NYC: Balthazar; restaurant review

Balthazar  

80 Spring St./Crosby St., SoHo, 212-965-1414.

Getting a reservation at Balthazar during prime dining times can be a challenge, but if you come a little earlier or later you can sometimes waltz right in and sit down amid the grandeur. I especially enjoy breakfast here. 

grand interior of Balthazar in NYC

High ceilings, huge antique mirrors, and gilt galore top off the general roar from pleased diners, and I have found myself with French-speaking neighbors on either side. A nice and useful touch is the striped kitchen towels used for napkin. At brunch the eggs Norwegian (with smoked salmon)

eggs Norwegian at Balthazar in NYC

or the crisp waffle with fresh fruit make satisfying choices, especially with a French-style bowl of cafe au lait.

French-style bowl of cafe au lait and almond croissant at Balthazar in NYC

More delicious breakfast items include spinach poached eggs

spinach poached eggs at Balthazar in NYC

and traditional eggs Benedict.

spinach poached eggs at Balthazar in NYC

And because the restaurant is known for its wonderful French pastries (you can pick some up to go in the tiny bakery adjacent), do order a sticky bun, croissant, or some other delicious flaky thing as well.  A good souvenir from the bakery is the sweetly packaged house granola, but I find the dried fruit to be a hard-to-chew negative.

house granola to go at Balthazar in NYC

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image c2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated August 10, 2015