Balthazar

We came here to celebrate our anniversary and enjoyed a beautiful meal (the raw bar is out of this world). The restaurant itself has a wonderful ambience combining Parisian Brasserie with old NYC industrial details like the tin ceiling. The staff was pleasant and attentive starting is off with champagne to toast another year. Cocktails were perfectly curated and the wine list had so many great options to pare with dinner. We began with the Balthazar salad and buttery garlic escargots. For our main we split the larger seafood tower Le Balthazar. It was extravagant and fresh across the board (oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, crab salad, and 2 lobsters). For desert we had the banana ricotta tart with banana ice cream. Simply delectable. From making the reservation, to sitting at our table, to sharing a beautiful meal for the celebration it was absolutely perfect! Thank you Team Balthazar!!

The ambiance of the restaurant is warm and inviting, making you feel comfortable as soon as you walk in. I went with a friend for a quick chat, and we truly enjoyed our time there. We had coffee and desserts, and I highly recommend the Pavlova it was absolutely delicious! It was the perfect place to relax, catch up, and enjoy a lovely afternoon.

Despite seeing a disappointing Youtube review for this restaurant, we decided to drop by for brunch since we’re a big fan of the bakery next door. Very regretful decision. The moment I tried the french onion soup, I was repulsed by the taste. It reminded me of the acidic taste I get in my throat after puking. Maybe this was due to the dishes being warm rather than hot, but I’ve definitely never gotten this reaction from french onion soups at other french restaurants. Even besides that, there was nothing substantial or memorable in the dishes that would make them worth the price point. The other dish was so mediocre I forgot the name. This is New York. People are willing to pay more for good food, but there was absolutely no justification for that price point on such mediocre tasting food. Perhaps tourists would want to try it out (idk what some reviews mean by it gives off nyc vibes, you can find that elsewhere), but if you’re a local there are plenty of other wonderful brunch options in the area. Service was just the normal service you’d get at a busy restaurant. Not sure if I just went on a bad day, but my dining experience was reflected perfectly by the book they sell at the front: I regret almost everything. The singular redeeming factor was the coffee. Their coffee is delicious. I’d just get their coffee as take out next time.

Overall a nice experience at Balthazar. The food was good and everything tasted fresh, although some ingredients tasted less flavorful, example spinach or artichoke. The service was outstanding from start to finish. Everyone was attentive and welcoming. The restaurant was spotless, we didn't have to wait at all, and even though I called to say we were running late, they kindly held our reservation for us. The tables outside are e little too close, you could touch other people and feel their hair on you.

What’s there to say about Balthazar that wasn’t said before? Efficiently buzzing with high energy! Friendly and wonderful staff! I’ve been here so many times over the last few decades and every time is a wonderful experience. The vibe, the food, the service! The bread! Yum!!!! Ordered the avocado toast and petite filet. The fries I swear will cure all the problems in the world! There’s no way one cannot feel anything but utter joy stuffing several of their fries in ones mouth at once. I also read Keith McNally’s autobiography and msde me love thus restaurant even more. And felt honored I met him once at yup, Balthazar!