Probably the most famous gay restaurant in London and one that doesn't cater for exclusively gay clientele. Balans now has three branches with the most famous down Old Compton Street, but also down the Brompton Road in Earls Court and Kensington High Street. One of the reasons for its fame is that it is almost open around the clock from 8.00am to 6.00am. So if you can't be bothered to hit the clubs after the pubs shut, come here, pull up a table and order a beer.
Of course like most Soho places it is very pretentious with waiters who look like models and the interior is decorated with marble statues and modernist art. It opens out onto Old Compton Street where you can get a pavement table and watch the world go by. The food is excellent and the place excels at salads, grills, pastas and roasts. I would recommend the char roast chicken with teriyaki sauce. The best pastas consist of black ink tortellini with basil, scallops and wild mushrooms. Delicious!
So the next time a visiting American friend makes remarks about English cooking. Bring them here and watch them eat their words as well as the delicious food.