- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Baleen
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Lisa M. said: "Had the chillean sea bass it is there signature dish highly reccomend my husband had sea scallops seared to perfection.We were pleasantly surprised.If you want to dine after 5:30 make a reservation it is always busy." read more »
13 reviews for Baleen
13 reviews in English
-
Review from Sara E.
4/2/2012
Not sure why this is classified as "Asian fusion", because from what I remember, the best dishes included:
1. One huge portion of Tomato Buratta
2. A chopped Cobb salad
3. Fish for two, wrapped in a banana leaf, with asparagus and risotto
The risotto was the kind of dish my family would get into a fight about who gets the last bite, and the fish was enough to feed all three of us, so keep that in mind when ordering.
We had a res for 7pm, specifically asking to sit outside, but I would recommend if you'd like to see the sunset from the back porch (this is an old north Naples establishment, so one of the few RIGHT on the beach) that you make your reservation for quite a bit earlier than sunset.. We missed the sunset, and got seated at around 7:45 due to people taking their sweet time eating dessert. -
Review from Nick G.
Hawthorne, NJ
5/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great ambiance and a sunset view that can't be beat! Food was good but not great.
Short rib and potato fritters were delicious as was the tomato burrata which was fresh, creamy and delicious.
My wife had the diver scallops with cilantro polenta and I opted for the lobster risotto. The scallops were fresh and seared perfectly and the fresh taste of the cilantro polenta really completed the dish. There was plenty of lobster served atop a creamy, well cooked risotto but the dish lacked an identity. There just wasn't enough flavor to provide me with a long lasting memory. Good thing they had a great wine-by-the-glass selection for us to focus on. The service was very good. I would give Baleen one more shot the next time I travel to Naples. -
Review from sharon l.
Edison, NJ
3/31/2012
Disappointing is the first word that comes to mind. We had a 7:45 reservation but were told they do not promise outside seating. We arrived at 7:30 to try to get an outside table but they said it could take 45 min. The husbands didn't want to wait so we ate inside. Asked for a table near window to catch sunset. Being rather overcast we saw nothing. We were seated next to a large group of such loud diners that we could not hear the waitress.
The service was decent but the s mixed drinks were loaded with ice. The food was nothing special. Given the high prices we expected so much more.
We would not recommend. -
Review from Kris L.
11/1/2011 2 photos
I have to start out by saying we scheduled dinner on the beach because it was our anniversary and wanted something special. It's great because they allow only one couple to do this per night so it's like your own little private dinner.
We had the best sunset that night and the view was impeccable! Our server Adley (sp?) was awesome and was happy to be our photographer when we wanted pics.
Food- amazing. My grouper was perfectly prepared, lobster bisque was delish, and dessert was heavenly. My husband ordered the steak which he enjoyed as well.
Pricey yes, but well worth it! -
Review from Elizabeth F.
Naples, FL
10/6/2011 8 Check-ins Here
My favorite brunch experience. Breathtaking view from the veranda, pleasant service and remarkable food (along with excellent company, duh!).
On a side note, the coffee mug was awesome!!! I want one. -
Review from Stephen B.
Glenview, IL
2/13/2012
Lovely, elegant setting, outstanding service, but a not-as-impressive-as-I'd-hoped menu and a pretty aggressive price point for the food and borderline obscene pricing for the very impressive wine list left me wanting more.
Our experience may have been colored by the weather (inexplicably cold and windy for this time of year), but we walked away thinking we could think of dozens of places where the food was as good or better and nowhere nearly as pricey.
That said, a beautiful scene and truly outstanding service (I know I said that earlier, but it bears repeating). Probably won't be back, though. -
Review from Jim P.
Palos Park, IL
10/28/2011
We dined there on a very rainy Friday night. We attempted to dine on their outside terrace to take in the view, but the wind and rain made dinning outside less than memorable. We opted for the inside dinning area instead. I had the black grouper which was outstanding. The
portions were generous. My wife had the lobster cobb salad which she also enjoyed. We hope to dine at Baleen again when the weather is nicer so we can enjoy the remarkable view along with our meal. -
Review from Jeff L.
Marietta, GA
1/8/2011
Let me start this review by saying that this place is beautiful and elegant. The decor is lovely, and being able to dine on good food while watching the sunset is a way of life I could get very much used to.
