THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Balthazar

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Balthazar Restaurant Review:

In New York, successful Balthazar team opens Pastis. In Los Angeles, ex-Pastis partner opens Balthazar. Although there’s no relation between the New York and Los Angeles restaurants, if you go to one and then the other, you may experience a feeling of déjà vu. But a good one. You’ll love the ambience at Balthazar with its unabashed Spanish décor. The atmosphere is muy caliente, especially on special-event nights (call to check since the entertainment varies). A tip: Request a table on the balcony overlooking the bar and the lower part of the dining room. But let us not forget about the food. In sum, it’s more than acceptable for this kind of hot spot. We like the combination of bacon wrapping prawns en brochette. Also very good are the sautéed chicken livers with caramelized pearl onions. By all means, don’t miss the grilled zucchini gratin done with real Gruyère---the recipe comes from a friend’s grandmother. In fact, this is a restaurant run by friends for friends; don’t wait to join ’em!