A Creative Californian Spin on Rustic Italian Flavors featuring fresh pasta, local produce and slow-cooked meats. Voted "Best New Restaurant" within months of opening, La Balena quickly emerged as a culinary fixture in Carmel - adored by locals and tourists alike. Chef Brad Briske's inventive, Italian-inspired offerings range from delicate to robust. The daily changing menu and devotion to using seasonal, locally-source foods creates a restaurant with California sensibilities and a Tuscan heart.