"I want to live here!"

September 25, 2012

• Food: Homemade, farm to table Italian
• Decor: Rustic
• Service: Friendly/Knowledgeable
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Speciality cocktails and wine

Overview:

From the moment I walked into Balena, I fell in love with the rustic ambiance. Once we were seating in the dining area, we were greeted by our server. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and offered up suggestions to get us started. Once we told him we were interested in a bottle of wine, we were introduced to the sommelier who suggested an outstanding and affordable bottle of wine. Then came the delicious food…we started with the heirloom tomato bruschetta, followed by the Orecchiette with lemon and kale deliciousness. The main dish was the swordfish and was my least favorite, but gives me a reason to go back and try the chicken thigh that everyone recommends. The baked polenta was out of this world and made up for the swordfish. Now on to my favorite part…dessert. Started with a cappuccino and split the tiramisu and a?ogato,- can you say homemade cinnamon sugar donuts- YUM! I can't wait to go back and dive into the other dishes. Enjoy!

Recommended Dishes:

Orecchiette, heirloom tomato bruschetta, a?ogato

"Gorgeous In Every Way"

June 29, 2012

• Italian

• Food: Italian
• Decor: Beautiful, classy
• Service: great
• Cost: $$$$
• Wine / Cocktails: great

Overview:

Walking into Balena is a treat in itself. The space is absolutely gorgeous and lends to a romantic atmosphere that is perfect for a date and enjoying a beautiful meal.

We had friends in from California, and had been itching to get to Balena, so this made for the perfect night out. We were all struck by the decor as we came in the door, and really just enjoyed hanging out for some wine and great conversation as we looked over the menu. We decided to start with the bruschetta with oil poached tuna and white beans, which was a hit all around, the smoked mackerel with soft cooked egg, also very delicious, and a perfect burrata.

For our main pasta course we had to try the ricotta ravioli with chard and brown butter, the tagliolini nero with crab and sea urchin, and tajarin with pork ragu. We shared the plates around the table and really couldn't pick a favorite. We also had a decadent side of polenta as well. The house made pastas with a beautiful bottle of wine really made for a perfect dinner.

We ended the evening with limoncellos and amaros, but we will definitely, definitely be back for more and to try the desserts. Balena is a special place, and I can see spending some more special occasions there!

Recommended Dishes:

Pastas, everything!

"Fussy Italian, in a good way"

June 26, 2012

• Italian

• Food: Upscale Italian
• Decor: open, airy, casual
• Service: Excellent
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: appropriate italian wine list, with specialty cocktails

Overview:

Visited Balena on Friday night and really enjoyed the experience. The restaurant space itself is very open and relaxing. Another shared plates concept, so we ordered several items from each section of the menu. There wasn't one item that I didn't enjoy. Timing on the food was good considering the variety of the order. Standouts were the burrata app, the sausage pizza, Orecchiette w/ lemon kale and chili, and the chicken thighs. I'm looking forward to returning to try other items on the menu.

Recommended Dishes:

see review

"X Marks the Spot"

June 12, 2012

• Amanda Rockman
• Homemade Italian

• Food: Modern Italian, Homemade
• Decor: Barn-like, classic, romantic rustic
• Service: Helpful, knowledgeable
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: long wine list, creative cocktails

Overview:

After reading Amanda Puck's review of this place, I immediately made a reservation (by refreshing the page 100 times until someone cancelled) for the following Friday night. I wanted to relive my experience in Italy with my sister, so we did.

From the moment I walked in, the service, the style and the smells that wafted in from the beautifully rustic archway blew me away. The bird's-nest-tumble-weed light fixtures were romantic and matched the brushed-metal surroundings. Because there were two of us, we followed Ms. Puck's choices with a few omissions and we carb-loaded up for the night.

I had the Montenegro No. 6 at the bar while I waited for my sister. When she arrived, she ordered the Strawberry No. 1. The Montenegro was perfect combination of bitters and amaretto, and the Strawberry was sweet and refreshing.

We ordered the Peter's bread. My favorite bits were the thinly-sliced crostinis with the carmelized onion spread (YUM!) and the lemon-pepper challah. The rustic breads were also fresh, warm, and a perfect balance to the sweet garnishes.

We then had the oil poached tuna bruschetta. I've never had oil poached anything before, and per Ms. Puck's glowing recommendation, I tried it out. From the first bite, the tuna exploded with rich olive oil, and the freshly-baked bruschetta melted beneath the mixture. I could have eaten that every day of my life.

Following the Bruschetta, we had the Tagliolini Nero with Sea Urchin and Crab. The squid-ink pasta was even richer than I could have hoped, and the light sauce balanced well with the sweet, meaty seafood. I was in heaven at that point.

Finally, we finished our main meal with a pizza. The pizza we ordered (per our wonderful waiter's recommendation) was topped with ricotta (my favorite), rhubarb, mint and a garlicky crust. We were so full that we could only eat half of it, but it was amazing nonetheless. Plus, we had to save room for dessert.

With Chef Amanda Rockman at the helm of the dessert program, Balena could survive solely based on the delectable creations she serves. We had a really hard time deciding what to order, but our waiter helped narrow down the choices. My sister's favorite is pistachio gelati, so that was a must, and the nougats that came along with it were heavenly melt-aways. I ordered the strawberry rhubarb semifreddo (it's summertime after all) and enjoyed the whipcream-icecream consistency of the dessert. The freshness of the berries was a perfect topper for the night.

All along we sipped a bottle of Sangiovese, which was a hard choice from the epic-novel-length winelist.

