Baleia

This Portuguese restaurant is in a big space that used to be Area 4 in the South End, filled with comfy yellow booths, netting hanging from the ceiling, and a bar spanning the back wall. It’ll probably be packed when you’re there, but there’s usually a bar seat available, and it’s an excellent place to get down with some incredible seafood dishes. Go for the paper-thin octopus carpaccio with some crispy potatoes on top, head-on shrimp swimming in spicy mozambique stew that you’ll want to drink, and a hearty plate of fried rice topped with buttery, rich duck. We’ll be back to try the rest of the menu soon.