Balthazar (restaurant)
{{For|the restaurant in Australia|Balthazar (Perth restaurant)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox restaurant
| name = Balthazar
| logo =
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| logo_alt =
| image = Balthazar on Spring Street.jpg
| image_width =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Balthazar's SoHo location
| pushpin_map =
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| map_caption =
| slogan =
| established = {{start date and age|April 21, 1997}}
| closed =
| current-owner = Keith McNally
| chef =
| head-chef =
| food-type = French brasserie
| rating =
| street-address = 80 Spring Street (between Broadway and Crosby Street) in SoHo in Manhattan
| city = New York
| county = New York
| state = New York
| zip = 10012
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{coord|40.722712|-73.998159|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| seating-capacity =
| other-locations = Balthazar Boulangerie
8 Russell Street (corner of Wellington Street)
Covent Garden
London WC2B 5HZ {{cite web|author=Kerstin Kühn |url=http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/14/01/2013/347009/Former-Marco-Pierre-White-head-chef-Robert-Reid-appointed-executive-chef-of.htm |title=Former Marco Pierre White head chef Robert Reid appointed executive chef of Balthazar |publisher=Caterer and Hotelkeeper |date=January 14, 2013 |access-date=February 8, 2013}}
| other-information =
| website = {{Official website|https://www.balthazarny.com}}
}}
Balthazar is a French brasserie restaurant located at 80 Spring Street (between Broadway and Crosby Street) in SoHo in Manhattan, in New York City.{{cite book|url=http://www.zagat.com/r/balthazar-manhattan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226092201/http://www.zagat.com/r/balthazar-manhattan |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 26, 2011 |title=Balthazar | Manhattan | Restaurant Menus and Reviews |publisher=Zagat |access-date=February 4, 2013 }} It opened on April 21, 1997, and is owned by British-born restaurateur Keith McNally.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iI9iwMQ4MhwC&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA77 |title=Access New York City 13e |author=Richard Saul Wurman |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2008 |access-date=February 6, 2013|isbn=9780061350375 }}{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oOgCAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22spring+street%22+%22balthazar%22&pg=PA72 |author=Gael Greene|title=A Kiss-Kiss Before Dining |magazine=New York Magazine |date=May 19, 1997 |access-date=February 4, 2013}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vEEbhLEtC0UC&dq=%22spring+street%22+%22balthazar%22&pg=PA182 |title=The 10 Best of Everything, Second Edition: An Ultimate Guide for Travelers |first1=Nathaniel |last1=Lande |first2=Andrew |last2=Lande |publisher=National Geographic Books|date= 2008|access-date=February 4, 2013|isbn=9781426202278 }}{{Rp|182}}
McNally also created Nell's, Pastis (also now in Miami),{{Cite web |last=Petrillo |first=Lisa |date=2024-08-16 |title=Pastis Miami skillfully mimics iconic original location in New York's Meatpacking District - CBS Miami |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/pastis-miami-skillfully-mimics-iconic-original-location-in-new-yorks-meatpacking-district/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} Morandi, and Minetta Tavern (recently added to Washington, D.C.),{{Cite web |last=Frederick |first=Missy |date=2025-01-29 |title=A Famous NY Tavern Has Staying Power in DC |url=https://dc.eater.com/2025/1/29/24354444/scene-report-minetta-tavern-union-market |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Eater DC |language=en}} as well as Lucky Strike, Pravda, and Schiller's Liquor Bar (all since closed) and The Odeon and Cafe Luxembourg (both owned by his ex wife).{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UjYAEu3SIsoC&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA133 |title=The Observatory: Bistro of Burden |first1=Frank |last1=DiGiacomo |publisher=The New York Observer |date=May 19, 1997|isbn=9780061959660 |access-date=February 6, 2013 }}
in {{cite book |author1=The New York Observer |author-link=The New York Observer |title=The kingdom of New York : knights, knaves, billionaires, and beauties in the city of big shots |date=2009 |publisher=HarperCollins e-books |isbn=9780061959660 |page=133 |oclc=525290598 }}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ewr8FJP32jQC&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA129 |title=Let's Go New York City; 17th Edition |author=Let's Go Inc. |publisher=Macmillan|year= 2008|access-date=February 6, 2013|isbn=9780312385804 }}{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YF8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA70 |title=travel eastern standard|author=Richard David Story |magazine=Los Angeles Magazine |date=August 2000 |access-date=February 6, 2013}} Balthazar Bakery was later opened at 80 Spring Street.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MxTAfiHb5zAC&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA166 |title=It Must've Been Something I Ate: The Return of the Man Who Ate Everything |author=Jeffrey Steingarten |publisher=Random House |year= 2008|access-date=February 6, 2013|isbn=9780307486448 }} McNally opened Balthazar in the theatre district in Covent Garden in London, in February 2013.{{cite web|url=http://guestofaguest.com/london/restaurants/why-we-cant-wait-for-keith-mcnallys-balthazar-in-london |title=Why We Can't Wait For Keith McNally's Balthazar To Open In London |author=Yumi Matsuo |publisher=Guestofaguest.com |date=September 26, 2012 |access-date=February 8, 2013}}
