Balthazar, the bustling, romantic brasserie serving traditional French fare, reopened recently. It’s as elegant and casual as it was. Food is the best I’ve sampled since restaurants reopened.

Thought it de rigueur to order the French aperitif Lillet blonde as my cocktail while perusing the menu.


My dining partner started with their stacked Bibb lettuce salad layered lightly with their shallots, chives and Dijon vinaigrette ($19).

For entrees, the Dover sole with a sauce of browned butter, capers and parsley, came accompanied with Swiss chard and the sauce Normande ($39). My Faroe Island salmon ($36) arrived medium as requested in a saffron broth with perfectly prepared spring vegetables — snap peas, peas, watercress, leeks, tomatoes.

I highly recommend a visit.

Balthazar
SoHo
80 Spring Street
New York, NY 10012
212.965.1414
balthazarny.com/