Balthazar Restaurant

jim
jim
First Reviewer
3 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
5
Reviews
6
Photos

SoHo Institution

  • July 7, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by oldscratch from New York, New York
Very enjoyable and "sceney" French bistro in the heart of SoHo. Skip the tourist-packed weekends and instead try Balthazar for a weekday breakfast and dine with the locals.

From journal A Running List of New York Restaurants

Balthazar Restaurant

  • August 25, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Alias Girl from New York, New York
This trendy French bistro is the epitome of a NYC restaurant - beautiful people, beautiful food, and beautiful decor.

It is a loud and vibrant place - perfect for a celebratory evening, a get together, a place for people -watching, NYC’s #1 activity. Next to eating and drinking, of course.

This trendy place will be more than you expected and you will leave very satisfied. The menu offers oysters and sushi in an amazing display. The entrees are wonderful as well, we enjoyed the sea bass and the fettuccini with mild mushrooms. The wine selection is superb! They even have their own bakery next door - Tres Bon!

Favorite Dish:
The salads, especially with warm goat cheese.

From journal New York City

Editor Pick

Balthazar Restaurant

  • July 8, 2004
  • Rated 3 of 5 by pointerbd from Norristown, Pennsylvania
Balthazar Restaurant

Fortunately we had a wonderful contact in NYC who made reservations for brunch here a few weeks in advance. We were told this is the only way to get in on a Sunday! But after exquisite (but pricey) Mimosas in the bar we were pleased with our table and the menu looked yummy. We opted for a variety of poached egg-dishes prepared in some unique but delicious combinations. The decor is a combination of brass fixtures, red banquettes, and pre-distressed tile floor, and is as handsome and welcoming as a leather sofa. After brunch you are in an excellent location to do some window-shopping, people-watching, and general browsing/shopping at the many outdoor vendors who line the streets.

From journal Start Spreadin' the News - I Love New York!

Editor Pick

Balthazar

  • July 10, 2002
  • Rated 2 of 5 by Mo in CT from Norwalk, Connecticut
Balthazar

We had one of those – "this never happens to us" nights that ended at Balthazar. Earlier that night we met a fairly well know film-actor comedian and he and his entourage treated us to dessert at Balthazar. Knowing that reservations are hard to come by on weekend nights it was good to have some pull!

Styled as a large French style bistro the open aired space makes for a memorable night. This kind of place is better for groups than couples seeking a quiet romantic night. If you want to spot some celebrities this might be your spot. If food is what you came for the traditional bistro fare is very good, but not exceptional food. The steak frites and the onion soup come highly recommended and the prices are not overly exorbitant. However, the desserts we shared that night were outstanding. The crème brulee and chocolate cake were sinfully delicious!

If you can get past the slight attitude of the hostess (bouncer) make a reservation for late (10 pm is good), sit back and get ready for a great night of delightful chaos- only in New York! After going back to snap some pics, a waiter snootily told me no photos inside, so I have lowered my recommendation to "somewhat recommended" due to excessive attitude.

From journal Back in Black in Manhattan

Editor Pick

Balthazar

  • June 22, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by jim from Charlotte, North Carolina
Balthazar went to great lengths to create the image of a French brasserie (everything from the attire of the waiters and waitresses, to the big mirrors, to the tiled floors) and it doesn't disappoint. The decor was even 'aged' to give the impression of an establishment that had been around a long time. It is a little cramped and always crowded (which is a testament to the food), but I loved this place. I went with a bunch of friends so I had the benefit of getting to try several dishes in one visit. The fantastic wine recommendation of the waiter set the tone for the meal. We started with several appetizers including three types of raw oysters, and french onion soup (which was fantastic). As for entrees, they were all exceptional and everyone was extremely satisfied. However, the highlight for me was the desserts (we tried six and all were fantastic) so make sure you save room. Balthazar has a bakery next door so you can take home some of the bread and pastries if you like. It is hard to get a reservation here, so book in advance or go for lunch (when it is easier to get in).

From journal My Favorite Restaurants in New York

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