INTRO: Came through to Baleia looking for something a little elevated but still warm and inviting, and it delivered the kind of experience that feels intentional from the moment you walk in. FOOD: The menu leans into seafood with a refined touch, and you can taste the care in every dish. Everything feels thoughtfully prepared, from the way ingredients are paired to how each plate is presented. I had the salt cod bolinhos (cod fish balls). Melt in your mouth! My girlfriend and I shared two dishes (Piri Piri chicken and Duck rice). Talk about culinary execution! Flavors are balanced, not overwhelming, and there is a clear respect for quality. You get the sense that the kitchen is not trying to do too much, just doing things the right way, which is exactly what you want at a place like this. SERVICE: Service here feels polished without being stiff. The staff moves with confidence, knows the menu, and gives recommendations that actually make sense. There is a rhythm to how they operate, attentive, present, and respectful of your space, which makes the whole experience feel seamless. AMBIANCE: This place is aesthetically dialed in. Modern coastal energy with a South End sophistication. The lighting is soft, the design is clean, and there is a calm but upscale vibe that makes it feel like a true night-out destination. It is the kind of place where you could bring a date, meet friends, or just sit and enjoy the atmosphere without feeling rushed. IMPRESSIONS: Baleia is one of those spots that understands its identity and executes on it. Strong ambiance, well-executed food, and service that ties it all together. It is a place you go when you want something a step above casual, but still comfortable enough to enjoy without overthinking it. Definitely a spot I would come back to. read more

Baleia - Wine Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I came here with a friend for an early dinner before we went to the ballet. This is such a beautiful space in the South End, the service was friendly and attentive, and the food was delicious!! This is going to go on my list of favorites! I ordered the Strawberry Fields mocktail, and while I think mocktails can be somewhat disappointing, this one did not! It was sweet, bright, zingy, and had nice foam and salt rim garnishes. We also ordered the Portuguese sweet rolls, the olives, the spiced carrots, the piri piri chicken, and the grilled pork chop. Since this was a more upscale spot in the South End, we were expecting TINY portions. However, we were pleasantly surprised that it turned out we over-ordered and took leftovers home! The Portuguese rolls were a good size and the chamomile butter that came with them was delightful. We liked munching on the olives along with our rolls, and both made for a filling starter. The piri piri chicken was generous, with a large serving of fries and four pieces of chicken. I loved the garlic aioli with both the chicken and the fries. The chicken was well-seasoned and cooked perfectly, where it was moist and tender. I loved the pork chop dish as well -- the sunchokes were a tasty addition to the pork! We weren't there for a leisurely dinner because of the ballet, but the staff were always nearby and were quick to help us out with the check and boxes! Since I'm always drinking a ton of water, I appreciated that they gave us a full bottle and refilled it frequently. I'd love to come back here and try more of the menu! read more

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ambiance and service were great, no complaints there :) our waiter had good knowledge of the menu + wines and was able to talk to a bit the history of the restaurant! FOOD standouts: -shrimp mozambique // shrimp was already half peeled + good sauce + rlly good garlic + restaurant gave us toasted bread to dip in the sauce -sweet rolls // butter was SO good and airy, tasted like a donut -wine: druida encruzado reserva 2023 // super smooth, light, and clean! helped cut down on the saltiness of the food rlly well + great even on its own good: -octopus carpaccio // had rlly good crunchy bits/bacon that made it almost taste like asian chili crunch oil! sorta salty though and no wow point -piri piri chicken // juicy chicken with a nice spice kick at the end + fries were airy/crunchy on the outside and almost hollow feeling but in a really good way?? wasn't WOWED though good but wouldn't get again: -salt cod bolinhos // texture was rlly good, almost like a 10/10 crab cake texture! but waaaay too salty and fishy + sauce had no wow point -duck rice // rice was p sour + duck wasn't as juicy/tender as I would've wanted, but not bad -molha de carne // texture of meat was suuuper good, just like 장조림/korean braised beef! but hella bland, even my mom agreed and she usually doesn't like super saturated flavors wouldn't get again: -olive oil cake // 10% sweetness :( tasted like a blander castella with humongous salt flakes on top read more

