Baltas Ruonis — Restaurant in Klaipėda

Bizzare experience. First; Food (octopus & tuna steak) was excellent, recommend wine great, food arrived quickly and our server was super friendly and attentive. The lack of a drinks menu is a major minus, especially as the restaurant seems to stock some nice things.

Now to the weird part; My wife and myself arrived and was told they did not take reservations (we had planned to go to the beach before dinner and eat whenever we could get a booking) and that the expected wait was over an hour, this despite over half of the tables were empty (50-60 empty seats on ~8-10 empty tables inside and out). Ok, no problems, we stand in line while evaluating our options. As people in line notice that no-one is getting seated, the two groups in front of us get annoyed and leave, having already waited for quite some time. (~8ppl in total) After a while we again asked if we possibly could have one of the empty, clean tables, (maybe we missunderstood something? (we do not speak Lithuanian)), and this time get a yes (~10-15min after being told to expect a 1h+ wait)

The only foodmenu is printed on a surfboard at the entrance and our waiter is eager to get food orders in quickly before drinks. (Fair, maybe he knows kitchen is slow and want to work around it?) We are then told there is no drinks menu, but are recommended a vino verde that turns out great. Strange, as this process slows down the ordering process, as well as decreases sales? After a little wait both food and wine appears, food surprisingly quickly. The whole meal is well presented, taste great and we order more drinks and enjoy the sunset.

Our entire meal wait staff strolls around at a leisurely pace, while the line outside grows and shrinks as people give up and new arrive to que, meanwhile the restaurant remains under 50% full, sometimes almost empty, and still, almost no-one is getting seated?? The situation is so bizzare that most patrons seated look around confused, trying to make sense of the now outright comical situation. At the very end of our ~3h visit two larger groups with apparent reservations arrived, potentially explaining some of the empty seats, but not nearly enough to explain the several hours of so many empty chairs and disgruntled potential clients.

All in all, we saw A LOT of very annoyed people, but our own visit was super, if only...

Went to Baltas Ruonis for a late lunch twice in one week. The first time we went there, we ordered Tuna tartar & falafels for the starters, and an octopus for the main. Falafels have room for improvement, the texture was not right, nor the flavour, nor so falafelly, rather a deep fried spinach veg purée with a few random whole chick-peas in between. It wasn’t bad, but not what you’d expect in a falafel. The tuna tartar was heavenly! The tuna pieces were sitting on a bed of mango salsa, was beautifully seasoned & was melting in our mouths.. when the octopuses were brought to the table, we knew we were in for another treat. It was divine. So tender. So tasty. We went for the second time couple days later, hoping to treat ourselves to tuna tartare and octopus again. (It was that good) unfortunately they had no tuna to offer, but they had the octopus. We inquired what’s Bali Bowl, and when we were advised- We had to reconsider our options. We opted for Calamari Rings that we shared for a starter. And we both ordered the Bali bowl for our main… it was really good! Full of different flavours that went so well together. Salmon ‘sashimi’ was silky smooth and lightly marinated in teriyaki(probably?), the veg salads, the rice, and the Shitake mushrooms where so good too! (We tried to ask for the recipe of how they marinate those- to no avail - fair enough- it’s a well guarded secret of the chef!) All in all- great experience with fabulous sea views and delicious foods. If you are a foodie as we are-...

I had the pleasure of visiting this restaurant not once, but twice, and let me tell you, it was an exceptional experience both times. Located near the sea, the restaurant offers a beautiful view that adds to the overall ambiance. The atmosphere is relaxing and enjoyable, although it can get quite busy, especially during the summer months. I highly recommend making a reservation or being prepared to wait in a queue.

The staff at this restaurant is polite and efficient, ensuring that you receive prompt service throughout your visit. Now, let's talk about the food. The fish and chips were absolutely amazing - a must-try dish that left me wanting more. The salad with chicken, mussels, and octopus was a delightful surprise, each bite more flavorful than the last. I also tried the bali bowl, which had a good taste, but it didn't stand out as something extraordinary. However, the chicken curry was a definite winner.

To complement the delicious food, I indulged in a gin and tonic as well as mimosas. The mimosas were made with fresh orange juice, and they were simply divine. I can't recommend them enough.

In terms of pricing, this restaurant offers excellent value for money. The food is not expensive, yet the quality and taste are truly outstanding. Moreover, the stunning location allows you to enjoy a breathtaking sunset...