There garden is lovely. The service was prompt and pleasant. I ordered a seared tuna salad without dressing and it came with dressing and there was no problem sending it back. The server was apologetic. On the negative side, we had mussels as an appetizer. The presentation and sauce were gorgeous. However the mussels themselves tasted like frozen mussels. The calamari was ok. They gave a free little appetizer of crostini and salad which was delicious. At the prices they charge at this restaurant, I would expect fresh fish. read more

If you want to have a phenomenal experience with a cozy environment, I highly recommend The Black Whale Restaurant!!! Eliza and her crew took care of my family like royalty! My family needed a place that offered a variety of options for food and beverages, and the Black Whale accommodated our needs. One of the best options I could offer for the experience was their willingness to accommodate our flex schedule. We initially reserved a dining time for 3:30 pm for eight people, and after time we ended up changing the time three different times due to scheduling, and the number of our party changed as well. By the time we arrived, it was 5:00 pm and the party grew to twenty people; Eliza and the Staff, transformed their restaurant to facilitate our party on a moments notice while still catering to their usual patrons. We went from a lunch menu to a dinner menu, and the pricing change was minimal. I can offer, the next day, we went to another restaurant at City Island (Well Known), and they didn't offer nearly half the service with professionalism and Care as Eliza and her Staff provided. The best part of the Black Whale is, the staff is interested in your needs so you can enjoy your experience!!!! I highly encourage all who visit New York, to visit the BLACK WHALE AND TRUST, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. Thank you, Eliza, best wishes and thanks again for the superior service and fine dining. Jeff & Yvonne. read more

Brunch is what the Black Whale is known for, but dinner isn't too shabby either! We went here on a Friday night, and forgot that when it's nice out? It takes FOREVER to get onto the island, due to all of the traffic. LAME. Luckily the restaurant was nice enough to hold our reservation when I called and let them know we were delayed, and we were seated right away upon arrival. The 4 rating is because we were sat at a table, super close to the wall (and I don't need a lot of space - I felt crowded), and crooked on one side. It also took FOREVER for any server whatsoever to take our drink order. Only to be in the middle of giving my drink order to one server, when another approached and took over. It was a strange moment. However, the food was delicious, and their prix fixe menu was pretty flexible, in that you can pick your entree, add $7 to it, and then get a side and dessert. They also apparently have movie nights on Fridays? And the movie was supposed to start at 9, but definitely did not start until closer to 10, when one woman asked for the movie to be put on. Random. read more

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This is the worst brunch that I have ever had. The price is 20.95 for not much at all. The coffee is disgusting & I seriously considered leaving the restaurant & getting one from the diner across the street. I went to the "omelette" station & attempted an order however the "chef" stated that he was there to make me something delicious & what I ordered was garbage. I assume that he thought he was being clever & the banter was funny, but it wasn't & it wasn't appreciated. When the omelette came (see photos) it was more of an egg white that was fried with veggies in the middle. The Creme brûlée was more an omelette that the delivered omelette was. Extremely disappointed ..... read more

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I love this place. It's cute, cozy and totally funkylicious. Been here twice and on both occasions, my sister's and I would do Brunch. Food selection is great with something for everyone. I really like their quaintness. Only downer here, is their 'No Unlimited Mimosa' With Brunch. Not staying away from this cute City Island gem. Worth it, regardless. read more

Apple crisp with vanilla ice cream is yummy New Zealand steamed mussel is just average Background music from the 80's movies make everybody in such a pleasant mood In all, such a lovely family restaurant :) read more

The Black Whale - New American Near Me - Bronx, New York

We were there for our first time the other night. This is a true neighborhood place away from the glitzy over the top and over expensive food of the bigger places! The ambiance is so eclectic and reminiscent of city island of the past. The food was excellent and filling. The service was wonderful and the staff was very attentive! Of most important note as my daughter is a vegetarian and she told the waitstaff this as well when she placed her order. The owner came out and advised her that while it was a vegetable dish it had a base of chicken broth. My daughter really appreciated this and made another choice that was wonderful. Prior to leaving we spent time reminiscing about old city island with the owner. There will definitely be return trips to this restaurant. read more