While the ambiance and service were banging, this was probably one of the worst meals I have had given how expensive everything was. The marmalade relish on the duck liver empanada was a terrible choice. It completely overwhelmed the flavor of the duck liver. I did set the marmalade aside and tried the empanada on its own only to be disappointed by how unappetizing the liver was. It didn't have the boldness and livery taste I would expect of liver. It tasted slightly bitter, which was indicative of overcooked liver. The rolls were dry and would parch your mouth immediately. The sweet butter was good, but ordinary. The piri piri poussin was worse than Nando's peri peri chicken. The chicken was dry, had not been marinated in any brine or seasonings whatsoever, and was barely seasoned with salt. The fries were limp, way too salty, and soggy. The aioli was ordinary. The worst of the lot was the molha de carne. First, beef was dry, stringy and way too salty. The sauce was too salty as well. While it was savory, the saltiness was off-putting. The only redeeming thing about this dish was the roasted potatoes. All in all, the food was awful. I won't recommend visiting this place if you don't want to hemorrhage money for terrible food. read more

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This was a new find on my first trip to Boston, and I have to say this was an amazing dining experience from start to finish. We made reservations and arrived promptly. The staff was super friendly upon arrival and we were seated in what seemingly was a high top. Our waitress was super knowledgeable about the menu and gave us great suggestions. We ordered the mussels escabeche, roasted cauliflower, duck rice and piri piri poussin. The mussels came first, and quickly, followed by the cauliflower. The mussels were served cold, which was a first for me but very delicious. The cauliflower was roasted nicely and still had some bite to it, and the garlic really amplified the roasted flavor. The duck rice and piri piri arrived after, and both were also amazingly delicious. The piri piri was on the spicy side but so tasty, and the duck was cooked perfectly. I recommended this to several of my friends who are from Boston and aren't familiar because this is a must try. read more

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Baleia was a delicious dining experience! It's a beautiful restaurant that looks upscale and modern but has a casual inviting atmosphere. Service was friendly and attentive and I loved the Portuguese inspired menu. We ordered quite a few dishes to share and some of my favorites were- Cheese tarts-these one bite appetizers were delicious! Octopus Carpaccio-loved the mix of textures and flavors. Tender octopus with crispy potato, pimento aioli and cured olives. Curried Eggplant-perfectly cooked silky eggplant with spiced cashew and Thai basil. Sonhos-my favorite donuts ever! Crispy fried dough that's light and fluffy. Perfect with the two sauces of port caramel and dulce de leche. I could have eaten the sauces with a spoon! What a wonderful dining experience and perfect to celebrate my birthday. I highly recommend and don't forget to save room for dessert! read more

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Wonderful dinner experience! Service was excellent and very warm. The dinning room is modern but cozy. I was a bit surprised by the restrooms, they weren't what you would expect for such a nice restaurant; fine and clean but very outdated. Food was delicious, perfectly balanced, seasoned and salted. We loved everything we tasted. The sweet rolls are unassuming but perfect in their simplicity. The bolinhos were delicate, perfectly fried. The shrimp Mozambique was outstanding, I could have drank the sauce; they brought us some crispy bread to dunk which is definitely the move. The Molha de Carne was the most surprising dish for me; I wasn't expecting much but the beef was falling apart, you didn't need a knife. The sonhos were amazingly light and fluffy, 100% recommend over the pastéis de nata. My only beef with the sonhos is that they're served with "dulce de leche" instead of DOCE DE LEITE, come on Portuguese! The pastéis de nata were fine but once you have pastéis de Belém in Portugal, it's hard to find anything that comes close. Overall, a great dinner, prices were fair and we are already thinking of going back. read more

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This place had fun flavors and some great dishes! We really loved the whole roasted fish, shrimp mozambique, and roasted cauliflower. Presentation and plating was great on all the dishes as well. As for things that could be better - their sweet rolls didn't taste very fresh and soft when we got them as they were pretty dry and flavorless. The desserts were pretty sub par too: the egg tart shells were super hard to bite into, orange flan felt a little all over the place, and chocolate cake was overly sweet and didn't feel as refined as the other dishes that night. The place has a lot of great dishes and things, just some finishing touches would make it that much better. A more high end place for sure, and great for a date night or dinner with parents. read more