Description
File:Onion soup, Balthazar.jpg
Among its dishes are steak au poivre, steak frites, short ribs, beef stroganoff, duck confit, butternut squash, skate, and French onion soup.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/best-new-york-french-onion-soup-article-1.1236856#ixzz2K9z4idsX |first1=Jacob E. |last1=Osterhout |title=Best of New York: French Onion Soup |newspaper=New York Daily News |date=January 13, 2013 |access-date=February 8, 2013}}{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/mycitymynewyorkf0000brun |url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/mycitymynewyorkf0000brun/page/61 61] |quote=spring street balthazar. |title=My City, My New York: Famous New Yorkers Share Their Favorite Places|author=Jeryl Brunner|publisher= Globe Pequot |year= 2011|access-date=February 4, 2013|isbn=9780762777167}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kehQ_z3XkD8C&dq=%22spring+street%22+%22balthazar%22&pg=PA57 |title=New York Eats (More): The Food Shopper's Guide To The Freshest Ingredients, The Best Take-Out & Baked Goods, & The Most Unusual Marketplaces In All Of New York |author=Ed Levine |publisher=Macmillan |year= 1997|access-date=February 4, 2013|isbn=9780312156053 }} Balthazar typically serves around 1,500 guests a day, and its most popular dish is steak frites; the restaurant can sell 200 per day. Out of more than 200 employees, two full-time prep cooks are required just to handle potatoes for frying. It is also known for its raw bar.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JRqrgJ__cVgC&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA374 |title=New York City |first1=Beth |last1=Greenfield |first2=Robert |last2=Reid |publisher= Lonely Planet|year=2004 |access-date=February 6, 2013|isbn=9781741041231 }}{{R|Lande-2018|p=468}} The head chef is Shane McBride, who was preceded by Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/restaurant-review-balthazar-article-1.1145664 |author=Michael Kaminer|title=Restaurant review: Balthazar |newspaper=NY Daily News |date=August 29, 2012 |access-date=February 4, 2013}}
The SoHo building that houses Balthazar used to be occupied by a tannery. Balthazar's design was intended to resemble that of a brasserie, with high-backed red leather banquettes, scarred and peeling brass oversize mirrors, high tin ceiling, scuffed tiled floor, faded saffron yellow walls, large windows, and antique lighting.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_bdC4Fp_c3IC&dq=%22spring+street%22+%22balthazar%22&pg=PA212 |title=The Complete Idiot's Guide to New York City |author=Anita Gates |publisher=Penguin |year=2008 |access-date=February 4, 2013|isbn=9781440653322 }}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tWI4kJvi6BgC&dq=%22spring+street%22+%22balthazar%22&pg=PT281 |title=Insatiable: Tales from a Life of Delicious Excess |author=Gael Greene |publisher=Hachette |year=2006 |access-date=February 4, 2013|isbn=9780759515338 }}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jIRlSd19J00C&dq=%22spring+street%22+%22balthazar%22&pg=PA56 |title=Frommer's Memorable Walks in New York |author=Reid Bramblett |publisher= John Wiley & Sons|year=2003 |access-date=February 4, 2013|isbn=9780764556418 }}{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nypost/access/68492911.html?dids=68492911:68492911&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+30%2C+1999&author=JESSE+ANGELO&pub=New+York+Post&desc=%27STRETCHING%27+THE+PARKING+%3B+RULES+IN+SOHO&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216161609/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nypost/access/68492911.html?dids=68492911:68492911&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+30,+1999&author=JESSE+ANGELO&pub=New+York+Post&desc='STRETCHING'+THE+PARKING+;+RULES+IN+SOHO&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 16, 2013 |author=Jesse Angelo |title='STRETCHING' THE PARKING; RULES IN SOHO |newspaper=New York Post |date=May 30, 1999 |access-date=February 4, 2013}}{{R|Lande-2018|p=182}} The restaurant seats 180 people.{{citation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/20/magazine/22-hours-in-balthazar.html |title= 22 Hours in Balthazar |work=The New York Times |date=October 17, 2013 |last=Staley |first=Willy }} Balthazar is also known for celebrity-watching; in 2012, Fodor's ranked it # 1 in New York City in that category.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vEjDsxiY7B8C&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA107 |title=Traveling The Tennis Tour: The Men's Professional Tour |author=Ben Ammar |date=August 30, 2004 |access-date=February 6, 2013|isbn=9781581125313 }}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rnC4xU9GJ-cC&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA438|author= Fodor's |title=Fodor's New York City 2012 |publisher=Random House |year=2011 |access-date=February 6, 2013|isbn= 9780307928641 }}
In 2013, Zagat's gave Balthazar a food rating of 24 (out of 30), a decor rating of 24, and ranked it the second best French brasserie restaurant in New York City. That year, the New York Daily News rated its French onion soup the second-best in the city.
