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Balthazar Restaurant

Full company profile

uuid000ikqd

Namestring
Balthazar Restaurant
Legal namestring
Balthazar Restaurant
Websiteurl
balthazarny.com
Company typeenum
Private
Founded yearint
1997
Operating statusenum
Operating
Ownership categoryenum
Headcount rangeband
1–10
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersNew York, United States
HQ citystring
New York
HQ countrystring
United States
HQ regionstring
North America
Markets served

Serves global market

Offices2 records

Each record includes

City, Country, Type, Description, Source

Keyword5 values
French brasserie dining, artisan bakery products, private dining events, restaurant gift cards, traditional bistro fare
Industry2 codes
1Brasseries, Bistros & Trattorias
CodeTHAFACAIPrimaryYes
2Bread & Pastry Specialty Stores
CodeCRAHAGACPrimaryNo
NAICS code2 codes
  • Restaurants and Other Eating Places72251
  • Retail Bakeries311811
SIC code1 code
  • Retail-Eating & Drinking Places5810
Product category
French Brasserie Restaurant
GTM motion2 records

Each record includes

Type, Description, Source

Revenue model4 records
1Restaurant Dining
TypeOne Time License
Description

Full-service dining across all meal periods including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, featuring traditional French brasserie cuisine with fresh seafood, shellfish, and classic dishes. Revenue generated from food and beverage sales to dine-in customers.

2Bakery Retail and Catering
TypeOne Time License
Description

Sale of artisan breads, pastries, salads, and sandwiches for takeout and delivery, plus catering services for group events and custom-made pastries for holidays and special occasions.

balthazarny.com
3Private Events
TypeOne Time License
Description

Private dining services accommodating over 200 guests for events planned at least 30 days in advance, with personalized experiences crafted by Executive Chef and Wine Director.

balthazarny.com
4Gift Cards
TypeOne Time License
Description

Sale of gift cards for Balthazar Restaurant (redeemable at restaurant) and Balthazar Bakery (redeemable at NYC bakery), available for purchase online with shipping within the US.

ecommerce.custcon.com
Marketing channels3 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Stage, Description, Source

Distribution channels5 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Scope, Target buyer, Description, Source

Cost components6 values
Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Pricing details7 tiers
1Dinner entrées
ModelUnit PricingBilling cadencePay-as-you-go
Notes

Entrées range from $34 (Parmesan Risotto) to $63 (NY Strip Steak Au Poivre); Plats Pour Deux from $87 (Whole Chicken) to $178 (Côte De Boeuf)

balthazarny.com
2Lunch entrées
ModelUnit PricingBilling cadencePay-as-you-go
Notes

Entrées range from $29 (Balthazar Burger) to $59 (NY Strip Steak Au Poivre)

balthazarny.com
3Breakfast items
ModelUnit PricingBilling cadencePay-as-you-go
Notes

Items from $8 (Soft-Boiled Egg) to $34 (Steak and Eggs); Mimosas and Bloody Marys at $18-$21

balthazarny.com
4Brunch offerings
ModelUnit PricingBilling cadencePay-as-you-go
Notes

Eggs Benedict $29, Salade Niçoise $39, Belgian Waffles with warm berries; Le Panier basket of pastries $27

balthazarny.com
5Desserts
ModelUnit PricingBilling cadencePay-as-you-go
Notes

All desserts fixed at $16; Assiette de Fromages $21

balthazarny.com
6Bakery items
ModelUnit PricingBilling cadencePay-as-you-go
Notes

Croissants $5.75, Pain au Chocolat $6, Monkey Bread $6, Sticky Bun $6.25; catering and special orders available

balthazarny.com
7Beverages and cocktails
ModelUnit PricingBilling cadencePay-as-you-go
Notes

Cocktails $22-$30, Draft beer $14-$20, Extensive wine list with bottles from $20 to $6,800 (Krug Clos du Mesnil)

balthazarny.com
GTM typeB2C
B2C
Offering typeServices
Services
Brand1 record
1Balthazar Bakery
Description

Artisan bread, pastries, salads, and sandwiches available for takeout and delivery, located at 80 Spring Street, NY, NY 10012

balthazarny.com
Core offering1 text field

Balthazar Restaurant operates a traditional French brasserie in SoHo, New York, serving classic French fare across all daily meal periods (breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner) since 1997. The offering is anchored by in-house fresh seafood and shellfish, bread and pastries baked daily at the adjacent Balthazar Bakery, and is supplemented by private event services for groups of 200+ guests and gift card sales.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Quantifiable outcome1 of 2 values shown
  • Michelin Guide Recommended recognition
+1 more record
Product overview1 text field

Balthazar Restaurant operates as a portfolio of dining and bakery offerings anchored by the flagship Balthazar Restaurant in New York's SoHo, a traditional French brasserie opened in 1997. The core restaurant serves French fare across all meal periods with a related sister location in London. Supporting the dining experience is Balthazar Bakery, which produces artisan breads and pastries for in-restaurant service and retail sale. Additional revenue streams include Private Events hosting for groups of over 200 guests and Gift Cards for both the restaurant and bakery locations.

