Balthazar, Soho, NY

Princess Fee and Yankee Hank are regulars in this blog and I will unashamedly blame them when the nice people from MasterCard come to lock me up at the end of the month, for it was over Kedgeree and Lattes in 202 with them, that we decided to join them on their New Year trip to the Big Apple.

They score maximum Beedub Brownie Points because they were also responsible for choosing our first breakfast landmark on the trip.

A Google search will quickly tell you that Balthazar scores great ratings and reviews across the board on all major foodie and travel sites. And there is a reason. Actually, there are several...

#1 The coffee is served in a bowl (if you have read this blog previously you will know how ridiculously happy this makes me).
#2 The service is brilliant - we had a fantastic waitiress called Robyn who was efficient with a Capital E and gave us terrific recommendations. (As an aside, she also told us Balthazar will open in London soon. Yay!)
#3 The Scambled Eggs In Puff Pastry (with asparagus and wild mushrooms) is simply delicious.
#4 The juice is freshly squeezed NOT from a bottle filled with weird additives that make men grow moobs.
#5 The portions are European sized not American so it is possible to leave the restaurant without receiving your own zip code.
#6 There is a breathtaking oyster bar
#7 They have a restroom attendant who hands you towels to dry your hands (in case this seems a little strange read What's This All About Then to understand my slightly weird rating system for restaurants)

Things we ate:
Fee and I went with the Scrambled Eggs in Puff Pastry (see above) - a big tick. Yankee Hank couldn't choose and so we coerced him into having both his choices - Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal and the Sour Cream Hazelnut Waffles. He said he could really taste the hazelnut in the waffles, but as the only American in our group was a little sad that they weren't large enough to feed all of us. Mr Beedub went with the recommended Eggs En Cocotte - a creamy dippy egg, cream and Parmesan concoction served with bread 'soldiers'. He was the only one who was a little disappointed. Partly because the eggs were just ever so slightly under done and partly because he developed major food envy after spotting the house Eggs Benedict pass his nose en route to our neighbours.

Price wise the dishes range between $4 and $19 - a little pricey, but worth it.

A word of warning - even on a Wednesday morning early, we had to queue for a short while, so if you intend going on a Sunday, be prepared for a wait. Sadly their weekday breakfast ends at 11.30am, but luckily on Sunday their brunch menu runs until 4pm.

Balthazar
80 Spring Street (Soho)
NY 10012
Website and Menu
How To Get There