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We chose the Explorador tasting menu at Baleia, and it was an excellent decision. This is a 7-course experience where the chef prepares both on-menu and off-menu dishes, and every course felt thoughtful and well-executed. The meal began with mussels escabeche, served cold on a zesty, light paste with ginger, bird's eye chili, and subtle onion notes. Bright, refreshing, and truly unique. Nothing heavy, just perfectly balanced acidity and spice. Next were sweet rolls that were warm with a slight crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with just the right amount of sweetness. The salt cod bolinhos were a standout: crispy on the outside, meltingly soft inside, paired with a saffron mayo that elevated the dish without overpowering it. We then had mushrooms over a yogurt harissa paste with green onions. The mushrooms had a wonderfully gamy depth, and the harissa added warmth and complexity. The seafood stew was rich and comforting, with clams, shrimp, and cod in a deeply flavorful broth. The cod practically melted in your mouth, and the tomatoes burst with juicy flavor. The braised beef (Molha de Carne) was incredibly tender and paired beautifully with fried potatoes simple, hearty, and perfectly executed. Dessert was an olive oil cake, lightly salted on top. Dense, not overly sweet, and served cool. While I think it might be even better warm, it was delicious nonetheless and a satisfying end to the meal. Overall, the flavors throughout the experience were exceptionally well balanced. Special shoutout to Igor, who was an excellent server and recommended the Explorador experience. We left full and highly satisfied. The decor/ambiance is also stunning. It's refreshing to experience a restaurant that feels elevated not just in its design, but also reflects that same level of refinement and creativity in the dishes it serves. read more

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Food (5/5): - everything was really tasty! - recommend getting at least 2 dishes per person - tried the oysters, sweet rolls, carpaccio, roasted carrots, seared cod, and duck rice - the sweet rolls are a must get (and get plenty of it)! I was eating chunks out of the butter that came with it - the carpaccio was also delicious -- a tad salty in some parts but overall it was well balanced with some acidity - oysters were fresh, creamy, and the sauce added a nice kick to it Service (5/5): - very friendly and attentive! Ambiance (5/5): - great for groups and friends! - would recommend for dates! - went around dinner time. it wasn't super loud, the lights were kinda dimmed, and overall pretty nice, intimate vibes read more

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An absolutely outstanding Portuguese inspired haute cuisine restaurant! If you want to spend the big bucks on a big meal, This is one that you will remember for a long time. Peak experience stuff. * * * Let's clear one thing up right now, before the fussy fussies start complaining. Despite the marketing, this is NOT a Portuguese restaurant. That does not bother me, but will bother some people. In Boston, Portuguese but not Portuguese usually means Azoreano. Azoreano food is wonderful in the Azores and mediocre in Boston. However, the chef here is from Virginia rather than the Azores. He is a rising talented chef who draws his inspiration from Portuguese flavors. He does some Portuguese classics just to show he can. When he goes straight up traditional, He is absolutely awesome. Bolinhas de Bacalhao (Fried codfish balls to us Americans) Are the great standard Portuguese and Brazilian snack food. Even when mediocre, they are addictive. Having studied Brazilian restaurants for 16 years, and eaten around Portugal as well, I will say with 100% confidence The Baleia version of Bolinhas de Bacalhao are the best version ever. I wish I had some with me right now. This dish alone is worth the trip to Baleia. His version of traditional Portuguese desserts are also awesome. Sonhos (Dreams in English) are basically Portuguese beignets served hot. They can be served with a caramel sauce. He serves the traditional caramel sauce AND a port caramel sauce of his own invention. Leave the old school caramel sauce alone. Sonhos with HIS port caramel sauce are die and go to heaven bliss. * * * We had the tasting menu. Half of the dishes on the tasting menu are on the regular menu. Half are not. You only get those goodies if you sign up for the larger program. The larger program is totally totally worth it. Because that menu will constantly change, there is not much point to my repeating all 6,048 of the wonders we were served. Keep in mind though,some of the dishes will be original and not Portuguese at all. That said, treats included a) Combining the Portuguese tradition of serving really good canned fish with his own outstanding homemade ceviche. b) Mushrooms that taste more like steak than any steak you will ever have. (His idea) c) A cataplana (seafood stew) that was to die for when you got the parts of the sauce with the wine d) Dipping his really good garlic bread into selfsame sauce e) The best version of Portuguese sweet rolls you will ever have served as a breadbasket early on f) The orange flan of your dreams. (His idea again.) * * * I will say, I wish the bar was more Portuguese. (The wine cellar is most certainly Portuguese and got kudos from my wine drinking companion.) That said, the limited Portuguese options had some fine stuff. I drank a Portuguese brandy with my meal that would put most French brandies to shame. (The name of the brandy is C. R. F. if you want to obtain a bottle for yourself.) * * * Overall, an absolutely outstanding place. There are a hundred zillion great restaurants in Boston ... and that includes haute cuisine places for people who want to go over the top. The Yelper in me wants to try them all. But I would be sorely tempted to come back to Baleia - even with all of the competing temptations out there. I don't get food like this at home. read more