Product and service5 records
1Balthazar Restaurant (French Brasserie)
CategoryRestaurant Dining
Description

A traditional French brasserie in SoHo, New York serving classic French fare across all daily meal periods (breakfast, brunch on weekends, lunch Monday–Friday, and dinner nightly until midnight), featuring fresh seafood, shellfish, and bread and pastries baked daily at Balthazar Bakery. Targeted at discerning diners seeking an authentic French bistro experience.

2Balthazar Bakery
CategoryBakery / Retail Food
Description

Artisan bakery producing breads, pastries, soups, sandwiches, salads, and desserts for in-restaurant service, retail takeout, delivery (Monday–Friday 9am–4pm), catering for group events, and custom-made pastries and cakes for holidays and special occasions. Located at 80 Spring Street, New York.

3Private Events at Balthazar
CategoryPrivate Events / Hospitality
Description

Private dining services accommodating over 200 guests for corporate events, celebrations, and group functions, planned at least 30 days in advance, with personalized menu and wine curation by the Executive Chef and Wine Director for day or evening events.

4Balthazar Gift Cards
CategoryGift Cards
Description

Restaurant gift cards redeemable at Balthazar Restaurant (NYC) and separate bakery gift cards redeemable at Balthazar Bakery (NYC), available for purchase online via e-card email or physical card shipped via USPS Priority Mail and FedEx within the US.

5Balthazar London
CategoryRestaurant Dining (International)
Description

Sister restaurant opened in Covent Garden, London in 2012, extending the Balthazar brand and French brasserie concept to the UK market.

Scale indicator3 records

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Partnership1 partner
Strategic tierMinorTypeGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnounced on2026-02-18
Description

Collaboration between Ami Paris and Balthazar New York during Fall 2026 New York Fashion Week. Balthazar served as the venue/partner for Ami Paris's presentation during the fashion week event, highlighting the restaurant's appeal to fashion industry clientele.

Recent move6 records

Each record includes

Date, Type, Title, Description, Source

Expansion highlight4 records

Each record includes

Type, Description

Peers10 records
1Minetta Tavern
TypeDirect peer
Description

Keith McNally-owned Greenwich Village steakhouse and sister brand to Balthazar; comparable full-service NYC brasserie-style operation under the same founder with similar clientele, pricing, and editorial profile.

2Augustine
TypeDirect peer
Description

Keith McNally-owned fine-dining restaurant inside the Beekman Hotel in lower Manhattan; sibling operation with similar press profile, premium pricing, and downtown Manhattan clientele.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Modern French bistro in TriBeCa serving comparable brasserie-style fare at similar price points to a comparable downtown NYC clientele; closest non-McNally direct competitor for the French-cuisine casual-fine positioning.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Daniel Boulud's upscale French restaurant at 11 Howard Street in SoHo; overlaps directly with Balthazar on French cuisine, SoHo catchment, all-day service, and high-end events clientele.

TypeDirect peer
Description

French-Jules Vernes-style café and bistro in NYC's West Village with all-day brasserie service at lower price points; comparable French menu, all-day positioning, and downtown NYC addressable market.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Keith McNally's original 1980 TriBeCa brasserie that defined the downtown NYC bistro category; same founder, directly comparable French-influenced brasserie offering and price point, and historical reference point for the Balthazar concept.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Keith McNally-owned French-influenced bistro in Manhattan's Meatpacking District; directly comparable French brasserie-style menu, SoHo-adjacent clientele, similar pricing tier, and shared operations playbook.

8Morandi
TypeDirect peer
Description

Keith McNally-owned Italian restaurant in NYC's West Village; another sibling brand operating under the same founder with comparable all-day service, press profile, and dine-in/event revenue mix.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Keith McNally-owned French brasserie in NoHo operating with the same playbook, team, and pricing strategy as Balthazar — effectively a sister brand serving the same downtown Manhattan market.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Daniel Boulud's flagship French fine-dining restaurant on the Upper East Side; broader incumbent offering upscale French cuisine at higher price points, sharing the Michelin-recognized French-cuisine category and NYC luxury diner segment with Balthazar.

