"When it opened in 1997, Balthazar inspired nostalgia for turn-of-the-century Paris. Now, it also inspires nostalgia for turn-of-the-21st century Soho. This French brasserie’s bustling yet elegant dining room—yellow walls, red banquettes, enormous mirrors—glows with some of the most universally flattering restaurant lighting we’ve ever experienced. Order any subset of the steak tartare, escargot, moules frites, and onion soup, or splurge on a comically large seafood tower. The people-watching remains spectacular on weekend evenings, and Balthazar still functions as a PokéStop for a certain flavor of downtown celebrity. It’s worth noting that breakfast is a much more peaceful experience—and one that allows you to take advantage of their excellent bakery." - molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah, neha talreja