I very much enjoyed my experience at Baleia. The space was lively, yet intimate. It was a great place to catch up with friends while enjoying some delicious food. I enjoyed everything we ordered and felt like every dish was thoughtfully crafted. The chamomile butter is so addictive...I needed that in a to-go container yesterday. I am only giving four stars because, while the service was friendly, the staff were a bit distracting. We were sat near the front doors, which the restaurant kept open for a nice breeze. The issue is the breeze kept blowing out the candle on our table - which my friends and I had no issues with, because we can very much see our food and enjoy a nice dinner without a candle. However, we had multiple servers come by at least 6 times, reaching over to re-light the candle in the middle of our conversations. Maybe after the second try, we can just let the candle rest? read more

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Food was so good!!!!! Environment and staff were amazing! Highly recommend! Everything about our experience was fun and delicious. We had the best time! read more

Like everybody else it seems these days, I came back from my trip to Portugal yearning for the food from my travels. Enter Baleia, a relatively new spot in the South End offering a modern take on southern coastal Portuguese cuisine. I went shortly after they opened last year, and recently went again for a nice dinner out. The hospitality is on point - the ambiance is trendy yet warm and inviting, and our server was attentive and knowledgeable about the drinks and food menu. They have a great cocktail menu and wine list highlighting Portuguese wines. My gin cocktail had a light almond flavor brightened up with citrus notes, and I finished my meal with a minerally white wine from the Azores. We started our meal with the Octopus Carpaccio, which was tender, not chewy at all. I loved the crispy potato bits that had the same textural contrast as bread crumbs, and the pimenta aioli did not overwhelm the actual flavor of the octopus. The Duck Rice was delicious, though I do wish it came with more duck - I can never have enough duck! I hate to make this comparison, so bear with me, but the rice tasted similar to Trader Joe's chimichurri rice (in the best way possible!). It was herby and I loved the bits of tomato and chorizo peppered throughout the rice. The Cataplana was filled with seafood but the best part were the chunks of braised pork cheek. We loved soaking up the flavorful broth with the bread, we definitely could've used more bread to soak up all that goodness. The sneaky star of the meal, however, was the Swordfish Espetada! The swordfish was grilled to perfection, the pepper sauce you dipped it in had a nice smoky heat to it, and the little salad on the side was well-balanced with watercress greens, sweet and tart green apple, and crunchy fried sunchoke. We've been talking about this dish long after our meal! For dessert, we always get the pao de lo - they bill it as an olive oil cake, but I think it's more of a very moist sponge cake, wrapped and baked in parchment paper and all. It's sprinkled with some flaky finishing salt, and I fight for every bite of that dessert. Reservations recommended. They do offer validated parking for $5 nearby in the lot under the bridge. A great spot for date night or a foodie girls night out - I'll definitely be back! read more

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Really good meal at Baleia tonight. Everything was delicious but highly recommend the cheese tarts as a snack. The cocktails were also all very good. Service was friendly and solid and really enjoyed sitting at the bar. read more

Very nice vibe and service here. The food was good but not more than 4 stars. My favorite was the octopus carpaccio, followed by the mushrooms. Shrimp In spicy sauce was also tasty. read more

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I would give the food an 9 out of 10 and the ambience in 11 out of 10. Best olives I have ever tasted. It's been a month and I'm still thinking about the curried eggplant. The cabbage with white beans inspired me to eat more cabbage and never without . My only disappointment is that I asked, and apparently the olives are from the supermarket. Still a damn good olive. read more

Interior is stunning, with gorgeous seats and an ambiance that is perfect for a date night. The cozy, luxurious seating enhances the overall experience and the service was excellent. We got: - Portuguese Sweet Rolls w/ chamomile butter ($8) - Salt Cod Bolinhos w/ saffron mayo ($15) - Shrimp Mozambique w/ chili, lemon, cerveja ($18) - Grilled Mushrooms w/ harissa, charred onion yogurt, fried shallot ($17) - Piri Piri Poussin w/ fries, roasted garlic aioli ($34) For dessert we got: - Portuguese Egg Tart - Sohnos The sweet rolls were a great starter, not the best I've had but good enough. The piri piri and fries were heavily salted, but everything else was delicious and highly recommended. Do note that a 3% "administrative fee" is added to the end of your meal. Overall, a great dining experience. read more

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Overall, I had a great experience here! The atmosphere was very classy yet comfortable. All of our dishes were great. The staff was amazing and they were all very attentive. Would highly recommend their appetizer sweet rolls and the EXPLORADOR menu. We were able to trial multiple dishes and we were full by the end! read more

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Such a vibe at Baleia. The ambiance is beautiful and the food is really the star of the show. We tried a bit of everything-- mushrooms, rolls, steak, fish. Everything was delicious. Presentation spot on. My phone did not eat first... and that says a lot. Parking nearby in a lot. read more

