Balthazar, located in the heart of Covent Garden, is a magical space indeed. It’s a warm space, with rugged mirrors covering all the walls, red leather sofas, wooden round and square tables, metal poles separating the tables… a big bar with a huge façade of the bottles … food display, a variety of bread display… Balthazar is something to see…
The place is warm filled with happy people talking and chatting in the background. It's a very positive space.
On the menu of this iconic French spot in London is Le Panier, the breakfast choices, the eggs, tartine, garnitures, pastry and coffee.
We started with a breadbasket; Le Pannier for £9 comes which includes a couple croissants, bread and pineapple viennoiserie with jams on the side and butter. The bread is good, the croissants are richly buttery in addition to some lightly sweet jams.
Dark Americano coffee, tap water served in a jar while we eagerly waited for the eggs.
Let's eat:
- Eggs Benedict with smoked ham on a homemade English muffin: This is what real egg Benedict is all about - simply eggs and simple amazement. Fluffy rich muffin with no chewiness, poached eggs cooked to perfection with a molten heart, smoked ham with a firm feel, the exact saltiness and finally, the best part, the hollandaise. It's that kind of hollandaise where all flavors are equilibrated, the light acidity, end notes of vinegar, richness. Those are probably one of the world's classiest eggs Benedict I have.
- Eggs Royale, salmon on an English muffin: Oh my God! That's even better than the ham Benedict. Oh my goodness. The oiliness added by the salmon makes a great breakfast more awesome.
- Ham and Gruyere cheese croissant: extreme flaky croissant with a rich heart of oily cheese and premium ham
- Hazelnut waffles with warm berries, creme fraiche and Canadian maple syrup. Mouthwatering waffles with a crunchy envelope and tender heart served with warm maple syrup and berries on the side - a thick layer of creme fraiche and a sprinkle of powder sugar… that's how waffles are taken to the next level.
That's "the" breakfast one should try in the heart of the British capital. The fine French breakfast that will guarantee a wide smile on your face for a long day ahead.