Market position
Strengths5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Weaknesses5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Competitive moat4 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights7 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Named customers1 record

Each record includes

Name, Industry, Type, Use case, Source, UUID

Segment3 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Primary, Description, Pain point addressed, Use case, Source

Ideal customer profile3 records

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
No
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

Integration3 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Description, Source

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Feature2 records

Each record includes

Title, Differentiator, Description, Source

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
Profiles1 record

Each record includes

Name, Designation, Designation category, Overview, Profile commentary, Source

Subsidiaries2 records

Each record includes

Name, Acquired on, Relationship type, Type, Business focus

No data
Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Balthazar Restaurant

French Brasserie Restaurantbalthazarny.com

Balthazar Restaurant firmographics

Firmographics
Name
Balthazar Restaurant
Legal name
Balthazar Restaurant
Website
https://balthazarny.com
Company type
Private
Founded year
1997
Operating status
Operating
Headcount range
1–10 employees
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Balthazar Restaurant industry classification

Industry
Product category
French Brasserie Restaurant
NAICS
Restaurants and Other Eating Places (72251), Retail Bakeries (311811)
SIC
Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
akta.pro primary industry
Brasseries, Bistros & Trattorias (THAFACAI)
akta.pro secondary industry
Bread & Pastry Specialty Stores (CRAHAGAC)

Keywords

  • French brasserie dining
  • Artisan bakery products
  • Private dining events
  • Restaurant gift cards
  • Traditional bistro fare

Where Balthazar Restaurant is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city
New York
HQ country
United States
HQ region
North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

Balthazar Restaurant business model

Business model
GTM type
B2C
Offering type
Services
Cost components
Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

  1. Restaurant Dining: Full-service dining across all meal periods including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, featuring traditional French brasserie cuisine with fresh seafood, shellfish, and classic dishes. Revenue generated from food and beverage sales to dine-in customers.
  2. Bakery Retail and Catering: Sale of artisan breads, pastries, salads, and sandwiches for takeout and delivery, plus catering services for group events and custom-made pastries for holidays and special occasions.
  3. Private Events: Private dining services accommodating over 200 guests for events planned at least 30 days in advance, with personalized experiences crafted by Executive Chef and Wine Director.
  4. Gift Cards: Sale of gift cards for Balthazar Restaurant (redeemable at restaurant) and Balthazar Bakery (redeemable at NYC bakery), available for purchase online with shipping within the US.

Pricing tiers

ModelBillingPrice
Unit PricingPay-as-you-goDinner entrées
Unit PricingPay-as-you-goLunch entrées
Unit PricingPay-as-you-goBreakfast items
Unit PricingPay-as-you-goBrunch offerings
Unit PricingPay-as-you-goDesserts
Unit PricingPay-as-you-goBakery items
Unit PricingPay-as-you-goBeverages and cocktails

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels3 records

Balthazar Restaurant product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Balthazar Restaurant operates a traditional French brasserie in SoHo, New York, serving classic French fare across all daily meal periods (breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner) since 1997. The offering is anchored by in-house fresh seafood and shellfish, bread and pastries baked daily at the adjacent Balthazar Bakery, and is supplemented by private event services for groups of 200+ guests and gift card sales.

Product overview

Balthazar Restaurant operates as a portfolio of dining and bakery offerings anchored by the flagship Balthazar Restaurant in New York's SoHo, a traditional French brasserie opened in 1997. The core restaurant serves French fare across all meal periods with a related sister location in London. Supporting the dining experience is Balthazar Bakery, which produces artisan breads and pastries for in-restaurant service and retail sale. Additional revenue streams include Private Events hosting for groups of over 200 guests and Gift Cards for both the restaurant and bakery locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

  • Balthazar Bakery: Artisan bread, pastries, salads, and sandwiches available for takeout and delivery, located at 80 Spring Street, NY, NY 10012