Baleia - A meal featuring a plate of bread rolls with salt and a dish of seafood topped with herbs and spices on a wooden table. - Wine Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This is a vibey spot worth the visit even if just for the soft buttery sweet roles. Service here is great and the ambiance really sticks out. It feels cozy and not incredibly loud, but does get busy as you can assume. We did the explorador menu, not sure if I got that right, but it came through with a good amount of food. The only bad comment I have in regards to the food was that some of the dishes lacked flavor and just weren't good. I contemplated giving this place 3 stars, but I think they shined in other areas. I would like to go back at some point to give some of the other dishes a try. I'd say it's definitely worth a visit. read more

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Amazing vibes and food! Fell in love with the decor. Really enjoyed every dish we got and the service was 10/10. We ordered the Portuguese sweet rolls, octopus carpaccio, duck rice, and seared cod. A little pricey but I think this is a great date spot or birthday celebration spot. read more

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Food: my friend is vegetarian so we asked for the vegetarian menu (there is a separate one in addition to the main menu!). We tried the sweet rolls, mushroom, squash, and cheese plate, in addition to cocktails. Everything was great, especially the sweet rolls, but the cheese plate featured a singular cheese that was on the pungent side and may not be for everyone (not my first choice). The pineapple jam on the cheese plate was really nice and unique though. I'm not sure if I could taste the Portuguese inspiration but maybe it's because we didn't have any seafood. The dishes are pretty standard size for tapas. 4 between the two of us was pretty filling. Ambience: top notch. Extremely modern and sure to impress. Service: very attentive and helpful! I'll have to come back and try the other non-veggie dishes! read more

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A beautiful restaurant with great food and ambiance! Our server kindly guided us through the menu since it was our first time there. Standout dishes included the Portuguese sweet rolls, the octopus carpaccio, and the carrots vindaloo. We would definitely come back for these dishes! read more

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Had a wonderful dinner at Baleia last night with a friend! I was not sure what to expect as this was my first time trying Portuguese tapas, but this place definitely did not disappoint. Firstly, just wanted to call out how beautiful the restaurant was decorated! Good service as well! We ordered the Octopus carpaccio ($18), Grilled mushrooms ($17), Shirmp Mozambique ($18), and Duck Rice ($38). All the food tasted fresh and was full of flavor! The duck rice was a bit salty but worked well with the duck on top. The dessert here was wonderful as well! We shared a Pasteis de Nata ($4) and Sonhos ($12). The sonhos were nice and fluffy. The caramel and dulce de leche paired well with it. We enjoyed this with oolong tea which paired nicely as well. Overall, would recommend! read more

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I don't know what can be said about Baleia that hasn't been said before. It's gorgeous inside - warm and inviting. The service was outstanding. Our waiter was friendly, attentive and gave great recommendations. Added a little welcomed personality to our evening. The food leans more rustic and traditional than I expected - which I definitely enjoyed. Great depth of flavor, masterful cookery. Place is a well-oiled machine in terms of timing. Oh, and the cocktails were spot on. Well balanced, tasty, pretty - what's not to love? It's a perfect date-night by restaurant. read more

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Tried this new Portuguese tapa style restaurant in the south end and it didn't disappoint. Everything about the experience was 5 stars. The ambiance was great as it was well lit, throwback hip hop music and nice decor. The service was outstanding as the waiter and staff was very attentive. The food was some of the best we've had in the city. The Portuguese sweet bread was a great start and we got the fried cod. For dinner we got two entrees, the piri piri chicken had some spice to it but the aioli helped cut the spice. The duck and rice dish was amazing and had great flavor. It is is on the pricier side but it was very good. read more

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Baleia was such an amazing dinner experience for my birthday and I can't wait to go back! Immediately when we walked in, we felt like it was cozy with a really sophisticated vibe. I recommend sharing a few plates so you get to try a bunch of the delicious options. We ordered the Portuguese sweet rolls, octopus carpaccio, seared cod, and steamed baby clams which were all great and super flavorful. Definitely save room for dessert because they have a bunch of yummy options like pasteis de nata. The staff was super attentive and friendly and our first courses came out really quick. The other dishes were spaced a bit apart but overall, it was a great experience enjoying each dish! read more

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Cod Bolinho: didnt taste the cod. All potatoe and mayo Octopus car: too spicy and octopus taste refriderated Duck rice: too much sauce. Takes away the flavor Sonho: breaks apart. Dolce de leche watered down read more

