Baltaire

Wonderful food And wonderful service. It’s is pricey but worth. I’ve sat in the dining room and also the bar area. Wonderful bar area with couches. Cozy and chic. Great people watching. I’ve sat in the dining room twice. The first time I had Ryan as a server and I asked for him again the second time. He was so sweet, fun and knowledgable. Highly recommend!

The food is excellent, but the service was/​is terrible. Hopefully «was» as a one off.
Six of us dined at 7:15pm, we were seated immediately. The space is gorgeous — great ambiance — and spacious! They do a great job of providing quite a few heat lamps overhead, but missed the corners (where we sat, freezing). There’s a large menu to choose from and honestly, we were all happy with the food we ordered.
Highlights:
— Starters: crab cakes, scallops (only 2 for $ 18, order multiple for a group) and octopus.
— Mains: chilean sea bass w/​bok choy, salmon w/​pea risotto
— Sides: mac & cheese (crab was delicious but none of us really tasted the crab.) and brussel sprouts (special)
— Desserts: Bread pudding (croissant-​based), beignets, cheesecake. The chocolate tart was also good, the only one we were unimpressed with was the chocolate ganache cake.
The terrible service (from 5 star to 4 due to the service):
— Overall we spent most of the evening waiting on the staff or asking for things multiple times.
— Several «I will XYZ» (bring you a plate, get another bottle of water, etc) that simply did not happen with us asking over and over. We were left without water for half the meal.
— My husband ordered a salad in addition to the appetizers we ordered — instead of asking if he’d like it to come with the other appetizers (it was not his main course). we all sat with empty plates and watched my husband eat his salad. delaying the main course for all of us. He was the last to order so I just would have thought the waiter would have caught this and addressed.
— All of our appetizers came out without them having brought out dishes and utensils.
— Plenty of jokes by the server that no one understood but forced a laugh to be polite
The food is delicious — classically prepared. It’s just a shame that service is not top notch when everything else seemed to be (especially considering it’s $$$$).

This may be one of the best restaurants I have ever been to! The food is beyond amazing, and the ambiance is beautiful. If you love fancy restaurants, you definitely need to check this place out!

Interior design is gorgeous and welcoming. As is the staff. Too bad the food doesn’t get similar high marks. A party of 4, we tried a variety of dishes that all sounded sumptuous. Average all round; nothing spectacular, nothing bad. But when you consider the high prices you deserve better. Cocktails were terrific. Next time, we’ll simply hang at the bar.

My rating is based relative to other fine steakhouses in the LA area (CUT, Mastros, BOA, etc).
I wasn’t particularly impressed with their steak but if you factor in the whole package (food, service, décor, price etc), Baltaire does deserve more than 3 stars.
You might be able to find street parking but you are probably better off just valeting your car for 8 dollars.
We ordered the following items at our table — grilled artichokes, grilled octopus, dry aged KC strip 20oz, Bone in ribeye 22oz, Surf and Turf special, shellfish plateau, mac n cheese, roasted mushrooms, and yukon gold fries.
The fries were perfectly crispy but the rest of the appetizers and sides were solid but not memorable
The Dry Aged KC strip was actually pretty tough, I could tell right when I cut into it that it was going to be kind of chewy. It was cooked perfectly Medium Rare but could have used a little more salt and pepper seasoning. Not bad but I expected better. It was a struggle to cut up the steak.
The bone in ribeye came out perfectly Medium Rare and was both juicy and tender. I usually prefer the strip steak over the ribeye but based on this experience I would recommend the ribeye to future patrons.
The surf and turf special was 2x 4oz medallions of filet mignon. One medallion had a shrimp on top of it and the other had a king crab louie style salad on top of it. The dish also came with half of a small lobster. All for 62 dollars, which i felt was a solid deal.
The service was good but I didn’t get the sense that the waiter and busboys were working together like a well oiled machine. At some of the fine dining establishments the waitstaff works in perfect unison when it comes to clearing the table/​bread crumbs, refilling waiter, serving the food etc. I feel like there could be some improvement in this area at Baltaire.
Overall I would recommend Baltaire as a solid choice for a good steakhouse dining experience.
PS — They earned some additional points for being a slightly better value than your average high end steakhouse. For the same price (~55) you get a larger steak at Baltaires — 20−22oz vs the average 14−16oz