That being said, I overall feel that the food, while good (very good even), is marked by inconsistencies that keep it from being great. To be sure, some of what I had was fantastic; other parts, however, were only average at best. In addition, everything was a bit overpriced for what we ate. I know that the price will be naturally inflated because of, and half of the experience is, the location and the view. On the other hand, however, location and views will never truly make up for what is only good -- not great -- food.
To start the evening, we each had drinks and cocktails as the sun set. It was quite the view. They offer a very nice selection of cocktails, and even (nicely) let you know the specific brand of liquor it is made with. I can't remember what I ordered, aside from it being some form of cranberry / tequila mixture that was quite lovely.
After being seated, we ordered our dinner. I started with the lobster bisque. This was really, really good. In the end, I didn't have a single complaint about it. The only other started I tried was my wife's, who ordered the mussels. She liked them, but I did not. I understand that mussels can be 'fishy', but these were much more so than I've had elsewhere. In the end, I was not all that impressed by them. However, as I said, my wife did enjoy them, and she's the one who likes mussels.
For my main course, I ordered the scallops and risotto. These were a bit tragic. They were grilled, and they felt like they had been grilled over exceedingly high heat, without any amount of oil. Rather than grill marks, they had char marks. And quite honestly, the char flavor was all I could taste. My wife ordered from the 'build your own entree' part of the menu. She also ordered the scallops, plus a lobster sauce, and the lobster mac n' cheese. The lobster mac n' cheese was out-of-this-world good -- easily the best thing of the evening. The scallops were also good, but they most definitely brought out the wrong sauce -- it was the same sauce that came with my grandmother's steak.
All in all, this is a place that serves (generally) good food. Some of it was fantastic; other parts of it were a bit disappointing, especially given the prices you pay to eat here. Still an enjoyable evening overall, but I wouldn't necessarily be clamoring for a return visit. -
Review from Michael F.
Rockaway, NJ
Very nice setting with excellent food and good service. Everything from the monkey bread, to the appetizers to the entrée was well prepared. Suggest getting a table under the roof outside to avoid the sweltering heat, but the grounds rival the setting at Turtle Club with the food almost as good.
-
Review from Corey H.
San Diego, CA
1/27/2010
Baleen is beautiful. It's a five star restaurant in a five star hotel in a five star location.
Be certain that it is pricy. But what do you expect for one the best views of the sunset off the west coast of Florida. The Gulf looks best from this patio, and I've seen it from many. I've spent many a sunset sitting outside, enjoying my jumbo jumbo shrimp cocktail and substantially poured Crown Royal.
From walking in to the lobby, through the well appointed restaurant, and watching over the immaculate grounds, I am impressed, every time.
I've only stayed at the La Playa once, but I do love coming back for the sunsets. They ring the bell when the sun dips below the horizon, and everyone applauds. It's very cool, sitting there, legs crossed, hand resting on the crisp linen, watching the beach walkers all slow to a stop and turn to watch the sunset.
I've never applauded myself, but one day I might. For now, I just like being a spectator. Watching. -
Review from jen r.
6/24/2009
it was very nice ambiance right in the lobby of the la playa hotel (which im dying to stay at since it is a small hotel, direclty on the beach)
they were accomodating for our late lunch/early dinner and large group. yes the service was a little slow but they were nice and attentive. the food is good and they have a kids menu as well which is nice to not have to pay top dollar for kids.
its pretty expensive. its not my first pick in naples, but if staying at hotel, or want a nice outdoor seating with a beautiful view and money isnt an issue, this is your place..Listed in: naples getaway
-
Review from Rick L.
Manhattan, NY
2/16/2011
2 years in a row and still the same. Fantastic, romantic, delicious, spectacular view of the sunset ( time your reservation accordingly). Great food, ambiance and service. See you next year.
-
Review from Irene S.
Castro Valley, CA
4/10/2007
Being spoiled by my Bay Area, California living... I can really only give Baleen's a 3 stars. Given the weather, I feel like I didn't get the full experience. Because of the brisk weather, I was not able to sit outside by the waters, which is the really good part. Also, I was there on a Saturday night where there is a so-so jazz band playing and a few birthday celebrations so it was quite noisy. The service was OK, but on the slow side. For thr price, I can really only give it 3 stars. It was expensive for what we got.