This is a very cute, local place located in the heart of City Island. I went there for brunch last week with a friend and their brunch was delicious, and all for $16.95 a person. They offer an omelette stand, where they could also make fresh waffles. A variety of breakfast goodies from croissants, cereals, fruit, bacon, sausage with even some lunch options including penna alle vodka and eggplant rollatini. You have to try the bread pudding!! So thick and tasty! Continuous coffee or beverage is included, with one alcoholic beverage, Bloody Mary or Mimosa. Parking is a little tough but that's expected on CI. Happy eating! read more

The Black Whale - Sunday buffet, $16.95! Egg white omelette, bread budding, eggplant rollatini, French toast, and many more!!! - New American Near Me - Bronx, New York

The atmosphere, wait staff and cocktails are great! However, the most important part, the food, not the best. I am not a picky eater by any means but I was very turned off by the mussels. They use a larger ones, perhaps New Zealand, which I've had before and loved, but here they were very chewy and hard to swallow. I usually don't get turned off by texture either but visually and texturally, it was very difficult to get past. My fiancé's penne vodka was also not the greatest, sauce was broken and tasted tart? I wish we liked it but it wasn't for us. read more

Hubby and I drove down from NR to have sunday brunch here. Made reservations because previous reviews recommended it. Were doubtful when we walked in because it was like 12:30 and there was nobody at the tables. Server mentioned there was more seating outside and led us to a quaint little table under a tree. It was like being at a bed n breakfast. Went back inside to grab our grub from the buffet. All was good, but I just had to get a second helping of their eggs benedict and manicotti (yes, manicotti!). They even had mini cups with individual servings of creme brulee! Fantastic experience & will do it again soon!! read more

The Black Whale - brunch buffet - New American Near Me - Bronx, New York

Their dessert is the BOMB. It's also right down the street from my grandparent's house. City Island is one of my favorite places in the world and I'm glad The Black Whale is a part of it read more

Always enjoy a great meal at the Black Whale. The brunch on Sunday was unbelievable! When the pandemic ends I hope to return for Sunday brunch. For now I will order take out and enjoy the dinner menu. I love the Black Whale Resturant. read more

After a daytime visit to City Island, Black Whale won out for the day's lunch. It was chosen over some of the other City Island staples (Lobster House, Sammy's, etc.) since it looked a little more rustic and not so dependent on seafood & steak like most of the other restaurants. It is a cute little restaurant that has dining in the back patio/garden area. The interior is kitschy, decorated with various relics of the past that seem like they were discovered treasures curated from various flea markets. The menu selection hits on a few themes: sandwiches, seafood, and main dishes. I opted for a Cuban sandwich. The sandwich was very good: pernil pork, ham, pickles and mustard on a pressed sandwich bread. The fries were garbage. They seemed like generic, medium-cut potatoes that were just tossed in the fryolator and never seasoned with salt. I didn't bother to finish them because they just weren't good. The crusted codfish dish looked like it was standard seafood fare. It came with a side of rice and steamed vegetables (carrot, cauliflower, broccoli). Again, the sides just looked like standard, boring accompaniments that you'd get out of a buffet line. I think if they put a little more thought and effort into the sides, I'd up the rating. Not that this restaurant was bad, it was just not very memorable. If you want to eat outdoors, it's a good spot to go. If you're looking for more of the fishing village/old school feel with that fried seafood smell, keep walking down City Island Ave. towards some of the more old school joints. read more

Okay, I will start this review my naming a few people who work at this establishment: Hannah, Eliza, Calliope, and Natasha. You all were absolutely Amazing and great hosts. They know how to make a patron feel comfortable and appreciated!!! I am soooo Glad to establish a relationship with this restaurant. The food, decor, and customer service (which was more like a custom fitted shoe) was far more then I had expected. In a week's time I planned and executed a Surprise Garden Themed Baby Shower in their garden. It was tge perfect venue to host 30 guests. Now, let's talk food.........The menu I chose was the Grilled Chicken Salad, Cobb Salad, penne alla Vodka, and the meatloaf. The meatloaf was unforgettable. That chef messed around and wrapped it in bacon with a side of mushrooms, hand whipped mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli and carrots!!!! Baby, this is a delightful foodies dream. Ya hear me? #SuperbDeliciousness read more

The Black Whale - The decor was an easy set up Thanks to Natasha and Calliope's hand with the candles. the - New American Near Me - Bronx, New York

