Balthazar, Manhattan

What is there to say? If you don't know this place, you're missing out. Fantastic Bar and Scrumptious food! I would give it four stars for availability and waiting to get a table, but call ahead and you should be fine. A little noisy as to expected (and fine by me) for its popularity in the evening. Fantastic location. Call ahead to check if they have a Private Venue going on and to book ahead. The Table and Bar Service is 5 - Star! Simply a must do and do often! Check out the Bakery, too.

We decided to spend our anniversary in Manhattan, which included an off broadway play and dinner at Balthazar's. We found this restaurant to be quite amazing with its high ceilings and beautiful bar. The staff was extremely courteous as well as having a nicely laid out menu and its choices. We ordered our appetizers, which were really very good and promptly delivered to our table. But, this is where the compliments stop and the reality set in. Our main courses left much to be desired and set the standard for not ordering dessert. My partner ordered the Bar Steak, medium well (this came with a huge order of fries,which, had they been fresh and hot...would have probably been delicious). The steak was so rare that we are sure it was still alive when brought out. I ordered the lamb Shepards pie which was not browned on top and was such a small portion...I thought it was a child's size order. Underneath the white potato top was mostly liquid, a small amount of shredded meat and a few carrot pieces. The waiter came back to our table 15 minutes later to check on us, and by this time...we were both over this "experience" and wanted to just leave. It's shame that the quality of the food did not meet the quality of the wait staff and beauty of this old building. This is the first time in my life that I actually left a restaurant feeling hungrier than when I arrived.

Great food. Traditional dishes, but cooked in a splendid manner. Main problem is the noise which is UNBEARABLE. I was sitting with two people, and I did not hear half of what they said during the evening. The second nightmare is waiting for the seats, which always takes a long time. Is it worth it though? Absolutely.

Honestly, the best restaurant in NYC. Incredible scene, great bistro food, and anything else you could be looking for. The oysters were absolutely out of this world. Trust me, I am very hard to impress when it comes to restaurants, but this place delivers on all fronts. Make a reservation and go.

hard to beat although the reservation process and waiting for seats are a drag. desserts go on sale in evening at bakery so do stop by. the NOISE is ridiculous and the everyone who walked by bumped into our chairs.

Pretty decent food, ok decor nothing fancy, crowded with nice ambiance. Service is slow a little bit understaffed. Excellent price to food quality relation, try the Bar Steak with bernaise

The best kept secret about Balthazar is the late night menu! With indulgent snacks such as steak tar tar and the most amazing mac and cheese I have ever tasted - It's a perfect stop before heading home. The deserts are amazing as well and the bartenders are fun and friendly. The Bellini Martini is my personal favorite drink :)

Excellent food and service. Atmosphere makes you feel as those you are in 1940's France. Warm goat and onion tarlet was amazing. French fries never tasted so good. Only downfall was the noise. Even at 3:30 PM it was hard to hear.

"Great food, great decor & not as much of a scene as you've been led to expect. Definitely worth it."

reliably good food and wonderfully pleasant!