Balena

  • Italian
  • Lincoln Park
1633 N. Halsted St. (bet. North Ave. & Willow St.)Chicago, IL 60614www.balenachicago.com
  • 312-867-3888

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Date & Time
Format: 05/09/2013
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Zagat Ratings & Review

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Stats

80%
Liked it
# of Reviews:
9
Members Been Here:
8
Member Favorites:
3

Member Reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  • I recently visited for the fourth time and continue to be thrilled by both the food and the cocktails. The smoked mackerel is delicious and includes the most beautifully cooked egg I've ever seen. The tagliolini nero is a killer dish and I'd return again and again just for that. The pizzas are consistently impressive while changing seasonally. Don't ignore the dessert menu; the pastry program is fantastic. Well worth repeated visits.

    Published November 12, 2012
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  • You know a restaurant has impeccable service when people who didn't even serve you say goodbye on your way out. Our waiter was wonderful as well telling us what to order. If you go while the brussel sprout & pancetta pizza is still in season you MUST get it. Easily the most interesting but most amazing pizza I've ever had in my life, an dI studied in Italy for five months.

    Published October 30, 2012
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    • Premium Member

    Outstanding food and wine, particularly the pizza and items off the grill. The bisteca rib was downright amazing, and the wine collection didn't suck either.

    Published September 29, 2012
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  • Odd. The room is cavernous. The small plates are quite small. The wines are not expensive because they are cheap wines. I don't get it. The pizza was the best thing my group ordered. Parking is seriously challenging and the valet was expensive.

    Published September 29, 2012
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  • Big multi-level space, very lively pre theatre crowd. Service very good. Great cocktails and mainly Ital wine list. We tried the charcuterie plate, the arugula salad, the farro/octopus, smoked mackerel, and burrata/beet appetizers, all were good, nothing blew me away. Pizzas were very good. Pastas are homemade, we tried the tagliolini that was good also. A nice night out and not a wallet crusher either.

    Published July 25, 2012
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See all 7 reviews »

Good to Know

Atmosphere
Trendy
Features
Private Room Available
Winning Wine List
Meals
Dinner Served
Signature Dishes
Artisanal Brick-Oven Pizzas
Spit Roasted Meats, Fish & Vegetables