McNally also createdNell's, Pastis (also now in Miami),[9] Morandi, and Minetta Tavern (recently added to Washington, D.C.),[10] as well as Lucky Strike, Pravda, and Schiller's Liquor Bar (all since closed) andThe Odeon and Cafe Luxembourg (both owned by his ex-wife).[7][11][12] Balthazar Bakery was later opened at 80 Spring Street.[13] McNally opened Balthazar in the theatre district inCovent Garden in London, in February 2013.[14]
The SoHo building that houses Balthazar used to be occupied by atannery.[18] Balthazar's design was intended to resemble that of a brasserie, with high-backed red leatherbanquettes, scarred and peeling brass oversize mirrors, high tin ceiling, scuffed tiled floor, fadedsaffron yellow walls, large windows, and antique lighting.[1][2][17][19][20][22][23][24][8]: 182 The restaurant seats 180 people.[18] Balthazar is also known for celebrity-watching; in 2012,Fodor's ranked it # 1 in New York City in that category.[25][26]
In 2013,Zagat's gave Balthazar a food rating of 24 (out of 30), a decor rating of 24, and ranked it the second best French brasserie restaurant in New York City.[4] That year, the New YorkDaily News rated its French onion soup the second-best in the city.[15]
Balthazar made headlines in 2022 when comedian and actorJames Corden was banned from the restaurant by owner Keith McNally, after reportedly being "abusive" and "extremely nasty" to staff. The ban was later rescinded after Corden apologised to McNally in private and in public, admitting that he had been "ungracious."[27][28]
Balthazar features in the 1998Sex and the City episode “The Power of Female Sex” under the name ofBalzac.Carrie Bradshaw andSamantha Jones have a difficult time getting a table at the exclusive restaurant, but they ultimately succeed after Carrie gives the hostess a tampon in the restaurant bathroom.
Balthazar is featured in the 2009 autobiographyUnder the Table: Saucy Tales from Culinary School, by Katherine Darling (Simon & Schuster),[29] in the 2010 novelThe Associate, byJohn Grisham (Random House),[30] in the 2010 novelSomething Borrowed, byEmily Giffin (Macmillan),[31] in the 2010 novel36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction, byRebecca Goldstein (Random House),[32] in the 2011 juvenile fiction novelHoliday Spirit, by Zoe Evans (Simon & Schuster),[33] in the 2011 autobiographyInnocent Spouse: A Memoir, by Carol Ross Joynt (Random House),[34] and in the 2012 novelThe Stolen Chalice, byKitty Pilgrim (Simon & Schuster).[35] In November 1999, comedian and actorJerry Seinfeld proposed toJessica Sklar at Balthazar.[36]
