Balthazar

Balthazar is not cheap, but it is worth a visit. We had steak au poivre, an exruciatingly pleasurable meal, and squid appetizer. But the food is not the only reason one goes to Balthazar. The decor, including the altitudinous ceilings and back-soothing banquettes, transport you to 19th century Paris (as opposed to the real 19th century Paris). Even the bathrooms are cool. Best of all, as we sat in the warm, soft-lit, food-fragranced glow inside, outside it was pouring.