Cafe Balena

User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I spend a lot of time on the road NYC/ Boston/ Chicago and live local to New Bedford, pound for pound, this place can hold it's own against the best in the business in any of those cities. Be prepared to pay a good price, but for good foodies, the atmosphere will cover the tab. My only complaint, I wanted more damn people in the place. I love the buzz of a great restaurant where your rubbing shoulders with others and enjoying the food, atmosphere, and it is alive. Get the Chef/Owner out of the Kitchen saying hello. You know it's the right restaurant when you have to wait 15 -20 minutes for a table, right.

The food, close your eyes and your eating on Hanover St. In Boston. or the village in NYC, or anywhere in on lakeshore drive in Chi-town. But the singing wait staff, put it head and shoulders above most of the places I spend time in on the road.

Went this evening with a couple of friends and found out that they are no longer a BYOB restaurant, not good when you are walking in with $40 worth of wine, but they where nice enough to put it in the back for me. Bar tab added a bit of hurt on the wallet, but was worth it. $50 per person for Dinner and Drinks for 4, but again, if your thinking of driving to North end, or Federal Hill for dinner, don't bother. Stay local, This guy is just a good.

The garlic bread balls that come out of the kitchen for the table are to die for. I'm going to try to replicate at my next dinner party. I have Salmon and pasta, the wife had Chicken Masala, two friends had Duck special, and Shrimp Rosotto. Would have like to seen a Antipasto for 4 on the menu, or at least offered up by the wait staff, but excellent non-the-less.

Finished dinner to an amazing rendition of Ava Maria duet by Gary our Waiter, as for him BTW (my glass was never empty), and another waittress that stopped in on her night off to belt out a couple tunes.

Dessert, ah ok, try the fruit tarte. My friend accross the table inhaled the Chocolate mouse item, Couple of port wines, a Muscat for the wife, and we where out for for $200.
Again a bit pricy, especially in these times I would agree. A great option for people looking to impress others with the area. Could be a staple for buisness diners.( is there any business being conducted in NB) if I have a practice in this town, this is where I'm brining clients. Forget the regular hang outs, they are getting tired. Exactly how many times can you order some salad up the street that was famous in the 80's for gods sake. But seriously, if you going to Providence or Boston for dinner/ date night (singing waiters come on can you spell ROMANTIC), don't bother this guy has it down. Then after all of that walk down the hill to the Wine bar "Cork" owned by Cardoza and top it off with a nice dessert wine from their list.
I'm coming back and bringing friends.

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User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Me and my wife went to Cafe Balnea about a month ago with a couple of freinds and all I can say is ...AMAZING. The atmosphere of Cafe Balena gives you a feel straight from Italy. the music that is played softly gets you into the perfect mood for an Italian night out. Although alittle expensive,the food is like no other. the amount of specials that are offered are unbelieveable. from the crab cake to the dover sol, red snapper, and a delicious New York steak. the variety is all there but that still is not the best part. My wife and I were talking and suddenly we hear a gong. unexpectedly a young man begin to play an accordian, bringing a whole new demension to the already versital restaurant.As we begin to clap the young man plays faster and makes that moment a fun and exciting one to remember. from start to finish Cafe Balena proved to be the best Italian restaurant in not only New Bedford, but New England.

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