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If you want something different besides the typical City Island seafood, this is the place to go! Not only is this place very unique and cozy looking, but the food is excellent and it is probably the best I've had on the island! Everything we ordered on the menu was beyond what we expected. This place is definitely a hidden gem and I recommend sitting outside on their decorative patio out back! Also if you have room for dessert you should definitely try the apple crisp, best dessert!! Only reason I am not giving it 5 Stars is because on a hot summer day you do not want to be seated inside! It was very hot and uncomfortable with one little fan blowing and an air conditioner that seemed like it was not working at all! read more

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Awesome food, service and watermelon martini. Best place to come on a date. Cozy with nice jazz music. Been coming here for a while. The price is a little high but worth it. read more

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The Black Whale is a terrific find that I would have never found without yelp. The vibe was welcoming as well the workers. My friend ordered Rigatoni, which I tried and also liked. It was really flavorful. I certainly liked the service too, they are really courteous and attentive. Can not wait to come back to The Black Whale for more. read more

Very diverse menu and everything is delicious! Personally had the tilapia which was good but the mushroom ravioli and pan seared tuna were to die for!!!! Red sangria is also very good. read more

The Black Whale - New American Near Me - Bronx, New York

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Great deserts. Food is fine. Nothing spectacular. The atmosphere is excellent. Good service. Good crowd. Mostly local. Quiet and peaceful. Much better than the tourist traps in the area. Prices are very reasonable. If you like loud and boisterous crowds checkout the other eateries in the area. read more

Gem on the island!! Always great food and service. Hidden garden is great in the summer.

My family has lived on City Island for more than 50 years, and I've always wanted to try this place. Well on one ill fated night, on the occasion of my brother's birthday, we bit the bullet, and came here. We were seated by the woman who greeted us, but after we asked her a few questions regarding the menu, we never saw her again. The room was uncomfortably cold, and the service was unbelievably poor. For the most part we were ignored, having to call the waiter for more bread, (6 small slices for 6 people came out slightly cold, as it had obviously just been defrosted), as well as ketchup for a hamburger and fries. The kids dishes were last to come out, and that made it difficult to deal with them while waiting for their food. Now the real nitty gritty....The food was mediocre at best, and the service continued to be poor throughout the meal, even though we were the only people in the restaurant. We had to ask for additional bread two times, as no one paid the slightest bit of attention to our table. My ribs were ice cold and needed to be sent back. All and all this evening was a complete bust, and we will never return. It has changed owners several times over the years, and apparently they still can't get it right. read more

Cons: - We came here because we purchased a deal on Restaurant.com for $25 off of $50 or more worth of food. When we presented it to our waitress, she said nicely but very matter-of-factly that her boss stopped accepting this particular deal and we could take it up with the website - I went to take a bite of Brian's grilled cheese and brisket sandwich and found a big, black hair. When we showed the waitress, she apologized, but didn't really do or say anything to indicate that she wanted to salvage our experience - When she asked me how I was liking my Mediterranean salad and I said "Meh, it's ok" she said "yeah, it's kind of plain, but most people like it" ... again, not even an effort to see if I wanted something else Pros: - Despite the fact that she wasn't really attuned to our dissatisfaction with the experience, our waitress was nice - Our appetizer dumplings and mussels weren't bad Final Word: Why would I go back to a restaurant with lackluster customer service, moderately priced food, and questionable (at least based on our sole experience) sanitation when there are a ton of other restaurants on City Island??? read more

This review is for The Black Whale's Sunday brunch: The only reason I am giving this amazing establishment 4 stars is because on a Sunday they recommend making reservations (they do get crowded when church gets out). The last time I came here I had made reservations for 4 people at 10:30 am, when we got there, the line was literally out the door streaming down the block. I poked my head in to inform the staff that I booked a reservation, the hostess replied " everyone on the line also booked a reservation" Why do they overbook reservations to this extent? don't they realize people will get angry and leave? This is my all time favorite brunch spot, I usually only come here in the spring/summer because I love their outside dining area (the inside is a dark and small). They have an all you can eat brunch buffet from 10am-2am. They serve eggs,bacon,home made sausage, waffles with any topping you'd like, corned beef hash, potatoes, muffins, fruit salads, fresh bagels... I can go on and on (comes with free coffee and juice). Their food is delicious, everything is extremely fresh because they change the buffet platters like every 15 minutes! The manager told us they change the platters so often because they don't like the food sitting out for too long, Now thats integrity!! If you take your time, or go here at around 11:00, they start to serve a lunch mixed in with the breakfast buffet, the lunch food is also outstanding, they have this oddly amazing cheese and spinach lasagna type thing, it's incredible! So although the whole reservation thing can be totally ridiculous (it's not always like that) the food is delicious and very fresh. For around $11 a person, you can't beat it! read more