My girlfriend convinced me to give this place a try, & she was right! I really enjoyed the atmosphere & the food! Such a comfortable environment & live music (pianists) I truly enjoyed my dessert as well, but everything was great! It’s worth checking out! Lol

This place was the definition of class. Beautifully decorated and hidden away in Brentwood. It’s a celeb hot spot for sure.
The food and drinks were amazing and was the ambiance. Super hot and trendy will def be back

There are two approaches to rate this restaurant, I think. If I’m evaluating it as a standalone experience and not considering either price or other fine steakhouses in Los Angeles, then it is great. However, I think it should examined relative to its peers because if you want a great steak restaurant for a special occasion, you’re deciding among a small handful of places.
The good:
— cocktails
— the décor and atmosphere it creates
The bad (for a fine steakhouse):
— the service
— the food
— the value
I had the Greek salad, bone in ribeye, spinach and fries. The Greek salad was heavy on the dressing and drowned out the taste of the veggies. The spinach and fries were good. The steak was over cooked badly. I have included a photo. I ordered it rare and it came out medium well. Another person in my group was also given an over cooked steak. When I notified the server she tried to argue that the slightly pink center meant it was rare. Of course they replaced it with a properly cooked steak, which was delicious. I would think a restaurant that positions itself as the next great LA steakhouse would have a higher standard when it came to preparing their steaks.
To summarize, it’s obviously a trendy beautiful restaurant with good food but has room for improvement to approach the standard set by Mastros, Cut, and STK.

One of my favorite steak houses! The ambiance is beautiful and recommend if you want to pay a good amount. Let me tell you its well worth it! Heres what i recommend:
Starters:
Tuna tartar
Seafood tower this is the best!
Ceasar salad
Main course
Waygu beef
Ribeye which is the best!!!
Sides
Broccolini
Mashed potatoes
Dessert
Have to try the beignets they are my favorite along with the bread pudding. I dont like bread pudding, but this one is too good to pass up! So buttery good and the bourbon makes it so much btr!
Note: drinks are very pricey here

It was good. My steak was slightly overdone. The Brussels sprouts were good. So was the brocollini. Dessert was sorbet. Strawberry and a lemon.
The atmosphere was beautiful. It didn’t seem very busy, maybe because its so big? Or because my steak was overdone and that’s the norm? A lot different than my all time favorite steak place Hal’s in Buckhead, which was extremely packed.
For east coast travelers it would be nice to have a caffeinated drink on the menu like a coffee martini or red bull and vodka.

The interior of Baltaire is beautiful. Very elegant inside with a dark new aged steak house feel. The staff was very friendly. I came with family and we were a party of 8. The service was alright. For both appetizer and entrée, the food came out for all of us except for one person. That person was sitting for a good 5 minutes without food for 2 courses while everyone else received theirs. It eventually came out but was not proper service and felt strange. The appetizers were good especially the tuna tartare. I had salmon for my entrée which was good but I did not enjoy the pea risotto that accompanied it. I tried the bone in ribeye and was not impressed. It was cooked well but I’ve had meat with much better flavor. We did not have dessert but from looking at other reviews it seems that we should have. I would like to come back and try the bourbon croissant bread pudding.

