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Balthazar
80 Spring St., New York, NY, 10012
at Crosby St.
212-965-1414
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Get over it!
By dubmania on 9/5/2011
I go to NYC at least 4 times a year. This place is a must visit for Brunch and dinner when I'm in the city. If you don't have a res, go to the bar, have a drink a table usually clears up in that area, grab it. A bunch of us get together and it's an evening of fun. If you want warm & fuzzy service, go to the olive garden. You'll enjoy it there. Don't change a thing.
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40 out of 93 people found this review helpful.
The WORST dining experience I have ever had!
By opo on 8/1/2011
First off I would like to beginning saying that I am not some frustrated customer holding a grudge at the waiting staff because of a "disrespectful attitude". I am writing this review because I could not receive more disrespect than with the food they serviced me, especially along with their prices. Here's a list of why I hated this place so badly. 1- I sat squeezed in between two other couples. I was very uncomfortable. 2-I got hot water. You get ice even in the Mcdonalds in your drink. 3-I got butter served to me cold and stiff. 4-I got really bad bread that I could hardly chew. They have a bakery next door! __I ordered the goat cheese tart as a starter. It was decent___________ *5- Here's the kicker- So I ordered the pork belly because I wanted something different then just steak, hamburgers, or fish and it was the only pork item on the menu (I am not overly crazy about duck). Right when you get this thing the smell right you and you already feel sick.Ok, it smelled bad but I ordered it so I ate it. Pork belly, evidently, is ALL fat but fat is supposed to good, is it not? This fat certainly was not, the texture was sloppy, wet, and felt so heavy on your tongue and in your stomach. It tasted like an old sweaty shoe sole. It made me want to puke and I almost did. At some point I could even get it down my throat and had to spit out the piece in my mouth. ALL ITEMS SHOULD BE EDIBLE! Also the Branzino was not very good either. In short, DON'T GO!
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55 out of 122 people found this review helpful.
Delicious and so much fun
By amybrill on 3/27/2011
Sat with a friend at the end of the bar and had great service on a crazy busy Saturday night. We just wanted to eat some dinner after a long day of shopping but ended up having a really fun night -- thanks to the great service provided by the bartender. First we split the lobster risotto then I had the bar steak. It was perfectly cooked, but could have used more seasoning. The bearnaise sauce was a great compliment to the flavor of the steak. My friend had the roasted chicken with crispy spaetzle. The chicken was moist and tender and the skin was crispy. He was very happy. We split the caramelized ricotta, banana tart with vanilla ice cream which we doused in chocolate sauce. It was over the top but too good to pass up. Wines by the glass served with each of the courses added to the experience. Can't wait to go back. But maybe during the week when it's less crowded.
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72 out of 136 people found this review helpful.
A little piece of Paris
By mlamaral on 2/18/2011
We decided to try Balthazar after reading all the wonderful reviews. I felt transported and as if I was in Paris again! Not only was the food fantastic, but the desserts delicious and service incredibly friendly. I will definately be returning. I reccommend you try it if you are in the city! You will not be sorry.
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69 out of 140 people found this review helpful.
Better the Second Time
By Molly_Anne on 12/11/2010
I went to Balthazar in 2008 as a vegetarian - bad choice on my part. I got the Balthazar salad, pumpkin ravioli, and a hefeweizen. The meal was good and the experience was great for a 17 year old in NYC, but the service was rushed and the place was hectic. The second time, in 2010, was much better. I had the grilled trout and my brother had the duck confit. We both loved our entrees, and the server was extremely helpful in aiding our decisions. I had the banana ricotta tart for dessert, and it was one of the best endings I've ever had. My brother had the cheese plate. The goat especially was wonderful. Our meal was complemented by Chateau Jean de Laval- a wonderful and relatively inexpensive choice. My second trip was definitely worthwhile and cemented Balthazar as a "must go place in NYC.
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75 out of 141 people found this review helpful.
Never again!
By LindaB on 7/23/2010
Bland food, rushed service, hostess big attitude, cramped seating, noisy and overpriced! I will not be returning here.....
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93 out of 189 people found this review helpful.
Why Balthazar is so great
By MC_NYer on 12/27/2009
The food is delicious, the ambience superb, but the key ingredient in what continues to make Balthazar an exceptional restaurant is the gracious and very attentive service of everyone from the maitre d's to the wait staff and chef. It's easy to rate a restaurant for the usual and expected, but what really counts is when the unexpected happens--and how the staff handles it that really leaves a lasting impression. Last evening's celebratory dinner with a friend was one of the latter situations, and everyone on the staff couldn't have handled it any better--and that's what sets apart a great restaurant from one that doesn't seem to care about their customers. Keith McNally gets it right, his staff gets it--and that's why Balthazar deserves 5 stars!
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153 out of 285 people found this review helpful.
Not Worth The Attitude
By HSatinov1 on 9/24/2009
My guest and I arrived within a few minutes of each other, a tad early for a dinner reservation. We each commented on the terrible attitude of the hostess and her assistant. She purported to be unaware of the reservation, though it was staring in her face. She was rude, and her assistant seated us in a far off cul-de-sac, without bothering to hide his condescension. The food was unremarkable, expensive and served too quickly. I'd give it a miss.
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141 out of 256 people found this review helpful.
Nice ambiance but stressed waitor
By Mioz on 8/28/2009
We got a table right away even though we didn't have any reservations, and the wait for the food was moderate. Maybe I expected more on my plate than just fries and a steak, some veggies would be nice, but what I got was good. If you are sensitive about service I wouldn't expect much from this place, the waiter wasn't honestly nice but made an effort.. Overall, the setting is great and the food was alright but they could use more waiters so that a guest feel welcomed.
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139 out of 271 people found this review helpful.
One of the best in the city.
By texasmountaineer on 8/22/2009
This a perfect place. Not sure if I like the dinner at 8, happy hout at 5, or just stopping by for oysters and martini when shopping in Soho. Balthazar never disappoints. With all the great dishes on the menu...one of my favs are the frites....not sure what thye do to make this so good....but an order of these is a must.
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133 out of 269 people found this review helpful.
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