New Bedford’s Black Whale Restaurant Is In for ‘Spectacular’ Upgrade

One of New Bedford's most popular restaurants will get a makeover.

The Black Whale is getting a new deck.

"It is going to be spectacular," owner Steve Silverstein said. "The whole idea behind the deck is that people love dining outside, but we are very subject to the New Bedford weather. The tent we have right now rattles around in the wind and we can't really heat it very well, we can't light it very well, yet it is still so successful. So, we decided to make an investment to make it even better."

The deck will have a permanent roof with sprinklers set in it for fire protection. This added safety feature will allow The Black Whale to put heaters into the ceiling for an extra level of comfort. The deck will still have retractable sides, but they will now be powered.

"You'll still feel like you're sitting outdoors, but you get all the benefits of being indoors," Silverstein said. "Our hope is that we can extend the season a little bit. It's going from a Cape Cod fish shack-style patio to an elegant deck. It picks up on what we did a couple of years ago when we put the bar and furniture in there. It'll be a finished room instead of a tent, especially when it is windy and rainy."

Silverstein said his restaurant group regularly invests in its properties each year.

Ourdoor seating will remain roughly at 100. The new deck is scheduled to open April 1.