - Apparently no one at my table was paying attention to the "kale" part when we ordered it but we all loved it. Great texture. Rigatoni with Pork Ragu - holy goodness. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauce was well balanced. It was so good, we ordered another. Pizza (Spicy sausage, red onion, tomato, mozarella) - great crust, perfectly cooked Wine selection is legit. And this place is surprisingly very reasonable. We had to check the bill twice to make sure we were charged correctly. For feeling as satisfied as we were plus 2 bottles of wine, it just seemed like it should cost more $$. This is great for any size party. There were couples, tables of 4 and large parties here. If you are looking for upscale Italian, check it out. Balena definitely satisfied my craving for Italian particularly after being very underwhelmed by Next's Sicily menu.
(5)Martha Z.
I really like this addition to the neighborhood. The food is very good, not expensive, and the wine list is superb. The atmosphere is loud and raucous, but still great for groups looking to let loose!
(4)Jessica B.
This place will haunt your dreams....in a good and food way. I literally cannot believe I held off so long in going here because it was amazing. Like, even better than I thought it would be. And I already can't wait to go back. I remember when this was Landmark Bar & Grill and immediately feared it would be as loud as that place was, because that was a challenge when hanging out with a group (you actually want to talk to). Fortunately, noise wasn't an issue in the new set up, but it wasn't super busy when we went. The Tuscan decor is adorable and is simple (almost Pottery Barn inspired) but not in a bad way. Love the little touches throughout the place, including the insanely comfortable seating. The wine and cocktail list are expansive and I was very happy with my cocktail, which name I sadly cannot remember. Note: the cocktails are a tad...small and $11 each so beware if ordering multiples. Food!!! So, I was advised by friends to skip the pizzas (which did look delicious) and focus more on the other dishes, specifically pasta. While I love wood oven pizza (and I would go back for some here), I'm glad I skipped this time because the real hidden gems on the menu are the pastas. I'm STILL dreaming about the Pomodoro. It was THAT AMAZING. Yes, CAPS ARE WARRANTED. The sauce was light and creamy and mixed with the thin but fat pasta, it was just so perfect together. I cannot rave enough about this. The Hen Egg Tajarin with sage and brown butter was also incredible. Very thin pasta that was tossed to perfection with the brown butter. Neither dish was heavy at all, and I wish I didn't have to share because I would have savored both to myself...maybe two servings :) Almost forgot appetizers! We kept it light and went with the Tuna Bruschetta with white bean (very good and hearty) and the herbed foccacia with ricotta and honey. Also very tasty and a nice way to start the meal. The bread was perfectly done. Finally, for dessert, we got the apple pie gelato and the donuts. Both were very good but a little on the small side, especially the donuts. Glad we tried them but I would focus more on the gelato and sorbets next time. So, I guess if you can't guess already, we had an amazing meal. I 100% would go back and literally am thinking of how soon I can get back to Balena for another meal. So good! Highly recommend for a parents visit or nice date night. Or just any night!
(5)Tera D.
I don't know that I'd raise the overall stars, as 4 stars just seems like a stretch, but I do want to say that my second time dining here I did have a few very good dishes worth mentioning. I know the menu changes, so this might not be that helpful, but the Brussels sprouts pizza and the Orecchiette with Kale and Lemon was addicting and delicious. Also, I was very pleased with myself for saving room for dessert this time, and although the donuts were nothing to write home about, but if I'm ever there again I'd give one of the sundaes a try.
(3)Andrea G.
Loved. Can not wait to go back! Emily our server was fantastic. Knowledgeable and fun but not intrusive at all. We ordered so much food. Asparagus - YUMMM Mackerel - amazing texture flavor combo Pizza - sauce was not my favorite ever.. (lease favorite of everything I ate) The Tagliolini was deeee-lish. The pork ragu sauce was sooooo yummy (I almost wanted to lick the bowl) Desserts are a must. The homemade lemoncello is a perfect way to end the evening. The wine menu is a novel, but impressive. However the wines by the glass are well chosen and a perfect blend of all types. Next time I will try the cocktails. I will be back!
(4)John G.
A remarkable meal for such a large restaurant. The cured meats and cheeses are a good start. We then tried the smoked Mackeral with a poached egg. I was prepared not to like the mackeral, but with the egg broken open and the yolk mixing with the fish, it was an unexpected treat. We had the tagliolini nero pasta which was recommended by our server. Again I was skeptical because it had sea urchin butter, but wow! For entree's we had the braised chicken thighs, a house specialty, and well worth it. Grilled prawns were perfectly grilled with grapes, finger chiles, and aioli. For desert our server recommended the Ricotta tart which was a perfect ending to a wonderful meal. The restaurant is a great looking space spread over different levels. The noise level was decent, so we could have a conversation without shouting. Our server, Carrie, helped us explore the menu with great results.
(5)Nicole S.
Delicious food! Everything cooked and flavored just right! First, the wine: the list is extensive, but their sommelier, who likes like he's about 17, is very knowledgeable, and found us a great bottle of Zinfandel. Food: We started with a meat and cheese plate, which were all delicious and different from each other, and came with various jams to put on top. We also shared the pizza with brussel sprouts: Honestly, delicious. Something you would never expect. Even if you think you don't like brussel sprouts (I'm not the biggest fan), this will not disappoint you. Trust me. For dinner I had the salmon, which was cooked perfectly, which for some reason seems hard to do at many restaurants. It was lightly seasoned and very flavorful. Decor : Awesome. Very warm and inviting, with a rustic feel. I definitely recommend coming here!
(4)Chirag P.
AMAZEBALLS... yes i'm a grown-a$$ man with two kids saying AMAZEBALLS. I love this place, the salads, pizzas, pastas, drinks, dessert... ALL AMAZEBALLS. ok i'm gonna stop saying that now. Definitely get the Burrata di panna starter, i could just have a giant bowl of that burrata and be a happy camper. Try the grilled peach pizza... sounds weird, tastes SOOOO GOOOD. Try the oriechette pasta and was ready for 2nds of that as well. Get one of their desserts... doesn't matter which... GET ONE (or more). Definitely try one of the apertivos, I didn't think i'd be a vermouth fan, but after trying Balena's drinks, I'm hooked... try the Bonal. The place itself is really nice, trendy looking. Our server was fantastic, gave some of the best descriptions i've ever gotten at a restaurant and my wife was basically left speechless by his looks... which is exactly what you want to hear/see when you're on your anniversary dinner. haha. Anyways, this place rocks. GO THERE.
(5)Heather K.
Another Boka group slam dunk! 5 stars for the space, layout, and decor. 5 stars for in house bread - um, lemon pepper challah - Holla! We tried quite a bit and loved everything from the Kale salad, zuchinni panzanella, taglioni nero, pizza, polenta, pork, spring pea ravioli - it was all truly wonderful. I would really like to see this place offer brunch. wait, I didn't even mention the cocktails! Awesome - easily labeled by bitterness, the Fib10 is amazing. I'm not a wine connoisseur but they had a nice leather bound book of options with what I imagine to be filled with many great wines.
(5)M S.
Great food, would go back without a doubt!
(4)Tracey H.
Took my mother here for her 61st birthday after having to want to try it for a while. We were totally blown away by Balena; it may be my new favorite restaurant. I liked the cocktail and beer list; I liked the Italian beers and everyone else had cocktails which they really enjoyed. We did a mish mash of foods and just did family style. We tried the burrata, foccaccia, selection of hams, the cauliflower pizza, salte and pepe pasta, pomodoro pasta, the porchetta, and the onion gratin, and for dessert the tiramisu and the vanilla gelato sundae. The pastas were to die for, the pizza was amazing; everything was well above par; so excellent. The ambiance is nice. It is contemporary without trying to hard. Our server and his support staff were great, and we loved the fact that they had a birthday card on the table for my mother signed by the staff, it was a nice touch. I have a feeling I will be going back very soon. Yum!
(4)Brian C.
This was certainly a nice birthday experience. Our selections included the bread platter, the unique caesar salad with kale instead of romaine, the pasta with pork ragu, and the mushroom pizza. For dessert we had the pistachio gelato which was balanced by an orange peel flavor. There was certainly a lot of creativity in all of these dishes. I think where this place really stands out is with its wine list. I had been looking forward to trying the Nino Negri 5 Stelle Sfursat for awhile, but to my dismay, they didn't have it in stock. I was a bit bummed by this, but the somm came through and we had a bottle of a blend from Campania that featured Pallagrello Nero and Casavecchia. That was certainly a unique bottle, and I don't think you'll find this on too many lists around town. It certainly opened up in a beautiful way throughout the meal. Their dessert list offers five different barolo chinatos by the glass. This was a nice surprise, because I had just been reading about this drink recently. Figuring I wouldn't get another chance to try one for awhile, I had a glass with the dessert. It matched the orange peel aspect of the dessert so well. This is the kind of place I'd want to try again and again, because it has the kind of menu and the kind of wine list where you can have a multitude of unique experiences. The somm definitely put a lot of effort into making this wine list one of the best in the city. I like that it focuses on all of what Italy has to offer, and doesn't just concentrate on a few of the better known Italian wines. I appreciate it even more because many of these wines are very hard to find in Chicago, whether at a shop or at another restaurant. And the markup is not the standard 200-300% across the board nonsense, either. I look forward to some more unique experiences in this place, anyway.
(4)Aimee R.
Got the Peter's Bread, Smoke Mackerel, Rigatoni with Pork Ragu, Spicy Sausage Pizza, Grilled Prawns, Polenta for dinner...sounds like a lot but all worth it! Also got the Affogato (donuts) and Chocolate Hazelnut Tart. By far best meal I've had in Chicago in years (right up there with Girl and the Goat) and BEST service in a beautiful room. Rob was our waiter and he was great. Everything we got was delicious. The biggest standouts were the Rigatoni with Pork Ragu, Spicy Sausage Pizza, the Affogato (best donuts ever) and the Chocolate Hazelnut Tart. Love this place and glad I finally went.
(5)Robert W.
Loved balena. Amazing atmosphere and service. Fantastic pizza. Went here a while ago and recall having a great experience but none of the food stands out.
(4)Emann B.
I hate to say it, but what a disappointing end to my restaurant bender week. Let me be clear, that the food is a solid 4 stars, with some dishes (octopus, mackerel, pork mixed grill) at 5 stars. The space is beautiful, but they really need some baffling to reduce the noise. This place is LOUD! But look, if you're running a large restaurant, and cannot manage it to ensure that your customers are served timely, it completely ruins the experience. We had a reservation for 7pm on a Saturday, so we knew it would be bustling. But when you check in and are told "It will only be a moment" and a "moment" turns into 10 minutes, not good. Just say it will be 10 minutes! We then sat for another 10 minutes, and the server was so busy, the manager had to take our drink order. This shows the restaurant was not staffed appropriately for the busiest night of the week. There was so much time between our courses, and this really detracted from the experience. It doesn't matter how good the food is when the kitchen can't fire up the dishes in a timely manner. The server should not have to be burdened with repeat visits to our table with excuses for the long wait. We ALWAYS order dessert, but we were concerned it would take so long to arrive, we decided to close out the bill. Damn, and I really wanted to try that delectable pistachio deliciousness. Yeah, we arrived at 7pm and left at 9:45pm. Not good.
(2)Anne C.
I've wanted to try this place for a while and when the opportunity arose for us to meet up for a double date with some other friends that love food and new restaurants, this was a great option. The space is beautiful and the atmosphere is relaxed and not too pretentious, which I always appreciate. We waited about 15-20 minutes with a reservation on a Saturday evening. Definitely not bad for a hot restaurant on a busy night. The menu here is great for sharing and even though one member of our party is not really into sharing, he still enjoyed it all. We shared a few starters-- the cheese plate, the focaccia with honey and ricotta (YUM!), and the kale Caesar Salad. We then shared 2 pizzas-- brussels sprout and pancetta (so good!) and the sausage pizza and also 2 pastas-- one with a pork ragu and a caccio e pepe spaghetti that was so good that we immediately ordered a second helping. And don't miss the affogato with homemade doughnuts for dessert. My husband ate the dougnuts and I finished off the affogato. So. good. Our waitress was very helpful in selecting drinks that complimented our meals and also in gauging how much food we should order for our group. All in all, a really delicious meal at Balena-- I'd absolutely go back!
(5)Trish R.
The decor is beautiful, and the service is outstanding. I've been twice, and those are constants. The wine list is large and varied. Something about the food just doesn't move me, though. I'm now tried about eight different things on the menu, and would rank only two of them above a six (and the Tagliolini is not one of those). The way everyone raves about this place, I thought I would be absolutely floored - and maybe my expectations were just too high. It's very conveniently located to Steppenwolf, which is nice - and it really is very beautiful inside.
(3)Steve G.
Big fan. The pizzas are outstanding, possibly the best in the city. Perfectly chewy, doughy crust and cooked for just the right amount of time. Was impressed by the cauliflower pizza, and the chili sauce offered on the side is great: much fresher than your standard chili flakes, great oily sweet-hot flavor. Terrific. Also dug the tagliolini nero, with crab and sea urchin and just the right touch of chili and mint at the end. Had one entree (the short ribs) that was pretty good but not the true star, which is the pizza and...oh, hell, the dessert of tiramisu is just as amazing as everyone says it is. I assume now-departed pastry chef Amanda Rockman taught an underling how to make it, because I can't imagine a better tiramisu. The "apple pie" sundae is also a must-get: apple sorbet, salted caramel gelato, pecans, and some crunchy crumble stuff scattered throughout. Baller desserts, no question. Would unquestionably go back, possibly to just sit at the bar drinking the (costly but great!) signatures cocktails and a pizza...and a pasta...and a dessert... Great service, fun and big space.
(5)Kaleigh G.
The service at this restaurant was lovely and the ambiance was definitely unique, but I wouldn't hurry back here for a full meal. Perhaps for apps or a quick drink before the theater, but the prices on entrees do no match with their quality. And my pasta dish - a special that night - was delicious but the portion was tiny! The apps we had, including the bruschetta, were only so so, and I was left having expected more.
(2)Keith G.
We wanted to wait until the 2nd visit before writing a review. Balena was just as satisfying the second time around. We love consistency! The atmosphere is pleasant and comfortable. From the hosts to the bus staff...everyone was very engaging. The wait staff is very knowledgeable regarding cocktails, wine, menu ingredients and preparations. While a little on the pricey side, the food is creative and very nicely presented. The pizzas are outstanding and generous in size. One of our new favorite places.
(4)JW H.
My takeaway of Balena is it is a very good restaurant. It does a lot of things well. I hesitate a little to say it was worth the price because it is pricey for what you get. The food was good. My friend and I split the kale salad and scallop crudo. The kale salad came drenched in dressing and parm. It's decadent. The scallop crudo combined interesting flavors and was fresh and salty. I got the hen egg tajarin as my main dish. The pasta was cooked perfectly but a bit plain otherwise. I have no complaints about the simplicity of the dish, but it really consisted only of egg pasta, butter, and a few sage leaves. Not sure it should cost what it did. This is also not the place to go expecting Maggiano's-sized pasta portions. My friend ordered the tagliolini nero and she thought it was delicious. This is a gorgeous restaurant. We went on a quiet Sunday and were seated upstairs by the window. I loved the mellow ambiance, but I'm sure it is more lively on a busier night. The service was very good. Our waitress was knowledgeable, polite, and helpful. She was great! The host was very welcoming. I would go back, but likely for a special occasion, not for a "just because" meal.
(4)Jeffrey Z.
My wife and I had been planning to try this place for a long time. It's a short walk from home, and it seems to have been on so many "best of" lists lately. We decided to get a handful of things and share. We started off with the Pecorino cheese plate, which was good but none of the cheeses impressed us. Next, we went with the Potato and Leek Ravioli with black truffle, which was absolutely amazing. The pasta was cooked perfectly, the sauce was creamy with great flavor, and the dish had just the right amount of truffle. The ravioli is enough of a reason for me to want to come back. The mushroom pizza was very good with just the right amount of toppings and a nice, thin, crisp crust. We were really full but still managed to eat some of the Hangar Steak that we ordered. It wasn't anything special and was a bit too smoky for my liking, so we didn't finish it and saved our little bit of room for dessert. For dessert we tried the Vanilla Gelato Sundae, which had a delicious cookie on the bottom and a rich chocolate sauce. It was was a perfect ending to a great meal. The service was very good and the decor was very nice. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. The cheese plate and steak kept me from giving this place a 5th star, but maybe they'll earn it on our next visit.
(4)MP B.
What a lovely experience. On a weekday night, this space is relaxed, beautifully lit and just busy enough. The specialty cocktails are artfully made (can't wait to come back in warmer weather and try the Elixir again). Like other recent reviewers have pointed out, the oricchiette with crunchy breadcrumbs, lemon, chili and kale is fantastic and the perfect weight. The rolled porchetta was delicious too. A meat plate appetizer was more than enough for two (it would have served four well). Save room for the panna cotta, it's heavy, rich and complex. Very nice service- calm, relaxed, informative.
(5)Tina K.
Yummy, yummy, yummy. Finally went here for dinner last Friday night and loved it! We started with The Balena platter for a starter, which is a variety of breads (e.g., lavender sage, chocolate cherry), cheeses and cured meats. I highly recommend it if you have more than a party of 2 (and if you have less than that, just pace yourselves since it's a lot of food). Next we shared some pasta dishes and a pizza. All were good, but I LOVED the orecchiette w/lemon, kale and bread crumbs. (I am wishing I had a plate of it right now.) Overall, service was good and the atmosphere was fun and energetic.
(4)Guy K.
Awesome atmosphere and great service. Loved the kale salad, pasta, and pork dish. You won't need the big wine book. The wines on their menu are typically the best.
(4)Chaz A.
I took that long break from reviews and in that long break, ate at a LOT of places. this one stands out. tagliolini nero is perhaps the best pasta dish in the city. boka + bristol + spot-on no-fuss italian = perfection enjoy.
(5)Char Y.
we came as a group and ordered scallop crudo burrata di panna lamb liver bruschetta tagliolini nero pappardelle fennel sausage pizza very impressed with the freshness and flavor of the food.
(4)Mandi R.
I was here a few weeks ago and had a wonderful experience! Our waiter, Linus, was really nice and had great recommendations. For an appetizer, he recommended the Zampone with lentils, and it was awesome! For dinner, we ate the Gigli pasta (yes.. like the horrible movie) and the gnocchi with beef heart bolognese- both amazing. I was a little nervous about the beef heart, but it was so delicious. We shared the chocolate-hazelnut dessert, and it did not disappoint. Several different people came to our table to ask how everything was, and they always explained a little bit about each of the dishes. Another server, Garen, even showed us the kitchen when she saw us checking it out. Overall, we had a great experience! I will be back. :)
(5)Michelle S.
