No Toto, we're not in NYC anymore.
Whilst in London for a few hours I stumbled upon Keith McNally's outpost of the legendary New York brasserie, Balthazar. I've eaten at the New York one a few times, but alas, I had no time to be a lady who lunched. Still, I couldn't just skip on by empty handed...
I scooped up two croissants from the boulangerie, one for lunch and one for breakfast, I much prefer a crunchy day old croissant to one freshly baked, I'm biting down on its armadillo carapace through to its leaves of buttery parchment right now.
Aspinal's lapis lazuli tiles deserve a wolf whistle, don't you think?
This really was a whistlestop trip, after two hours I
then hopped a plane to this part of the realm, or not ...
Talk like that will curl lips in the south of Ireland.
Mind if I sit this one out? I prefer to keep my bitter bile tucked in its ergonomic pouch. Hands up if you like Black Velvet? Looks like this round is going to cost me a pretty penny.
Normal service will be resumed next week.
Oh gosh. I love Balthazar so much. I'd head down to SoHo just for it.
ReplyDeleteAnd you like stale croissants? Ha! That's a first!
Yes, I love muffins when they are a day old and crunchy too!
DeleteGiven you're in Donegal the Republic of Ireland's a little more appropriate moniker than the south ;-)
ReplyDeleteIsn't that considered the south, even though geographically it's in the north?
DeleteDonegal's confusing, politically it's part of the Republic of Ireland, obviously geographically it's in the north of the island and to confuse things further it's part of the province of Ulster.
DeleteIt is, everyone here refers to as the south, my in laws live there, it's too craggy and desolate for me, I prefer further south - just to confuse things even further!
DeleteBUTTERED UP Good croissants are one of those perfect foods, crusty-chewy, flakey-fluffy, buttery-bready. Glad you got at least a small treat for your toil travels T. And staying well out of any Irish questions other than slainte.
ReplyDeleteGet Fresh - yep a small morsel for all the hassle.
DeleteI thought you were in NY when I first saw the photo. I love it there, but it's so noisy. Is the one in London a bit more quiet? I love all baked things stale and dry too.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I only popped into the boulangerie, I can't take too much noise either when I'm out.
ReplyDeleteOh, wonderful. I like pain au chocolat, too.
ReplyDeleteYup wolf whistle deserved for those tiles. What a busy bee you've been tooting here and there, thanks for stopping to snap some pictures for us.
ReplyDeleteOooh lovely. I am glad that someone is out on an adventure!
ReplyDeleteBut oh, you made me whimper for the Balthazaar Bakery in NYC. Getting a little something and a coffee then sitting outside on the benches made for the finest people watching...
I like Balthazar but not it's acoustics. Might just try croissants next time. You know, I never really noticed those tiles until now...! They are lush.
ReplyDeleteAll looks lovely. There was a great article in a recent Homes & Gardens about Keith McNally's move to London to open Balthazar and his house here - very eclectic taste. I have a soft spot for Donegal as my brother in law is from there. He's been over here for years but can still switch the old Irish blarney at the drop of a hat!
ReplyDeleteLA Rona - I think everyone here has a relative from Donegal!
DeleteOnly you could describe a croissant as having an armadillo carapace, glad you're back
ReplyDeleteEvery where you go you seem to take the weather...(think there may be a song title in that) x
ReplyDeleteI'm all for croissants x
ReplyDeleteCroissants make me drool, it is so hard to find a really good one. I miss living in a city with good bakeries!
ReplyDeleteBalthazar is going to be on my next NYC go-to list.
ReplyDeleteDay old croissants? I like the almond ones myself.... love the blue tiles of the Aspinal store. That last sculpture is a little disturbing. Famine victims I presume? xx
ReplyDeleteI must check out Balthazar the next time I visit NYC. Have a great trip - looking forward to your photos when you return!
ReplyDeleteLouise, oh I'm back, it was work, I'm just floundering under it just now so will be back next week when I have a min.
DeleteIt's always a lovely day for a Guinness. x.
ReplyDeleteBalthazhar is the perfect place to lunch, and I love their day old croissants for making French Toast. Apinsals walls are most intriguing for sure.
ReplyDeleteThat particular shade of blue is the most startling, most mesmerising of all. Day old croissants? Really? I love them fresh, straight from the oven...don't think they ever make it to day old status. I may be missing out on something!
ReplyDeleteMiss you when you are gone, come back soon! Regarding Balthazar, I have just been there once (in NYC) and I remember that I liked it a lot (it reminded me of another restuarant I love a lot, far away from there) and that I noticed that many of the guests had such thick, shiny, beautiful long hair, almost like the Milanese... I do not see that often, here in Scandinavia and we are not blessed with that attribute of beauty (we are often blond, however, maybe that compensates.
ReplyDeleteMK
MK I know what you mean, Northern European hair is so much finer, I envy thick lush tresses too.
ReplyDeleteOk everyone, you know where to drop off your old stale croissants now!
ReplyDeleteI loooove Balthazar and Pastis. Craving steak frites... and it's only 9am!
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ReplyDeleteI just love Balthazar with those huge old mirrors, the bowl of coffee and the general European feel. No matter where we stay in the city, it's always Balthazar's for breakfast. I hear it's mobbed with tourists at lunch, but breakfast isn't crazy.
ReplyDeleteBTW -I see you get those annoying comments from "anonymous"' touting their sketchy webpages!!
Stale croissants? Not in this household. The word Boulangerie makes me weak at the knees.
ReplyDeleteLucky you to be beside the seaside,even in sub artic temperatures.
Enjoy your trip to Ireland. I hope the weather is good although I suspect not given how grey it's been here these past few days. With good wishes from a fellow Celt.
ReplyDeleteB/c you lost a lot of weight: how do you fit in the croissants & BVs? You can leave counsel @ my place. Need to know immediately; I live within crawling distance of two superb boulangeries.
ReplyDeleteBlue tile at Aspinal's so well done!! This post is making me hungry and I am nowhere near a great boulangerie...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your trip sorry the weather is so wet and miserable but I am sure it will remind you of Scotland.
ReplyDelete