LOCATIONLocated on the corner of Spring and Crosby Streets in the district of NoLita.
DETAILSBalthazar’s is nothing short of an evocation of a Parisian brasserie with its tightly-packed mahogany tables, bent wood chairs, and booth style seating that runs along the centre of the room. The building was once a leather wholesale warehouse, yet any remnants of such previous life are little seen. The bustling dining room is washed in a warm, golden yellow and comes alive with mirrors embedded into mahogany panelling of towering columns that divide the space, and orb lights that dangle from the lofty ceilings. The zinc bar down the far end of the room is perfect for a cocktail and an after hour snack, as patrons squish together on tall-topped bar stools that line the entirety of the L-shaped tavern.
FOOD & BEVERAGEBalthazar serves traditional bistro fare from breakfast through to late-night supper with a French menu prepared by chefs de cuisine Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson. Begin with an appetizer of green asparagus salad with a warm, crisp mollet egg, mushroom confit and banyulus vinegar that is unfettered in its flavours or a chicken liver and foie gras mousse with red onion confit and grilled country bed. For main course opt for a robust dish of sautéed skate with heirloom beans, marcona almonds, pickled peaches and cauliflower crème or dine on the likes of grilled chicken paillard with frisee salad, roasted tomato and parmesan. There are select dishes every night of the week like filet of pecheur on Wednesdays and roasted saddle of lamb on Thursdays, which offer diners something extra special. An extensive wine list of quality drops from the famed wine growing regions of France including, Bordeaux, the Rhone and Loire, provide a variety of robust reds and fruity whites as well as a large selection of champagne. Diners can also choose from a superb range of breads and pastries from Balthazar bakery next door.