I JUST CAN'T SAY ENOUGH. both times have been an incredible experience, and the most recent visit just blew my mind. my significant other is a cook in the BoKa group so we definitely got some perks and samples- even without that, though, everything was just spot on. FOOD. AMBIANCE. SERVICE. shout out to our server randy- he nailed the wine recommendation and really let our meal flow at a perfect pace. things we consumed: cheese plate, mushroom bruschetta, sweet pea bruschetta, sweet onion gratin, gnocchi, burrata salad, porchetta, and a cannoli sundae. i would highly recommend any of them! that gnocchi straight up melted in my mouth. ummm p.s. the cucumber basil cello for an after dinner drink really just blew me away. sweet, earthy, crisp, smooth, and boozy. yup. i'm not even mad that i haven't had a cocktail yet that blows me away. because i know it's there, and when i find it, imma drink it all. night. long. OH WE ARE GOING BACK THERE ALWAYS.
(5)Christina Y.
Love the ambiance and decor. Good date place. Amazing flavorful food. Smaller portions, but quality. Skip the cheese platter- not worth the price. Pizza was awesome. The black pasta is a must. Would recommend sharing plates. Our waitress was extremely knowledge and helpful. Tiramisu was best I have had.
(4)Stefano G.
Food was mediocre. We think we left our credit card there, and we called the next day at 6pm to see if we left it there. They said they would call us back. After hearing nothing until 7:30pm, I called back. They said they would call back, and they never did. I called at 11pm. They said to call them the next day after 1pm. I think it is disrespectful, it wouldn't take so much effort to look up if they had found one card! Meanwhile, I blocked the card.
(1)Lindsay J.
Went on a Friday night @7:30. We were late for a reservation, but they got us in no problem. We had the heirloom tomato pizza, very good. But what made it better was the chili oil side for dipping. We also asked for balsamic for dipping, smart move. There were two if us, so we split the pizza and got two sides. The grilled radicchio was good but very bitter, I wish the dressing would have been stronger. Then there was the irresistible onion gratin. It was out of this world. The only change I would make is to save more onions to top the pizza with, amaze!!! My friend had wine, but I went for the 'bitter' menu. Had the rosemary first, more bitter than its no. 2 rating & then I tried the Malino. I like it much better. It had citrus overtones. Trendy, chic, fun and a GREAT waitress equalled a wonderful night. The weakness on the prices for the portions (beyond the pizza menu, I mean) and the variety, there really wasn't all that much to pick from. Finall, super small pours, expecially on wine.
(4)Vaidehi T.
Beautiful restaurant with amazing food. The ambiance at Balena is beautiful, upscale and intimate. The interiors is all made of wood, giving it a rustic, yet an elegant feel. The service was fantastic and we had a wonderful evening at Balenas. We ordered the chilled asparagus as a starter, and for the main course we ordered the orrichiette and the tomato, basil, mozz pizza. The food was delicious... well made... with clean flavor profiles. The food was made with fresh ingredients, with not too complicated flavors... where the flavors of the fresh ingredients came through. The kind of Italian food that I love. The pizza was one of the best Neopolitan pizzas I have eaten. The pasta dish was great... with kale and lemon sauce. The portion sizes are not too overwhelming. We also ordered the pistachio gelato sundae for dessert... and it was perfect... creamy, sweet and delicious. I wonder why I had not visited Balena sooner, but now it is definitely on my list of go-to special places.
(5)Sam D.
My parents came to visit Chicago and I wanted to find a great place in Lincoln Park to take them. Balena was an awesome place and our evening was very enjoyable! Our service was impeccable and the server timed everything just right, from the appetizer and cocktails to the wine pour with dinner. The food was outstanding as was the atmosphere. Will definitely be coming back or to another restaurant in the Boka group (went to Boka earlier this year and had just as fantastic of an experience). Next time I definitely want to get one of the pizzas as an appetizer for the group - saw a lot of those come out of the kitchen!
(5)Tony C.
A bit pricey. Overly pretentious and complex menu. Small portions for the pricing. Excellent desserts.
(2)Lynn P.
The food was exquisite, so I can't believe that I am rating this place lower than Chuck E Cheese, but fifty percent of a restaurant experience is the service, and I was turned off from the minute my mother and I entered at 6:00 on a Tuesday night. When the hostess heard that we did not have a reservation and were not going to the theater, she asked if we could please sit at the bar. No, my elderly mother and I do not want to sit on high bar stools by the entrance way on a cold evening. After they deigned to give us a seat the service continued to disappoint. I find it pretentious to hear a waiter ask if I have food allergies and concerns; though in retrospect, I should have told her that I was allergic to waiting long periods of time for a glass of wine. Ok, aside from this rant, I did enjoy the scallop appetizer and the black linguini. It was savory and interesting and unlike anything I could have made myself or gotten at a more ordinary restaurant. Maybe I will go back and sit at the bar.
(3)Harrison K.
This is a placeholder for my next visit-- but i can say Balena has made every and all efforts to make things right with me.
(5)Ali A.
You really see what a place is like when things go wrong at your favorite restaurant. This place, no matter what would happen, will always be one of our favorite restaurants; my husband would eat the sea urchin pasta for breakfast. We brought friends from out of town in for dinner last night. Your favorite place sometimes will have a night when they are not on their A game. The food and their drinks (their wine list is fantastic) never has a bad night, but our planets were not aligned in regards to how long it took etc. The staff there is outstanding. From the hostesses, to the managers, to the individuals taking care of the tables, and our candles are never left unlit. They went above and beyond last night to make things right. Even to a point we stopped their kind gestures because it came to a point where I felt we were taking advantage of our favorite restaurant. They are one of the few places that still believes in customer service. This is a must - go - to place and if you happen to experience a not so perfect night, go back because that is a rare occurrence.
(5)Comensal A.
We had a good time at Balena. The menu offers interesting choices. The décor is warm and intimate, yet there are well-lit tables. On our visit, the noise level was just barely conversation-friendly -- better than most trendy restaurants. Our server was knowledgeable and helpful, and the floor manager was graciously solicitous regarding a minor incident involving a busser. We were sorry to see the previous restaurant, Landmark, go, but Balena is very promising. We started with the $6 bread plate -- all the varieties were tasty (it's a lot of bread for two diners -- maybe a good choice if you're having just salads). We tried a pizza, and liked the Brussels sprouts & pancetta topping -- but the crust/topping ratio was way too high for our tastes (the crust is good, it's just thicker than we like and the bare margin was way too wide). Note: if you're getting pizza, skip the bread plate -- carbo-loading has its limits. To top things off, a pistachio gelato sundae was nicely presented with orange confit and burnt orange caramel, but the gelato's flavor was way too understated. Espresso had exemplary flavor, though the shot was teeny-tiny. As I say, Balena seems very promising, and I'm sure we'll be back to explore further.
(4)Colleen D.
Yum. Yum. Yum! I cannot wait to return to this new gem. We showed up quite late in the evening and was told that the kitchen was pretty much broken down except for the pizzas. No worries, we were starved. OMG. Ordered the mushroom, spicy sausage and lasanga pizzas. Really, it was too much food for four people but DELICIOUS. Great dough. We all were split on what our favorites were. The group also had the good fortune to try the desserts. The donuts with the coffee/ice cream dripping sauce was awesome as was the tiramisu. Favorite, hands down, was the pine nut carmel tart. Soft, chewy, just perfect. I hope to get back soon before this place gets crazy busy. I want to pet the leather bar again.
(5)Laura L.
Being on the Eater Heat Map I suppose I had high expectations. It wasn't that the food was bad...I just wasn't bowled over. The cocktails were great! We also didn't try the flatbread which I have heard is great but it's just not my thing. With so many places opening lately and in the next few months sometimes it's hard to distinguish yourself with the food I guess!
(3)Justin M.
Review 39 4 Stars Visits : 1 Food : 4 Service : 4 Ambiance : 4 Value : 3.5 Summary Balena features a great space, well cooked food and attentive service. Mostly everything we ordered was delicious with the exception of the pasta which we feel needs some work. Details Balena has been on the list for a while! Admittedly, we are big fans of the Bristol and Italian food, so we've been looking forward to the combination of the two indeed and seeing what results... The decor is really welcoming overall - nicely designed, very comfortable and inviting. Good natural lighting, comfy chairs and nice finishes are throughout the old Landmark space. The place has a good wooden and modern surface feel, and its split level design for the kitchen makes good use of the high ceiling of the place. It feels large yet intimate, with the main dining area being split into two areas, along with a groovy bar and suspended spirit shelf. Noise level just right - would have been around 60% full and that is because our reservation was quite early. Overall great interior design which makes you want to stay more. So we started with drinks - the Carmella and Elixer - they come in small glasses that you would expect your Italian neighbours next door to whip up and nonchalantly slide you over their home kitchen and table. Not too bitter, not too sweet - just pleasant apertif's overall to get you in the mood for an Italian feast. Next was Peter's Bread. We considered getting the whole Balena platter, but reined it in to just the bread. Why you ask - well the thinking was of all the places we've eaten, bread and cheese are always pretty memorable but salamis and cold cuts are usually just good. The bread was amazing - lots of variety with dipping sauces, crusty and full of flavor and life. Carrot bread, chocolate breads, sourdough - something for everyone. One of the best things on the menu and highly recommended. I will remind you to get the bread later. We managed to save some bread (don't how it survived that long) and then moved on to appetizers. We had the Arugala Salad and the Smoked Mackarel. The salad was light and refreshing - toasted pine nuts and with a vinegarette that showed healthy restraint. The mackarel was outstanding - the smokiness quickly overcame the usual richness of mackarel flavour and combined with egg and crumbs was a standout. Pasta was next and we were disappointed - Taglioni Nero with Crab and Farm Egg Tajarin. These looked good, but one was very salty while the other was very tart and just too much lemon juice. The staff made everything right here and took it off our cheque - it was much appreciated. One of the biggest drawcards for us for Italian food is the pasta, and in Balena's price range we compare it to places like Ripasso and Anteprima. We feel that the pasta needs a bit of work, but perhaps we were a bit unlucky in out selection. Swordfish and Baked Polenta made up for the pasta - swordfish was deliciously buttery and seasoned while the polenta was straightforward but a nice complementary dish - rich roasty tomato atop polenta. Had a home cooking taste to it. Finally dessert - we summoned the Tiramisu and Affogato to finish with. The Affogato was good - donuts were light and fluffy, while the tiramisu was very nice with the cake done a little differently to get around the usual soggy tiramisu and some nice cake crumbles on the top. Service was very good overall and welcoming. We look forward to our return to Balena and especially for the bread.
(4)H M.
Recently dined at Balena with 3 girlfriends. Given the hype, and that it's new, and extremely busy - I wasn't expecting much more than loud music, crowds, and just okay food. Boy , was I surprised! The restaurant is cool/lovely. Kind of "hip rustic" design, with very high ceilings and a stone floors with wooden tables. We were greeted promptly, and had a drink at the bar first. The hosts were wonderful; even though our table was ready (during primetime on a Friday night) they didn't pressure us to leave the bar & sit down. If you can, ask for a table on the 2nd floor, near the windows. The banquettes are really comfortable, and not too close together. They have an extensive Italian wine list, with many different price points. Our server was very attentive, and the meal (which was many small plates) was paced just right. We had a pizza, shrimp, pasta, bruschetta, and a few other things. Everything was very delicious, and not your typical red-sauce italian fare. The music loudness was "just right" (i.e., we could still hold a conversation and easily hear each other), despite how crowded the restaurant was. We will definitely eat here again. (Bring a few people so you can share things - the menu is really varied!)
(4)Amanda F.
The food, service, decor, drinks...everything basically was top notch. I am still dreaming about the sausage pizza. And the cheese/meat plate. Holy moly it was so good. Our server Carrier, was incredible. The restaurant is so so so great...I cannot stress how a place like this is so perfect for Chicago. The price is perfect for the quality. I wish there were more places like this. The restaurant is full of 20-30s and older adults as well, so you should feel comfortable on a sexy date, girls night, or a family dinner. I will be back as soon as I can!!
(5)Steven B.
My friend is getting married so we decided to get 8 guys together to dine at Balena. I called ahead and spoke with the GM Anna to see if we could set up a tasting menu for the table. Anna was extremely helpful and she made it happen for us. The food was incredible! Everything we had was delicious. I will be returning for sure!
(5)Mariya V.
Loved the atmosphere and decoration. We ordered bruschetta with beets as a starter along with drinks and the bruschetta was delicious! We shared the pork ragu and orecchiette, and both were so filing and delicious. The pork ragu was my favorite! Would definitely come back just for that. For dessert, we shared the tiramisu which was so smooth and flavorful. I give this place a 3 stars because of the service. The bartender was great and attentive (and gave us recommendations!), however, our waiter paid no attention to us. It wasn't even packed the night we went and he took over 40 minutes (yes, we checked the time) to take our order and was no where in sight the whole time we dined. All we were doing was looking for him when we needed something. Disappointing.
(3)Adrienne B.
Heard great things about Balena so I decided to give it a try on a Friday night! Balena had many openings for reservations probably because the restaurant is pretty big! There is an upstairs & downstairs! As we sat down our waiter introduced himself and was very knowledgeable about the menu. I first started off with the Italian Mamba as my cocktail it was a little different than what I was expecting but it was still refreshing and good! As for an appetizer we started off with the smoked mackerel, soft egg. Wow wow wow! Can't even explain this dish!! Fish and egg mixed together is deliciousness! For our entree we had the octopus and the Agnolotti, cauliflower, sunflower seed pasta. Both dishes were great! I really really enjoyed the octopus.. So tender! Lastly had two side dishes! The Beets & squash. Both were tasty! I really enjoyed this restaurant! The atmosphere is romantic and upbeat! Great date spot or group dinner with friends!
(4)Liz T.
I recently took my husband to Balena for his 30th birthday after his co-workers raved about it for a solid year. I can't say we were disappointed after all the hype--not one bit. I think what makes Balena special is its truly artisinal food without all the pretense and price of its modern Italian counterparts in Chicago. I love that they serve up dishes family style. I love that they have affordable pizzas on the menu. I love that the pasta is truly some of the best I've had in the city. My husband and I got the arugula salad, the rigatoni alla ragu, and the sausage/onion/chili pizza. We also got a side of the cucumbers in sour cream/black pepper sauce. Of these, hands down the rigatoni was wonderfully al dente, with some of the most flavorful ragu sauce I've ever tasted--the perfect balance of savory and sweet. The meat was beautifully seasoned and paired the pasta perfectly. The pizza also had wondrously flavorful sauce with perfectly fresh-from-the-hearth dough. We'll definitely be coming back next time--the perfect place to bring out of town guests to show them some Chicago foodie love.
(5)Diego C.
Balena has become a hotspot in Chicago and chef Chris Pandel has prepared an inventive and fabulous menu. Located in Lincoln Park, Balena offers a gourmet experience with a casual yet sophisticated feel, a lot like this new trend for hipster gourmet restaurants. The food is great, period. Innovative dishes, great quality ingredients, amazing flavors and a pretty ample wine list. Our favorites were the Mushroom Bruschetta, Tagliolini Nero with crab meat and sea urchin, the Brussels sprouts as a side, and the caramel budino for dessert. It's fame is well deserved. Prices were reasonable ($45-65 per person including wine) and staff was knowledgeable and friendly.
(4)Kim O.
The bf and I recently traveled to Chicago to celebrate my 30th birthday. Out of all the meals I had planned for the trip, I was most excited about this one, but unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. I originally had made reservations that night for RPM Italian, but after reading reviews on Balena (with a nod in 2012 from Bon Apetit as one of the best new restaurants in America), I decided we should go there. While the service was attentive and friendly, though albeit slightly uniformed (when I asked if their pizza with apricot, broccoli leaves, and pancetta would still be good without the pancetta, they said yes, and spoiler alert it was so tart it was almost inedible), the atmosphere was very stuffy and scene-y (seen-y?), which I'm not crazy about. The burrata panna with olive oil and sea salt was the best thing we ate that night, and it was incredible. The toast was smokey and peppery, and the burrata was seasoned perfectly. The chilled beets I had were good at first, but the scallion mixture quickly became too overpowering, and I could only eat a little bit of it. We ordered the spaghetti cacio pepe, and while it was good, it was surprisingly thick and heavy, and not what we were anticipating. We also ordered the ricotta gnudi with sweet pea crema. It was different, and definitely an interesting flavor/textural experience. I did enjoy this dish. Don't get me wrong, Balena is certainly a good restaurant, though inocnsistant. It unfortunately did not live up to the high expectations we had.
(3)Elizabeth N.
This place was a great surprise. I had never heard of it - but decided to check it out before a play at the royal george. They were very aware of timing for the play. The food was awesome and the ambiance was great. The drink service was a little slow but the margarita's were great.
(4)Jeremy L.
Hate Birthdays, but love Balena. People are saying 30 is the new 20, I think they are saying that to me because they know I have issues with aging. At the age of 20 I thought Olive Garden was what it meant to have amazing Italian. I guess that is one thing about getting older: Actually know good food. Balena is great food. I had my birthday dinner at Balena and my friends and I had a wonderful experience. Was able to make reservations a week in advance through OpenTable. Our waiter was fabulous. Waiter is not even the right term, he was our food guide; answering questions, making suggestions and being great. Food was excellent. Menu is set up in different categories and meant for sharing: antipasti, bruchetta, pasta, pizza, vegetables, hearth and dolce. Here are some of my highlights. Bruschetta: The Tuna Conserva Bruschetta is excellent. Get it. Pasta: Out of the pastas we ordered, the gnocchi was my favorite. Pizza: We ordered three pizzas, spicy pepperoni, margharita and rhubarb. Liked them all. Spicy pep had a kick and the spice lasted. Veggies: Asparagus done great, lemon and sea salt. Hearth: Loved the way they cooked the octopus. Grilled and yummy! Thanks Balena for making getting older a little less painful. Happy Eats, Jeremy
(5)Kate P.
I've heard good things about this spot and have been wanting to try it. Two friends and I tried to get a reservation same day but we were told the reservations were full but we could walk in in hopes of finding seats at the bar. We walked in on a Friday night around 7:15 and were seated right away! Not sure how common that is. The decor is beautiful, open, warm, rustic, and inviting. We enjoyed everything we ordered. The server was great with recommending wines for us. We started with the burrata which was amazing, fresh and mild. We loved the unique flavorful breadsticks with a perfect spice (black pepper?). The lemon kale orecchiette was fantastic -- a wonderful fresh mild lemon flavor. Wonderful. The brussels sprouts were also fantastic. We also ordered the spicy pepperoni pizza which was hearty, but the other plates stood out more. We also had the pear ginger crostata (good) and my friend had an amaro flight (very unique). We had plenty of food and drink for three. Overall, we enjoyed every aspect of Balena. Great menu for food and drink, impeccable service.
(5)Mehran F.