No, this is not named after the 18^th Century French intellectual who wrote Candide. In fact, it’s not named after anything, but it sounds sophisticated and elegant, doesn’t it? Well, the only thing missing is Fred Astaire singing Cheek to Cheek. This place is so cool you should don your best custom Bogner off piste ski suit to dine here.
Me? I am dog tired of the shared plate format. (Good way to get norovirus if you ask me). Here… share this!
At this large gorgeous restaurant you will get absolutely wonderful food. Nothing pretentious with foam spreading out from your deconstructed Beef Tartar. Rene Redzepi has been banned from here, as he should be. Take your pine needle soufflé, and kelp chiffonade Bucatini and either share them with a reindeer back home or put it where the moss don’t grow.
A steak as perfect as a steak can be this side of Estilo Campo in Buenas Aires. But wait, we’ll get to that.
The Vibe: Totally adult. Who goes there? Anyone with fine taste in excellent food along with an active Amex Platinum Card. No PJ clad B-​Listers, no fugitives from a Lucha Libre event. Just nicely dressed, well heeled (and high heeled) humans out for a wonderful dinner. The tables are separated far enough a part so that you don’t have to be part of the couple’s conversation at the next two top that are separating.
The Bar Program: This is as top drawer as the food. Some lovely signature cocktails along with all the standards done as well as they get. The bar itself is huge yet warm and comfortable with love seats, cocktail tables, couches and a long bar for those who want to perch. I couldn’t decide between my «go to» Whiskey Sour (No egg whites please. That’s for the top of a Lemon Meringue Pie) or the Jack Rose. Okay, it comes in a Fru Fru glass, but I can assure you it is a manly libation and the mixologists aren’t timid. It’s a full measure of Laird’s Apple Brandy, Calvados, Lemon, Lime and Grenadine and python potent. Two of these and I was tempted to re-​read Cider House Rules.
The Staff: Attentive, helpful, knowledgeable and professional. And bless Brother Ryan… no «awesome» when I ordered the tap water, and no inserting himself in the conversation to ask if every thing is working to our satisfaction. Everything we wanted or needed was delivered without furtively searching for our guy to make eye contact.
The Food: No weak links here. Okay, I forgive them for serving warm crisp La Brea Bakery Fougasse. It’s just damn good bread elst no one would have paid Nancy 56 mil for her biz.
The Crab Cake wasn’t a mini hockey puck filled with filler. It was a brick. A Crab construction project. Instead of one little crab leg stuffed into a form, it was a whole herd as big as a stack of iPhone 6 Plus cells laying in a tidal pool of gribiche and espelette. (Mayo egg sauce and very expensive French pepper) Now, I may have to watch the Most Dangerous Catch (either the girl at the Bar at Church Key, a prehistoric Dungeness crab, or both if you’re unlucky). Either way, it was divine. I’m talking about the crab, of course.
The Grilled Octopus was worth high fivin’ eight times. Spoon tender, on a bed of micro-​greens, and a schmear of balanced aioli. It would make the late Jacques Cousteau happy to eat one of his favorite protected sea buds.
But you came here for the much heralded steak, didn’t you? And who wants to leave your net after tax income in the little leather folder for 4 ounces of Wagyu at Cut? The 22 ounce Bone-​In Rib-​Eye was a thing to behold, and be holdin’. Eat as much as you can manage and do the happy dance that half of it will go home with you (unlike the girl at the bar at Church Key) and be re-​purposed into amazing tacos the next day.
The Filet Tasting Plate offered three right sized small Mignons each topped with something different. Oscar Style (Crab Meat and Asparagus under some Classic Bernaise), Fois Gras and finally, a Blue Cheese fondue. Triple yum.
Me? I like’em neat, although I can’t lie to a kindred Unilocaler. I had the Blue Cheese Fondue, Green Peppercorn Sauce, and the traditional Sauce Bernaise all on the side to mess up a few bites when no one was looking.
And speaking of sides, Move them to the front and center. Some of the best Frites this side of of Chez Georges on Rue du Mail in Paris. Creamed Spinach. (Lawry’s take note, Baltaire’s is way better). Wild roasted Mushrooms, the stuff wild mushroom dreams are made of.
I would have had to have dessert surgically implanted. And then at the last minute, I managed somehow to tamp down a scoop of house made Mint Chocolate Chip before crawling along the 5 for two hours.
Baltaire, be there, or be square.