Products and services

  • Balthazar Restaurant (French Brasserie) A traditional French brasserie in SoHo, New York serving classic French fare across all daily meal periods (breakfast, brunch on weekends, lunch Monday–Friday, and dinner nightly until midnight), featuring fresh seafood, shellfish, and bread and pastries baked daily at Balthazar Bakery. Targeted at discerning diners seeking an authentic French bistro experience.
  • Balthazar Bakery Artisan bakery producing breads, pastries, soups, sandwiches, salads, and desserts for in-restaurant service, retail takeout, delivery (Monday–Friday 9am–4pm), catering for group events, and custom-made pastries and cakes for holidays and special occasions. Located at 80 Spring Street, New York.
  • Private Events at Balthazar Private dining services accommodating over 200 guests for corporate events, celebrations, and group functions, planned at least 30 days in advance, with personalized menu and wine curation by the Executive Chef and Wine Director for day or evening events.
  • Balthazar Gift Cards Restaurant gift cards redeemable at Balthazar Restaurant (NYC) and separate bakery gift cards redeemable at Balthazar Bakery (NYC), available for purchase online via e-card email or physical card shipped via USPS Priority Mail and FedEx within the US.
  • Balthazar London Sister restaurant opened in Covent Garden, London in 2012, extending the Balthazar brand and French brasserie concept to the UK market.

Quantifiable outcome

  • Michelin Guide Recommended recognition
  • +1 more outcomes

Companies that use Balthazar Restaurant

Customer profile

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Balthazar Restaurant technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API
No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Balthazar Restaurant partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

  • Ami ParisminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 February 2026Collaboration between Ami Paris and Balthazar New York during Fall 2026 New York Fashion Week. Balthazar served as the venue/partner for Ami Paris's presentation during the fashion week event, highlighting the restaurant's appeal to fashion industry clientele.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Balthazar Restaurant competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

  • Minetta Tavern: Keith McNally-owned Greenwich Village steakhouse and sister brand to Balthazar; comparable full-service NYC brasserie-style operation under the same founder with similar clientele, pricing, and editorial profile.
  • Augustine: Keith McNally-owned fine-dining restaurant inside the Beekman Hotel in lower Manhattan; sibling operation with similar press profile, premium pricing, and downtown Manhattan clientele.
  • Frenchette: Modern French bistro in TriBeCa serving comparable brasserie-style fare at similar price points to a comparable downtown NYC clientele; closest non-McNally direct competitor for the French-cuisine casual-fine positioning.
  • Le Coucou: Daniel Boulud's upscale French restaurant at 11 Howard Street in SoHo; overlaps directly with Balthazar on French cuisine, SoHo catchment, all-day service, and high-end events clientele.
  • Buvette: French-Jules Vernes-style café and bistro in NYC's West Village with all-day brasserie service at lower price points; comparable French menu, all-day positioning, and downtown NYC addressable market.
  • The Odeon: Keith McNally's original 1980 TriBeCa brasserie that defined the downtown NYC bistro category; same founder, directly comparable French-influenced brasserie offering and price point, and historical reference point for the Balthazar concept.
  • Pastis: Keith McNally-owned French-influenced bistro in Manhattan's Meatpacking District; directly comparable French brasserie-style menu, SoHo-adjacent clientele, similar pricing tier, and shared operations playbook.
  • Morandi: Keith McNally-owned Italian restaurant in NYC's West Village; another sibling brand operating under the same founder with comparable all-day service, press profile, and dine-in/event revenue mix.
  • Cherche Midi: Keith McNally-owned French brasserie in NoHo operating with the same playbook, team, and pricing strategy as Balthazar — effectively a sister brand serving the same downtown Manhattan market.

Broad incumbents

  • Daniel NYC: Daniel Boulud's flagship French fine-dining restaurant on the Upper East Side; broader incumbent offering upscale French cuisine at higher price points, sharing the Michelin-recognized French-cuisine category and NYC luxury diner segment with Balthazar.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Balthazar Restaurant social profiles

Digital presence

Balthazar Restaurant financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Balthazar Restaurant leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Balthazar Restaurant subsidiaries and ownership

Company hierarchy

Subsidiaries2 records

Balthazar Restaurant funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Balthazar Restaurant M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Balthazar Restaurant

What does Balthazar Restaurant do?

Balthazar Restaurant operates a traditional French brasserie in SoHo, New York, serving classic French fare across all daily meal periods (breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner) since 1997. The offering is anchored by in-house fresh seafood and shellfish, bread and pastries baked daily at the adjacent Balthazar Bakery, and is supplemented by private event services for groups of 200+ guests and gift card sales.

Is Balthazar Restaurant a public or private company?

Balthazar Restaurant is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.

When was Balthazar Restaurant founded?

Balthazar Restaurant was founded in 1997. It employs 1 to 10 people.

Where is Balthazar Restaurant based?

