Contact Information

address Balthazar
6 The Esplanade
Perth 6000
phone (08) 9421 1206
map View Map
cuisine Italian
Licensed Licensed

Welcome to Balthazar


Tapas dining in Perth at its best. Gourmet items are matched perfectly to their extensive yet exclusive winelist. Check out the wine bar for a quick snack or head to their dining rooms for a more substantial feast.

Balthazar - Perth - WA - Perth Restaurants - Italian

Reviews
(6 reviews)

#6
foodies
August 29, 2008

Food:
     
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!

Service:
     
Impeccable!

Ambience:
     
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.

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




#5
naughtynibbles
May 14, 2008

Food:
     
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.

Service:
     
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.

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

Overall:
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.




#4
WineWench
May 9, 2008

Food:
     
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)

Service:
     
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

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

Overall:
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.




#3
Sven
January 21, 2008

Food
     
Service
     
Ambience
     
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.




#2
ChrisLane
November 13, 2007

Food
     
Service
     
Ambience
     
Overall:
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.




#1
michelle68
March 15, 2006

Food
     
Service
     
Ambience
     
Overall:
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.