80 Spring St.
(b/t Broadway and Crosby St.)
New York, NY 10012
212.965.1785

The crown jewel of restaurateur Keith McNally’s empire of chic bistros, this stalwart Soho space has unofficially acheived local landmark status. Classic French bistro fare is served in a beautiful, warm space; despite being the size of a small warehouse, every table manages to feel intimate. The boisterous place is often a see-and-be-seen crowd, but not obnoxiously so–you can still camp out with a coffee and the papers in relative peace. Walking in without a reservation ensures a long wait, but to miss having a meal here– particularly brunch–would be to deny yourself the classic New York experience as it exists now. Balthazar is filed under Food&Drink: Brunch, Food&Drink: Classic New York, and Food&Drink: Parents.