Balthazar Restaurant is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.

How does Balthazar Restaurant make money?

Four revenue lines are on record. Restaurant Dining is the primary driver. The others are bakery Retail and Catering, private Events and gift Cards.

Who are Balthazar Restaurant's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Minetta Tavern, Augustine, Frenchette, Le Coucou, Buvette, The Odeon, Pastis, Morandi and Cherche Midi. Daniel NYC is listed as a broad incumbent.

Does Balthazar Restaurant have an API?

No public API is recorded for Balthazar Restaurant.

What industry is Balthazar Restaurant in?

Balthazar Restaurant's product category is French Brasserie Restaurant. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFACAI, Brasseries, Bistros & Trattorias, with a secondary code of CRAHAGAC, Bread & Pastry Specialty Stores. Its NAICS code is 72251 and its SIC code is 5810.

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Live signals
New York Amsterdam NewsTalking SCHOP! Something new, something old, something greatA food writer visited Cloudy Donuts' Nolita location to try their vegan donut box, selecting four mini donuts including coconut cream, brown butter chocolate chip, lemon pistachio, and berry sage. She also dined at Balthazar, sharing a salad, goat cheese tart, and cheeseburger with frites. She plans to return for the seasonal bananas Foster donut.PopdustLet's Not Forget That James Corden Is Probably Anti-UnionJames Corden has been permanently banned from the NYC restaurant Balthazar after refusing to apologize to staff members he allegedly abused, following previous attempts at reconciliation that failed. The article also highlights past allegations that Corden advocated for lower pay grades for late-night writers during a Writers Guild of America meeting, framing his behavior as anti-union and exploitative.Business InsiderJames Corden opened 'The Late Late Show' with an apology to Balthazar staff and his explanation of how he got banned from the NYC restaurantJames Corden opened his show with an apology for a rude comment he made at Balthazar, a NYC restaurant, after being banned by owner Keith McNally. He said he regretted the comment but claimed he did nothing wrong, while McNally disputed that. Corden said he hopes to apologize in person someday.Business InsiderA-list NYC restaurant owner calls out James Corden again after the TV star backtracked on his apologyJames Corden denied being abusive to Balthazar staff in a New York Times interview, prompting restaurateur Keith McNally to re-ban him. McNally offered a free meal for 10 years if Corden apologizes to the two servers he insulted.Business InsiderNY restaurant reverses ban on James Corden after initially calling the TV star 'a tiny cretin of a man' and accusing him of abusing staffNew York restaurateur Keith McNally initially banned James Corden from his Balthazar restaurant, calling him a "tiny Cretin" and abusive. After Corden apologized, McNally reversed the ban, saying Corden "doesn't deserve to be banned from anywhere." No further comment was available.Business InsiderA famous NYC restaurant owner said he let waiters have a glass of wine before their shift, and found tips went up 5%Keith McNally, owner of Balthazar, tried giving waiters a glass of rosé before service and saw tips rise 5% that night. The experiment was posted on Instagram, and the restaurant had reopened after COVID restrictions lifted.Business InsiderFour Wall Street businessmen ordered a $2000 bottle of wine, and didn't notice the difference when they received a $18 bottle insteadAt New York's Balthazar, a server poured both a $2,000 Mouton Rothschild 1989 and an $18 Pinot into identical decanters, causing a table of four businessmen to drink the cheaper wine and a couple to drink the expensive one. The couple joked about being wine snobs, and the owner allowed them to finish the $2,000 bottle, saying it was unthinkable to take it away.Business InsiderThere Has Been A Happy Ending To The New York Bathroom Attendant Crisis...Balthazar's boss Keith McNally agreed to phase out bathroom attendants but will reassign them to other jobs within his company. He clarified he will not fire the employees, and the decision was welcomed by diners and the media.Business InsiderRestaurants Like Balthazar Should Absolutely Not Fire Their Bathroom Attendants — They Should Hire Them As WaitersBalthazar's head, Keith McNally, agreed with an author's criticism of bathroom attendants and announced their duties will be removed. The author argues the attendants should be reassigned as waiters, not fired, and awaits clarification on their fate.Business InsiderNow Let's Discuss The Awful Restaurant Practice Of Having Bathroom Attendants Who Watch You Pee...The author complains about Balthazar's practice of having a man stand in the men's bathroom to provide services like turning on the sink and handing paper towels. He argues the practice is degrading and urges restaurateurs to eliminate it. Balthazar's boss Keith McNally agreed and will reassign the employees to dining room roles.