Their new "hard shell" exterior is great. The vibe is quite different than the tent, in my opinion. Very cozy. There were several neighborly chats between tables which I thought was so fun. Blanca builds community. Period. The food was, as always, wonderful. My dinner date, a first timer, was impressed from the moment we walked in. Kendall was outstanding - attentive without being pushy or busy or "too" friendly. Service was perfectly timed. The spaghetti limone remains my favorite treat. The clams and burrata were excellent. We could drink the juice at the end - we agreed using the spoon was a better idea. Can't wait to go back. (I forgot to take photos!!) read more

My wife and I stopped here for dinner on a Wednesday. Location: Not the easiest place to find and even though there are marked parking in the rear of the building, the entrance is in the front. Not a lot of parking in the front, but plenty behind. There is a large patio that has vinyl walls, but it doesn't look to be air conditioned at all. Inside is very small and is essentially the kitchen. They were remodeling so the dining room section was closed off. Unfortunately, it was very warm in the area we sat in. Waitstaff: Absolutely wonderful! Our server made our drinks and was knowledgeable in all of the cocktails we asked for which was a breath of fresh air because many places we have gone are not familiar with The Last Word or a Boulevardier (seems odd to me). Food: They started off with some bread and salted butter. We thought it was a little too salty for our tastes, but good none the less. We tried the watermelon salad and clams. Both were really, really good and would highly recommend both. We finished with a fig tart that was excellent! Overall: For the evening, I would rate this a 4.5 restaurant. Kind of funky with the seating, not thrilled with the temperature, but the food and drinks made it worth it. I would definitely recommend. read more

Always such an amazing experience at blanca. I am obsessed with their cocktails, wine selection and spaghetti a limone. They also always have other really delicious seasonal dishes. I have also recently really enjoyed the swordfish and panzanella here. Their focaccia is also so delicious. Dining room is beautiful and also so fun to sit at the bar. 10/10 date night or girls night rec. read more

Ambiance is a 3. Food is a 3. Service is a 4. Appetizers were good: clams and cheese tart (which was really more of a quiche). Steak was under seasoned, sides were underwhelming, potatoes were not cooked thoroughly, still had that undercooked crunch. Not sure if it was an off night but there are other restaurants we can try for the $$. read more

Blanca - Wine Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

The food and drinks were delicious, the ambiance was special, and we enjoyed watching the kitchen in action. The star of the evening was the cheesecake. read more

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Blanca has been on my list of restaurants to try for a while now. A friend had a Birthday dinner here, which gave me the chance to give it a try. I have to say I was impressed. The service was great. The wait staff are attentive, but laid back also. Our waiter offered suggestions and added information that was useful. The cocktails were very good. I tried "Squad goals" a Mezcal cocktail, which was very good, and an Old fashioned, which was also very good. Not too sweet, which often happens at most restaurants. I ordered the Rockfish with Bomba rice and a Chorizo broth. The broth was amazing! The dish wouldn't be close to the same without it. I do wish there was more, the portion size was too small IMO. I wasn't exactly full after my meal and ended up stealing some of my wife's potatoes . My wife ordered the Roasted Duck Breast dish, which was really good. Yes, the potatoes were really good too. Overall, it's a very nice place to have a great meal. My only complaint was the portion size. I believe they rotate the menu regularly, so the dishes discussed may or may not be there when you go, and you should go! Recommended. read more

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WOW! how have i never been to blanca before? six ladies out for supper to celebrate three birthdays. the food was outstanding, the service was on point, and the atmosphere was lovely. our server was olive, and she couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. answered all our questions, gave wonderful suggestions, and had just the right amount of friendliness. the wine drinking ladies all had difference samples before ordering; this gin lady had "stranger on the alps" which was so full of flavor. most of us got the flounder entry which was mouthwatering. the shrimp and fennel risotto was also a favorite. and the desserts? holy toledo! the chocolate mousse was dark chocolate and just so damn good. but the palova stole the show. i will definitely return to blanca. read more

Overall a very cute place to eat - the covered patio was a little hot but no real complaints. Service was quick and our waitress was very nice. We tried a few of the small plates including the clams, goat cheese tart, and fristo misto. My favorite was the fristo misto, the agrodolce was light and the summer veggies were fried to a crisp perfectly. The clam and goat cheese tart were good as well but slightly salty. Also tried the eton mess which was the star of the show. Would recommend! Ps. Also had complimentary focaccia which was warm and delicious with butter. read more