To start off, the food was good, not great. At the price per person it should have been great. When we first got here there was a big party in the dining room taking up 1/2 the room with tables pushed together. There were about 8-10 small tables free on the other half. I asked for a table for 2 and was told about 15-20 minutes and they only had outside seating. Yet 1/2 the dining room was empty! Hostess took my name while she was lounging all over the podium, said she would come outside and call my name when a table was ready. In the mean time another large party who had been waiting went in. I assumed they were being seated in the other half of the dining room which was why I was told only outside was available. Turned out they were seated at the same tables the other large party had been at and whom I didn't see leave. So, half the dining room was still empty. When I peeked in to see if it was our turn as the time quoted had passed, I saw that so I asked the waitress if it was our turn and she was startled to see me. In fact, she had totally forgotten I was even waiting. Must have been all that strenuous activity holding up the podium. We were escorted out back, not even asked if we wanted to sit in the dining room. It looks like they usher all the buffet people outside and keep the inside for classier people who order off the menu. Since this was the first time we were here and I didn't see any buffet setup on the way out I asked the waitress how the buffet was set up. She barely spoke English and had no idea what I was talking about. I finally decided to just go to where I saw other folks emerging from. Turns out, you go back in a side door and squeeze into a narrow L shaped hallway which then goes around another bend and you are in front of the buffet counter. The hallway is barely wide enough for anyone with food to squeeze past you on their way out. Obviously it's a converted house so this is the best they can do. It makes for very tight and kinda smoky quarters. The buffet consists of 4 or 5 dual compartment metal serving trays with lids on top of a tall counter so the food is basically at eye level. No sneeze guards by the way. The entire counter is maybe six feet long so only like four people can stand in front of it and shuffle forward from tray to tray. To get at the food you have to lift the lid and set it on top of the lid on the tray next to it. Which means the inside of the lid now rests on top of another lids handle. A handle which everyone has been touching. Then it goes back on the food. There's also a guy making omelets and waffles tucked behind the counter. Since the counter is so high you can't see what ingredients he has available for omelets and since there's no sign, every single person has to say "Do you have such and such for an omelet?" Dishes were good but totally uninspired. Really runny scrambled eggs. Ok eggs Benedict, hash straight out of a can, pancakes, some kind of ground beef mixed with peas with cheese melted on top (actually liked that one!). Later they brought out what they called "chicken parmigiana". In reality it was chicken patties covered by about 10 lbs of melted, greasy cheese, no sauce. I had to literally scrape off so much cheese to get to the chicken that there was a huge mound of it on my plate. There are no bowls or small serving plates provided to bring butter or syrup back to your table. Both of which are on a smaller table with some obviously big box store bought rolls and mini muffins, so people were buttering their pancakes and rolls right from the large butter bowl and all using and handling the same knife which was by the bowl. When the butter ran out, it was never replaced the entire time we were there. Sitting outside was pleasant though I had to flag down the waitress to get a second coffee as when she came by the first time to give refills, she ran out as she got to our table. Of course, knowing this, she didn't think to go get another pot and come back. Also, the waitress didn't think to remove the plates we had already used until we asked for the check so there was a little stack of those on the table from when we went back to the buffet. Wife actually really liked the place for the ambiance and garden seating. Since I was paying, I was a little more picky and rate based on food, service and value for the money. read more

"I am not a brunch person. Or so I thought. The brunch served every Sunday at the Black Whale is one the best eating experiences NYC has to offer. Bruch includes chaffing dishes full of the perfect pancake, eggs benedict-they're not afraid to keep 'em runny, several italian specialties, perfectly cooked breakfast meats, classic bread pudding, even a custom-omelette station. Bring your friends, sit outside, and fork over $10 for an all-you-can-eat-brunch extravaganza. Surely worth the trek to City Island." read more

