Updated 10/3/13 with full opening hours.
Ever since they pipped Jeremy King and Chris Corbin to the post in securing the site of the old Theatre Museum in Covent Garden, it’s been presumed that Richard Caring and Keith McNally would be opening the first foreign outpost of McNally’s Balthazar restaurant in London. In mid-2011 McNally told Martha Stewart in a television interview ‘I suppose I might, but I’m not sure. I’m in two minds about most things, [and] I’m in two minds about that.’
But in an interview with the Evening Standard’s ES Magazine later that year, Caring confirmed Balthazar London's opening. ‘This will not be some Far Eastern copy, everything will be made in the US, the real McCoy,’ says Caring. ‘It won't be a copy of the New York Balthazar, but it will be in its image.'
Since that announcement, details have been coming in slowly but surely. We now know that the all-day menu will feature French bistro-style dishes with a British touch, such as duck shepherd’s pie and crisp Berkshire pork belly with roasted Brussels sprouts. There will also be an afternoon tea menu presided over Regis Beauregard (former pastry chef at The Ritz).
Byron Lang, formerly Maitre D' of the revamped Savoy Grill and who's also worked at the Wolseley, is in charge of the restaurant. Brian Silva, ex bar manager of Rules who currently produce some of the finest cocktails in London, heads up the bar at Balthazar, so you can expect something rather special in that area too.
In addition to the main restaurant, there's Balthazar Bakery Shop next door. This sells pastries, bread, soups, salads & sandwiches to take away (produced by the off-site Balthazar Bakery in Waterloo which will also open to the public eventually) - so that's ideal if you fancy Balthazar lunch on the go.
Balthazar is at The Flower Cellars, 4-8 Russell Street, Covent Garden, London WC2. The bakery is now open and the main restaurant is too - reservations are on 020 3301 1155.
The restaurant is now open for lunch Monday to Fridays 12-4pm, for dinner Mon to Thurs 5-11.30pm, Fri to Sat - 5pm-12am and on Sunday from 5pm-10.30pm.
From Monday 18 March they'll be open for weekday breakfast from 7.30am to 11.30am and serving up weekday coffee and pastries from 11.30am to 12 noon
From Saturday 23 March they will be serving weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 4pm. From Monday 25 March they'll also be serving afternoon tea Monday to Friday between 3-5pm.