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We had a 5:45 reservation for our weekly date night and were promptly seated. That's about all that went right for our first and last visit to Blanca. We left at 7pm having never received our dinner but did get plenty of excuses. We watched other diners come and go, watched our drinks be refilled and then watched our hopes for dinner fade slowly. First, we were told that the lasagna that I ordered was "time consuming" as the table next to us, who arrived 15 minutes after us, ate their Duck. Then, we were told that our food was being plated as three other tables finished their food and left. 15 additional minutes later, we asked for the check and were met yet again with the tall tale of "it's being plated right now". Finally, after insisting on our check, someone who we think was the manager came out and told us they comped us wine and soda, she said "it's been a long week here". Although we appreciate the attempt at an apology, transparency would have been the answer here. Why was our food never prepared? That explanation would have gone a long way for us. Do better, Blanca. read more

Tucked away in a little strip mall next to other restaurants it can be a little bit hard to find the parking lot for this gorgeous and amazing place! Once you find your way into this restaurant you will love the little cute intimate setting and light they have set up. There is both a dining room but also a kitchen bar if you want to sit facing the chefs! The menu was great and not overly priced. I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the homemade focaccia is that they give out as a starter for everyone. Probably my favorite part of the dinner honestly. The waitress was also very polite and on top of her game with getting our orders in and clearing up the table when needed. We ordered the flounder and shrimp orzo and they were both delicious. The sauce with the flounder was by far the best part of the entrees. We could not leave without dessert and the cheesecake was amazing. The caramel was perfectly sweet and the cheesecake wasn't too dense. Overall amazing experience and would definitely go back! read more

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Blanca showed up on my search and I wasn't sure I would enjoy it. Ultimately the desire for something new and fresh inspired me. Walking up to the restaurant I was encouraged by the outdoor seating. Walking into the restaurant I loved the open and interactive kitchen. The menu is small but diverse enough to tempt any pallet. The wine list is very intriguing with unique bottles from around the world. The cocktail list is experimental and tasty. Our server Stephen was on his game. He thoroughly explained the dishes and was eager to make our experience delightful. I felt like this place was our little secret, and I hesitated to share about it so it didn't get overrun. But I love food and I love seeing people love food. Do yourself a favor and experience Blanca. Great food, awesome wine, amazing atmosphere, top notch service. read more

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Outstanding seasonal flavors offered via a rotating daily menu. Extensive wine selection, excellent service and intimate ambiance lead to a wonderful experience every visit. read more

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Great food, lovely place, have a large outdoor patio, can't wait to go when it's warmer. Pasta is made in house, the whole meal was fabulous. read more

Blanca is a wonderful restaurant that seems almost hidden in plane sight; you walk into a courtyard through a vine-covered arch and are treated to culinary delights. We started with some amazingly fresh rosemary focaccia with salted butter and an asparagus and whipped goat cheese tart that was so good we didn't get a picture in time. We both had pastas for dinner that were so good! The pasta was homemade and so wonderfully textured. I wish we had room for dessert! read more

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I love the ambience of the restaurant. They have outdoor seating. Kitchen countertop, seating, and then dining room seating. So I like that you can kind of have a different experience, depending on where you're sitting. I sat at the kitchen countertop seating. I had a view of the kitchen and was able to see the chef's work their magic, which was really cool. The staff were all very personable and friendly. They made great suggestions in generally overall contribute to the positive experience. The food was enjoyable. This is a place that I would definitely go back to at least once or twice. It was slightly on the pricey side, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. read more

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It has been a while since I reviewed Blanca, and I have been here twice in the past month! My fiance and I have brought 2 different groups of friends and have recommended the Fritto Misto each time, and they all loved it. We started to just order our own Fritto Misto each (no sharing). I really liked my roasted chicken because the meat was very juicy and tender and I loved all the vegetables and sauce that came with it. The roasted garlic and mushroom goat cheese tart was also very good with the fennel salad. It wasn't too heavy in the stomach. The dish that felt a little heavy in the stomach was the pappardelle with duck ragu. My fiance almost couldn't finish all of it because there was a huge amount of it and also it felt pretty heavy. They have their own parking lot in the back and front of the restaurant, but I recommend parking in the back lot because there's more room. read more