Ventured onto the Island to enjoy this beautiful sunny day at The Black Whale City Island outside patio. It was perfect in its eclectic, odd garden way! With stone statuary, potted plants, trees breaking through the brick floor pavers and mismatched items everywhere! Very charming and cheerful! The menu is varied with many choices from soups and salads to sandwiches and wraps to pasta dishes and entrees and everything in between! I started with their Lentil soup that was the ultimate comfy food! It was very fragrant with a nice hearty stock with chunks of ham between the lentils and carrots! We also had the penne alla vodka with chicken that was good with a nice light sauce but it could have had more chicken in it. My Cobb Salad with grilled beef filet was chocked full of tomatoes, bacon, corn, avocados and blue cheese with a side of creamy peppercorn dressing. It was huge, so half came with me for tomorrow. We decided on the baby whale which was a Minnie Sunday with vanilla ice cream with hot fudge,whip cream and sprinkled! It was simple yet a wonderful ending! Don't forget their brunch on Sunday's and they Will be having a special Mother's Day menu coming soon! #blackwhalecafe #cityisland #bestofthebronx #bestofthebronxdining #bronxyum #bronxfood #bronxcuisine #cityislandnyc #cityislandresturants read more

The food at the Black Whale was really good. This was one of those rare summer weekends that we stayed in the city. So we decided to check out City Island. I am not a big fan of fried sea food so I checked out the menu' s for City Island. I decided on the Black Whale because it seemed to have Caribbean influence. But the menu on line is different from the menu in the restaurant. Never the less it was still good. We ended up not ordering sea food. They had sea food just not what we were interested in and not what was on the on line menu. I had a duck salad with dried cherries , goat cheese and pomegranate dressing. It was delicious and of good quality. How do I know it was good quality? Since all of the surgery I had last year my stomach is sensitive and I get sick if it isn't top quality. My husband had Sofrito pork chops. They were juicy and delicious. We also chose this restaurant because it is supposed to serve the best cheese came in NYC.It was good but not the best. The crust of the cheese cake was cinnamon.It kind of over powered the taste of the cheese it didn't taste cheesy enough. But it was really good. It had a strawberry puree that was great because it was fruity and not sugary and if you read my reviews regularly you know I am not into sickening sweet desserts. The cheese cake was a New York style cheese cake. Just not the best I have had. That would be Cascon cheese cake. I do like it better than Junior's in terms of the strawberry part but the actual cheese part of the cake, it wasn't cheesy enough for me , Cascon's is my favorite in Queens. Now about the service. We came for a late lunch. Lunch took 45 minutes to come to us and when we asked the waiter wasn't really happy about us asking. I wanted to leave but my husband was being nice and patient as usual since he is more patient than me he decided to stay . But even he thought the wait was ridiculous. But considering that the restaurant inside was empty and outside there were only 2 families having dessert there was no reason for such a long wait unless they were out slaughtering the pig for lunch. I am not sure that I would ever go back because the service was pretty bad and unapologetic. read more

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City Island from June through August is chaotic. Especially June, when all the pina colada loving hoardes come in droves and take over Seafood City. It's better to take a walk down the avenue and explore the smaller stores (past Crab Shanty ahaha). The Black Whale's menu caught my eye, as the prices for non-seafood dishes and even pasta with seafood are better than the prices at Seafood City or the shacks down at Belden Point. The atmosphere is ten gazillion times quieter than the others, as well, and the outdoor patio is GORGEOUS. It's a relaxing experience with awesome service. The menu is varied, with things as simple as burgers to complex creations such as Japanese noodles. I chose the Starving Artist, a delectable blend of orecchiete pasta with fresh mozzarella, spinach, and shrimp. I got the prix fixe too, which for $7 gives you a choice of an appetizer and dessert. The Caesar salad is yummy, but HOLY CRAP chocolate cake! :D I would definitely recommend the Black Whale. I don't know anything about the brunch, as I hate brunch... read more

It's the peak of summer, right before Labour Day and you want a beer, some appetizers and a place to eat outdoors. Well I hit the Black Whale based on these fabulous reviews. I've passed this place a dozen times after leaving the "sitting area" across the street. And I was hoping to get a seat outside, but just as the hostess was escorting me to my table, some patrons complained about mosquito bites. Heh! On my way to the restaurant I was bitten 8 times. So I turned right around and asked for the bar. It was in an air conditioned room near the kitchen, but I'm a Front of House staffer somewhere else, so I didn't mind at all. Tuesdays all year round they pop into the dvd player one of the netflix picks and you get to watch while having dinner - with free popcorn! But.. not a lot of customers come out for it. So, yesterday I ended up the only one, at the bar in the screening area drinking, eating and watching with the staff - who would linger after opening the bottle of wine their table requested. They have such endearing staffers and the wine and beer list is pretty impressive for a restaurant. I'm only familiar with the pubs on the other side of CI Avenue - snug, etc. So, since it was a bit awkward to be alone.. albeit tipsy, try their Dinner and a movie night. Misery loves company right? Here's the list for this year: Sept 3 Chasing Amy (1997), Sept 10 Stranger Than Fiction (2006), Sept 17 Winter Passing (2006), Sept 24 Finding Neverland (2004), Oct 1 Miller's Crossing (1990), Oct 8 Songcatcher (1999). The movie starts at 8. read more