Exceeded my expectations for a Boston restaurant!! Baleia is a cute Portuguese tapas restaurant that served well-executed dishes in a vibey and comfortable environment. They recommend ordering about 2-3 dishes per person. -The steamed baby clams was probably my favorite dish of the night, although the cod was a close second. Clams were really fresh and encased a lot of the clam juices, which was perfect when mixed with their buttery wine sauce. Bread was warm and nicely soaked up all the sauce, garlic, and herbs. Our server read our minds and brought us more bread because the sauce was so delicious. -The octopus carpaccio featured nicely cooked octopus slices with strong umami flavors amongst the olives and the fried garlic/shallots. While I wish the pieces were sliced more thinly, my partner felt that it was appropriate since it allowed for a good chew. -The Tuna Cru included both raw and cooked tuna. Don't think I've had this combination but my friends were weirded out by it. While the former was fresh and paired well with the olive oil and capers, the latter didn't provided any major textural contrast. -The grilled harissa mushrooms were tasty, especially because with the cumin-like spices and lots of shallots. Also enjoyed pairing it with this eggplant-like yogurt sauce. -The cod was seared very nicely: it was appropriately cooked but still tender and juicy! Although I wish the fish itself could use a little more seasoning, it was tasty when paired with the verde sauce or with the chourico bits. Hash browns were crispy too! -The duck rice reminded me of a kimchi fried rice because of its spicy and tangy flavor profile. Loved the saffron and additional spices that they included. Duck slices were well-seasoned. Service was great overall and I loved the space! It was dim enough to create the hip and vibey ambience, but still had a lot of ambient light from the in-step lighting, so it was easy to see my friends and read the menu. Besides the lights, I liked the pink/red/yellow accents and their high top chairs were actually comfortable!!! Definitely recommending this place to my Boston friends and I would come back if I was in town! read more

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We made a reservation at 5 p.m., and we were the first to dine in. The atmosphere and design are beautiful and very relaxing. The service was great at the beginning, but as we were almost finishing the meal, we kind of got ignored. Even though the place wasn't packed until around 6 p.m., only four tables were dining, including us. The food is mainly tapas style, and some of the dishes are overpriced for the portion. OYSTERS piri piri, sercial 10 year madeira 4ea (Oyster was salty but it was fresh.) PORTUGUESE SWEET ROLLS chamomile butter 8 (I like the butter; it was light and fluffy. The bread is like Texas Roadhouse but on the sweeter side, and the top with salt tastes like pretzel.) OCTOPUS CARPACCIO crispy potato, pimenta aioli, black olive* 18 (The octopus is thinly sliced, so it makes it easy to chew on, but I am not a fan of the seasoning - probably I don't like the olive) GRILLED MUSHROOMS harissa, charred onion yogurt 17 (You will like it if you like a smokey taste) SHRIMP MOZAMBIQUE chili, lemon, cerveja 18 (It's definitely not worth the price even though it tastes good. The seasoning was light and the shrimp was not overly cooked making it easy to eat. There were only 2 shrimps that were cut in half.) PIRI PIRI POUSSIN fries, roasted garlic aioli* 34 (The chicken is juicy and not overly seasoned, but the fries are so fried that you can even see potatoes) SUCKLING PIG orange, braised greens, crispy pigs' ears 35 (I have never eaten pork that is soft and juicy, and the skin was crispy. The pigs' ears are super crunchy) Portuguese tart 4 ea (Amar's tastes way better. The tart was warm and crispy on the outside; however, the egg custard was cold and not even lukewarm. It could be better tart, but it is a nice dessert, not too sweet to end your meal.) Overall, our bill came out to be around $182 + tips. The tapas are better than the main dishes. read more

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SRV is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston, so trying out their latest sister restaurant was a must. We came for dinner on a Wednesday with a reservation to celebrate our anniversary and had a great experience. The large space, previously occupied by a pizza place, has since been transformed into a warm setting with stunning architectural touches from floor to ceiling. There's a wide variety of seating options, but I would recommend making a reservation since it got pretty busy. Between the two of us we ordered four dishes, which was more than enough. We also ordered non-alcoholic drinks and appreciated how many options there were. My favorite dishes were the Portuguese Sweet Rolls and the Salted Cod Bohlinhos. We also got the Carrots Vindaloo and Duck Rice. The waiter was super friendly as were the hosts. They were sweet enough to give us complimentary non-alcoholic drinks in honor of our anniversary. While Baleia isn't a cheap meal, I'd definitely come back for another special occasion. read more

