Welcome to Balthazar

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Compact menu selection (obviously with food that works well) - good balance of choices for entree & mains.

Entree:
Veal & oyster carpaccio - sublime. If I had to comment, I felt this dish was a little on the warm side - being a carpaccio, I would've preferred it a little colder.
Scallops w/ avocado puree - DELICIOUS! both items 10/10

Mains:
Tuna Linguine - fresh pasta w/ just the right amount of capers, anchovies and chilli. The slices of tuna steaks were rare in the middle and just melted in my mouth.
Wild mushroom risotto w/ white truffle oil
- tuna was out of this world (11/10), the risotto was fairly decent albeit predictable.

Dessert - cheese plate - was not really to my liking - blue & cheddar too pungent/strong

Exceptional. Very attentive and knowledgeable about foods/wines on offer. Our waitress was new (2nd shift) but demonstrated excellent skills and sought answers for us from the kitchen promptly and efficiently. Water glasses were filled constantly as were our wines. Great service (10/10)

Low key, intimate, very cosy (a bit too cosy actually) I had to move the table to get out of my seat. Can get a bit noisy when a large group is booked into the private dining area.

Excellent place to eat if you have never been here before. it is a local icon for business people during weekday lunches and a perfect venue for those romantic dinners. The prices are not over the top, entrees $20-25, Mains: $25-40. They have an extensive wine cellar and depending on what you choose, this may be a deciding factor on your overall cost for the evening. Don't be afraid to ask to sample a wine before choosing - as you dont really want to be stuck with a dud bottle at $100/pop.

This has been one of my favourite restaurants for some time - both for work and pleasure. I have even been quoted in the press on the issue. Not so much any more - I went there a Friday evening a week or so ago. The menu has always has limited variety and is a bit of a chef's plaything, but there is usually something appealing. In my case, I went for the fillet, my partner for the duck. Mine is was so underwhelming in flavour that I had to ask my partner if my tastebuds were off. No, they weren't - the restaurant was REALLY BUSY, we had seen the end of the kitchen conveyor belt and it wasn't that pretty. Dessert was slightly better, but not greatly so. Maybe set your expectations low and you will be impressed..

Funky, groovy; almost too cool for school. Tina is fantastic, though there's only one of her, so if it's busy you're in the hands of one of the frenchy dreadlocks types. Far from being unobtrusive, it's a bit like being the audience member picked out by the Cirque de Soleil clown. Less ego please.

In its time, this has been the best place in town - by a long shot. Now, it's feeling very overworked and full of itself. Success breeds contempt and this is getting a little close to that concept for comfort.

On the tipping point of being spectacularly ordinary - particularly given the hype and price. Go when it's quiet and under control. Avoid when it's busy. Its namesake in New York does multiple sittings really well, here not so much.

Well, judging by the huge, albeit extensive wine list, they are probably banking on you being rather intoxicated before your meal is placed in front of you. Maybe it's because I come from a long line of big eaters, being ethnic and all, but the portion size was just jaw droppingly minuscule. Ok, my lamb shoreshank, shortlist.. jockstrap, whatever it was called was rather nice, if not lip smackingly enjoyable, but if you were even remotely on the hungry side, this portion size will not do. I finished my meal in under 3 minutes. (it was nice though)

Service service service.. yes.. we did get served.. Ok the guy probably had been working there for a good majority of his certificate II in hospitality TAFE course, but at least invest in a razor, or maybe some manners... he did wipe our crumbs off the table though. That was nice.

We were greeted by a country western song which was playing on the "BOSE" sound system. That really busted my chops. Other than that, it was quite cosy.

Overall? I wouldn't go back to this restaurant, I mean, sure I can understand how its upperclass, 5 star approach to food and dining may be appealing, but its just too "minimal" in the actual stuff you're there for in the first place? as in the FOOD. Went home that night to fill up on last nights BBQ leftovers. Overall, it was ok.. but disappointing.

We happened to 'drop by' Balthazar last Saturday at about 6.30pm and luckily we got a reservation. We ordered a tasting plate to share and then both ordered the aged fillet with smoked celeriac mash. What an absolutely divine meal! The tasting plate was absolutely delicious with lots of taste sensations and perfect in size. The main was by far the best tasting fillet I have had in Perth, it melted in your mouth and the smoked celeriac was the most amazing accompaniment to it. It took us along time to finish our mains as we had to savor every mouthful! For dessert we had the cheese platter which was a mouthwatering selection of french cheeses. This could not be faulted either!

Impeccable!

We were dressed quite casually as we were not intending on going out for a meal but we felt quite comfortable in the lively, cosy environment.

By far the best restaurant in Perth. Cant wait to go back!

We shared the tasting plate - awesome array of flavours thoughfully put together - good to warm up the palate. Other half ordered hay infused ham risotto - very different and well done. I had the beef - perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious. No menu envy there! Shared the cheeses for dessert - a very good selection.

A little more informal and offhand than usual from Balthazar. We had an oxidised (expensive) wine. The waiter was not very receptive and then overcharged us for it.

Always brilliant - such a great feel in the place. Absolutely perfect for intimate dinners.

This is our favourite restaurant - arguably Perth's best. Consistently fabulous and well worth splashing out on. The wine list (by region) is to die for - wonderful selection and very good knowledgable staff, able to assist with food matching. Also able to recommend international wines if you fancy something a little different.

The menu is Modern Australian (rather than Italian as listed) and the dishes are bursting with flavours without being too fussy or complex.
Started with a glass of champagne each, a sensational wine from a small producer which we were informed was a great find by Head Sommelier Dan, on a recent trip to France.
I had scallops with kumura, broad bean and a roast capsicum puree for entree ($19 (lovely plump scallops, a simple fresh flavorsome dish) whilst my Mum had rabbit terrine (great texture with parsley and fennel).My main was venison with green beans and an interesting corn and brioche pudding ($36) Mum had the special of the day, red emperor with chorizo and prawn mousseline. Enjoyed this with a bottle of Chateauneuf de Pape ($145)

The wine list is incredible; certainly one of the best in WA. As an ex-sommelier (wine geek!) I could have read the list for hours. The staff are so charming but more importantly they really know their stuff and will happily help you navigate your way through the menu and wine list without pretension

Balthazar has wooden floorboards, dim lighting and soft music (but the place can get very noisy). It's French bistro-meets-Melbourne.

I've been here several times over the last few years and have truly enjoyed each experience. Like the previous reviewer, I definitely rate Balthazar as one of my Top 5 restaurants in Perth.

Balthazar is somewhere I have been wanting to visit for several years after hearing a number of good reviews. My wife and I finally got around to going for a meal on Saturday night, and came away feeling unfortunately quite disappointed.

Started the night with champagne and some delicious fresh bread and olives, and after perusing the menu chose the tasting plate to share for an entree, while my wife selected confit lamb for mains, and I chose the rabbit.

The entree was altogether uninspiring. It offered a selection of four dishes being pork sausage, sushi roll, goats cheese and capsicum and roast beef on a potato pancake. Aside from the beef all very plain in taste and in presentation.

The main courses arrived luke warm and the plates looked like they should have been thrown away a few years ago, chipped and marked. My wifes lamb was admittedly quite tasty but no different to something we could have ordered at any average restaurant. My rabbit which consisted of a smoked loin and a rillette of leg served with split barley was boring.

Service was a highlight, our waiter was knowledgeable with his wines allowing us to taste several varieties before making our decisions, and made us feel comfortable. Water was replenished consistently. The maitre'd needs a lesson on personal presentation. Most diners where better dressed than he was.

Overall I felt the food lacked in presentation and taste. I want all my senses to be excited by what I'm eating, especially when visiting what is supposed to be one of Perth's best restaurants. The chef at Balthazar needs to take a bit more risk with the food. Perhaps a night out at Star Anise or Jacksons could stir up his passion.

Balthazar has always been one of my favourite restaurants in Perth. The food, wine, and service have always been top-notch.

In recent times, the prices seem to have climbed quite a bit, and so I can't go there as often as I'd like. The food also has evolved into a super-posh affair, which I don't particularly like too much. The quality is always 5 stars, but they lose out on price and some food presentation issues. But that's all subjective I guess...

The wine list continues to astound me. How do they find room in the restaurant for it all?!? It's also a little scary to see $500 bottles on the menu also, but it all adds to the prestige of the establishment. It's also nice to know that almost every waitstaff knows the wine list back to front. And if they don't know, they find out for you in a flash. Honesty = kudos.

Balthazar earns a place in my top 5 favourite restaurants.

The best food and service in perth. Its brilliant to have staff know their food and wine. The martinis are to die for. Fantastic experience, thanks.