I've been back here several times over the years and keep returning. The courtyard is terrific in the summer and fall, and the dining rooms are cozy, if a little tight. I don't mind it because the service has always been extremely friendly and the value is good. I almost always get a special, because the fresh fish is as good as you can get. The crab cakes appetizer is terrific. Generally, I find the food homey because the portions are large and the combinations are like what I ate growing up on the water. Desserts are certainly worth saving room for. Every time I go to City Island, I start by saying I want to eat on the water, but when I see the huge dining rooms at the standby places (which I've always enjoyed), I just think how much more comfortable I am at the Black Whale. I make up for it by walking off the dessert and peeking at the water after dinner. Be prepared for the traffic jam coming onto the Island at busy dinner times. I generally avoid dinner on Saturday and Sunday at prime time. Parking on the street is a challenge, as well, but perseverance has been rewarded each time, and a winter, mid-week dinner here is a real treat. read more

I have been here three times within the past week after a three year hiatus from City Island. So here's a rundown: 1. Crab cakes - scrumptious.. although not Maryland-style, they come pretty close 2. House red wine - French.. good enough.. get a bottle. 3. Banana honey shake (vanilla ice cream, honey & bananas) - you can taste the honey.. soooo good 4. Black angel (2-scoop hot fudge sundae served over angel food cake) - I opted for the cookies and cream and coffee ice cream, with whipped cream topping, of course. 5. Drunken whale (Godiva, Kahlua, coffee & steamed milk) - a must-try for chocolate-minded folks. 6. Crème brûlée - legit.. can't go wrong 7. Tiramisu - I forget how good semisweet chocolate sauce tastes like. The place used to be just a dessert restaurant, and you can tell. They have outdoor seating and there's tons of funky stuff around the place. Plus, you can buy t-shirts as souvenirs. read more

As any foodie can relate, when you venture out to someplace new, you hope to find a hidden gem. When we made an impromptu trip to City Island for brunch one Sunday, we hoped The Black Whale would be that place. Unfortunately, it was far from. When we arrived, we were told only the buffet was available until 3:30pm. While buffet wasn't my first preference, I was too hungry to go elsewhere. What a mistake. From there, it was a litany of bad food - from the watery coffee to every single item in the buffet, such things as dry chicken parm, watery rigatoni a la vodka, soggy french toast, rubbery veggie fritata, stale croissants, and eggs Benedict made with lunch meat instead of Canadian bacon. The taste, quality, and selection of the buffet fell somewhere between roadside diner and Holiday Inn continental breakfast (but at least at Holiday Inn, the food is free). At $15/person, I was determined not to leave with a rumbling tummy. On my second run, I hoped to discover something delicious that I might have overlooked earlier. Instead, I found myself picking up the lid of each hot tray, feeling disappointed, picking up the next, and so forth until I'd reached the end of the line with an empty plate. I thought perhaps I was being picky, but then watched another patron do the exact same thing I did, finally opting for a little box of cereal. As I stood there, I overheard somewhere mention the cook makes omelettes to order. You think the host or waiter would have explained this to us or that there might be a sign by the buffet explaining this service, but there was none. And it wouldn't have mattered since the cook was nowhere to be found anyway. The only reason this place got 2 stars instead of 1 is because it had a peaceful garden in the rear, which was a pleasant place to sit on a sunny day. In summary, we chose to eat here because on Yelp, it was one of the highest rated places for City Island. Given that's the case, I will never be back to either this restaurant or any others on City Island. read more

