Balthazar NYC

French restaurants and cafes aren’t really a thing in LA. So I was excited to try Balthazar for weekend brunch. We booked a 1030 reservation which gave us time to get there from Times Square.

It was quite busy on Saturday morning and we could see just how close together the tables are set. We’re we going to be squeezed into one of those? No! The maitre d’ indicated we would get a booth. Well, a turn of the century sized booth – a bit small but we felt special nonetheless.

We had a spectacular view from our booth.

I couldn’t resist ordering the Pannier of pastries with my cappuccino.

And salmon fan that I am, I had to order the lox “appetizer”. Now, according to the photo on Google Maps, this would be a demure circlet of lox, and a fine accompaniment to my scrambled eggs.

In reality, it was an enormous and gorgeous platter of lox! I immediately called over the waiter and cancelled my eggs!

Mr A enjoyed his Beef Stroganoff.

Ms S ordered the Chicken Paillard en Frisee. She had already removed the salad by the time I got a picture. She absolutely loved the chicken and the simple but delicious pan sauce.

The level of service was impeccable – there’s 10 waiters in every shot. Our guy, I mean, garcon, checked on us continually. This kind of experience requires a certain investment.

But oh, the pastries! They were truly superior.

Highly recommended. Allow sufficient time to enjoy the ambience.