Balthazar

Pros: Authentic and Incredible French Bistro Cuisine
Cons: Indulgently Expensive

During my recent trip home for Christmas, my parents surprise me with an overnight trip to the Big Apple. The best part of the trip? I could choose whatever I wanted to do while we were there, I was calling the shots.

And I knew exactly...

Pros: decor (I love those antique mirrors), excellent cocktails, SOHO location
Cons: service is decent, but not excellent -- crowded and noisy, prices are steep

A friend and I were visiting Manhattan for a brief break from our hectic jobs in the Silicon Valley.

The trip was completely on whim, so many of our activities in NYC were also spontaneous affairs. We did not have reservations at Balthazar on...

Pros: good food, courteous service, nostalgic atmosphere, trendy crowd
Cons: much too long waiting time, very crowded, noisy

Balthazar is undeniably one of the most popular restaurants in New York City, attracting an astounding number of beautiful people, model-types, and celebrities alike. Located just a block away west from Prince St in SoHo, the restaurant offers much in...

Pros: A deliciously simple French brasserie
Cons: Long, long, long waits

Balthazar, located in the heart of the SoHo district of Manhattan, opened shortly before I moved to New York City. Since I was introduced to this fantastically authentic French brasserie, I've come to depend on Balthazar year in and year out for...

Pros: liveliness, good food, crowded
Cons: poor quality of service, too slow

As a Frenchwoman, I know my bread pretty well, and although it pains me a little to say it, Balthazar's bread is better than bread I've gotten in 90% of French restaurants in France. Just fabulous. No wonder it has a great Bakery business as well....

Pros: Better than most Parisian brasseries; a great buzz; a fun "in" place, les frites
Cons: Not cheap; hard to get in, noisy

From the moment you walk in the door and are greeted by the hostess, faced with the frosted glass, wood with the patina of the years, tile floors and young, thin people in black drinking kirs at the bar, you know you're someplace. There are nights when...

Pros: easy to find
Cons: it's there

It wasn't the steak that is so bad as a piece of meat I couln't complain, it was getting there that ruined the flavor. Everything from trying to call the place, to just getting a glass of water was an elitest insult, so if you are just a normal...

Pros: Good food, trendy crowd, eye catching decor
Cons: Slightly cramped, busy

Located in the SoHo area of New York City, Balthazar is tucked away on Spring Street (80 Spring) and barely visible from far away. Step inside, however, and you are sure to be pleased.

You notice two things when you Balthazar through large...

Pros: Good service, fantastic food and great decorations
Cons: the price (what do you expect for such a fancy restaurant)

This is one of the best restaurants I have ever been too. The food is one of the best I have ever tasted. Every thing I had was perfect. The service is very, very good. The waiters are nice. The decorations are of Paris. This is the place to go for a big...

Pros: great food
Cons: attitude needs to go

Balthazar's is definitely pretty to look at with its red awning, loaves of
French bread in the window and wooden benches, and that's just the outside. The interior is all mirrors, high ceilings, pale yellow walls and great lighting. But I would go...