I first learned about The Black Whale thanks to Ashley C's review (scroll down a bit), it's short but to the point so I did some investigating. I checked out their website and made a mental note that the next time I have an excuse to head on down to CI, this is the place to go. That excuse came this past weekend and I kept my promise, Black Whale here I come, yargh! Thankfully, the wait was only a couple of minutes which was nice for a Saturday evening. Yes, it is a little cramped but I didn't mind, let's just say it's "quaint". :) I still liked the atmosphere very much and my fettucine with shrimp, crab, and mussels was delish! The staff was very friendly and checked in on us a few times (not too much because that can get annoying too). I saw quite a few dishes others were eating that looked just as good. I made mental notes of that too because I do plan to come back. You won me over Black Whale! read more

The kitschy decor is a nice setting for the excellent seafood served here. If you like Caribbean flavors, try the grilled citrus swordfish, topped with a zesty pico de gallo and served with coconut rice and crisp plantains. I also like the bow tie pasta with grilled chicken, sundried tomatoes, and kalamata olives in pesto sauce topped with pignoli nuts, although it seems almost sinful to go to a seafood restaurant and not order fish. For only $6 above the price of your entree, you can add an appetizer and dessert from a limited list of options, but one of them is the potsticker dumplings with a ginger-infused soy dipping sauce, which I highly recommend. Since their regular price is $6, it's like getting your dessert free, and from those choices I suggest the creme brulee. The last time we were here we had a bottle of sauvignon blanc from New Zealand that was only $19.00. A pitcher of white wine sangria, loaded with fresh fruit, is $15, but be warned - it packs a wallop that will hit you without warning. read more

I've been hearing about the Black Whale for years, (once I even ate someone's quite tasty leftovers) and I finally gave it a try in person this week. It definitely impressed me. The decor is cute, and of course the setting, City Island, is quite unique. The wait staff was friendly and patient with us, seating us even though one person had not arrived yet. I enjoyed the potstickers as an appetizer, but they were not neccesary- portions here are just huge, especially the pasta. The starving artist pasta is delicious with or without the shrimp, and the chicken rigatoni with marsala sauce was also quite good. On the whole, I would say this is one of my favorite places on City island (and I've tried quite a few of the restaurants up here). It's perfect for when you are in the mood for something more unique than fried fish but you want to soak up the atmosphere of City Island. This place was jam-packed on a weeknight in March so I think it might be pretty popular with the locals. I really want to try brunch here... read more

Chose to escape the madness of Fordham Parent's Weekend and eat on City Island. Excellent decision. There were 5 of us- impeccable meal and service! Will definitely be returning in future! read more

Really adore this place, which a friend and I discovered on our annual City Island visit. What looks like a cute cafe from the outside opens up to be a fairytale garden space, full of appropriately mismatched furniture and decor. Quite cozy! I like the special coffee drinks, angel food cake, and ice cream - we had dessert so can't comment on the regular menu but it certainly looked good, with an emphasis on Italian. I'd love to have a party here someday! Would highly recommend. read more

This place is wonderful, and quite possibly one of the best on all of City Island! The menu is quite diverse and the food is consistently good. The desserts are delicious and the portions are huge. Overall the prices are fair. The atmosphere is very relaxed and the decor is charming. Only downside is tht it's rather small, which may not be a good thing if you're in a group. In the warmer months they open up the back patio, but watch out for the mosquitos! read more

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE!! I have never been so disappointed as I was last weekend (Saturday 11/13 at 6:30). First and foremost, you cannot sit diners outside in freezing, cold, windy, rainy weather without HEATERS!!!!! I mean does anyone in the world like to eat dinner at a restaurant shivering and wearing their coat??? Absolutely not!! If you are going to have outdoor dining in winter, since it is now November, then you need to make sure they are going to be warm and comfortable. Secondly, do not sit all the tables outside all at once. I NEVER saw my waitress!!!! She was so inundated with like 5 tables she never came and checked on us. Literally, I was so cold and annoyed that I couldn't wait to leave. It's a shame since I have loved going to the restaurant in the past. Not sure when I will go back! read more

Oh gosh, I just made it home alive from Sunday brunch at the Black Whale. I am stuffed beyond belief. It's all my fault. I didn't have to taste everything but it all looked good. Made to order omelet and waffles are very good. Your whole basic breakfast setup of sausages, bacon, eggs, french toast, pancakes, and daily special like the cauliflower or shredded pork were all tasty. All for 13 bucks pp. Didn't have a reservation but was seated real quick. Very small and quaint. Service was friendly and fast. Would definitely come again. read more