My friend and I went into the Balboa Cafe around 7...

My friend and I went into the Balboa Cafe around 7:00pm on a Thursday evening and immediately were shown to a small table in a little nook. We thought it was great because we could hear each other and converse while we drank our Manhattans (which were quite good). Then we noticed as the restaurant filled up we could no longer hear one another at all. When I read reviews saying that this restaurant has great "atmosphere" or "ambience" I wonder if they ate at the same place or did that reviewer eat there when the restaurant was not busy. The din was deafening.

I ate at the Balboa Cafe last time about forty years ago. The interior hasn't changed much since then so I don't understand why the acoustics are so much worse.

We both had an Ahi Tuna Salad that was quite good and an artichoke appetizer what was yummy and complex. So, the food and service were fine, but I won't go back without noise canceling headphones.