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Superb food experience, I loved the range of dishes and the thoughtful homage to Portugal. The staff were very friendly and gave excellent drink recommendations. Parking in the area can be a bit tricky, so I highly recommend Ubering if possible. The restaurant itself is beautiful, with a great atmosphere and perfect spots for couples to take pictures. read more

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I've been here twice now and have really enjoyed both times! First, the ambiance and decor is incredible. Such a warm and trendy atmosphere with the lighting and furniture~ it's very inviting and upscale. Another thing to note that I didn't realize the first time was they have validated parking for $5 in the lot under the bridge nearby. Super convenient because parking around this area can be really tough depending on when you go. As for the food it's Portuguese tapas style, so small sharing plates. You have to start with the Portuguese sweet rolls~ really warm, soft, and delicious especially with the chamomile butter! The first time I came, we were a party of 6, and I believe they were able to add 2 more for us since it normally comes with only 4, which was really nice! Another dish I liked was the octopus carpaccio. The seasoning on the top added great flavor and a little crunchy texture that I enjoyed. We also got grilled mushrooms which I ordered the second time coming because they were just so flavorful. Everything we ordered was very tasty and I would definitely come back a third time! This is a perfect spot for a date night or a girls night dinner! Highly recommend! read more

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Came for the beautiful interior and stayed for the delicious food! With the menu being more tapas style, we were eager to try many but also being mindful we gotta save room for dessert! For "starters", we got the Tuna Crudo - which was very refreshing and we loved the crunchy and salty capers. We also got the Salt Cod Bolinhos - very crispy and perfectly soft cod, salted to perfection. We actually preferred it without the sauce. Would highly recommend getting the Grilled Mushrooms with the Piri Piri Poussin - the heat and savoriness of the mushrooms added a nice oomph of flavor to the char-grilled chicken. The fries were seasoned thoroughly and fried to perfection. We had to finish off with the egg tarts which were insanely crispy and delicate - perfect delicious end! read more

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Baleia is harmonious blend of modern elegance and traditional Portuguese charm. The restaurant is decorated with soft lighting, rustic wood tables and a cozy atmosphere. The staff were welcoming and provided attentive service. We tried the Portuguese sweet rolls, octopus carpaccio, grilled mushrooms, puri puri chicken, and the orange flan. The sweet rolls were simple and accompanied by a chamomile butter. The octopus was tender and perfectly seasoned. The chicken was marinated in a puri puri sauce with crispy fries, however the fries were a bit too salty. The mushrooms were woody and hearty. The orange flan was a delightful way to end our meal. Also, you can get your parking voucher validated, so that parking will only cost $5 for up to three hours. Directions to the designated parking lot can be found online or on OpenTable when you make a reservation. read more

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Arrived on a beautiful summer night. Restaurant is genuinely arresting to look at. We happen to love Portuguese food. So were looking forward to it. Too bad the food was a letdown. We went with the chef's menu, figuring he'd know what's best. It started with rolls that were bizarrely coated with rock sugar. We scraped it off because it didn't work and was gross. Some boiled carrots came out that were like a new mom experimenting with making her own baby food. A dear thought. But just bland and not something I'd expect a restaurant to serve. We didn't feel compelled to finish it. They served a steak in some kind of dark brown sauce. It was completely bland, unsalted, and flavorless. Red meat is an indulgence, and it's kind of a waste to just pour some flavorless goop over it and call it a day. There were mussels in a tomato broth. Broth was good but the muscles were soft and gooey. Probably undercooked but certainly not that fresh. We left about half uneaten. The rub of prix fix is they consider desert a course. We knew that going in, and they served a chocolate cake that was just overly sweet with nothing else going on. Reminiscent of a donut bought from a gas station. Another dish left mostly uneaten. Wines were good, but they don't make those! For what ended up being pretty expensive for two people I have higher expectations. To be served up a bunch of misfires is disappointing. read more