Recommended Dishes:

Tagliolini Nero, Pistachio Gelati, Oil Poached Tuna Bruschetta

"Everything Good Ends in a Vowel"

June 6, 2012

• Italian
• Chef Amanda Rockman

• Food: Modern Italian, Homemade
• Decor: Industrial charm, deconstructed neon, chef-view bar perches
• Service: Homey
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Fruit-infused creations

Overview:

When you walk into Balena the first time, all you can say is WOW. It is a great sign when a new restaurant settles into an older space, and you can’t even remember what the place before it looked like. With it’s industrial charm, deconstructed neon, chef oogling bar perches and sexy nooks and crannies, Balena is the place to be. And the food ain’t too bad either!

First: “The Balena.”
We started with the combos of their cured meats from The Smoking Goose (Stagberry Salame, Gin & Juice, Saucisson Rouge), Cheese (Robiola, Pecorino Grand Cru, Oregonzola) and Peter’s Breads. The breads need a whole separate section. They were crispy, chewy, spicy and cheesy goodness. From Ramp Crostini to Nigella Grissini, the various garnishes were’t even needed.


The cocktail hour started with a classic Negroni no5, Strawberry no1 (dive right in!) and Montenegro no6 (MINE – Amaro Montenegro, Nolet Gin, Bitter Truth Grapefruit Bitters, orange peel). I was quite fond of that one.

Then we dove on in again nd ordered...
Bruschetta of Oil Poached Tuna, Marinated Beans and Red Onion. Whenever I have oil poached tuna, I feel very European.

Tagliolini Nero, Crab, Sea Urchin and Chili. All of the pastas read worth a try – but a squid ink pasta is always a MUST try.

Grilled Head-On Prawns, Grapes, Finger Chiles, Aioli. AMAZING.

Salt and Pepper Chicken Thighs, Green Garlic, Coriander and Watercress.

A delicious modern Tiramisu with Chocolate Sauce, Coffee Streusel and Roasted Pear.

We made the mistake of bringing Amanda Rockstar Rockman some of our favorite torrone from Italy, when her nougat was beyond the best we ever had. (Sorry Amanda!) And it was perfect with the Pistachio Gelato.

And after reading their Three Star Review in Phil Vettel’s column in The Chicago Tribune, I realized we didn’t try the pizza. So, see you again soon!

Recommended Dishes:

Tiramisu, Grilled Head-On Prawns, Tagliolini, Bruschetta of Oil Poached Tuna, The Balena

"Phat."

May 25, 2012

• Italian-inspired
• pizza
• pasta

• Food: Italian-inspired
• Decor: Modern airy Italian piazza
• Service: Friendly, knowledgable
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Amaro cocktails, Italian wines

Overview:

Chris Pandel and Amanda Rockman had a love child, a little fatty called Balena. And Dio Mio! we are in love. The stunning decor transported us to modern Italy, without the hefty ticket price or 8 hour flight. The amazing food did too: kudos for pairing unexpected combinations, like smoked mackerel and soft cooked egg, a bruschetta with tuna and beans, and a kale salad with sardines. The pizzas are every bit as good as the ones we have on the piazza in Rome, courtesy of an imported Italian oven. Don't miss the housemade pastas, and please save room for dessert. The affogato with cinnamon donuts is heavenly, outdone only by the tirmamisu with roasted pear... or the sublime pistachio sundae. Cap your perfect meal off with a housemade limoncello. Delizioso!

Recommended Dishes:

Bruschetta of Oil Poached Tuna & Marinated Beans, Margherita pizza, Desserts

"Love!!!"

May 10, 2012

• Food: Italian
• Decor: Cozy and warm Italian feel
• Service: Great
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Great

Overview:

Balena is a great restaurant. The look and feel of the place is warm and cozy and very inviting. We got great recommendations from both FoodMafia.com and the people sitting next to us. We started with the Cardinale, Negroni, and a Belgium beer made with granny smith apples. All good.

We ordered the Kale salad and the burrata with beets, we loved both of them. From there we had the linguini carbonara and the whole roasted fish. The raw egg on the carbonara really added depth to the dish and the fish was excellent.

Then we ordered dessert (3 orders)! 1 of them was the ice cream and cinnamon donuts and to quote the table "the best donuts ever." The vanilla sundae with chocolate chip cookies was great and the pistachio sundae was also fantastic. One of my absolute favorites was the limoncello. Made in house and quite possibly the smoothest limoncello I have ever had (including when I was in Italy! Everyone should check this place out.

Recommended Dishes:

Kale salad, burrata with beets, linguini carbonara, whole roasted fish, limoncello, vanilla sundae, pistachio sundae, donuts with ice cream

"Great ambiance for dinner"

May 1, 2012

• Food:
• Decor: Large, vaulted ceilings, peek-through kitchen
• Service: Knowlegable, Friendly
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Wonderful wine list

Overview:

A fan of the BOKA Group restaurants, I was excited to go to Balena. Service was top notch, wine list amazing and appetizers were tasty!

I didn't come on an empty belly so we only ordered a few apps. First we ordered the Seafood Salad with Golden Raisins, Arugula - a large portion, great to share. We then had their special fish (the waitress compared it to tuna) which you could tell was wild caught after taking the first bite. Lastly we had the Tuscan Kale Salad, tonnato, sardines, croutons which I loved despite being weird about eating sardines. I would love to come back and try more dishes from the dinner menu and also The Balena - a large platter of meats and cheeses for $30.

Recommended Dishes:

Seafood Salad

This Review has been recommended by 1 person