FormerKarmaKing t1_it9uu5b wrote on October 22, 2022 at 12:17 AM

Is Balthazar worth going to these days or is it a place that coasts on its fame? Never been.

Silver lining here is that Corden (who is a legendary jack ass) has now given them not only one but two major media bumps.

Helpy___Helperton t1_itaboas wrote on October 22, 2022 at 2:34 AM

It's somewhere between Barcadia and Espace. You're gonna wanna have the peanut butter soup with smoked duck and mashed squash. New York Matinee called it "a playful but mysterious little dish." You'll love it. And then the red snapper with violets and pine nuts. I think that'll follow nicely.

LouisSeize t1_itcd58f wrote on October 22, 2022 at 3:47 PM

Since out of towners do read this sub from time to time they should know that every word in your post is fiction.

Helpy___Helperton t1_itclq9z wrote on October 22, 2022 at 4:47 PM

you're a fiction

Spumorty t1_itb21jk wrote on October 22, 2022 at 7:28 AM

Keith McNally, the restaurateur behind Balthazar, Minetta Tavern, Pastis and multiple others, fucking sucks.

Shitty to his staff, Ghislaine Maxwel apologist, hangs out with Woody Allen, says racist, misogynistic shit and defends it as free speech. If you need proof just take a look at his entire Instagram. He doesn't even hide it.

I really wanted to go to Minetta Tavern and have that burger when I moved to the city but I'll never give him a cent now. I know it sounds like a strong statement, and his restaurants are quite popular, so 'who cares', but... His staff deserves better. The NY restaurant scene deserves better.

Edit: Also let me make clear that I fully despise James Corden. Sleazeball.

LouisSeize t1_itccvso wrote on October 22, 2022 at 3:45 PM

> Shitty to his staff

> If you need proof just take a look at his entire Instagram. He doesn't even hide it.

Maybe you should read his Instagram. There are numerous postings of employees who are called out as having worked for him for 15, 20 and even 25+ years. Frequently, these posts are supplemented by comments from customers who praise the staffers.

Flashdancer405 t1_itdc246 wrote on October 22, 2022 at 7:49 PM

Let me be clear in saying that I don’t think anyone who owns multiple restaurants in NYC has the capacity to be a good person. I definitely did see the Woody Alan apologist post which was icky.

He did also send an employee of 17 years $500 and a week paid vacation to Chechnya. Hopefully the guy has gotten a lot more personal time off in 17 years but that doesn’t seem like a terrible thing. Maybe its just a publicity post but idk many resturaunt owners doing that.

LouisSeize t1_itddfvn wrote on October 22, 2022 at 7:57 PM

> I don’t think anyone who owns multiple restaurants in NYC has the capacity to be a good person.

By all accounts he treats his employees well and he's been successful.

LouisSeize t1_itcdfu5 wrote on October 22, 2022 at 3:49 PM

> Is Balthazar worth going to these days . . .?

I would say so having been a customer since the opening. Other good McNally restaurants are Minetta Tavern (French food) and Morandi (Italian) also Pastis (co-owned with Stephen Starr, French bistro).