Blanca - Papparadelle with duck ragu - Wine Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

We went here for Valentine's Day and had the pre fixed menu. The food was impeccable. The service was the best we've ever had. read more

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Top notch service by fun, courteous and knowledgeable servers, and food was very well made. We shared the Roasted Chicken w/polenta and Flounder. Our dessert was the Caramel cheesecake. Can't quite award this a 5 star experience because food didn't have a wow factor and the seating wasn't particularly comfortable as wall AC units were causing a constant cool draft. Enjoyable experience nonetheless. read more

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I stopped here by chance while waiting for a pizza from next door. Just wanted to grab a glass of wine but was seated at the bar by the welcoming staff and ended up having an app with a delicious glass of wine! Now I'm intrigued to go back and have a true dinner experience! Well done! read more

Blanca - Prosciutto, mortadella, chorizo, Tempranillo - Wine Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Blanca is absolutely incredible. The servers were friendly and attentive, the atmosphere was inviting and homey, and the food was indescribably delicious. Everything was made fresh & you could tell. I love fresh pasta, and the spaghetti limone was the highlight of the meal. You have to try it! But no matter what you order, you're in for an amazing meal. We can't wait to go back! read more

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Hide your zippers, hide your waistlines, wear some tights with a baggy sweater or make sure you have holes on your belts left, this place is Fantastic! Small restaurant but you can watch the cooks, cook and the staff is super sweet. Came here to celebrate our wedding anniversary and we got a cute little glass of wine/champagne on the house. We sat in the bar area and LOVED it. This is not a Tik Tok spot, this is a foodie spot. We had dirty martinis and white sparkling wine. They put a little bit of smokiness in their martinis and the olives were DANGEROUS. We had the Scallops and Pappardelle with Duck Ragu. My pictures are of empty plates because we cleaned house it was so GOOD. I almost didn't wanna leave this review because I don't want people finding this restaurant but I do think they deserve a shout out. Nice outdoor sitting area for when the weather is better, and the bathrooms are very clean. read more

Blanca - Cleaning house on the duck ragu and scallops! - Wine Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Food was AMAZING! I have had disappointing prix fixe before--this was not that! Everything was expertly made and designed. Personable service in a cozy yet chic ambiance gave fine-dining an approachable feel. read more

I had the swordfish entree and the cheesecake for dessert. The food was good. They have a small bar seating area inside and a sort of makeshift little outdoor patio-looking area. The server was nice. read more

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The steak was amazing. Absolute favorite restaurant in Norfolk. Not cheap but worth it.

Moved here a year ago from living in San Diego for the past 5 years (can't argue that's really good food) and this is by far the best meal my wife and i have had since. From the apps (summer veggies and clams) to the pasta (limone and pappardelle). Awesome service, friendly and attentive. The fresh pasta was the highlight. Have not found a place that does it better since we have been here. read more

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This place definitely exceeded our expectations! Everything was perfect: cozy space, flavorful drinks, wonderful service, and the food was spectacular! Highly recommend! read more

Perfect for: special occasions, celebrations, drinks and apps Every bite was phenomenal. The goat cheese tart was creamy and flavorful with the caramelized scallions and asparagus. The risotto was light and was the perfect amount of food. Everyone at the table enjoyed their meals as well. We ended dinner with the Basque cheesecake to share. The salted caramel balanced the perfectly burnt cheesecake. Our waitress was knowledgeable and friendly with great recommendations. We sat in the dining room, which was perfect for our party size, but I can't wait to come back to sit at the kitchen bar or outside once they finish updating. read more

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Blanca is hands down one of the best dining experiences I've had in Norfolk. My boyfriend and I went for date night, and it was absolutely perfect. From the moment we walked in, we loved the vibe--this beautiful blend of Spanish, French, and Italian bistro styles, plus the fact that they have a seasonal changing menu. Everything felt fresh and exciting. We started with an appetizer (though I can't quite remember the exact name) that was a mix of squash, nuts, and some kind of delicious sauce. It was unlike anything we've ever had before, and we were both blown away by how good it was. For our main course, we both had the steak with potatoes, and let me tell you, it was cooked to perfection. We paired it with a bottle of wine from their extensive and impressive selection. Honestly, I'd try every bottle on that menu if I could--it was that good. The service was top-notch. Our server was fantastic, and the rest of the staff was super attentive and friendly. The ambiance was cozy yet refined--small but not cramped, and the perfect spot for both dressing up or keeping it casual. I also loved that we could see the chefs preparing our meals, clearly enjoying what they were doing. Overall, this place gets a solid 10/10 from me. I would absolutely recommend it and can't wait to go back again! read more

