Baleia, a Modern Portuguese Seafood Restaurant, Sails Into the South End | Eater Boston
"A modern Portuguese seafood restaurant in the South End brings a sun-soaked Lisbon/Algarve-inspired vibe to a 100-seat space, with rounded archways, tile mosaics, goldenrod banquettes, lime-washed walls and a blown-glass–like light installation. From the Coda Group and chef Andrew Hebert, the menu balances snacky plates (olives with coriander, orange and chili; house-cured salt-cod fritters) and larger entrées (suckling pig with braised greens and crispy pig’s ears; a bifana sandwich with yellow mustard and spicy piri piri; a pork-and-seafood cataplana), alongside vegetarian options such as roasted cauliflower with Queijo da Serra. The kitchen imports cured ham and some cheeses while making most items in-house—daily-baked pillow-y sweet rolls, open-kitchen hot-smoked paprika chouriço—and riffs on tradition (a thicker, spinach-pureed caldo verde–style sauce for seared cod; a piri piri sauce softened with pomegranate molasses and roasted red pepper). Seafood highlights include head-on shrimp Mozambique, whole-grilled sardines meant to be eaten by hand, and grilled piri piri chicken with fries and roasted garlic aioli; North African touches appear in dishes like a lamb shank tagine served tableside for a dramatic reveal. Desserts include pastéis de nata and sonhos with port caramel, and a Portuguese-only wine list (Madeira and port among the pairings) rounds out the experience. Brunch and patio service are planned; currently open for dinner Tuesday–Sunday, 5–9:30 p.m." - Nathan Tavares