Lovely. Service by Marcello was excellent, personable and attentive. Pizza delicious, as were the pasta dish we ordered, a couple of side dishes and the octopus. Need to return a couple of more times and try their other dishes. I needed a good meal after my bad dinner at Momotaro last night. Thanks.
(4)Plamena G.
My husband took me to Balena for Valentine's day. The service, the food, the atmosphere, the whole night was perfect. We were seated in the downstairs room, which was very intimate and romantic. The menu for the night was a prefix menu that consisted of four courses. The first course was for the table: a citrus salad (burnt pine nut vinaigrette and finger chili) & a smoked trout dish (sunchoke, bliss trout roe, horseradish creme fraiche). Both were really good, especially the trout! The second course was for the table as well: chestnut polenta agnolotti (fontina fonduta, amaretti cookie) and rigatoni (oxtail ragu, bone marrow). Again, both were good, but the rigatoni was excellent! For the third course we had a choice of four dishes. I picked the icelandic cod (turnip kraut, mustard zabaglione, fried rye gnocchi) and my husband picked the chicken cacciatore (barley, pickled ramp). Both excellent choices. Both the trout and the chicken were very tender and cooked to perfection. The combination of flavors of each dish were paired superbly! For the dessert, we had two options and we picked one of each - the nougat semifreddo (dried fruit and walnut, lemon crema, pistachio gelato) and the chocolate and polenta tart (date syrup, coffee gelato). They were both really delectable, a perfect way to end a perfect night. I would definitely come back to Balena!
(5)Teddy H.
This place is a gem. Went on a first date here (sat at the Chef's Table overlooking the kitchen) and have gone back for every anniversary (now at 3 years!). The staff is exceptional and extremely knowledgeable about their menu. The ambience is chic and romantic, and the cocktails are beyond impressive. I highly recommend for a quick bite before hitting the theater or a leisurely dinner on a Friday or Saturday. It's all about service for me and they hit it out of the park. Bravo!
(4)Carolyn T.
My experience dining at Balena on a Friday night was pretty much flawless. I was 10 minutes late to our 5:30 reservation, but they were able to keep our table as long as we were done by 7:30 when there was another reservation. My friend was on her second drink at the bar by the time I arrived and she raved to me about the drinks, as well as the insanely good service she had already experienced. All the staff, including the hostesses, coat check, servers, and runners were friendly, warm, and poised. Our server gave us a great run-through of the menu and explained that people typically ordered two courses and that the pizzas were recommended for the table to share. He also told is that they could only cook six pizzas at a time, so to order sooner rather than later if we wanted one. I was in a pizza mood, so I decided I would get a pizza for my entree. Our server tried to convince me to reconsider by highlighting some other options on my menu. He said the pizza was big, but I felt like he really just wanted me to spend more because I had already forgone a drink (and, later, dessert). Plus, who says I can't eat a whole pizza by myself? We didn't have to wait too long for our food. My mozzarella, pomodoro, and basil thin crust pizza was really delicious. The sauce and crust were on point. The crust was crispy and not at all floppy or soggy. My friend raved about her duck fat potatoes and thought her prawns were great, but perhaps too small of a portion to satisfy her appetite. Even if I did feel a little uncomfortable that the server was trying to convince me to spend more than I did, I had an undeniable five-star experience dining at Balena. It was the perfect choice for dinner before seeing Animal Farm at the Steppenwolf across the street. I will certainly return for the squid ink pasta, the drinks, and dessert menu! What a wonderful stop on our Michelin Bib Gourmand tour.
(5)Greg S.
My girlfriend and I went to Balena for our Anniversary. The hosts and wait staff were very considerate throughout the evening. They even gave us a quiet table in the corner by the window. The dishes are on the smaller side, so be sure to order enough of them for the table. I had one bite of the Mushroom Bruschetta and I was hooked. I've been dreaming about the dish ever since.
(5)Jennifer E.
Came back last night after a whole year of hiatus. My husband and I shared the trio of cheeses and I liked 2/3 and he liked 2/3. We have different preferences on cheese so it helped that we had options. I brought my one year old with us. They were very accommodating with getting her lots of bread. They also made her pasta with butter (which my husband mostly ate lol). I had their Bass special. The fish was perfectly cooked with the right amount of salt and spices. My husband had the sausage pizza. I think what they do best is their pastas. Their pizza is good, not great. The drinks and the dessert was fabulous. Hope to return back since we live nearby :)
(5)Katie P.
I stopped by recently on a weeknight for a quick bite before seeing a play next door. I sat in the bar and ordered the Trout and a hazelnut/chocolate desert. The service was good and there was a warm ambiance but I left being a bit disappointed. My trout with lentils was yummy but I was expecting a but more for the price. The portion was small, not many lentils etc. For $24 I guess I expected more of a side without paying an extra $8. The atmosphere is nice and it's probably one of the better places to eat if you're going to Steppenwolf or Royal George nearby. If I come back I think it will be for the pizza which seems more moderately priced and a desert!
(3)Stacey N.
UGH. What happened to this place? We used to love Balena. Would have recommended it to anyone and everyone. Last night we went to take some friends and we promised they'd love every minute and every bite. We were horribly wrong. We waited to be seated though we had a reservation. We went to get two simple drinks at the bar (glass of champagne and vodka on the rocks), and it took at least 12 minutes for the bartender to bring us menus and ask us what we'd like. I'm in the industry, I know very well what it's like behind a bar, and I wasn't able to assess any valid reason for the delay. We were seated and waited 15 or so minutes to be approached by a server. Strike 1. He was hurried, short, and had few recommendations. Strike 2. We chose the first bottle of wine (out of two) and the burrata appetizer. The bread was burned. Strike 3. We eventually put in our next (pasta) course. We were not re-approached to ask how our appetizer was, nor our pasta course. When the server did re-approach us he was highly uninformative, told us they didn't have the full roasted chicken we planned to share (not his fault, but he did not come up with an alternative suggestion for us), so I chose one in haste because he was obviously in a hurry. The food used to be fantastic. We did not feel at all the same at all about last night's meal. Mediocre? Less than? Super upset from start to finish. After finishing our meals and second bottle of wine, we chose two desserts and an amaro flight to share. A woman, who I can only assume was the manager on duty, observed our disappointment? frustration? and offered us a complimentary 2nd amaro flight of our choice. Despite that being a kind gesture, it didn't fix the awful service and sub par food. We won't be returning. Also -- there is one of the TACKIEST, biggest signs in the women's restroom, the one that announces that 'all employees must wash their hands before returning to work.' Though I respect that sentiment, and I pray they all do--this used to be a beautiful, high end restaurant, where I would hope the staff do not need that simple reminder. Sad.
(1)Tiffany P.
Highly recomended especially if you're looking for a place before a show at Stepenwolf. Balena is a neat place. I love love the high cielings and our waiter provided excellent service. All the food we got was good too- pasta, bread, AWESOME olives, and thin crust pizza! My family and I came here before a show, and they did a great job of having us in and out in an hour. We got two appetizers (including the olives which were small), the spicy shrimp pasta, and a 14" pizza. It was plenty of food. The waiter suggested that we get one more pasta when we ordered, but I'm so glad that we didn't! The pasta was good but we all agreed that it was a bit too spicy. It was spicy to the point that it masked the flavor. It was uncomfortably hot for my aunts. The pizza was very, very good however. And I would highly recomend those homemade, herb infused olives. I would actually return just for those olives and some wine! The food menu contains some wine listed by the glass or by the bottle. But they have an additional wine menu if you're looking to buy by the bottle, so ask for that.
(4)Jennifer K.
When I was planning my solo trip to Chicago, I had my eyes on Balena. I just could not resist anything with Sea Urchin and Tagliolini Nero just sounded so good. I got lucky as 2 of my friends joined my eating Chicago trip so I got to try out a few more items at Balena. I like how the menu is seasonally and they has some specials that offers depends on season. So we ended up order a few items to share. Duck Liver Bruschetta ($10) Tripe Fettunta ($11) Chitarra ($16) Tagliolini Nero Seafood ($19) Strotzapetti with Razor Clams ($16) Frillman Farms Carrot ($8) Nougat Semifreddo ($9) Every dish was cooked and prepared with care. Love the Razor Clams pasta which is not even on the menu. I found the Tagliolini so so compared to other dish. Service is amazing! Attentive, Outgoing and Knowledgeable! I am so glad I included Balena as one of the stops and dragged my friends along with me!
(4)Tyler B.
Great atmosphere and drinks are different and are good. Expensive but get what you pay for ha. Pizza is good but I'm fan of deep dish pizza. The breadsticks here are amazing. The service was by far 5 stars. Drinks filled without asking and the waiters were great. Only reason I gave it 4 stars is cause it had no deep dish pizza.
(4)Norm J.
I've been wanting to come to Balena for awhile and was finally able to go there for one of my 6 birthday dinners. Location - 5 stars Balena is located a short walk from the North/Clybourn red line stop so it's definitely easy to get to (no need to drive and worry about parking or pay for valet). Cocktails - 3 stars I went to order a Tanqueray and Tonic while I waited for the rest of my friends to arrive and thought I had walked into the land of What The HELL Did You Say, when I was told that they didn't have Tanqueray. I settled for a Ketel One and Sprite, which was good and strong, but didn't make up for the fact that they didn't have the one gin that I like. Food - 4 stars The food was so good and I can definitely see why people rave about this place. The Fennel Sausage Pizza and Mushroom Pizza are must tries! Service - 2 stars Our waitress had an attitude that made me think she was from Lake Forest and being forced to work here by her parents for the summer. The fact that she failed to bring me my birthday dessert, but made sure 2 people sitting in my section got their birthday dessert definitely didn't endear me to her. Balena would have received 4 stars from me, but the crappy service knocked them down to 3 stars. I'll be back to try more dishes, but hopefully, I'll receive better service.
(3)Kate W.
We visited Balena as part of our quest to visit every bib gourmond restaurant in chicago. We went on the second day of my last spring break ever--a reason to celebrate if there ever was one! We started with wine, which was excellent. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful. We shared three plates: the smoked mackerel with a soft boiled egg (amazing and strange and innovative and delicious), the nero pasta with crab and uni (am now spoiled for any other pasta holy sh*t this was INCREDIBLY), and the short rib (meh not great but decent). Also, not outrageously expensive! Yes please. The restaurant is very nice (except for the weird, burned out neon bulbs on the walls near the bar--what's going on with that?). We will definitely be back!
(4)Niti B.
Expected just another italian restaurant but this was definitely better than your regular italian spot. I checked out the restaurant week menu and would have to say that this was worth it! I started with the beet bruschetta with whipped ricotta and pickled red onion. A wonderful twist on a traditional piece of bruschetta for sure! The pickled onion and sweet beets complimented each other very well and the Crunch of the crostinni and creamy of the ricotta was a great textural balance. For my second course I had the potato gnocchi with fontina fondutta. This was a pretty decent dish but nothing that really blew me out of the water. I was definitely satisfied though. Lastly, I had the nougat semifreddo with dried fruit and walnuts, a lemon crema and pistachio gelato. This was a perfect endnote for a rich dinner. The flavors blended well with a brightness from the citrus and the creamy gelato finish in your mouth you weren't left feeling like it was too much or you were stuffed. Overall, this venue is beautiful. With the high ceilings and rustic decor it is very breathtaking. Our waitress was also very accomodating and the service was fabulous.
(4)Melissa N.
Went here for the first time last night for a girls' night out. The ambiance is great: trendy, yet not pretentious. The two-level space is beautiful. I enjoyed many Strawberry No. 1 cocktails, which were just heavenly and my favorite part of the entire dining experience (hiccup). Our table opted for the Restaurant Week menu, but we also ordered the brussels sprouts pizza, which was my favorite food item. Our first course from the pre-fixe menu was the beet bruschetta, which I loved (and I'm not big on beets). My friend and I shared each other's pasta course, so I was able to try the bolognese (meh) and gnocchi (divine). The entrees were the biggest disappointment of the meal. I got something called chicken sausage which I never should have ordered based on the name alone, but the only other option was whitefish, and both of them sucked. Bland, bland, bland. Major let-down. Dessert was good: I can't even remember what it was called, but it was some custard concoction with a scoop of pistachio gelato on the side. Very tasty. Our waiter was super nice in the beginning, but it seemed like he cared less and less about our table as the night went on (in fairness, the restaurant was packed all evening). When the bill came, it was higher than we expected, but then again we did get a lot of food. Overall, Balena deserves three and a half stars, but I'm in a generous mood and will round up instead of down. I'd come back here again, though, for sure.
(4)Vicki K.
Not impressed.....at all. Burrata appetizer...good, but nothing that made my eyes pop. I had the teglio nero with the crab/sea urchin, after I asked the waiter what I should choose between that, or the octopus.....in hindsight, wish I would have gone with my gut and had the octopus......the pasta was just "meh".....again, nothing that I would order again. My daughter had the cauliflower/sunflower seed pasta....it had good flavor, but the portion size was TINY....yes, it was the small portion, but c'mon.....more than 3 bites was expected....we also ordered 3 sides....beets, cucumbers, and carrots...ALL VERY pedestrian...something that looked and tasted like they came from a regular mom and pop diner. Would not go again.
(2)Erica L.
Second trip here, similar sentiments. Great selection of cocktails and wine. They also offer a refreshing lemon soda from Almafi, which is the same one sold at Eataly. The table had a jar of peppery thin breadsticks that were nice and crispy. We started with the Burrata di Panna, which is the most popular appetizer per our server. It was so creamy and delicious; however, the cheese to whole wheat cracker ratio was definitely large. I was disappointed it only came with 4 crackers. We split the Cacio e Pepe and Rigatoni pastas. The cacio e pepe was good, but I've had better. At least it was al dente. The rigatoni was overcooked. We also split the Grilled Prawns, which is meant to be an entree for one so we added the side of glazed carrots at the recommendation of our server. The prawn heads were crispy and seasoned well. The side was a generous portion of carrots of different colors and shapes. We had the pizza the first time around, but it wasn't that memorable. The food was presented very nicely. I really wanted to try the Chocolate and Hazelnut Croccante, which the server described as a "grown up Kit Kat bar", but was too stuffed for dessert. She offered to have that or the Tiramisu to go, so that's definitely an option in the future. Overall, nice ambiance and a great place to grab a cocktail and share a few plates before heading over to the theater or shopping on North Ave. The food itself was just okay.
(3)amber h.
I came here with my husband for our anniversary. We both loved this place. We're fairly picky when it comes to Italian restaurants. My husband comes from a traditional Italian family. His mom was a cook for many years and he grew up in a kitchen and so is a very good cook himself. He has a knack for tasting a dish, being able to replicate it and even improve upon it. As a result, our standards are pretty high. We want a place with a nice ambience, professional waitstaff and amazing food. Balena hit the mark on all three. In terms of decor, the place is very spacious. Too many Chicago restaurants neglect comfort, opting to shove as many tables into the space as they can until it starts to feel like a bus depot or a cafeteria. In Balena, many of the seats are spread far apart and, in some parts of the restaurant, it can feel downright private. When we arrived, there _were_ a few tables close together (I think they usually use them for large groups) and our hostess tried to seat us uncomfortably close to another party but when I explained that we were there for our anniversary, she took us to a more secluded section of the restaurant. In terms of the waitstaff, they're extremely knowledgeable. From having perused some of the other reviews, it sounds like some people might be intimidated by this, but for us, the sharing of information is a good sign. It means that the staff have received extensive (and, in some cases, formal) training. Our waiter was very pleasant and was attentive without being intrusive. The food itself was great. Our appetizers, entrees and desserts were amazing and neither my husband nor I had the slightest complaint. The portion sizes were just right, too. Not so small that you leave feeling hungry but not so large that you don't have room for dessert afterwards. We've been back in Chicago since 2011 and this is probably the first really nice Italian restaurant that we've liked enough to add into our regular rotation of places.
(5)Al P.
We went to Balena after booking our table with weeks in advance, on a Monday night. We were welcomed in the reception and a few seconds later went to the bar. The place is really cozy, right lights and music. The service is definitely a key to the great experience we had. When it comes to food, we had a selection of appetizers (too small) and they were really good and tasty. The main courses were amazing, especially the black linguine. Wine list according to the Italian concept of the restaurant. It's definitely a good place to go as a couple or in a small group. On a separate note, something I didn't understand: A friend of mine wanted to book a table for the same night and time (9 PM) but he couldn't, they said they were fully booked for the night; however, when we were there, 75% of the tables were empty. I really don't understand this policy of not allowing people to book when the place is almost empty.
(4)Jen W.
I lived in Chicago for 10 years, and was on a recent trip back when my bff (and fellow food lover) recommended we check out Balena. I was in a group of 3, and we all left very disappointed. For starters, the service wasn't good. Our server started out as somewhat endearing, due to his insecure, yet also bizarrely confident, demeanor. Throughout our meal though, he made several questionable comments (ie: asking my friend why she wasn't drinking, not knowing she was 5 weeks pregnant and hence not showing/telling anyone yet). He also spilled a drink, told me that "literally" is a stupid word (after I used it to ask a question), etc. Just really bad service, some of the worst I've had...and I go out to eat a lot! Despite the service however, I was excited for the food, which unfortunately also fell short. We began with the Tuscan Kale Caesar which was decent, though not great. Next we split the Rigatoni, Pork Rago and Porcini Mushrooms pasta, which was tasty enough, but forgettable despite the great ingredients. We also shared a pizza, which was so underwhelming I don't even recall which one it was. On to dessert, figuring that would save the meal, we ordered their gelato. Our server once again put his foot in his mouth, as he proceeded to "teach" us what gelato was, not bothering to ask if we were curious/didn't already know. I did marketing for a major gelato brand a year ago, so we all found this moment quite funny-particularly because several of his gelato "facts" were incorrect. While it's true service can make or break a meal, this experience was no exception. And the reality that the food was mediocre too, it couldn't be saved by the great atmosphere. I won't be venturing into Balena again when I visit Chicago again-far too many other great restaurants, and neither will my two friends, who are foodies and Chicagoans themselves.
(2)Dalia M.
My girlfriend and I came here for one of our "date nights". We try to hit up good eats and stuff ourselves without the boyfriends in the picture semi-frequently. We ordered ourselves a bottle of wine and had a total of six dishes between us. The dishes are not super large so we aren't that chubby... Maybe a little. We had the mussels and the short rib, bookending our savory with pastas: the sage & brown butter noodles and the rigatoni pork ragu. Ended with a gelato trio and the "Kit Kat"-esque dessert. We were sat right away, had a sweet waitress - Mylee, and our food came out fast. It was a large order and definitely on the pricier side but we did enjoy every bite and moment of our meal. A beautiful space and relaxing dining experience. I'd bring the boy here.
(4)Constantin P.
My wife and I had a dinner reservation for our wedding anniversary here last Saturday. The staff seemed quite nice, they all signed an anniversary card which was waiting for us at the table. The only problem was that this wasn't a regular table but it was a corner of the kitchen counter with two seats, smoke, smell and an awesome view at the chefs. Really??!!! A table at the kitchen counter for a wedding anniversary reservation? Is that something special? If you like eating in the kitchen maybe. We asked and we got another table, but still... Food wasn't anything special, 3 glasses of wine and an ice cream...150$. On top of that you have 5-6 staff members coming over at your table a bit too often when you just want to have a nice quiet dinner. Thanks a lot for ruining our evening and anniversary!
(2)Saba A.
Balena's service was impeccable. To be greeted a couple of times when walking in to walking out the door and having a team of two servers and a bus boy while being served. My girl friend and I came in with reservations on Friday night for Restaurant Week. We had a few minutes of a wait then were proceeded upstairs to the loft style restaurant. We both chose to stick a glass of Sauvignon Blanc for the night but they did have a wine pairing option with each course. The waiter suggested that we share everything on the restaurant menu as there were two items per course so we did it! I like how there was a 33 dollar option for 3 courses, and 44 for 4 courses that included the dessert and we definitely got dessert. I know people that have come here for pizza and wasn't impressed by it but the restaurant week menu didn't feature the pizza. The beef bruschetta was dressed heavily and delicious, the TAGALIATELLE BOLOGNESE was the best bolognese I have ever had in Chicago. It's a must order! The potato gnocchi was sweet where I like my gnocchi's so it depends on your taste. The chicken sausage was amazing as well as the tilefish. I liked the flavoring of the tilefish more than the smoked trout. For dessert the nougat semifreddo and chocolate and polenta tart presentation was elegant, the taste was all right. My favorite parts of Balena was service, the ambiance (fully packed restaurant!), beautiful dim lights, and perfectly small but not to small portion sizes. And of course the Tagaliatelle Bolognese.
(4)Rebecca S.
I was here for a private event, and the venue is really quite perfect. Tons of open space, upbeat and friendly staff to greet, and some really fantastic bartenders. After returning from three months in Italy, I would be the last person to want to eat pizza. I was sick of the stuff. BUT I had about four slices of the pizza at Balena. The crust is not too thin, not too thick, and it's very tasty even on its own. The pizza comes in the traditional mozzarella and tomato to brussels sprout pizza. You really can't go wrong either way. The cocktails were so delicious. If you are looking for something sweet that completely masks the alcohol, I recommend Strawberry No.1. It has bubbly prosecco, strawberry and elderflower liquor, and just a liiiiiittle bit of vodka. I could've had ten, it was so good and sweet. Looking at their menu, I will definitely have to go back! Very curious how they make their Cacio e Pepe, and the Spiced Olives look very promising.
(4)Amanda M.
Place was good, just not my taste, but have to give what it deserves. Was pleased to get a reservation for NYE at 6pm the night before via OpenTable. I was excited all day, wanting to try the black pasta with crab and uni. I saw online that they did have the special NYE prix fixe menu, but thought that that was just an offering. To my disappointment, that was the only option and did not get to try what I had been looking forward to all day. Extremely sad, as this isn't a restaurant I can just go to all the time, unless I had an unlimited bankroll. There were complimentary herbed breadsticks, and thought they were full of flavor. However, the texture was quite stale. Anyways, bf and I did the 3-course prix fixe. I really wish they at least had more options overall. For dessert, there were only two and it's like well, might as well get one of each. Kinda felt jipped with the prix fixe, as with most prix fixes. We got to share all three first courses. My favorite surprisingly was the beet salad, that paired well with the cheese. The fried mushroom risotto balls were also nice and had good mushroom flavor. The portion on that was larger than I anticipated, with about five or so balls. The endive salad was nice and refreshing with a bold peppery taste. I had the sausage for the second course, as bf had the short ribs. Both were very good. I was skeptical that my sausage came in a fried patty form, especially after already consuming the fried mushroom risotto balls, but they were not heavy at all. The sausage was very different and super tasty. I just did not care for the quinoa type salad that came with it. It was very bitter, and I usually enjoy some bitterness, but this was not palatable for me. Bf's short ribs were very tender and tasty. I had the semolina cookies with lemon cream and ice cream for dessert while bf had the chocolate one. Both were very good and suited to our tastes. Bf also had their amber lager, which was nice and had a subtle honey flavor to it. Service was splendid, as what you'd expect in a fine restaurant like this. I liked the overall ambiance of the place as it was romantic and liked the upstairs area where we were seated. However, I didn't like the specific table we were seated at and the whole row for that matter, as it was almost elbow to elbow with the next table, literally about one foot from the next table. No privacy. What I was most skeptical about this place prior to coming in was still being hungry or having to pay an arm and leg to satisfy my hunger. While I would have ordered other options, I was left quite filled, but again we were obligated to pay $55 each for the prix fixe, in which we likely would have spent slightly under per person. It is nice that it's right on Halsted, so we got to easily hop on the bus to our next destination for the night.
(4)Danielle S.
Balena made me happy but not as happy as I wanted to be. I think I hyped it up in my head by hearing everyone else's opinion. I DO want to go back and try more of their menu! I had the Gnocchi, which was lovely. I will say I liked it better than Siena's. I also had the Mushroom/Fontina/Taleggio/Scallion/Thyme pizza. This was nice too, but, if you do not like scallion you need to pass. I had to try a pizza because I felt like that is one thing I read about most. It was very yummy and I will certainly go again. The venue is very open and cozy. It is great for a date night or a group dinner. Downstairs they have a neat private space that makes you feel like you are in a wine cellar.
(4)Sue R.
Just had dinner here before going to the Steppenwolf. First time and we loved it. The service was great- our waiter Adam, and indeed everyone who came to our table, was awesome. The food? Delicious. Here's the thing we most liked about it- a varied menu that you could choose either small dishes from or entree sized portions. My husband and I chose to share small dishes- the Tomato Panzanella salad to start. Two pastas- the grilled corn star pasta and the rigatoni with pork ragu. Then three "sides"- beet salad, cucumbers in cream, and roasted carrots. Great inventive cocktails, too. Finished w limoncello (need to write this review before the memory eraser kicks in!) and pistachio gelato. Coffee, too, so I could stay awake for the play ;) will definitely be back!
(5)Kayu T.
Definitely picked the right place for a group dinner! The atmosphere is casual yet elegant. Got to try a long list of items so prepare! Strawberry No.1 - although the ingredients is different from the online menu, it was still very tasty and dangerously easy to drink. Imbue Bittersweet - very light and with beautiful hints of florals. Had to hold myself back from ordering a double Dolin Dry- had a tasting of it and thank goodness we didn't get the full thing. It's sweet and thick like syrup Fried Zampone - fried pulled pork with jam & lentil salad. The meat is rich and with a mix of fat. Duck liver bruschetta - it comes with two pieces, but the pate on it is not skimpy at all. Our fav of the two apps! Rich and bold flavors with toasty bread. Wild arugula salad - fresh and citrusy. Good hard cheese on top Mortadella pizza - delicious! The pistachio pesto layer is very different in a good way. The mortadella was nice and crisp with melted fine cheese. Will get this again Basil pizza- people that didn't eat meat seem to like it. I didn't try cause the mortadella was so freaken good Tagliolini pasta - squid ink! So good. You can tell it was made in house. The seafood sweetness was perfect and not overwhelming. Gnocchi - skip. If you wanted fluffy lil dumplings.. this is not the dish for you. It was literally reg pasta in the shape of gnocchi. We were hoping for something else and although the flavor was good, we didn't finish it. The chicken thigh pieces was good. Ragatoni- so flavorful! Not much of pieces of tender pork that I thought it would have. Sides: Carrots I would skip. It wasn't anything special or even good. Bitter greens were fine, but wasn't that memorable. Spagetti cacio de pepe- I dislike spagetti so I didn't try it but it's in a white sauce. The person that order it didn't even finish... although he claimed that it was good. How good could it be good if you didn't want to take it home right? Espresso donut dessert- skip. The 2 donuts were small and didn't even feel fresh. The espresso w icecream shot that came with for dipping wasn't anything awesome. It's missing a star because the wait staff was low and not nearly attentive as needed
(4)Stacy O.
Beautiful restaurant, well-balanced cocktails, okay food. Our server James was very good. Endive salad was recommend but very lackluster and dry. Pork ragu rigatoni was very tasty. They have a unique take on Carbonara, but it was bitter potentially due to incorporation of ramps - which are 'so hot right now'. 'Thin' crust pizza not actually thin. I wouldn't go back.
(3)Rawlins R.
This is a very highfalutin place. I made my reservations for Balena on OpenTable and did so a few weeks in advanced to be sure to get a spot on a Saturday evening. We arrived a little under an hour early and they were still glad to seat us at the time we showed up. Balena is kind of hard to find if you are not familiar or looking for it. It is just north of North Ave. on the east side of Halsted. The best bet is to look for the valet sign because the restaurant sign is somewhat tucked away within the building. Looking for the location on Google Maps doesn't help either as it is newer than the images currently available. Balena is pretty large with a main seating area as you walk in as well as a bar area. If you are not seated there they will either take you up and to the right to the seating on the east or west sides of the building. Walking up this way you will walk right by the oven where they prepare their pizzas. They have seating for all types of parties. This is definitely a fine dining experience. You can expect to spend over $50 a person easily if you get an appetizer, drink, entree, side and a desert. You are provided Italian grissini breadsticks while you wait to order. The waitstaff is very courteous and knowledge of the menu items. They will suggest that you get several plates that you can share. The pasta dishes are too small to be an entree and they suggest this as more of an in between appetizer and your main entree dish. Again, they have entrees but those are expected to be paired with the sides listed below them. If not you will simply have an entree. I had the following: Montepulciano - wine Brigantaccio - cheese appetizer Hanger Steak - entree All were exceptional and were nice for a romantic dinner setting. Other patrons did not mess around. When I say that I mean they knew what they wanted and if they didn't get it that way they were not afraid to let the waitstaff know. Several people had things sent back to the kitchen for replacements. I'm not sure if this was due to quality, incorrect order, or simply very particular eaters. But the waitstaff was never offended and quickly replaced anything that the guests requested.
(5)Brian G.
I go to Balena whenever I am attending a show across the street at Steppenwolf. With so many options in the area it's hard to pick a place but about a year ago I settled on this being my regular pre-show spot. One of my favorite aspects of this place is how spacious it is. You never feel like other patrons are on top of you or listening in on your conversation. The food is top notch but their drinks and desserts are what really do it for me. If I lived just a little closer to this place I would make the bar in Balena my regular spot. When people think Italian they think about lots of dishes with hearty red sauces, lots of bread, and red wine (which they have all three of those!) but Balena offers an alternative to the standard Italian fare. My family is Italian and some of the dishes here remind me of some of the cooking I would enjoy my great grandmother making.
(4)Shan D.
Thought everything was just mediocre. The pizza was average. We sent back a pasta that the server really pushed us to get. They didn't charge us for it. Had a pistachio gelato type dessert that was decent. There's better Italian spots you should check out before coming here.
(3)Andrea H.
Went to Balena for a Friday night girls' night. The decor and overall atmosphere are nice. Balena definitely does good business, they were packed at 9pm and we waited about 20-30 minutes even with a reservation, the place is large, but loud too. I think it's slightly better for groups than say an intimate date night. The service was friendly and knowledgeable, with pretty good recommendations on the whole. We did wait a while for drinks to come though, and you could tell our server was pretty busy. On the plus side, they brought out a complementary piece of bruschetta to apologize for all the waiting. The food was delicious. I would honestly order everything I tried again. We stared with the Brussels sprout pizza, which sounds a little odd but is pretty amazing. All of the toppings meld together quite well, I'd definitely recommend it! The butternut squat bruschetta was great. I ordered the pork ragu, which was amazing!! The pasta was tender and the meat sauce flavorful. I also tried a bite of the lemon kale orriechette, with was fresh tasting with a light crunch. The portions were fair, though you definitely need an appetizer or other item with a pasta order, in my opinion.
(4)Maile N.
This was the 2nd stop on my conference trip for dinner, and it was quite memorable. Balena is a deceptively good-sized restaurant as it goes deep and has a couple floors of tables. We had a nice table by the window upstairs. The menu looked well-rounded and well, yummy. I wanted to try everything and I definitely wanted some meat. I started with buratta salad as anytime I see buratta on a menu lately, I must get it. Loved it! The buratta was smooth and creamy with fresh greens lightly dressed. They have a lovely wine list so I picked a nice Montepulciano to go with my meat. Before the meat, we got the housemade gnocchi - it was good. The hour-cooked costata (steak) was coming made for 2 people. It was lovely, full of taste and meat-o-plenty -- so plentiful that we split it as leftovers to be eaten for breakfast with rice (yum, the flavors came out even more!). And we had to get the tiramisu! This was seriously tasty, the flavors melded together so nicely and was well-orchestrated. Service was good, patient and had a sense of humor - all very much appreciated. I would totally recommend Balena! Taxis are reasonably easy to hail after diiner, thank goodness because we just wanted to roll home with our happy tummies.
(4)Teresa C.
Came here to celebrate 2 friends' birthdays! The Balena staff is incredible -- they left birthday cards on our table (they asked if we were celebrating or if there's a special occasion when we made the reservation). At the end of the meal, they also brought desserts with candles on them! I love love the feel of Balena. Very classy and sophisticated. Definitely a great place to bring a date! This is my second time at Balena. To be honest, my first time here wasn't very memorable. Last time, I had a pizza and pasta recommended by the waiter, but this time around I had the orechiette with kale, lemon, bread crumbs, chilli, and it was incredible. It was zesty from the lemon and the flavors from all the ingredients just blended so well together. My only complaint is that I wish got more for a $16 plate! Although we did make a reservation at 8:45, we didn't get seated until 9:45. The staff was apologetic and the kitchen took care of appetizers for us. They gave us burrata + asparagus. It was really fresh and delicious. For dessert, we got tiramisu and cherry pie. Both were good, but I would vote for the tiramisu if you're debating between these two options. I've heard great things about the donuts, and so it is definitely on my list of things to try next time I am at Balena.
(5)Cindy K.
There are many reasons to love Balena, always wonderful sophisticated menu with something for everyone, shareable, and wildly interesting. Every bite is a party in your mouth. The menu is easy to navigate with many salads, appetizers, pastas, entrees and sides. Love the simple yet delicious arugula salad; bitter greens with curry yogurt; grilled octopus; Alaskan Halibut. Terrific wine list and creative cocktails. The room is always abuzz. The design is urban sophisticate. But as much as the food is great, it is the superb service that keeps us coming back. They never miss a beat. This Chicagoan wants every traveller to Chicago to keep a spot on your hectic schedule to enjoy a dining experience at Balena. You'll be glad you did.
(5)Chaim L.
I consider decent - just good - Italian food such a low bar to hit...and they really don't make it here. One of us thought the pasta was really good - the pasta - not the sauces. The pizza was tough yet soggy...so that was impressive...and top that off with a decided lack of flavor. My fish was definitely overcooked...but I had to trade it with my partner who couldn't eat his spicy pasta dish because it was too spicy...which I like in general but it's rather a lazy approach to flavoring a dish. Won't go back - don't understand the buzz - had great service.
(2)Greg G.
This place is a a great italian style tapas with a really cool atmosphere, 3 different levels, very high ceilings, moon light windows, massive glass doors for the entry way, overall it just looks cool and feels "rustic". The server was great, and one of my favorite things were the unlimited crunchy bread sticks they provide when you sit there, they have a nice little kick to them too, something I've never had before. We got the Mozzarella and Spicy Pepperoni pizza, both were good, great crust on them too and I usually don't eat the crust of pizza.. Nothing too special about the pizza though, pretty standard stuff. We also got the Tagliolini Nero and Rigatoni Pork Ragu. Both pretty good too. I think the Nero was the better of the pastas. Had a nice spicy kick to it and a decent crunch that isn't too overwhelming. We also got the Tuscan Kale, that was okay, nothing to write about. I got the Vecchio No 7 cocktail. The first couple sips were great, a nice little orange twist to them. But slowly I started to realize it just tasted like cough medicine, kind of gross after 15 minutes... definitely do not recommend ordering this drink unless you like the taste of cough medicine. I'm giving Balena 4 stars because besides the atmosphere, nothing really stood out to me. Everything was a 4 star experience, none of the food was like WOW! Personally I feel like Sienna Tavern has better food and cocktails, but that's just me.
(4)Roxana B.
I dined during restaurant week, but skipped their pre-fix menu. We skipped first course and went for starters. I had Tuscan Kale Salad which was very good and I had to have the Spicy Sausage pizza. I enjoyed the pizza a lot finished the whole pizza! The onion might be too much but it did not bother me. Also had cocktails cannot remember the name of what we had. Dessert was a trio of gelato which was nice and ended with regualar coffee. Try it out nice place to dine!
(4)Valerie W.
Loved the food, great atmosphere and the service was top notch! I especially liked the " coat check" system for my food to take home, very well done Bolena team! We had a lovely date night and will be back for another!
(5)Ashley C.
It has been a while since I have been very impressed by a place with good food and top notch service. Balena really delivered. Balena had been on my radar but overlooked over the past year so I was excited when our dining companions booked a reservation at Balena. I loved the almost barn-like feel to the restaurant with the exposed beams and high ceiling. The restaurant was also much bigger than it looked. When we were seated, our waitress (and what appeared to be a trainee) were immediately there to take care of us. The wine book is extensive and almost overwhelming. While the guys had their pick and went with our waitress's suggestion of a better option, the girls told our waitress what we liked and she nailed it. We ordered the cured meat platter, a the burrata and a pizza to start. The meats were very good and there was one in particular I loved but now can't remember what it was. The burrata was also delicious and was quickly eaten up. We ordered what is their Margherita pizza which was tasty although I was expecting a thinner crust. Yet, we couldn't stop eating it. I ordered the squid ink tagliolini that came with crab and sea urchin. The pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente and had a nice texture to it. The crab in the dish was wonderful and the uni was good too (albeit there was not very much there). Note: The pasta dishes are sized to be smaller than your typical Italian places and alone would probably leave me wanting more, but I found with what else we ordered it was a perfect portion. I also took a bit of the flap steak and the duck fat potatoes and both were fantastic. To come clean, I ate my fair share of the potatoes - I couldn't put them down! Our dessert was an after dinner drink. The guys ordered manhattans each with a different vermouth. Our waitress even wrote down the type of vermouth recommended on a card for future reference. I was impressed. The strawberry No. 1 was nicely balanced and not too sweet. Our waitress also made us feel at home while ordering drinks and not once did she try to rush us out or move us to the bar. We even asked if we should vacate the table for the bar and she told us to stay as long as we wanted. Aside from the amazing food, service was superb. It has been a while where a place really blew me away with their service. Balena hit it out of the park! Everyone at Balena did their part - host, waitress and the other wait staff. For instance, the bathrooms are downstairs and my husband said that several staff members waited for and insisted that he come up the stairs first before them even though they were carrying plates. They had a great attention to detail from start to finish. They made dinner a great experience without any snootiness. We left Balena happy and eager to return.
(5)Katherine M.
Our server Patrick was excellent - unobtrusively attentive, fast, knowledgeable. They were very busy Sat 4/12 but the whole team was great... from the hostess who didn't look at us with horror when we arrived without a reservation at peak time and seated us with a smile, to the bus staff who would pass on any request & keep the table cleared the way it oughta be Food was excellent & they had us out to our show on time. Will DEFINITELY be back (this time with a reservation!) instead of trying either of the 2 Italian places near Steppenwolf that were also jammed, but couldn't even talk to us about getting seated.
(5)Mary T.
When four busy people get together, minor details like where we're going to eat, sometimes slip through the cracks. Fortunately, a few days before our double date, I popped onto Open Table and booked Balena as placeholder. Calling Balena a placeholder is an insult. It implies that it wasn't good enough to make our short list, but in reality, it just really wasn't on our radar (but should have been). WARNING: I'm going to wax poetic about our server all through this review. I really wish I caught her name because fantastic feels inadequate to describe her. I think the men at our table were crushing on her encyclopedic knowledge of wines, liquors and meats; I'd be lying if I said I wasn't too. When we were seated, we were handed menus and a large leather book full of wines. The guys took the book first and picked out a bottle for themselves. Me and my friend floundered. Our server expertly swooped in and suggested a better, yet comparably priced bottle of red for the men; so expertly, we put our selection completely in her hands, simply telling her what we did and didn't like in our white wine. At our server's suggestion, we ordered a few starters and a pizza. We ordered the burrata appetizer, meat plate and mozzarella, pomodoro and basil pizza. I can't speak for the meats, but the pizza and burrata appetizer were excellent. My only knock is that I wish the meatless pizza offerings were a little more interesting. For our mains, we were a matched set. The guys ordering the flap steak and the girls the tagliolini. The meat eaters also ordered a side of duck fat fingerling potatoes for the table. The squid ink tagliolini was fantastic. Delicate and well balanced, my only knock is that the portion of sea urchin was rather small; fortunately they didn't skimp on the crab. Since we were too full for dessert, we opted for an after dinner cocktail instead. I love that we weren't rushed to settle up and move to the already crowded bar. Instead, our server extraordinaire helped us choose our drinks. The girls again ordered the same drink, the Strawberry No. 1. While I usually loathe strawberries in any other form than the actual fruit, the drink was delicious. Sweet, but not cloyingly so, and refreshing. The guys went with Manhattans, again tapping into her encyclopedic knowledge to craft their drinks. The have quite the selection of vermouths. We left Balena how one should leave every restaurant - smiling and feeling like our dinner was worth every penny. If Balena isn't on your radar yet, put it on.
(5)Charles S.
This is a great choice in Old Town for a group of four, or even better six or more since they encourage the sharing of appetizers and entrees. Our group especially enjoyed the pasta, with the gnocchi out of this world, but we were able to share starters including Bruschetta and enjoy the seafood entrees. The ambiance is fun, and we were told that the building was once a candle factory before gentrification of the neighborhood many years ago.
(4)Annie Z.
I came here with my coworkers on our business trip and we all loved balena. It exceeded our expectations! We ordered one of the stakes to share and it was amazing. I got the squid ink pasta which I remember now was probably my least favorite part of the meal. It was lacking some flavor, the pastas that my friends got were better. If you come here, definitely get the tbone steak to share! Oh yes, we got their cocktails as well and i definitely liked them. =) They range from sweet to dry. There's one to match everyone's taste!
(4)Kerry C.
I came here for date night with my boyfriend on a Monday night. We had made reservations for 7, and we were glad we did because the restaurant filled up. Our waiter was Connor and he was wonderful: very attentive, thoroughly went over the menu with us first-timers, and he made great suggestions. We had the olives and the arugula salad to start. Both good, but the salad was probably the least favorite of everything we ate. We then had the gnocchi which was AMAZING. Seriously the best gnocchi I have ever eaten. My only complaint was that I wanted more! The two of us then shared the halibut entree and the fennel sausage pizza. Both were phenomenal. We were pretty full, so most of the pizza went home with us, but it reheated really well in the oven. Oh, and for drinks I had Strawberry No. 1, and my boyfriend had the No. 8, which had a really weird aftertaste, but he also had the whiskey drink that was a special which he loved. All in all we can't wait to go back. If we ever want a less elaborate meal, we'd love to go just for the pizza which was very reasonably priced.
(5)Alexandria T.
Just to note, I should have written this review months ago, so it is not as detailed as I should be. My boyfriend and I along with a couple of his friends made plans for dinner at Balena prior to ringing in the new year. We arrived right on time for our 10:30 reservation, but weren't seated for another half hour or so. I understand that it was a holiday, and they can't predict exactly when people will leave, but we weren't planning on spending the entire evening here, and that's exactly what happened because we weren't seated right away. This was the major con of Balena, but on any other night, wouldn't have been that big of a deal. The atmosphere of the place is really cool. They have super high ceilings and great decor/lighting that create a very nice, romantic ambiance. They offered a prix fixe menu for NYE, which is what we went with. Our server was not the greatest, and it still ended up taking a long time to place our order. He also tried to get us to order many other things off of the regular menu. Balena isn't a cheap place, and the food that came with the prix fixe menu was more than enough to leave us all very full, so I'm not sure why he was pushing other items so hard. We ended up ordering two bottles of wine, and also champagne for the new year's toast throughout the course of the evening. Both wines were very tasty and high quality. The food was all amazing. Everything I tasted was better than the last. My memory is not serving me well right now, but the starters are what really stood out. I had the salmon as my main and the cabbage that was served on top was out of this world. My salmon was a tad overcooked, but still very good. We were served our main entrees right before midnight. There was absolutely no fanfare of any type for the new year, which was pretty disappointing to me. Overall, I really liked the food at Balena and would definitely go back to celebrate something.
(4)Laurie S.
A friend and I had dinner at Balena last night before going to a show at Steppenwolf. It was the first time either of us were at Balena, and both the food and service were amazing. Our server and the other staff were very attentive and helpful. We enjoyed our experience and the ambiance so much that we ended up going back there for dessert after the show. I highly recommend Balena!
(5)Laura C.
I came here for a surprise dinner for a friend, and they were super accommodating for our group of 10. It definitely is a cool, beautiful space. I ordered a pizza, which was definitely too big for one person. I wish I had split that with someone else and had added on one more dish. The other dishes that our table ordered weren't very big at all. The server was surprised that "all" I was ordering was a pizza, even though again, it was too big to eat the whole thing. This place is a definite splurge spot... my friend's boyfriend is amazingly generous and picked up the whole tab so I don't know what our total was, but I think it was a FORTUNE!! Balena is a very cool spot... just come prepared to spend the big bucks! The cocktail prices weren't even listed!
(4)Janice M.
We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Balena. The service was fantastic - perfectly timed and not intrusive - and I think this is what sets this restaurant apart from others in the city. Atmopshere is delightful. Had a table along the wall - each of these tables has a wall sconce - which sheds just the right amount of light on the table. The restaurant is very dimly lit - but I liked this - and with the table light, it was perfectly cozy, even though the vaulted ceiling is extremely high. The menu is thoughtfully executed - very interesting flavor combinations. We all had something different: Appetizer: Fried sausage ($13) Kale Ceasar Salad ($12) Endive Salad ($12) Grilled Octopus ($17) Although the octopus was deliciously tender - It was quite expensive Entree: Duck ($26) Tagliolini w/ sea urchin ($19) Short Rib ($24) Rabbit cacciatore ($24) One side of fried potatoes Dessert: ($8 each) Chocolate Hazelnut Croccante Pear & Ginger Crostata (I had a bite of everything and I can personally vouch for the quality and flavors of each dish) Two glasses of Montepulciano and two beers. $240, excluding tip. One of the pricier meals we've had in a while. (I must agree with another diner who said that every item seems $3-$5 overpriced) However, we all agreed that when taking in the overall experience - atmosphere, service and food, it was well worth it. We highly recommend.
(5)Rachel M.
Finally getting around to writing a wayyy overdue review of Balena. I've eaten at Balena a number of times, but my favorite was my wedding. We rented out the entire restaurant for a relaxed, upscale wedding where the guests were really our focus. We wanted to serve delicious food and amazing cocktails in a gorgeous space and not have to worry about all the details you have to deal with when you pick a venue, then a caterer, then a bar, then a vendor for tables, chairs, napkins, etc. etc. etc. Balena was the perfect choice. Michelle Herndon, the event planner at Balena, is absolutely fantastic. Not only was she incredibly inventive and helpful during the planning process (which helped us have exactly the non-traditional wedding I'd dreamed of), but on the day of she was incredible. Beyond incredible. She was helpful and attentive without being in our faces, and worked as hard as our wedding coordinator to make sure all the details were taken care of. She handled our picky guests' particular requests, got people chairs, and really went above and beyond. We were so impressed. Having an event at Balena was over-the-top impressive, fun, and easy, and having a meal there is just the same. The service is fantastic, with engaging wait staff and detail-oriented bartenders, the food is amazing (try the lemon pasta if it's still on the menu, we loved it so much we had it at our wedding even though it's an unexpected pairing of flavors), and the restaurant itself is so gorgeous you'll want to rent out the whole place, too.
(5)Lily Z.
Boy and I came here last night after attending Zoo Lights in Lincoln Park. I must say, dinner was delicious. When the entire meal is delicious, it's the little things you notice that elevates the experience. We ordered smoked mackrel (innovative and loved the different textures), salmon (fresh and light but not as good as the mackrel), sea urchin pasta (delicious but Davanti Enoteca has a creamier dish) and the lamb chops (the very last piece was severely burnt on one side, but still had a strong flavor. I didn't like the beans but preferred to have a mash underneath like cauliflower puree). The service was friendly and never left a napkin unfolded when one of us left the table. Loved the L'Occitaine soap/lotion in the bathroom. Never felt rushed since we were one of the last tables to be seated. It's a bit pricey, but I think it worked quite well for a quiet Sunday night dinner. Well, aside from the customer who screeched like a monkey during dinner and brought the restaurant to a standstill.
(5)Jenny K.
I took my husband to Balena after an Elite Yelper suggested it as a top Italian Restaurant, and now I know why. The ambiance and decor is great, high vaulted wood beam ceilings, rustic yet chic. Our waitress was a delight, very helpful with the wine selection and took us through the menu. We decided no to pizza and wanted to focus on the homemade pastas. We ordered: 1. Burrata di Panna, Grilled Asparagus, Spring Onion Mustard Vinaigrette 2. Bavette Pomodoro 3. Rigatoni, Pork Ragu, Porcini Mushrooms. 4. Orechette, Kale, Lemon and Breadcrumbs Each dish was finished and almost licked clean. I have to say that the Pork Ragu was the highlight. One if not the best pasta dishes i've ever had. 100% rich delicious packed with Umami flavor. We wanted to order the Tiramisu but were so full. We'll make sure to come back for more.
(4)Sydney L.
My bf said it was the best Italian he's had! Perfectly cooked pasta, great cocktails, & the octopus was unreal! Adam was a wonderful waiter and we had an absolutely amazing dinner here. :)
(5)Mike N.
We had a Friday night 9pm reservation made weeks in advance via Yelp yet we were made to wait until 9:30 to be seated (not so good). The management compd an appetizer to make up for the wait (good). The wine selection was excellent, some of the best we've had. The pizza was unique and delicious (lox, cream cheese & capers). The level of ambient noise combined with the high ceiling and lack of sound absorbing elements resulted in a super high noise to conversation ratio. Management and staff were very friendly, attentive and appeared to enjoy working there.
(4)Laura L.
Lovely atmosphere and very good food. Nothing highly inventive, but what they do, they do well. Crowd is a mix of young & pretty, and older couples with good taste. For birthdays, they leave a staff-signed card for you and put a candle in dessert.
(5)Emma K.
I came to Balena with Liz K & a group of our girlfriends on a Monday night a couple of weeks ago. The interior of the restaurant is adorable and comfortable. We had a reservation, and were seated as soon as our whole party arrived. The 6 of us were seated at a table that could have easily fit 8 or 10, so between the large space and the overall noisiness of the restaurant, it was difficult to hear each other during the evening. My entree was delicious. So many items on the menu sounded amazing, but I finally went with the Paccheri pasta that comes with Lamb Pancetta, Smoked Potatoes, Fava Leaves, and Pecorino cheese. It was a perfect size, and absolutely yummy. Everyone at the table seemed to enjoy their meals. I think the minus one star is really for the service. It all started off great as our waiter was considerate by asking if we had any time constraints (the restaurant is right next to Steppenwolf Theater) and going over the menu with us. However, throughout the meal he was somewhat awkward and became pushy between strongly encouraging us to order both appetizers and desserts for the group. All things considered, I can't believe I didn't come here when I lived so close because the food is delicious. If you are in the area for a show or are just looking for a delicious modern Italian meal, definitely consider Balena!
(4)Anne S.
Went last night for the second time and I have to admit that everything was near perfect. The service is almost outstanding...the way service should be at every restaurant in Chicago - everyone is the right level of friendly. THE ONE BIG DRAWBACK (the thing that makes me feel like I was slightly ripped off) to our night was that two of our items were served cold (our short ribs and Brussels sprouts...our pasta had been served warm not hot but we ate it) We alerted our server and he asked us if we wanted to send them back (duh) and they served us fresh and hot replacements within about 10 minutes...the manager brought them and made the right amount of fuss. Between two of us we ordered 5 drinks, a desert, an entree, pasta and a side. When the bill came at $137 we expected to see a drink or the desert to be complimentary in lieu of our interruption but they didn't bother to comp us. It's a shame because they really do provide outstanding service and all they had to do to keep us feeling super happy about our evening was throw in a show of good faith.
(3)Christina X.
Food was not good! But I'll give it an extra star for the friendly service. We ordered skirt steak, halibut, pastas, and salmon app. The pastas were so salty I couldn't even finish mine. The halibut was dry. I thought the steak and salmon were just okay. They were nice enough to comp out drinks since we waited a long time to get seated for our reservation. The staff was also courteous and polite. But I wouldn't be back unless it's someone's bday.
(3)Paola S.
I give 5 stars for the most delicious pizza I've had so far. Went last night with our friends and ordered a pizza as an appetizer, we got the mushroom one. The waiter recommended the onion gratinato to go with the pizza... It was so amazing that we ended ordering more pizza. We also tried the chicken with peanut crema and the famous taglioni. We all loved the food, the ambience, the wine selection and the service.
(5)Angie F.
Seriously... This is as good as it gets! My buddy and I did a girls night out at Steppenwolf. Our goal was to simply walk across the street and grab a nightcap. The hostess was SO NICE as she showed us 3 tables before we said "Can we just sit over there?!" Then our waiter, LEWIS WILSON was so on point with the specials, etc. We had dinner. Then the manager, WILL CURLEY brought the food the table and explained some of the cooking techniques. The food is SO CRAZY GOOD, I can't stand it! With every bite, I'm trying to figure out who else I'm going to bring here to maintain my foodie street cred! I'm shamelessly namedropping because I'm going to be a regular! These guys were so personable in their respective roles, we might as well all be good friends on a first name basis. Chicago gets the restaurant thing RIGHT!
(5)Liz K.
Balena was the location of a recent Monday night dinner with a group of my girlfriends and I. I had quite the difficult time finding/picking a place that had a reservation available for 7 people, but Balena looked like it was reasonably priced and had a nice variety of Italian dishes. The space itself is decently big, but the high ceilings and dark walls make it feel a bit sophisticated and cavernous. There ended up only being 6 of us, but they sat us at a large table in what seemed to be a semi-private dining area...the table was so large that I felt like it swallowed us. They had originally asked me if a high-top table was ok, but that definitely wasn't what we ended up with. The setup was a little strange and those of us who were seated closest to the rest of the restaurant had a harder time hearing. Our server was one of the nicest, most polite people I have ever met, and I was practically in love with him, until he started trying to push us to order more. When we didn't order any appetizers, he mentioned that some of our dishes would take 25-30 minutes to come out, so he would recommend getting something to tide us over. When he said it again, he said 20-25 minutes. I mean, isn't that a normal amount of time? When the guilt set in, we ended up ordering olives for the table - which were good - but I think we would have been fine. They also bring a little bread snack to the table - quite different than a fluffy loaf you may be accustomed to at other Italian restaurants, but creative and well-flavored nonetheless. My dinner was the pork rigatoni which was well-portioned and flavorful. For some reason, I was imagining pork sausage and it turned out to be regular bite-sized pieces. It was still fine but didn't blow me away. Everyone did seem happy with their dishes but we weren't raving about the food. We got a similar sell with the dessert menu, but at least the waiter didn't push us when we said we weren't interested. For six dinners and drinks, it came out to about $40/person with tip. Not a bad price, but with a couple of the service faux pas and a just-ok meal, I can't give it a full four stars.
(3)William K.
Some girl from Boston (snort) told me that this was her NEW favorite restaurant in Chicago. So, we went. Everything was very good: ambiance, food, and service. The place is beautiful. We had the black pasta, rigatoni and potatoes side. Yum! Our waiter was extra nice. And their extra brown-sugar-y tiramisu was a great ending. Balena is 4+ stars. yow, bill
(4)Kelly R.
Absolutely loved our dinner at Balena -- so this is an easy 5 stars to award. Everything from the food to the setting to the service was top-notch. And to top it off, the space is big and versatile enough to work for a romantic date night... or a boozy group dinner. This visit fell into the latter camp. Our table of 7 was a hungry and thirsty bunch, and we ordered virtually everything to share. The mortadella and brussels sprouts pizzas were a delicious way to start... followed by the burrata (melt in your mouth dairy extravaganza) and arugula salad (basic but good). And oh, the pastas! We followed with the rigatoni, gnocci, and I *think* it was the orechiette (all perfectly sauced and with just the right amount of al dente bite). For the main, we shared a massive 63 ounce steak (cooked too medium for my taste, but not everyone at the table shares in my love of just-a-little-bloody meat, so that's okay, I guess). The dessert was good but by that point I was already in a food coma (and possibly a few glasses of chianti deep...) and I can't remember what it was. Decor is dim but warmly lit, "rustic chic" - very trendy. Definitely go, and order everything. NOM.
(5)Vrati D.
Happy 1 year anniversary to us!! Our meal was fantastic and we were greeted with a card signed by the staff!! We were a little weary coming being vegetarians but there was delicious options! Drinks: strawberry no1 was light and refreshing! I usually don't like sweet drinks but I really enjoyed this one. The amber ale was also good. We started with the arugula salad (kind of blah) and the burrata appetizer (amazingly DELISH!). The sweet onion gratinato was not good, contrary to what the server said. It was a small dish of heavy cream and onions with burned onions on top. I would not recommend this to anyone. The pastas are small and meant as appetizers. We had the orecchiette which was, by FAR, the best dish we had! It was lemony with a great crunch from the bread crumbs. We also had the hen egg tajarin which I really didn't like. It was sweet and tasted too much like egg. The after taste was awful. The mushroom pizza was also very very good. The thyme made it very different than other mushroom pizzas I've had. It came with a great chili oil I drizzle or dip the crust in. As for the sweet ending, I took the advice of some of the reviewer and ordered the chocolate and hazelnut croccante. It was good, not the best dessert I've had. The base of the chocolate piece was a little too salty and the marmalade was a little strange. The chocolate gelato and the rice crispies were great! Overall a great experience!
(4)Maria L.
Balena, I like you. Aside from the gorgeous environment, the food was approachable yet inventive Italian. Great cocktails to boot as well. We tried a variety of items but what I am still thinking about is the orecchiette with kale, omggg ::angels singing::. I don't ever want to know how much butter they use in this dish but damn it was GOOD.
(4)John And Marcella B.
Highly recommend starting with the Vermouth and then move to a bottle of wine. The staff will help you select the perfect wine to pair with your entrees. The arugula salad is wonderful, smoked mackerel, and burrata are perfect starters! The orecchiete pasta dish is my go to every time! The pizza is also fantastic! You can't go wrong with this place!
(5)Lauren F.
As soon as we walked into Balena I was blown away. The high ceilings, exposed wood beams, the lighting, the bar...they've really made great use of this beautiful space! After getting started with a bottle of wine we poured over the menu and tried to narrow down our selections to a (somewhat) reasonable amount of food. Our server gave us some great descriptions of the dishes and suggestions so we were pretty confident that anything we ordered would be a winner. Balena offers a variety of smaller plates that are perfect for sharing. We found that a group of 4 was the perfect number to try a good amount of dishes, have a satisfying portion of each, and not be so full that you need to be rolled out. Our first dishes were the Burrata and the Lamb Liver Bruschetta. Many of Balena's dishes change seasonally so depending on when you go you'll find different variations of these dishes on each visit. The Burrata dish was served with marinated beans and I'll be completely honest-I could care less about those beans with their creamy, perfect burrata waiting for me! If you're a fan of burrata or ricotta or any other creamy cheese that you can spread on warm toast, you need to order this dish! The bruschetta was also a very nice surprise-the lamb was chopped rather than blended into a paste like a pâté or a mousse and I really enjoyed the texture. After the starters came the Brussels Sprout pizza. This is another one of their seasonal menu items that had just popped back on their menu that week and I was so excited to get a chance to try it. Brussels sprout lover or not, you will love this pizza, especially with their spicy chili oil drizzled on top! If you're truly opposed to the brussels then I still recommend you try any of their tasty pizzas-their thin, wood fired crust is a hard one to beat! Next up were the pastas and I have to say that these were the hardest to choose because they all sounded amazing. We ended up ordering 4 of their 7 pastas so I suppose we didn't try too hard! The squid ink pasta with crab and sea urchin was the first to arrive along with the very popular orecchiette with kale and lemon. We each were able to try a tiny piece of the sea urchin, the crab was plentiful and the squid ink pasta very tasty. It was very easy to see why the orecchiette is one Balena's most beloved dishes-the bright lemon flavor was something we had never experienced in a pasta and all I know is that I wanted more! The second two pasta dishes to arrive were the Canestri with Pork Ragu and the Truffle Ravioli. When we initially gave our order to our server he didn't order the pork ragu, but he informed us it was his favorite pasta and he would take care of us. We were all very happy he intervened because we all agreed that it was our favorite as well! The sauce was just so tasty, the pasta was cooked perfectly, and the light dusting of cheese on top brought it all together. The ravioli was another winner-mainly due to the generous portion of black truffle shaved on top. Our final course was one of their dishes from the grill/oven/rotisserie portion of the menu-the Gunthorp Farms Chicken Thighs. You didn't think we were stopping at pasta, did you?! To our surprise (and my extreme delight) they also sent us two sides to try along with the chicken-the polenta and the onion gratin. The chicken was done very well-a slight crisp to the skin, perfectly subtle seasoning, and juicy thigh meat underneath. Both sides were a hit as well...when something is topped with melty cheese it's really hard to go wrong! We reached our limit with the last few dishes so sadly their was no room for dessert on this visit, but I can assure you that I will be back for more! When you combine the food, wine, and atmosphere this was definitely more of an experience than just a simple dinner out on a Friday night. If you haven't been, here's another great Chicago restaurant to add to your list!
(5)Kelly M.
I have used Yelp for many years but have never written a review. Last nights dinner at Balena has me YELPING with excitement. First of all, we arrived earlier than our reservation and we're still seated immediately upstairs at a perfect window table. The service was impeccable. They know their drinks and food! We were steered in a direction I am glad went. We started with the smoked mackerel. I do not eat fish but this was soooo good. The way they paired it with a poached egg and very fine, toasted bread crumbs was perfect. Next came the star of the show the spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. WOW WOW WOW. The best pasta I have ever eaten. We have already decided to go there again tonight as we are visiting from MN. We also ordered a sausage pizza. I went in wanting the lasagna pizza based on Yelp reviews but it is seasonal. No matter....their pizza is also amazing! I also wanted the donuts I saw on Yelp but they did not have those so we skipped dessert. We love coming to Chicago and I can tell you, this is now our favorite restaurant. Don't miss a chance to go there.
(5)Brett E.
Just finished a great meal here with a group of coworkers. We took full advantage of the menu and shareable plates and some of their vermouth and bitters based cocktails. My favorites of the evening were the duck liver bruschetta, squid ink pasta, and mortadella pizza. And you can get a small sample of all their drinks before dedicating yourself to one. The atmosphere was very trendy and relaxed, overall it was a great meal. My only falter was that service was very spotty and hard to get ahold of a waiter.
(4)Wayne H.
Had a wonderful date night at Balena. I cannot commend this place enough for their customer service. They go out of their way to make sure you have a special evening while dining there. Our server was excellent and made really good recommendations. We ordered a particular bottle of wine that they didn't have in stock and the sommelier came by and suggested a similar bottle of wine. We started with the Kale Caesar salad which was really good. Then we shared the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe which tasted like a grown-up's buttered noodles. It was okay, but I think I'll try a different pasta next visit. My girlfriend had the whole grilled branzino and the middle portion was de-boned which made it much easier to eat and enjoy. I hand the hanger steak which was also really good. The best course was our dessert, the chocolate and hazelnut crocannte. We don't usually get dessert, but I am glad we did this time. It was delicious! The best part of the night was seeing Derrik Rose dining two tables away. From the look of it, he was really enjoying his meal as well.
(5)Joanne N.
I really love the atmosphere here. We had a really great time and the service was definitely great. The hanger steak was unreal and I would order it again in a heartbeat. We also sat at the chef's table which was pretty cool. However, I don't love how small the portions are. Maybe I'm alone here, but if I'm going out for Italian, I'd like to feel full. If you don't mind really small portions, then I think this place is a good option for you.
(4)Tadd T.
The servers sure get a workout here, as the kitchen sits a small flight of stairs up from the main dining room. The bf and I got seated in a second room adjacent to the kitchen; though the chairs were very comfortable, I felt cramped, as the tables were only about a foot apart. Because of this and the high decibel level on a busy Sunday evening, I would consider Balena more of a fun and lively place than a romantic restaurant suited for private conversation. We started with a bruschetta topped with pillowy ricotta (a joyfully far cry from that gritty, part-skim junk from a tub), sweet, little jewels of butternut squash, and fried sage leaves. Next came Sardinian gnocchi -- a sturdier semolina version, not the typical potato kind -- swathed in a flavorful sauce of braised chicken, escarole and preserved lemon, and squid ink tagliolini with tender lump crab and briny sea urchin. Unfortunately, the tagliolini were marred by a handful of mint leaves that gave the dish a strangely herbal flavor. We did love the impeccable salmon with super-crispy skin, sitting atop sorghum grits and a simple watercress salad. Our meal ended on a high note with the Kit-Kat-like chocolate and hazelnut croccante, a kind of hazelnut brittle topped with a velvety chocolate semifreddo and caramelized Rice Krispies. Ethan, our server, was friendly and professional, but we did wait five minutes for our wine and had already finished most of the entrée before it arrived. The runners briefly described each dish as it came out, like in upscale restaurants and which is helpful for the many people who forget what they ordered (I'll never understand how anyone does that). My main gripe would be the price-to-portion size ratio; everything seems $3-$5 overpriced. For $9, I wanted more than one bruschetta. I understand that the pastas are "sized as a mid-course," but $19 for eight bites of pasta is a little steep. The same goes for $26 for roughly five ounces of salmon. I'd be more forgiving if this were all had in a more elegant setting. Even though I want to knock off a star, this IS Chicago, so paying more than you should is the norm.
(4)Erin P.
Mocktail Report: While I found the mocktail I ordered at Balena to be a bit underwhelming and over priced they have other very remediable nonalcoholic options! They have amazing imported Italian soda (lemon, chinotto and ginger) which are served in beautiful stem and glassware. No need to feel less then with a plain old water glass; these sodas some in flutes or rocks glasses and are served with twists or garnish!
(5)Aaron S.
Quite possibly one of Chicago's top restaurants! This place is certainly happening on a friday night, we had a 9pm reservation which got pushed back to 9:45, however they offered us a round of drinks so we weren't complaining. We finally got seated and was basically in heaven for the next 2 hours. Our server Mary Lee was hilarious and had great recommendations. The Pasta and chicken dishes were phenomenal, as well as the array of drinks they have on hand. They also have a room downstairs for private parties which looked ridiculously cute. Come by Balena and you will truly have an incredible dinner.
(5)Jamie B.
The food didn't wow me on our last visit. The cocktails here are great, love the selection of amaro. Pizza was the best thing we had, which was wonderful. I think on future visits we will stick with the bar and pizza.
(3)Arthur G.
Easily can say this is one of the greatest ITALIAN restaurants I've ever been to. Simply put their food and service is something to brag about. Everything our table ordered tasted unique and bursting with flavors. Their dishes are mastered by some skillful experts and their recipes are made by someone who has a true gift for culinary art. The portions aren't huge like in many Italian restaurants, so if you're looking for quantity then this is not the place because it's unlikely you will pig out at balena - but in my book I thought their dishes were perfectly sized ( between me and my wife we ordered one pasta dish *gnocchi* one main dish *salmon* and one side dish *Brussel sprouts* we were thoroughly satisfied after eating everything . Each dish had its own uniqueness and was out of this world. Never tasted anything like this before. Their service also deserves something to brag about as well - every time a dish was brought out and we finished it and there was a brief pause before the next thing we ordered the servers would approach our table within seconds and clear off entirely everything. All silverware whether dirty or not was taken and replaced with new clean ones. I salute this concept. It was very nice and refreshing to see this type of service at a place where the meal cost us 80$ for both of us and that included two glasses of wine. And desert.
(5)Ashley B.
A fantastic birthday dinner. Perfect for sharing plates, drinks and company. This place goes above and beyond to make their customers feel special. We began the night with drinks at the bar as our table was set. The cocktails were amazing. I had the Strawberry no 1, which was quite strong but definitely did not taste it! So tasty and highly recommended. Once they sat us, there was a birthday card at the table, hand signed by the staff. I have to say, I have not once encountered a restaurant that has ever done this, and it is such a great idea. Our servers name was on it too, which made it feel even more real and personal. I wanted a sharing plates restaurant as I always get order envy. Balena was perfect for it and our server, Conner, was very helpful in making sure we ordered the right amount of food for our table. We enjoyed the Burrata di Panna, Grilled Octopus, and Smoked Mackerel for starters. All were amazing, but the Mackerel definitely stole the show. Highly recommended. The pizza came out at the same time and we were advised to leave some of the pizza for leftovers so as to have room for the rest of the plates. That was certainly hard, but definitely a great piece of advice! The pizza was wood fired and served with chili oil, which they give you in the to-go box. When they took the pizza to be wrapped up, we were handed a ticket for our takeaway order which we picked up at the door upon leaving- such a neat idea! For the pasta we shared the Hen Egg Tajarin, which was to die for and such a rich, good pasta. Finally we shared the Braised Short Rib, which was perfectly cooked and tender, and the Cod. Every moment of this meal was perfect, and I cannot recommend this place more, especially for the experience and for special evenings. Not to mention, they deliver via grubhub, including their wine! Go here!
(5)Kori E.
We came here for a girls dinner Saturday night and really enjoyed ourselves. They do Italian dishes really WELL - so stick with those. We started off with the Kale salad, and it left a lot to be desired. The salad needed something, although the croutons were pretty good. Next up, we had a pasta with lamb and pumpkin seeds and this was SO good! Probably my top dish of the evening. There is nothing better than handmade pasta and this dish delivered. We each decided to order our own mains and those kinda fell short. I had the Grilled Prawns and they were OK - had a nice grilled flavor to them. My friend had the Steak dish and I honestly thought it was cold, but had pretty good flavor and our other friend had that fish - she really liked hers. We had spied a brussel sprout pizza at the table next to ours and decided - why not! This pizza was AMAZING! I am so glad we decided to order it. The crust was probably the best crust I've had in a while and the toppings were excellent!! I would recommend sticking to either the pasta's or the pizza as both were delicious! I would definitely come back for either of those two. The atmosphere is fun/hip as well!
(4)Nancy Z.
The space is beautiful. High ceiling, wooden beams. The food was really reasonably priced as well for being a trendy place. I loved their kale and sardine salad. The kales were tender, light and delicious. Their tagliolini nero with crab and sea urchin was good, but I was disappointed the sea urchin was only a one small piece, and the dish was a bit too dry. At least the pasta was well cooked, al dente. Overall, given the surprisingly affordable price, the food quality was great. Servers were friendly and with the great ambiance, I give this place a thumb up!
(4)Lindsay G.
This place gets 5 stars for food, service, and management. Food was delicious - 100% recommend the smoked mackerel and aoli sauce. Totally unexpected delicious combination. Our server was extremely knowledgeable and made fantastic recommendations. And lastly - the management staff was fantastic. At one point my date ordered the rigatoni with pork. I didn't eat any of it bc I'm a vegetarian. We had already ordered and we're waiting on a pizza to split. The manager came over to make sure we were ok bc she noticed I wasn't eating. Then - there was a mix up with the pizza (100% completely our fault, we ordered the wrong one) and the manager sent out a complimentary appetizer of their olives - which were also delicious. Definitely go to this place!
(5)S C.
A gorgeous space and perfect after a show at Steppenwolf Theatre. The service is A plus, from waiter to busboy. Great recommendations, and attentive at all times. We started with the Burrata appetizer. We ordered the Fennel Sausage pizza, it came out fast. They do let you know pizzas come out at any time after you order one. There was a nice long space, before getting the pasta course. I had the Orrechetti with Lemon and Kale. It was the star of my meal. We ended with a Blueberry crostata and Vanilla Gelato, divine!! Great meal, nice wine list as well.
(3)Sara M.
I decided to take my fiancé to dinner for his birthday at Balena after seeing that it had a pretty good rating on yelp. We had a reservation and were seated right away. The restaurant is beautiful and has a fun vibe. We ordered some cocktails (the strawberry cocktail was delicious) and were at first very impressed with how friendly and knowledgable out waiter was. We ordered a starter, pasta, main dish and pizza. The food was delicious and very flavorful, however, our server seemed to disappear after we ordered our food. He never asked us how our food was and didn't ask if we wanted another cocktail (after my fiances drink was empty for over 20 minutes). We waited about 30 minutes for our pizza to be cleared from the table and then had to ask 3 times to get our check. We would have stayed longer if we our waiter would have come back to ask us about dessert and drinks, however that was not the case. We both left feeling very disappointed about our experience. Although the food was great, our server was so bad that neither of us would go back.
(2)Ayla E.
This place has great food and a great atmosphere. My boyfriend and I went on a date night here and really enjoyed the food. We also each had a few glasses of wine, and they have a great selection to choose from. I would highly recommend getting a dessert here because they all looked amazing!
(5)Melissa G.
Ok so I don't ever just stop in a place for desert but today was an exception. We ended up after a Steppenwolf show getting out early, we came here to grab an after dinner desert. My husband and good friend ordered the three scoops of Gelato that came with a pistachio, salted caramel and chocolate trio that was fantastic. The staff was wonderful and treated us as if we were getting a three to four-course meal. Can't wait to return!
(5)Simon H.
I wish I could leave 1/2 a star just because we actually got served food. Where to start! Some highlights: -steak was inedible, sent back and still inedible -we were served our bottle of wine 20 mins after ordering it -no adjustment made on bill for steak, like ZERO! -the waiter actually told us that he a chilled shot of tequlia was not possible and could only be served neat. With all the great reviews, I am at a loss for words. This was truly one of the poorest meals with some the poorest service I have ever experienced. I don't like to leave bad reviews, but this place truly deserves it. Horrible!
(1)Cheryl I.
I just had Balena for the first time two nights ago, and it was pretty tasty. I ironically discovered it via grubhub for having high reviews. Judging by the other yelpers notes it seems as if it would be better to dine in. My bf and I ordered the baked polenta and the Pork Ragu Rigatoni. The polenta was deliciously creamy and well seasoned. The pork Ragu was good but not as flavorful as I thought it'd be. The rigatoni noodle itself was in my opinion better than the sauce. If those noodles are made in house then well done! They we're thick and had a very nice texture. I would try this again but maybe dining in, the portions we're very small for delivery! I was honestly surprised how much noodles I got for almost $20. Also, for a grubhub order it came pretty fast and our delivery guy was friendly. All in all a good experience, but maybe not for the delivery value.
(3)Elina S.