Went for a an early date night. Sat at the bar and 10/10 it was a great experience. I got the special of the night (ravioli) and my husband got the roast chicken, finished off with the cheesecake. All delicious and well portioned. Service was great! Everyone friendly and attentive. Would totally go back. read more

I have finally found my favorite restaurant after living in the area 2 years! The food was so good I woke up this morning still imagining every delicious moment last night. The visit started with incredibly friendly staff, an original mocktail made by the talented bartender, and warm, fresh focaccia. Both appetizers ordered were superb. My main course, the butternut squash ravioli with Italian sausage...omg...the flavor in each bite...the way it hit on the palette with just the perfect blends of texture, spice and sauce was nothing short of revolutionary. It made me want to stand up and proclaim that I had FINALLY found the love I had been looking for my entire life! Luckily for those around me, I didn't do that, but I really wanted to. Our entire table was blown away as we ate varying dishes from the ravioli special to the spaghetti limone to the fresh flounder. I'm afraid anyone overhearing our table commenting on the absolutely outstanding orgasmic flavors of our food as we ate might have thought we were under the influence of psychedelics...but we were only under the influence of the exceptional food, wine and mocktails being served from the superb Chef and staff. As if that wasn't enough, we ended our meal with the chocolate mousse, which was able to give us that one last flavor climax with its perfectly balanced dark yet so satisfying chocolate tones. OMG. MIND BLOWN. Blanca reminds me of food I would find at a high end restaurant in San Francisco or NYC, yet with the friendliness, comfortable ambiance and welcoming energy of a smaller city. Wow. Just Wow. Amazing. I can't wait to go back. The world is a better place with the food and people of Blanca in it! read more

Blanca offers some of the best food in Norfolk. With its ever-changing menu, you can always expect delightful and fresh ingredients in their dishes. As relatively particular eaters, my family and I have never had any complaints about the food here. The flavors and quality consistently impress us. However, there are a couple of areas that could use some improvement and would bring the review up to 5 stars. Firstly, we have noticed that the servers, particularly on our last two visits, lacked warmth and friendliness. It would be great if the restaurant could address this issue to ensure a more pleasant dining experience for their guests. Secondly, the overall atmosphere at Blanca is a bit underwhelming. The location feels like a parking lot (because I basically is a tent in the parking lot ) which detracts from the overall dining experience. Considering it aims to provide a refined dining experience, the current setting feels somewhat incongruous. However, it's worth noting that if given the opportunity to dine in the main restaurant area, our perspective might change as it appears to have a charming ambiance. Overall if you are looking for a great place for a nice dinner I would recommend Blanca. read more

Blanca - Wine Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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The gif was very good, it was like fancy. I got the tart and it was very yummy, and I shared the roasted squid which was so good too. The 2 got the half lemon pasta and perfect size and they really enjoyed it Our servers was super nice too; he knew how to give us options on what to eat and answered all the questions The vibes where good too, lit of people were there for dates. It looked small from the outside but we were comfy in our table read more

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Everything was delicious and well prepared. We started with the green salad and the shrimp appetizer. The salad was so wonderful and flavorful. They could make this in a main course size and I would order it every time. The shrimp appetizer was good but warning it is spicy. We had two white wines by the glass recommended by the waiter. We had the lamb risotto bolognese for a main course. We went with the waiters recommendations for wine pairing here as well. Desert was a delicious merengue with fresh fruit over the top. It was a wonderful way to cap off the meal. The service was great with a very attentive and helpful waiter. The ambiance was comfortable but classy. Probably not a great place for kids but awesome for a romantic evening. read more

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Delicious. Every single time. Service is great and the music was also so good. I wanted to stay and relax after eating. Not pictured, but the mousse is delicious. Must try! read more

