05/21/2026
When Anna and I first started dreaming about opening Balandra, we wanted to create a space that felt like an extension of our home, warm, welcoming, and centered around great food, great wine, and genuine hospitality.
From the beginning, our goal has been simple: serve the highest quality ingredients we can find at a reasonable price, while building a truly family-owned and operated restaurant where every guest feels taken care of.
We’ve only been open for two months, and the support from Fremont and the surrounding neighborhoods has meant everything to us.
What many people don’t see is all the work that happens behind the scenes when the doors are closed. Anna is constantly working to make Balandra better. From spending months curating our wine program, to managing our social media, to supporting every new idea I bring into the kitchen, she’s involved in every part of what we do.
Balandra would not exist without her.
So next time you see her on the floor, please don’t hesitate to say hi.
— Chef Ivan