Balena, I am a fan! I've been waiting to come here for a while now so we finally made it for Valentine's Day weekend with another couple. The place is so cute when you walk in, it definitely has that trendy vibe, yet at the same time if you get a table towards the other room (not where the main light fixtures are) it's definitely a little more intimate and romantic in that area. But honestly, who needs romance when you have the best kinds of carbs? Anyway, we had a 7:30pm reservation and we were seated on time which is always a plus. We got a quieter table in the back which was great because we could easily speak and have great convos over pizza and wine. The place gets a star for great ambiance, it made me feel calm and at ease which is always great. Then we met our server who was terrific, he gave us great ideas for that night and we loved his enthusiasm, so Balena gets another star for great service. He literally was on top of everything all night and if it wasn't for him, I would have never gotten the opportunity to try the best pizza ever. (see photo). Now onto the good stuff, the important stuff that is, the food. When we placed our order, our server brought us complimentary bread which was a to die for sourdough, that literally killed a little bit of my appetite but it was amazing and right out of the oven so how could we not. Anyway, for an appetizer, we got the mortadella pizza, which I didn't see on the current Balena menu online, so maybe it's new, but forget ALL the other pizzas and get this one, in fact it should be the special for every single night of the year, I'm literally in love, see I told you that you could fall in love with the right kind of carbs. The pizza was amazing, crisp mortadella, an amazing kind of cheese, can't remember the name, a pesto sauce with some kind of crunch, literally there was nothing else like it. I had two pieces which is not what I was planning on since I already stuffed my face with bread and pasta and dessert were not even on the table. But it was THAT good, so please do yourself a favor and order it. For my entree I got the much talked about pork ragu pasta and it had pieces of mushrooms and melt in your mouth pork (which never happens) and a very hearty sauce, definitely a great pasta to get. But it didn't rival that pizza I must say. My husband got the special salmon on the menu and he thought it was okay, nothing out of this world, but then again, when is simple salmon out of this world? I'd get the hanger steak instead. Now, the prices aren't cheap here, so definitely come for a special occasion or just order that pizza because it's the best thing on the menu. But how could I not try the dessert, I mean I always, always get dessert. This is the time we didn't ask our server for advice and went with the special the chocolate polenta tart with ice cream on the side. I hate to say it but it wasn't good, didn't like it at all. My friends also didn't care for their tiramisu so the desserts is where this place loses a star, unless we missed something, maybe I should have asked our fantastic server. Overall, great atmosphere, amazing service, best pizza ever, and other tasty items as well. Definitely a great place for an anniversary dinner or just an evening with your friends.
(4)Manish P.
Great food. . Lively environment . Had the gnocchi and it was amazing . Spaghetti caccio de pepe was awesome too . Only drawback Is the beer selection was fairly limited . Best taramisu I ever had!
(4)Stephanie H.
A few friends took me here for an early birthday dinner last night, and everything was amazing! One other person and I arrived a little early, I ordered the Stawberry No1 while I waited. I like semi-sweet drinks so this one was perfect. They also have delicious crunchy breadsticks to munch on at the bar and dining tables to tide you over. For dinner, we started out with the arugala salad with pine nuts and dante cheese. It was definitely a very simple salad but tasty. For the entree, we all split the fennel sausage, red onion, tomato, mozzarella, and chili flake pizza which was also very good. We then split three pastas: the orechiette, rigatoni, and spaghetti. All three were delicious. I love that almost everything is made in house. You can definitely tell. The food runners and our server were also great. Overall, an excellent experience!
(5)Cait C.
All around fantastic experience, every time. The decor inside is very chic and rustic. My top picks every time I go are: Tagliolini Nero (must have), Gnocchi, Burrattadi Parma, and the Baby Beets Bruschetta. The last time I went (two weeks ago) they had a delicious strawberry cocktail. Worth trying! I'll definitely be back again and again!
(5)Paul N.
Great ambiance, great food, great service, great experience. Had a fun evening.
(5)Kevin Y.
I went to Balena on a Tuesday night and made a reservation for two at 8:30PM. We arrived on time and it took them literally 20 mins to seat us. It wasn't busy and there were open seats everywhere. I have no idea why it would take us so long. At this point, I'm already hungry and frustrated. When we FINALLY sat down, we were lucky enough to be seated in the center next to the water and kitchenware (more explanation on this later) that served to be crucial. Everything was going great (aside from taking 20 mins to seat us) until the server comes up to us and asks, "Do you want more pretzel sticks?" Me: "No thanks, we're okay" After we told her this, she immediately took the rest of the pretzel sticks (still had about half left) and removed it from our table. Uh...we didn't say to take it off our table, we just said we didn't want more, WTf? We didn't see her for 15 mins after this. Our food came out, we were happily eating, but she was no where to be found. We needed more water and clean plates...but where the f*ck was our server? Luckily we were seated in the middle next to all the utensils and water pitchers, so I decided to serve ourselves... The barbacks did a great job being attentive to our needs, so this poises the question of: "What in the f*cking world is the server's job? Why the hell does she deserve 20% tip when the barbacks are doing all the work?" Server name was Rachel. I ended up giving her 20% but kindly left her a note saying her service sucked. Part of dining out involves having a great experience, and I left being disappointed by their service. Will not be coming back... Oh yeah, the food was pretty good, not mind blowing. Don't waste your money here.
(2)Zena B.
When the waitress described the lemon sauce in the pasta we were about to order as "mostly butter" I normally would have said "No thank you. I'm on good terms with my arteries and they aren't big butter fans." Thank goodness I had already enjoyed a delicious, spicy cocktail at Balena and was a little tipsy. Alcohol + me = ready to indullllgggee. Plus, the hubby and I were celebrating our 1 year anniversary and what sort of celebration is it without butter? Well, the pasta was UNREAL good. It was perfectly al dente topped with just the most lovely lemon butter sauce. We started with the burrata which of course was fantastic, as always. We followed with the mushroom pizza- nice but not a show stopper. But the pasta, WOW! The cocktails were also perfect - strong, craft cocktails worthy of the best bars in Chicago. The ambiance was a lively rustic, chick and the service was spot-on. Overall great experience - I highly recommend making a trip to Balena. Leave your diet at the door.
(4)Ted K.
Went here before seeing a show at Second City. Liked the decor, trendy in a good way. All of the pasta dishes were phenomenal particularly the tagliolini with crab, sea urchin and chili. The smoked mackeral and lamb and pork sausage appetizers were great. The pizzas were good as well but not as special as the pastas. of the cocktails I enjoyed the Mirto number 2 and the strawberry number 1. Save room for dessert. Both the tiramisu and the affogato were delicious. Service was courteous but efficient as we had no trouble getting to our show on time
(5)erin s.
Love this place...the new decor/redesign is fantastic and the food and cocktails are equally amazing. Neighborhood fave of mine!
(4)Natasha C.
The food here is delicious but what really sets this place apart is the service (hence the 5 stars). The waiters are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. They check in on you throughout the meal (not just once) and can give recommendations/their thoughts on everything on the menu. They also go above and beyond, which I don't see often. When the kitchen accidentally forgot to hold the onions on our pizza, our server brought us a complimentary gelati. Another time, when our leftover pizza mysteriously disappeared, the host(?) manager(?) was kind enough to offer us a gift certificate for our trouble or replace the pizza. Food is closer to 4.5 for me. Great, but not necessarily a wow/I've-never-had-this-in-my-mouth-before reaction. Pasta is cooked to perfection (the Pasta Nero is my favourite). Pizza is very good, though, I do prefer a slightly thinner crust. The flavours are unique and well-developed and the crust is very good (crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside - in a good way). The gelatis are amazing. I'm a big fan of texture in my food and I love how they manage to have play to that by adding a slight crunch with crumbles. All the courses work really well for sharing. Definitely get a drink - Mirto anyone?
(5)Melissa K.
One of the most amazing food experiences! We had fantastic service and incredible food! Our table ordered pizza, rigatoni, and quail and we were all raving! The dessert was top notch as well. An overall great find
(5)Adam E.
Eh-it was okay. Here is what I feel happened: We went during Restaurant Week and the staff there doesn't seem to enjoy this time because it's not their usual crowd. Wait-isn't that the point? I feel like they should take good care of us and make us want to come back rather than try to get us in and out. The food was good but not too memorable. A lot of dishes we had seemed like we could have made them at home. Plated very nicely and seasoned well but nothing too crazy. Flipside: The cocktails were great! The atmosphere was nice but I will say the bathroom situation is awkward. 2 reasons: 1. It is hidden (1 door unmarked) and 2. The Dyson hand dryer is totally out of place for a rustic classy style set-up (suggestion: fancy napkin/towels). Overall, prices seemed fair and we had a decent experience. I was full when I left but had to lick each plate clean (including the desert). Will I go back? Yeah-but we'd prob just get a pizza to share ($15 average), a few drinks ($11 per cocktail), and call it a night. Also, don't go on a night when the theatre is showing something because they seem to treat all people like they have a show to catch even of you want to just relax. Our server was nice but the food runners were how we learned about the dishes.
(3)Jennifer P.
I absolutely loved this place. First of all, the decor is fabulous!! It's in a great rustic space. Their cocktails are also great and they have a great variety. We had great and attentive service which makes the place even better! For starters we ordered the cured meat which I am still thinking about today. It included a meat that had juniper and blueberries in it which was delicious! We also ordered the Tuscan Kale salad that was an excellent twist on a traditional Caesar salad. For pizza we ordered the Mortadella and Pistachio Pizza which was devine. The crust was so chewy and scrumptious. Two pastas we ate included the Pork Ragu Rigatoni and the Orchiette. Both were excellent and great contrasts for each other. The pork ragu was savory and the orchiette had a delicious burst of lemon and brightness. Definitely check this place out.
(4)Stephen S.
Balena has quite a varied menu, I came for the pizza but found this the weakest part of the food offerings with Peter's bread basket and the sweet onion gratinato as the true winners of the meal. The variety and creativity displayed by Peter's Bread showcases the best this restaurant has to offer. Complex carrot multigrain, indulgent chocolate cherry sourdough, savory and delicious sage and lavender and the surprising anise flavored breadsticks. The wine menu is an exploration of Italian varietals and although I don't know much about Italian wines (and I don't think I'm in the minority of this) the descriptions and staff was very helpful at finding a good choice. The composed sundae was delicious and a perfect size to be indulgent yet reasonable. The service, however, offered too many missteps, poor pacing, checking in on the table immediately after things were delivered (no chance to try), failing to leave something off a dish we requested and then offering to box up our left overs but never bringing them back to the table.
(3)Rebecca W.
After waiting way too long at Barn & Company, the hubby, sis-in-law, our 13 month old and I were looking for a place to eat. At 6:30pm. On a Saturday. In Lincoln Park. Impossible?! Never! Anticipating a long wait at Balena (I mean, it only JUST opened) we called ahead to see if we could do it. Not only did they not have a wait but, when we asked how "kid-friendly" they are the lady on the phone replied with a very exuberant "Oh, we are ABSOLUTELY baby-friendly!" Sold! We arrived to the very pleasant and welcoming hosts who immediately went about getting us a table, all the while smiling and making faces at our son. At a place like Balena (beautiful, new and relatively upscale), a place where one would expect children to be frowned upon, we were made to feel incredibly welcome. Already at 5 stars. Our server was delightful, and was very happy to help us navigate the wine list. We told her what we liked and she suggested a delicious (and reasonably priced) alternative. We ordered polenta for the little one and it came out in a flash -- which is a big deal when you're trying to keep an active toddler happy so as to not disturb the other guests. We ordered the lasagna pizza, the chicken thighs and the Tajarin pasta. All were delicious, the chicken thighs especially so. For an individual size, the pizza was large and a great value. The pasta and the chicken thighs were both reasonably (read: a proper serving) sized, and filled us up but not to the point of bursting. We finished with the tiramisu -- if you get it, be sure to eat the espresso poached pear! It looks a little intimidating (a miniature black pear on my plate? weird), but it was fantastic with the creamy tiramisu. To top off the already fantastic meal, the manager came over, crouched down and chatted with the little one. Totally not expected and very nice of him to take the time out to check in with us. Balena gets 5 stars for service and 5 stars for the food. A truly delicious meal!
(5)Kaybee K.
came here for an anniversary dinner: when we were seated at our table, there was a card signed by the entire staff. it set a great mood for dinner. the service was just impeccable. and the food? we had peter's bread [i love bread], the burrata which was melt in your mouth, the tagliolini pasta that disappeared as soon as it was in front of us and the mixed pork wasn't anywhere near as scary as i worried it might be. [i'm not a huge carnivore, but my manfriend is]. cocktails were good, but not as delicious as our wine. simply put, it was a dreamy evening.
(5)Christine G.
I wish I could give a 3.5. In all fairness, this review is based on a Restaurant Week experience and not the standard menu. The only issue I had here was that our bill was really high for a table of 4. How does that happen during Restaurant Week with a prixe fix menu you ask? The portions were small enough that we had to order items off the regular menu to supplement. I am perfectly fine with that when I feel we've received our fair share of excellent food, wine, and service, however none of us felt fully satisfied by the time we left. Don't get me wrong, the food was very tasty, I'm just struggling to find the whole value here. The service was great, as expected, and we all enjoyed the ambiance...warm, rustic feel for such a cold night in February in Chicago. We may return to try the pizza...
(4)Henry S.
On a recent Check Please! episode, an Italian restaurant was being reviewed, and this question was raised: 'Is this more of an Italian American place, or a Modern Italian place?'. If the question was asked about Balena, I would say it is Modern Italian American. Balena pays homage to the Italian philosophy and technique, but everything is rooted in the America of here and now. The interiors, for starters. It evokes an Italian farmhouse, but perhaps in Monterey, or as the case is, Chicago. The food format is what I will call 'Party size to share'. I'm so tired of 'small plates to share'. That is only true for parties of less than 3. Any group larger than that, the small plate is never enough to share. So...enough of my editorial. Highlights so far... The bread basket. Enough has been said for bread being it's own 'dish'. Peter's Bread basket is worth every penny. Charred Quail, hazelnut butter, escarole. This is the Italian way to the max. Simple, flavorful, precise, with a twist. Mushroom, taleggio, fontina, scallion pizza. The usual richness of mushroom and cheese, punctuated with bursts of onion goodness. The chili oil in place of chili flakes is genius. Taglioni Nero of crab and sea urchin and chile. Anything with uni is going to be fantastic. I was afraid it will overpower the crab. But again, the balance of flavors is amazing. Tajarin with pork ragu. The ragu is not quite as Nonna's Sunday gravy as it needed to be, but I did say this is Modern Italian American. Grapefruit and aperol sorbet. I know Ms Rockman's re-interpreted tiramisu is everyone's favorite. But any sorbet with booze is a good palette cleanser after the pizza and pasta carb overload. Oh, and the fantastic wine list. They did not leave any stone in Italy unturned. Love it! Why 4 stars? Everything the BoKa group touches is gold, and Balena is the latest in this growing empire. Perfect place for a convivial gathering for 2 or 20. So is it a whale, or a fat dude? Regardless, I would gladly feast inside its cozy, inviting belly.
(4)Tom A.
The food is pretty good - the issue is that it takes forever for them to get it to you. We had a 3 hour dinner on a Tuesday night and all we ordered was pizza and pasta! I heard tables around us having the same issues. I understand the slow Italian style service, multiple courses, etc...but the food is not good enough to sit here literally all night - especially for what ended up to be just decent pizza/pastas. I won't be rushing back with other great Italian options in the city.
(2)Christine S.
Beautiful restaurant , fabulous food and wine list. Salt and pepper chicken thighs were amazing, one of the best things I have eaten in a long time, also tried several of the pasta dishes and the espresso & doughnut with gelato. Everything was wonderful! Very good service. Will be back!
(5)matthew b.
When I heard the guys behind the Bristol were doing an Italian place, one word sprang to mind: mangia. But as much as I wanted to like Balena, it's just not there yet. The cocktails were hit and miss. Specifically, the Peat No 4 was a hit but the Rosemary No 2 finished with way too much bitters, sucking all the moisture right out of your mouth. The easy standout of the meal was Spicy Grilled Short Ribs. With their mellow Asian flavors, I'm not sure why they're on the menu at an Italian place, but when something tastes this good, it's welcome anywhere. Peter's Bread was good, but feels too steep at $5 since most places do and should give good bread away for free. The Lasagna Pie was fun but the crust doesn't hold a candle to Bricks or Peace. And the Tajarin with Pork Ragu was ok, with a light, tangy flavor and perfect noodles providing just the right resistance against the teeth. But it was crying for a little more sauce and would've benefited immensely from some salt and pepper. In a space this gorgeous, the flaws in the meal would've been easy to overlook. If our waitress had been attentive. But it took a half hour to get our cocktails and when my wife hated hers, we didn't see anyone in enough time to get another. The wait between our apps and entrees also felt like forever, and when my wife finally got the chance to ask for another look at the giant menu (literally it's like a foot and a half long and a foot wide) for a new drink, they just left it up to her to deal with where to put it at our tiny table. They also brought the bread out after our app which seemed a little weird. They'll get another go out of me because the place looks amazing. I trust that if these guys can run the Bristol as right as they do, they'll get this one under control in no time. But I really need it to be better when I stop back by.
(3)Ryan S.
Nice surprise spur of the moment dinner with my Uncle, and I still thought the Landmark was here. Glad it wasn't, as Balena has some great dishes. Fresh Kale Ceasar salad was very good. Both pasta dishes were excellent and full of flavor. Gotta love squid ink pasta and Pork Ragu, the latter of the two had my Uncle singing. Don't think you could go wrong with any pizzas, some strange combos that work wonderfully well. Top that all off with a fantastic desert, and I am ready to book my next reservation.
(4)Brittany K.
Beautiful experience! Went last week with a few friends for the Restaurant Week deal. The chicken thigh was so incredible...by far better than any of the other entrees. The panna cotta for dessert was amazing. The staff was so nice and knew when to back off and let us enjoy our meal. The wine pairings were amazing, and the atmosphere was just wonderful and relaxing. Great place for a date or for a night out with parents or friends!
(5)Casey Z.
I had been waiting to try Balena for a while now. Their food was ok, nothing too special. Our pizza was not impressive. The tables upstairs are so close together, you almost feel as if you should be talking to the strangers next to you. The space itself is gorgeous. Very cool decor. Their cocktails are quite impressive, too.
(2)C. K.
So long Lanmark, hello Balena! I had high hopes for this place having watched the transformation from its predecessor to this new establishment. I totes love the interior design, it's just enough of all the styles attempted here without a sign of slight multi-personality disorder. I love the entryway "patio." As to the staff, Class A act, those guys are (sorry for the Yoda phrasing). But all jokes aside. From the hostess, to our waitress and other wait staff (cause we had several service us), to even the bus boys, everybody was very pleasant, nobody had the "I'm at the bottom of the totem pole" inferiority complex or anger or attitude. They were attentive, we really did not have to wait around long. And, they were definitely mid-level ninjas because they cleared empty plates and glasses rather stealthily and did not really disrupt our flow of conversation. The drinks...meh. They were more on the small side and not that great. I guess I should have picked my own drink instead of asking the waitress for a recommendation (which was the Montenegro) but my drink tasted like Robitussin and I asked for something tangy. The price was $11, which is average for Chicago, but still, they were a bit small. The food. I was not THAT impressed and am kind of confused about the prices for those dishes. Our waitress told us that it would be a good idea to share dishes, so we did. We ordered two starters and one pasta dish. I was very confused when the amount of the pasta, a main dish, was the same as that of the starters. We had the Spicy Grilled Shortribs (which were rather tough and had lots of that cartillage, causing me to really just swallow each bite in order to avoid having to chew it) and the Zingermann's Buratta, which was actually tasty but so small that each of us got maybe two forks of it. As our pasta dish we had the Tarajin Pork Ragu (with freshly made pasta, which is their thing) which was really delicious but, again, after two forks each, the thing was gone. For dessert we got the Caramel Pine Nut Tart and a chocolate mousse type thing, both were on the salty side but a nice finish to our (small) meal. So, all in all, the atmosphere is good. Staff is great. Food seems overpriced for the portions they give you, tapas or not. Would I go back? Yes, but I think I would hit up other similar less-expensive spots which serve more food first over returning here.