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The place was cute and I've looked forward to eating here. The outside dining area looked nice and seating was distanced well, but the flavors in the food just didn't cut it for me. I was really looking forward to the Fritto Misto with Asparagus, Pecorino, Olives, and Honey, but it left the roof of my mouth feeling weird and itchy. I don't have any food allergies so that was an odd feeling. I brushed it off, and looked forward to the main course. The roasted chicken with romesco, grilled asparagus, and ramps smelled very sour while I was taking pictures of my dinner. It didn't taste as bad, but the chicken was very salty. I enjoyed how juicy and tender the meat was, but the skin is supposed to be one of the best parts. I needed the vegetables to neutralize and lots of water. You usually can't mess up dessert, but I had a hard time finishing the chocolate mousse. It wasn't sweet enough to be balanced with the amount of sea salt mixed in there. So it was rich, heavy, and salty. On top of it was more of a sour cream than a creme fraiche. It's not supposed to be as tangy as it was, so none of the flavors complemented one another. Sad to say I wasn't satisfied. read more

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This is a fantastic gem in Norfolk. It has a quaint atmosphere, as one might expect from a European-style bistro. From the appetizer to the dessert, I loved everything I had. I really enjoyed the rockfish dish, and the Basque cheesecake was seriously one of the best desserts I've had in years. And to top it off it was gluten free, so I could actually try it. What a treat! read more

Blanca - Basque cheesecake with caramel sauce (crustless) - Wine Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Blanca was disappointing. We made a reservation for Saturday and when we walked in and gave our name they instantly shared that they didn't have track of the reservation we had made on Yelp. Then, the servers told us that they had a seven top cancel and so they were able to find room for us. They made us feel very unwelcome. Upon sitting down, we found out that we had accidentally made the reservation for a different day and would have gladly worked with them if they hadn't made us feel so guilty. After sitting down, we got our drinks which were very good and decided on doing tapas style dinner for the four of us. Appetizers were very good and we enjoyed all we ate. We would not have gotten the charcuterie again, but the fried cauliflower and mussels were divine! We would have stayed for more if not for the experience in the beginning. The restaurant was cute and we enjoyed it. Kept warm even in the tent. I wish I could have seen more of the inside to really get a feel for the place. Bathrooms were oddly outside in the accompanying building. Overall, I wouldn't revisit Blanca. read more

Service was excellent. Had a little bit of everything. Highlight was the short rib! I will definitely go back!

We visited this restaurant for the first time for my husband's birthday. This restaurant is a hidden gem on Granby. There is plenty of parking behind the restaurant, the layout of the restaurant is a little confusing, but don't let that hinder your judgment. They have a open kitchen so you can see you food being made, I loved that. There is limited seating so I recommend making a reservation online or by calling. The food here is five stars through and through. You start off you meal with their homemade rosemary focaccia bread which is light, fluffy, and flavorful. For an appetizer we enjoyed the mussels bourguinon and crusty bread. The mussels were so fresh and perfectly cooked, the sauce was divine. We enjoyed soaking up all the sauce in the crusty bread. Even my 8 year old asked if we could get another order of their mussels. For the main dish I enjoyed their braised short rib with polenta, mushrooms and gremolata. This dish was perfection, meat falls apart, polenta was prepared to protection and everything paired beautifully. My husband and 4 year old both ordered the paradelle with duck ragu which was so flavorful. They make all of their pasta in house, so you can not go wrong with any pasta dish. Finally my son enjoyed the spaghetti Al limone, which is a fresh pasta with a lemon sauce, it is superb. There was nothing left on any of our plates. Our family enjoyed every bite. This is a great date night place. I don't think that most kids would love all of their menu options, my kids loved it, but know they can make some modifications. Their indoor seating area is a heated tent, which does not sound nice when you hear that but trust me this restaurant is worth checking out. They have tons of parking, which is always a plus. Bathrooms are outside of the restaurant, not a tradition set up, but they are clean and well kept. Their service was top notch and our waitress explained the menu very well and was so accommodating to our party. The menu is small and always changing which I love because you can always have fresh food with the best ingredients and try something new every time you go. The on menu item they always have on their menu is the Rockfish Almondine. read more

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One of the best dining experiences we have had in Virginia. This chef and her team go above and beyond to give an incredible dining experience. Food was delicious and we cant wait to go back! read more

Blanca - Menu - Wine Bars Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia