Overall:
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.