Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Toto, I Don't Think We're In Kansas City Anymore

Here is an exterior shot of Balthazar, a wonderful french brasserie in New York City. It is one of my favorite places to eat breakfast or lunch during the middle of the week. But I avoid it during dinner or the weekends because of the crowd. The front of the store reminds me of many restaurants I've seen in Paris.

Although French cuisine is still very popular in New York City, a lot of the super expensive haute cuisine restaurants have shuttered due to changes in gastronomic style and taste. Young people who eat out a lot prefer to dine at casual environments instead of restaurants that required them to wear a tie and jacket or a dress.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in your city?

30 comments:

Oh for the love of food! said...

Hi Ming! Love the look of this little quaint restaurant. My husband and I fall into that category of 'young' (u-hmm) people who don't want to dress up when we eat out. Tell him to put on a tie, he'll throw you a dirty look.
I like the way you've captured this photo with the blurred images in the front. Uber Cool!

Annie said...

My favorite restaurant in my city is my own kitchen. About two or three times a week I make something new. When I find a thrilling new taste or texture, I add it to my repertoire and make it now and again. So I have some old stand-bys and some new "experiments" each week to keep me excited about eating.

Annie said...

Love and adventure too - absolutely!

Steve Buser said...

Let's see, a favorite restaurant in New Orleans -- just turn any corner.

Bel said...

Cool photo Ming! I too love the "blurred" people. My parents went to Balthazar when they visited NYC and raved about the oysters (although I'm not much of a fan myself). Unfortunately I didn't make it there on my first visit, but will certainly seek it out this time. Thanks for the reminder!! ;o)

Olivier said...

un restaurant français à NYC, il ne doit pas etre cher non ?
mon restaurant prefere à Evry, un restaurant indien.


shouldn't a French restaurant with NYC, it be expensive not? my restaurant prefers in Evry, an Indian restaurant.

kuanyin333 said...

It's rare that anyone dresses up on Maui, even in the most expensive restaurants! This one featured here would appeal to me.

Lavenderlady said...

How fun! I do have a favorite restaurant in Sequim. It's Cafe Blossom. She is only open for lunch and dinners on Friday and Saturday. It's a set menu..4 course menu...and I love it.

Bergson said...

a photo dynamics and coloured

good shot

Marcin said...

Our favourites restaurant is our kitchen as well. We like to cook and make an kitchen's experiments. ;))
But from time to time we go out, but to the places where you can wear casual clothes.

alice said...

Yes, we have many good restaurants in Vannes, some are very expensive but they worth it, but you can choose to eat one crèpe or some oysters for less money! Ming, I'm sorry but I don't understand your tittle "Toto...", could you explain? Thank you.

Gaëlle said...

My favourite restaurant in Grenoble is a restaurant where they serve both north-african food AND specialities of my region and it's called l'Amphytrion. But I wouldn't mind testing (tasting?!) this beautiful Balthazar restaurant!

Missy,Mrs and Mum said...

The Waffle House is one of my favourites.yes everything is with a yummy waffle and my friends and i love it there so much.
I wouldn't call it a restaurant but The Flying Fifteens in Lowestoft is just a brilliant Tea shop serving the yummiest cakes! yumyum

Peter said...

My favourite restaurant? I just moved to a new part of Paris and there is a restaurant every 25 meters, but I have not yet found the ONE. I continue my research!

So, you still have to dress up when you go to a more fancy restaurant? You hardly do that in Paris any more; you have perhaps to look "decent", but that's all.

Anonymous said...

I liked your photo and your description of it. You insight also applies to churches. Going all dressed up is one thing but going to church all dressed up is another.

I have 1 baby raccoon today and a pile of poop!
Brookville Daily Photo

Unknown said...

Great job!!
I prefer Chinese, Italian restaurant, not to mention sushi restaurants. When I travel somewhere abroad for a long time and happen to get tired of local restaurants, I tend to search for Chinese or Italian restaurants there.

Lori said...

I love Balthazar!!! I think that and the Union Square Cafe are my two favorite restaurants here. Unfortunately I can't afford to eat there very often. Just for special occasions. I love this photo!

Anonymous said...

Hahah..yes yes...just like in Paris...but in Paris..the seats and pple are usually lined up more like a theatherette.

Fabrizio Zanelli said...

I love the photo as usual thanks to those "passing people". Oh I also love the belinda's blog (may I say this here?) and I love to eat out in those our typical Trattorie (even if not enough well described by Wikipedia)

Rafe Totengco said...

I've been loving 'Cafe Cluny' in the West Village lately. Also like 'Danal', an old favorite. Cozy, intimate and to much of a scene.

GMG said...

Loved to see the Spring St. bistro once again, and agree with Lori as far as Union Square Cafe is concerned; but also like the Gramercy Tavern and the Gotham Bar; but these are not my town's restaurants. Here I have too many favourites to mention...

Suz. said...

Hi Ming - I've got two faves - a wonderful Vietnamese restaurant, Saigon Café, and a little establishment called Shuga's (www.shugas.com). Shuga's has the most divine Brazilian Shrimp Soup! :) Cheers!

Chris said...

Is this Anthony Bourdain's restaurant? Or am I thinking of somewhere else?
I have so many favorite restaurants here in Madison but with 2 small children I don't get to go to them often enough!

TCho said...

O.G. and Buenos Aires. Both in the E. Village. If i want to spend a lot, then Craft.

Todd HellsKitchen said...

What kind of fries do they serve there?

stilettoheights said...

Fiesta Jalisco...wonderful family run Mexican place...the waiters are fantastic and just get so excited when anyone walks in

Anonymous said...

Our favourite restaurant in Nantes, France is this Indian restaurant called India Tandoor. We also love Maison Baron Lefevre. Yesterday we stumbled upon this chic restaurant Villa Mon Rêve. Yummy French food.

Anonymous said...

I love this photo

Unknown said...

i like Crystal Jade group of restaurants in Singapore. They serve food that suits my taste.

when you visit Singapore, buzz me, will bring you there!

Anonymous said...

You know, I honestly don't have a favorite restaurant right now. Lately it seems as though the best meals I've had came from carts and food stands instead of real restaurants.

By the way, I do like Balthazar, but it is too expensive for me to go there often.