Review on Balthazar
Balthazar in the heart of Covent Garden is the eagerly awaited London outpost of the original restaurant, which was opened in New York's SoHo district in 1997 by Keith McNally. On the corner of Russell Street and Wellington Street it is housed in the old Theatre Museum, known as 'The Flower Cellars', and will share the space with The London Film Museum. The interior reflects its Big Apple sibling with a classic 'brasserie de luxe' look, featuring dark wood, leather banquettes, smart tiled flooring and vintage mirrors on the yellow walls for an authentic Parisian ambience.
Balthazar has created a capacious all-day venue open for early breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and weekend brunch. Former Head Chef of Marco Pierre White's three-Michelin-starred Oak Room, Robert Reid is pulling the strings behind the stoves and he is joined by former Savoy Grill maître d' Byron Lang who will oversee front of house.
The menu showcases French brasserie fare along the lines of warm goat cheese caramelized onion tart, before a main course of Dover sole meunière with parsley potatoes or grilled chicken paillard with a frisée salad, roasted tomato and parmesan. Desserts continue the theme with a classic apple tarte tatin paired with butterscotch sauce and Calvados crème fraiche or profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.
There is a carefully chosen wine list from all the major French regions, with some offerings available by the glass and half bottle. Balthazar also operates an excellent boulangerie next door, headed by former Ritz head pastry chef Regis Beauregard serving a selection of artisan breads, soups, salads, sandwiches, homemade pastries and cakes to take away.
Cuisine
French
Chef
Robert Reid
Restaurant Opening Times
Breakfast: 7.30am Mon-Fri (9.00am Sat & Sun) through
Lunch: until
Dinner: 11.30pm (12.00am Fri & Sat, 11.00pm Sun)
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card