(3)Lindsay J.
This was just okay. I live in the neighborhood and had been meaning to come here for a while. My best friend and I were celebrating, so we thought we'd splurge. We got the bruschetta appetizer, which was just okay. Nothing special and the toast was actually a little burned. Maybe it was supposed to be that way? I HATE when things are burned, so I may be more sensitive about this than others. We then got the lamb liver bruschetta -- terrible. I can't even tell you how bad this is. I actually enjoy liver sometimes and this was ALL liver flavor -- like you pulled the liver out of a whole chicken and smeared it on a piece of toasted bread. We couldn't even eat it, so we sent it back and said we didn't like how "liver-tasting" it was and our server responded with "well, it IS liver". Touche. He was correct, but didn't need to rub in the obvious. And he charged us for it. I was quite surprised. Again, it was our fault, I get it...but maybe even apologize that it was bad? Then we ordered a pizza and 2 pasta dishes. The pasta dishes are really small, like appetizer size. We got the Sea urchin pasta and the Pork Ragu. The sea urchin was just okay, nothing crazy good, but tasty enough. The Pork Ragu...was DELISH! I would go back and order just that! We also got the mushroom pizza, which was also good. Our meal per person (with a bottle of wine to share) was $75/person, not including tip. The service was decent. I really liked the ambiance of the place, with the wood beams and the big, open bar! Overall, I would maybe go back, but probably not. I will say that my friend that I went with had been before, and she said her previous experience/food was much better. Maybe we just ordered bad?
(3)Joe S.
The neon sign (or what's left of it?) behind the bar is perplexing in a good way. We loved our dinner and drinks...great place!
(4)Nic R.
The staff is great and extremely friendly! Even gave us a card for our anniversary. Food was good. And that is about all I can say.
(3)Josey B.
I had a 4* time at Balena last night. Great atmosphere, great service, great time. But the food just wasn't that special. it was good food, but not that exciting and sometimes, not even that great. We split two salads (zzzzz apple blue cheese, ok kale caeser), then two pastas (including the famous black noodle crab one which was cold and not that flavorful), then had the mixed pork grill (very good but for overcooked tenderloin) with an onion side dish (delish). Desert sundaes were yummy but again, not amazing. And yes, I expected amazing for the $99 bucks I spent (also had three drinks). Again, I had a 4* time but if you are looking for $$$$ caliber food in addition to a great atmosphere, I don't think this is your spot.
(3)Sonny P.
Went to Balena on a Thursday night and first impression is that the place is huge. I thought that the food was okay and would highly suggest the flatbread pizzas as a great starter. I would give this review an incomplete because I would maybe want to try this place out again.
(3)Amy P.
It's been 5 days since we dined at Balena and I'm still thinking about the pizza we had that night. That was possibly the best pizza I've ever had in my life, and I'm from New Yawk. Granted, being from the NYC does not a pizza expert make, but it certainly does provide one with a frame of reference. To me, great pizza must start with great dough, and this was one chewy, crispy, flavorful crust. The balance of toppings was just right. There was not a single bite of soggy crust or burnt edge. The pizza selection ranges from classic (tomato basil mozzarella) to more unique options such as the the mortadella and pistachio topped pizza we had. The mortadella made for a delicious topping, and I wonder why you don't see it more often than, let's say, prosciutto, which tends to turn into a burnt salty crisp when overcooked, or chewy strips that get dragged off the slice in most other circumstances. Pizza aside, we also ordered: - Peter's Bread, which much to my amazement I thought was just meh (I had predicted that it would be my favorite thing); - the chilled asparagus tossed with shaved cheese and hard boiled egg. Simple but yummy (if a little hard to eat); - the smoked mackerel, which was SP's favorite and really not what we expected at all. The mackerel was more like a crudo and the dish was a beautifully deconstructed plate with a mound of tender, melt-in-your mouth fish, a sprinking of toasted bread crumbs for textural contrast, and a perfectly poached egg that was practically quivering on the plate. We also ordered a side of baked polenta which tasted (to SP's delight) like cheesy mashed potatoes. It was good but forgettable. SP tried 3 of the bitters and I sampled a few of the wines by the glass. SP felt that the drinks did not pair well with the food but I thought they had a nice wine selection. The selections by the glass were reasonably priced and there are more choices than you'll typically find on most menus. In terms of the space, I liked the lofty open layout. The space seems to have a rustic barnhouse feel while still being contemporary and unique. We went a bit earlier in the evening so the crowd was a mix of families with kids, casual touristy types, and small groups that looked like they were getting ready for a show or a night on the town. The space was comfortable yet trendy enough that no one seemed out of place. The service was great and overall, it was a top notch dining experience.
(5)Barri S.
The atmosphere and service is great. We had a wonderful experience but overall the food was alright. I'd really give this 3.5 stars but that's not an option. Mushroom pizza was my favorite.
(3)James D.
Nice restaurant, but NOT Italian. Italians do not use cilantro or pita beans! This is likely a nice Mexican influenced place but it is NOT Italian. If you want authentic Italian this is not your place
(2)Catherine S.
We popped into this place for a drink before dinner, and found it to be very trendy, classy, and seemed to be the happening place to be. Our drinks were good, and we loved the atmosphere. The food looks so delicious!! Will be back to try it.
(5)Jaime P.
My husband I had been looking forward to Balena opening since we'd heard about it and went last night to celebrate his birthday. The whole experience beat our expectations. The atmosphere of the place is warm and welcoming while still modern. When we arrived we were asked if we would like to sit at the chef's table which we decided to try. It was a great experience. It was fun to sit next to each other and be able to watch all the action in the kitchen. The waitstaff was attentive and our waitress in particular was fabulous, making great recommendations and thoughtfully taking our coat ticket after asking if we'd like her to handle it and grab our coats once we were finished. We started with the bread basket which came with 5 different types of bread and 3 dipping sauces. The breads were all fresh and yummy and it was fun to be able to mix them with the different sauces. We also had the burrata starter that came with beets and celery root. The dish was nice and light and the celery root was a great addition that really brought it together nicely. For our entrees we tried the squid ink pasta and the tajarin with pork ragu. Both were delicious. The portions were perfectly sized and our waitress made great wine recomenndations for each. My husband would have liked a touch more heat on his tagliolini nero but we would order both entrees again. By far the best part of the meal was the dessert. We got 2 in honor of his birthday. The first was a chocolate budino which was a delicious if slightly more standard dessert. It was exectued perfectly but was upstaged by the playful "chocolate chip cookie" sundae with toasted milk. The sundae was so fun and playful and just delicious. The crunchy toasted milk was completely addictive. It was a great end to a fabulous meal!
(5)Amanda R.
I love Balena. I have been here three times, and I typically don't visit Chicago restaurants twice, not to mention three times. But there are a few things that set Balena apart from other Italian restaurants. One is the high quality of all of the ingredients. Dishes as simple as cheese ravioli with a bit of butter and parmesan (I think - it's no longer on the menu) are incredibly memorable. Two is the versatility of the menu, with numerous options for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. We went with our vegetarian friends and mainly restricted our choices to options they could eat, and even my husband (who normally can't eat a meal without meat) was highly impressed. Three is the pricing. We have left Balena on all three occasions spending less than $50/person, including tax and tip, ordering way too much food, and drinking A LOT. The pizzas are huge and many of the starters are large as well. Peter's Bread is a good filler item, as it comes with a lot of delicious, fresh-baked bread and is very inexpensive. Four is the fact that, even after being named one of Bon Appetit's Best New Restaurants, I can always get a reservation on the night I want. Amazing, given the numerous popular Chicago restaurants that require reservations months in advance to get a table on a weekend night (Girl and the Goat, I'm talking about you!). And last, but not least, is the service. Last time we went, they were very backed up on reservations, and we waited about 35 minutes past our reservation time for our table. The manager came right over to the table immediately after we were seated and offered to bring us Peter's Bread and the Zingerman's Burrata with Roasted Beets and Celery Root on the house. I also want to mention that my favorite items on the menu are the Spicy Sausage, Red Onion, Tomato, and Mozzarella Pizza and the Tagliolini Nero with Crab, Sea Urchin, and Chili. Yum!
(5)Erika P.
Tonight was my second visit to Balena, and I loved it both times. Fantastic, interesting, delicious food. Great atmosphere. If Will is your server, just order what he recommends from cocktails to dessert and everything in between...he knows and loves the food. You can't miss with his palate and passion. I'm reading comments about portions...this isn't Maggianos. It's not an American "Italian" restaurant. It's meant to be small plates shared and a progression through courses. Expensive? Perhaps. But when you consider the caliber of food, ingredients, and that this is a fine dining experience without the pretentious environment...it's entirely fair. You're eating black squid ink pasta with sea urchin not penne a la vodka with chicken. (I like both...it's just they are two different types of Italian restaurants.) What I like about it is it's a Foodie's paradise -- example, tonight a side dish of squash. A sweet and savory balance and so perfectly oven roasted that it wasn't mushy or on the flip side, tough at all. It was the best squash I've ever had. Ever. And it's "just" a side dish. If you don't geek out on food, I can understand why it's not what you expected. If you do have a passion for all things food (and wine/mixology), this is definitely a restaurant you'll want to try. Try it with other Foodies so you can share everything and sample as much as possible.
(5)Henry B.
Fantastic spot. I love the decor, atmosphere, and attitude of the servers (friendly and extremely attentive without being overbearing) but let's be honest, it's a restaurant so the food had better be up to scratch. It was. We had: - The Balena (mixed plate of bread, cheese, meat, jardinière, and sauces) to start. This was fantastic, particularly the bread and the blue cheese. Many thanks to everyone who recommended this in their reviews; we would not have ordered it otherwise. - Tagliolini, orecchiette, and farm egg tajarin to follow. The tagliolini and orecchiette were both excellent. The tajarin was also very good but not quite at the same level. The pasta in all three dishes was superb. - A light, flavorful 2010 Tuscan Cabernet as a perfect accompaniment to the meal. Definitely a great spot to entertain or take a date. I will be going back.
(5)Bryan X.
Dinner with 2 couples on11/16/2012. First let's start with charging 6 dollars per serving of bread. Yes, the bread was good. No, it could not be shared among 4 people. Then there's the "difficult", quasi Italian Menu where the chef tries (but fails) to push Italy's cuisine way too far beyond the "envelope". Ridiculous blending of mismatched ingredients. Then there is the matter of portion size. The "larger" entrees would best be served at a Weight Watchers convention. Everyone went home hungry. I suggest ordering a pizza because you'll need it to feel satisfied. As we left the restaurant, I noticed that most people were eating pizzas rather than other items from the menu. The portion control situation needs re-examination. Will not return.
(2)Jay C.
If you desire creative dishes with fresh and distinct flavors and textures, you will be pleased. If you simply want familiar Italian dishes, you may be disappointed. The smoked mackerel starter was the consensus favorite at the table. The combination of the fish, egg yolk and aioli was surprisingly good and the crunch of breadcrumbs worked well with the creaminess of the dish. The charred quail starter was the runner-up favorite of the night. While I am not a big fan of quail and its little bones, it was tender and the hazelnut butter coating the skin was amazing. They should put that stuff on chicken. Both the tajarin and strozzapreti pastas were firm and chewy (in a good way). Neither was smothered with sauce or cream or cheese. Amen! The olives gave the strozzapreti a bright and slightly tart flavor and the rabbit had been cooked until it melted into tender goodness. After eating the head-on prawns, I am convinced the fresh green grapes should be used in more dishes. The sturgeon was the only disappointing dish of the night. It was cooked perfectly, but the overwhelming balsamic flavor did not add much to the fish. For dessert, I tried both the pine nut and caramel tart and the cinnamon and sugar doughnuts. I ate every last bite of the tart, but its distinct and refined flavor was definitely overshadowed by the melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts. This place makes for a great night out with folks who enjoy a more adventurous menu.
(4)Scott B.
Went back again a couple weeks later. This time had the sturgeon. It was very good, but not as amazing as the taglioni nero. We both had the tiramisu for dessert. Easily the best I have ever had. I would like to try some of the side dishes next time, but I don't want to fill up because the desserts are so amazing. Our service was excellent once again. I think some of the reviewers are just having bad luck or are all getting the one bad server in the place.
(5)cathy c.
What's not to love about Balena? Beautiful space. Attentive, friendly (and knowledgeable) staff, even on a jam-packed Saturday night. A warm-and-welcoming vibe. And the food, oh my. We could barely choose, everything sounded so good. And as big fans of The Bristol, we figured that the food would be memorable and we were not disappointed. We ended up with the kale cesear salad with sardines (delicious), sausage pizza that was absolutely incredible, two pasta dishes (squid ink with seafood and one very simple fresh pasta with cheese, both were fabulous) and the pistachio gelato and nougat for dessert (mind-blowing). We licked our plates clean. I can't wait to go back. The sooner the better. Thank you for being in Chicago, Balena!
(5)helene f.
I love Balena. We got there every time we see a play at Steppenwolf or Royal George. The food is always outstanding. I have a complaint, though. I know they are proud of their cocktail list. Nothing on their list appealed to me, so I ordered my old standby--a French martini. Well, the bartender was not sure how to make one! She then asked the other two bartenders there, who told her they're made with pineapple juice. They don't have pineapple juice! Why not? I have never been turned down for a French martini before at a nice cocktail place. Why can't they have pineapple juice, just those little cans? So she made me a cosmopolitan; I didn't really like it but didn't complain. It was not the usual flavor. Just a disappointment from one of my favorite restaurants.
(4)Lindsey O.
In love with Balena!! Delicious wide variety of food and Italian wine selection, really romantic date location. Start w a cocktail - strawberry 101 will rock your world. It's like a strawberry snow cone met an adult beverage and melted into delicious goodness. The wine selection is detailed and extensive. All wines are Italian. The menu also reads like a true Italian meal - appetizer, pasta, a 'from the grill' option, and dessert. We had the winter citrus salad and beet salad. Great portions to split. The smoked mackerel and hard boiled egg followed - smokey and light. We split the Nero black pasta (citrus, crab meat, parmesan) and ragatella. Dessert was lemon meringue gelato w lemon curd. The meal w three drinks a piece was $180 w tip which equals a great night out!!
(5)Kaitlyn L.
We had the good fortune of coming here for a private event, so we were able to taste quite a sampling of their menu. Across the board, everything was delicious. The flavors were intense and unexpected without being overly bold or trying too hard, and the food was polished, yet comforting. The pasta was particularly memorable--the orecchiette, the bavette, the potato and leek ravioli--each one delightfully different and each one rich without being too heavy, which was a good thing, as I kept going back for seconds (and thirds, shhh!) of each dish. Would love to return to Chicago just to eat here again!
(5)Joe B.
I practically live next door the Balena, so when they opened my roommates and I had to try it out. The experience was average. We got three pizzas, and the spicy sausage was the only good one. As for the service, it was subpar. If you want to have good service at Balena you better act rich. We walked over in jeans and tees and were treated like commoners. The funny thing is we probably tip better than 90% of the people in there. Good lesson for them. The second poor experience was when one of my roommmates and his girlfriend stopped by one night to order a pizza for carryout. The hostess told him they did not provide that service. She called over a manager who reiterated the same point, but said he would check with the head chef. The head chef had no problem with it and he got his pizza, after a 25 minute debate. NEWS FLASH BALENA. GET OVER YOURSELF
(2)Tracy F.
I really enjoyed this restaurant. Came here with a group of girlfriends for my birthday. It was so hyped up on Yelp, I was expecting 4.5 or 5 stars but it's a healthy 4 star restaurant. The staff is great. Everyone is very friendly and SUPER knowledgable about the menu and wine list. Our waiter was excellent - I wish he was always my waiter! We started out at the bar where my friend couldn't decide on a wine. She tried 3 different whites and settled on a red. The bartender was very helpful and not at all annoyed with how long / how many tastes it took her to come to a decision. While the plates are all "share size", the hummus and both pasta dishes were much too small to be shared by 5 people. They should definitely be served in greater portions if they are going to be called "share size". Upstairs, our waiter, as I said, was fabulous. Attentive, friendly and knowledgable. We ordered the following: 1. Spring pea bruschetta: delicious and light 2. Coriander and cumin hummus: So good but pretty much a serving for one. There were five of us, so we each had only one bite. The dish should be larger, or the waitstaff should make you aware of the portion size. We would have ordered two - it was that good. 3. Arugula salad: Tasted like any other arugula salad with very simple/boring plating 4. Polenta with tomato sauce: Great portion size, thick and tasty 5. Mushroom pizza - delicious. Highly recommended 7. Squid ink pasta with crab and sea urchin: Also delicious but a very small portion. I could see 2 people easily splitting this, maybe 3 if you just want a bite or two 8. Yukon gold potato gnocchi: this was the most disappointing dish of the evening. The portion size, again, was fine for 2-3 people. However, the pasta was super salty. Would not order it again 9. Dessert: We ordered the donuts and the cannoli sundae. Both were fine but I'd rather spend money on another main dish. The best cannoli dish I've ever had was the broken cannoli at Natalino's. Too bad it closed. The wine list is amazing - unique and large. You won't be thirsty. The restaurant also has several different wine glasses depending on the type of wine you order. It's not common and very different from the standard white glass and red glass.
(4)Ceal P.
4 solid stars. the Boka group restaurants can't seem to go wrong in this town!! went with some girl friends on a sunday night, reservations easy to get a week ahead. the space is just beautiful, although i don't get the neon lights on the side walls. decor reminds me of italian countryside. service was great. no complaints. loved: - chicken thighs!! crispy, salty and tender. coupled with a nice acidic sauce, green garlic, mustard greens. - beef ribs: cut similar to korean kalbi ribs. flavor was mildly spicy and citrus (cara cara oranges). great appetizer although hard to eat. great: - lemon orchiette kale pasta. everyone loved the lemon flavor - mushroom pizza: just amazing thick doughy crust for crust lovers. came with a side of chili oil which gave a great chili flavor in place of chili flakes - we loved. okay: - pass on polenta server recommended a great sangiovese which 4 women really enjoyed. would def return again and again. great addition to what is an amazing restaurant stretch of halsted!!
(4)Hayley P.
So good! Amazing Italian without over-the-top portions. Great atmosphere in a great location.
(4)