When you walk in you are greeted with a bright, lively but yet calming aesthetic. It is beautiful inside. The staffs are friendly and were very tentative. The food here is Portuguese-inspired so keep in mind by no means are they authentic. Dishes are tapa style. Staff recommend 2-3 dishes per person. I came here for dinner with a friend and this is what we ordered: Rose Tonico-- drink was light and refreshing, slightly fruity with a hint of zest. Portuguese Sweet Rolls--came with 4, light and fluffy. Reminded me of Texas Road House rolls with the sweet butter, delicious. Octopus Carpaccio--thinly sliced octopus topped with thinly shaved crispy potatoes and black olives. Very flavorful. My friend who is not a fan of octopus loves this dish. Shrimp Mozambique-- Very fresh and easy to eat. A must order in my book. Flavor was very balanced and flight, a summer dish indeed. Grilled mushrooms--some review said it was a "heavy" dish but I did not think so. Mushrooms were smokey with a kick of heat from the harissa. Spanish Mackerel--Would not recommend. Even when eaten with tomatoes, the fishiness cannot be masked. Suckling pig-- Very delicious and filling. A must order dish. The pork is very tender and falls apart easily into pulled pork texture. The crispy pig ears were indeed crispy, a bit too hard for me. Braised greens paired nicely with the pork. Pasteis de Nata-- Portuguese egg tart. A bit too charred on top. The crust is very flakey. I loved the dash of cinnamon on top. These tarts are perfect and not overly sweet. I would recommend this to end your meal. Overall thought: I would come here again. It is slightly pricey for the amount of food for example the shrimp was delicious but you are basically paying $18 for two shrimps since each shrimp is sliced in half. I say come here for special occasions and expect to spend around $100 per person. Food was fresh and delicious. read more

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Right off the bat, the interior of the restaurant is stunning - a warm, inviting ambiance with an open view of the bustling kitchen and all its chefs hard at work. We started things off with the Portuguese Sweet Rolls, which are a must-order. The rolls are pillowy soft, delightfully chewy, and topped with a sprinkling of flaky salt that accentuated the floral sweetness of the airy, whipped chamomile butter. Something so simple had no right of tasting that good, and was easily a standout of the meal. The Octopus Carpaccio, on the other hand, received mixed opinions. While the thinly sliced octopus was tender, and the crispy potato crumbs added a nice textural contrast, the flavors didn't quite harmonize. The dish leaned too heavily on acidity and saltiness from the black olives and pimento aioli, overshadowing the octopus, which acted more as a neutral backdrop than the centerpiece. Next was the Braised Beef Check. The beef was visually impressive and flawlessly cooked, melting in your mouth with every bite. But flavor-wise, it felt too familiar, like a refined version of steak and mashed potatoes. It was good, but it lacked the "wow factor" we'd hoped for. The Shrimp Mozambique, while tasty, also left a lot to be desired. Shrimp served in a thick, buttery, garlic sauce - essentially a shrimp scampi but without the pasta. Seeing that it was also $19 for only two average-sized shrimps cut in half, I expected more from it. The Roasted Kabocha Squash, on the other hand, I genuinely enjoyed. The nuttiness of the squash paired well with the earthiness of the toasted pumpkin seeds and sage, and the dollops of queijo fresco cheese added delightful notes of richness to the dish. Finally, the mains. For the Duck Rice, we felt that it had too many elements that rendered it unbalanced in terms of flavor. The rice was too wet and overloaded with seasoning. The duck, while smokey and well-cooked, did not harmonize with the chouriço sausage, leaving the dish feeling overcomplicated. Thankfully, the Whole Roasted Fish did not suffer from that problem and was the perfect representation of "less is more." The fish was tender, delicate, and unworldly juicy, with its skin charred to a fantastic crisp. A drizzle of lemon alone elevated each bite, but the rich, savory anchovy sauce took it to another level. Finally, for dessert, we got the Sonhols - sugar coated fried dough with dulce de leche and apple caramel. It sounded like the perfect conclusion to our meal, until we realized after one bit it was raw... Overall, we gave Baleia a 7.6. While none of the dishes were inherently bad, several fell short of their potential, and none of the dishes delivered enough standout flavors to entice us back to explore the rest of the menu. read more

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We enjoyed an amazing meal at Baleia this past weekend - excellent food, very attentive service, and a welcoming space that was both comfortable and chic. We ordered the Explorador (a chef's choice pre-set menu) and were not disappointed. The portions were substantial while still maintaining their dignity, and plated beautifully. Some highlights included the harissa roasted carrots, which were shockingly memorable for a side dish, and the duck rice, which was hearty and spicy without leaving you feeling logy. The grilled pork chops were also a smash hit at the table, and I would definitely recommend the sweet rolls. The only thing missing from this extraordinary meal was a Portuguese egg tart! Also! I would be remiss if I failed to mention the Tinto de Verao Spritz. I really almost never drink alcohol (do not and have never liked the taste), but the Tinto de Verao far exceeded my order-a-drink-to-be-sociable expectations. Light and fruity without being too sweet. The Venn diagram of drinks my husband and I both enjoy is basically two separate circles, but we both ordered and loved this drink. The restaurant also very kindly accommodated my son's picky palette, and brought him a grilled cheese sandwich. I would recommend Baleia to anyone - it would be a great spot for a date, family meal, work dinner, girls' night (or guys' night!). read more