09/23/09

disappointing

by VNYC

I was really looking forward to brunch in Balthazar after reading all the hype associated with this restaurant.

We ordered a pastry basket which was a total waste of $16. It essentially was full of bread and only one sticky bun and something resembling a donut. There were no croissants or anything exciting there. I am a huge fan of wild mushrooms, so I ordered mushroom eggs in puff pastry. Eggs were average, but the puff pastry was dry and tasteless. My husband ordered poached egg with polenta, which was very average as well. I was really surprised, as we have eaten at Pastis, owned by same people, and loved it. I was expecting Balthazar to be better the Pastis, which it clearly wasn't. Bottom line, skip it!

• Pros: location
• Cons: average food

07/21/09

outstanding

by loveruby

We recently had our first experience at Balthazar, but definitely not our last. Atmospher and service were great. Steake frites and creme brulee were delicious.

07/13/09

paris in soho

by eastvillagechick

Great place to bring visitors, a real new york experience. I love dressing up and going for a fancy dinner of oysters & champagne!

• Pros: amazing atmosphere
• Cons: long waits and pricey

05/06/09

For The Perfect French Breakfast or Lunch

by mm550366

This is one of my favorite places to eat in the whole city. The bread is something i dream about its so good, and having lived in France for a while i can tell you that everything at Balthazars lives up to its sophisticated French menu. Must haves are the croissants (perfectly lamented with beautiful honeycomb texture inside), the french onion soup, with its caramelized onions and cheese, and (when its on the menu) the pumpkin ravioli are too die for, oh and the french fries: pure bliss

and i always finish my meals there off with a fabulous authentic french cappucino

• Pros: The BEST bread in Manahattan, High Quality Foods
• Cons: Pricy

04/29/09

Half Price on all lunch menu & pastries after 6 PM

by BriannaM1237

The cookies and cake here are great.

Daily pastries are not as flavorful and

used to be fresher than they are these days.

Lunch menu is fantastic, a bit over priced but

it's reduced to half price if yo can wait till 6PM!

It is overcrowded though, so be prepared to have you patience tested while waiting for

your selection.

Customers in a rush and servers can both be

quite rude when it's busy.

• Pros: everything 1/2 price after 6 PM!
• Cons: Crowded, servers can be rude

02/16/09

L-O-V-E

by writeon1

I don't even care about the restaurant itself (which is a bit overpriced) but I would eat everyday at the bakery, if I could! The croissant and pastries available there are assuredly authentic and delicious! But yes, bring your patience. The crowds can be maddening once they are out of certain items, they are out.

• Pros: The pastries!
• Cons: No tables in the bakery

01/26/09

Best of Mcnally!

by bobbisunshine

The staff is always great and the food is always on point. Steak tartare and lobster risotto are heavenly.....Still is and always will be my favorite of the Mcnally empire.

08/27/08

highly disappointed...

by mbaumbush

On our visit to NYC from Vegas, one place we were really looking forward to was Balthazar. From the moment we arrived we were so disappointed and sorry that we came. At the door, the hosts were so engrossed in their own conversation that a manager had to tell them we were standing right in front of them! At the table the first thing we noticed were the bar towels they use for napkins-que tacky!! And the food did not live up to the hype. The lobster risotto was dry, not creamy and a very strange orange color. I ordered moulle frites thinking at a French bistro they would be great, right? They were so small that some you couldn't even find-the size of my pinky nail! The final touch was the "warm" chocolate cake which was more like a stale room temperature brownie. That ended the meal with a wimper. The whole experience was sad-our glasses of wine were filled to the brim; no breathing aloud!! Also, during our meal our waiter came over and told us he was going on break and we could ask this other waiter if we needed anything-this was at 10:30 on a slow Sunday night. Being in the restaurant industry in Las Vegas, this came as a shock to me-were we exhausting him or merely not spending enough money? I for one say don't waste your time or money at Balthazar.

• Pros: open late
• Cons: snobby service, terrible food, too expensive for the bad experience

07/27/08

balthazar

by DOH10001

The service is generally attentive, the food is consistent and it does have buzz. A bit crowded at the entrance.

07/14/08

Consistently Excellent

by glamourgirlx20

Each time I have been to Balthazar I have left happy. The service is polite, cordial and CLASSY! The food is amazing. Everything I have ordered has melted in my mouth. I also love that it is open late on the weekends. Highly recommended for a great meal with an energetic atmosphere.

• Pros: Great atmosphere, tasty food, french onion soup A++++
• Cons: can be a little crowded and overpriced