Balthazar made headlines in 2022 when comedian and actor James Corden was banned from the restaurant by owner Keith McNally, after reportedly being "abusive" and "extremely nasty" to staff. The ban was later rescinded after Corden apologised to McNally in private and in public, admitting that he had been "ungracious."{{cite news |title=Comedian James Corden apologises after Balthazar restaurant ban |work=BBC News |date=October 18, 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63305901 |access-date=3 November 2022}}{{cite news |title=James Corden tells viewers he was 'rude' to restaurant server |work=BBC News |date=October 25, 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63384455 |access-date=3 November 2022}}
In popular culture
Balthazar is featured in the 2009 autobiography Under the Table: Saucy Tales from Culinary School, by Katherine Darling (Simon & Schuster),{{cite book |author=Katherine Darling |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=llMh_xq5ue0C&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA330 |title=Under the Table: Saucy Tales from Culinary School |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=2009 |isbn=9781416565277 |access-date=February 6, 2013}} in the 2010 novel The Associate, by John Grisham (Random House),{{cite book |author=John Grisham |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X9ehZPfebU4C&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA251 |title=The Associate: A Novel |publisher=Random House |year=2010 |isbn=9780307576156 |access-date=February 6, 2013}} in the 2010 novel Something Borrowed, by Emily Giffin (Macmillan),{{cite book |author=Emily Giffin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v2CrBj-MSg4C&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PT100 |title=Something Borrowed |publisher=Macmillan |year=2010 |isbn=9781429904605 |access-date=February 6, 2013}} in the 2010 novel 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction, by Rebecca Goldstein (Random House),{{cite book |author=Rebecca Goldstein |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m6adM8wMjkAC&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA13 |title=36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction |publisher=Random House |year=2010 |isbn=9780307378903 |access-date=February 6, 2013}} in the 2011 juvenile fiction novel Holiday Spirit, by Zoe Evans (Simon & Schuster),{{cite book |author=Zoe Evans |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F154tvauUO0C&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PT70 |title=Holiday Spirit |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=2011 |isbn=9781442433632 |access-date=February 6, 2013}} in the 2011 autobiography Innocent Spouse: A Memoir, by Carol Ross Joynt (Random House),{{cite book |author=Carol Ross Joynt |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EUokZtKec3sC&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA159 |title=Innocent Spouse: A Memoir |publisher=Random House |year=2011 |isbn=9780307592125 |access-date=February 6, 2013}} and in the 2012 novel The Stolen Chalice, by Kitty Pilgrim (Simon & Schuster).{{cite book |author=Kitty Pilgrim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rCqmsyRO5r0C&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA71 |title=The Stolen Chalice: A Novel |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=2012 |isbn=9781439197288 |access-date=February 6, 2013}} In November 1999, comedian and actor Jerry Seinfeld proposed to Jessica Sklar at Balthazar.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uWGr2sb_uvgC&dq=balthazar+restaurant&pg=PA356 |title=Seinfeld: The Making of an American Icon |author=Jerry Oppenheimer |publisher= HarperCollins|year= 2010|access-date=February 6, 2013|isbn=9780062030818 }}
See also
- Jesse Dunford Wood, a chef at Balthazar
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{Official website|www.balthazarny.com}}
- [https://balthazar.res-menu.com Balthazar locations]
- {{cite book |last1=McNally |first1=Keith |last2=Nasr |first2=Riad |last3=Hanson |first3=Lee |title=The Balthazar Cookbook |date=2003 |publisher=Clarkson Potter/Publishers |isbn=978-1-4000-4635-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CE65tvvRhI0C&q=%22spring+street%22+%22balthazar%22 |language=en}}
{{SoHo, Manhattan|state=collapsed}}
{{Restaurants in Manhattan}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1997 establishments in New York City
Category:French-American culture in New York City
Category:French restaurants in New York City
Category:Restaurants established in 1997