Wow!
Can I just start with the entry way? These are not just doors. These are palatial partitions that are so massive that I didn’t think I would be able to operate them due to their size and weight. Surprisingly, they wielded to my pull and I was transported immediately inside to this majestic and fresh space.
The ambiance is so incredible you think you are in Beverly Hills. It has a phenomenal open concept space with the outstanding and massive bar dominating the space when you enter through the doors. The seating is not crowded or cramped by any means. It feels like you are enjoying a secret part of this palace to yourself with plush lounge sofas in the bar area.
I have never had better service at a bar/​restaurant before and this is so much more than just a bar. They have the most extensive selection of high end cocktails, wine and spirits. The steak comes sizzling on a plate that continues to cook the meat. Make sure to get the accompanying broccolini and potato. We shared the pineapple upside down cake and bread pudding. Our waitress was present whenever we needed her. It was like she had a sixth sense about it. Crazy but perfect because she never interrupted us.
I cannot stop talking about Baltaire. I am telling everyone on my list that this is an incredible and must try place in Brentwood. If you find yourself in Westwood, Wilshire or Santa Monica — heck even if you are in Playa del Rey — make the trek to Baltaire, you will not be disappointed. Well, maybe your wallet will be — but that is short lived.

HORRIBLE FOOD!!!
They should have called this place the all new and improved Cheescake Chucky E. Cheese!
2 stars food
3 stars service
3 stars layout/​ambiance
4 stars crowd
0 star noise
Wow this is the new hot spot in town? Are you people cray cray? I dined here in September and was excited to see what the hype was about.
The food is sooo below par for Brentwood area. We ordered a ton of appetizers to include some fish, lamb, salad, etc thinking that we’ll hit one dish that just does it, but NOPE NONE! They were all disappointing given the fancy plating.
All the fish and entrees were so salty! The chef needs to go back to Morton’s. What a shame to be hyped up this much and to fail such true foodies. Dinner took forever to get there. The place is so gosh darn loud i literally slobbered on my date’s ear just so he could hear what I was saying. They need to get rid of that piano player because he has to play super loud for anyone to hear it since sound just bounces off the walls there which causes everyone to yell across the table to have a simple conversation. Ever go to a club or concert and realize that when you get out and talk to your friends that your throat is done? You’ll find the same experience after leaving this place.
Our bill for 4 people was $ 600 AND we brought our own wine. I mean the food fell so far below our expectations and all the great things we heard about the place that we all couldn’t stop talking about what a huge disappointment it was. I would have been happier eating at Tender Greens! Seriously this place is a complete joke for a foodie. Service sucked too. There are waiters standing there and not even paying attention to our table full of dishes that should have been turned over 30 minutes prior. Surprising considering the manager was the same one from my fave steakhouse CUT.
The wide open space makes the room sound like a friggin cafeteria at a concert. Just writing this review gives me flashbacks about how disappointing the food was and how loud it was there. I would never come back.
Do not come here for the food. You will be utterly disappointed and just in case you do, I’d like to say «I told you so!»
TIP: bring a date who wouldn’t mind wet willies just to have a simple conversation.

Wow, the ambiance at this place is fantastic! It’s gorgeous.
Hard to believe it used to be the Cheesecake Factory (not to knock the ol’ factory, by any means, as it’s one of my favorite restaurants, but they made it look totally different).
I’ve been here 5 times already (it’s located right next to my office, I’m not a crazy fanatic).
The menu is pretty limited, but all of the food I’ve had so far is delicious. The ONE exception would be the Smoked Salmon Club, very lackluster. The staff has always been so nice and welcoming. Absolutely fantastic all around.
My lone gripe would be the price, it’s REALLY expensive. But, when the firm is paying for it, who really cares?

It’s hard to choose the highlight of our dinner here… was it the Parson Brown cocktail I ordered? The pianist in the lounge playing David Grey covers? The Cuba Gooding sighting? Not sure, but the setting, service and location made for a very enjoyable evening before we even got our food.
Oh yes, about that food: I ordered the Chilean sea bass with baby bok choy as my main, and it was perfectly cooked. The macaroni & cheese with lobster side was fantastic as well. I was not crazy about my Caesar salad, but I feel like that can be easily fixed by switching to one of the chowders. For dessert, the chocolate bread pudding is a must try.
Try to come here for a vendor dinner if possible.

We decided to try a new restaurant and Baltaire was a good choice. It’s a more modern steak house with less traditional menu options — I like that.

Food — We started with the grilled artichokes (excellent! one of the best I have had), lollipop lamb chops (very tender meat) and grilled octopus (good but not enjoyed by my guests). After appetizers that are best eaten with your fingers (except the octopus!) we really needed some warm wet towels. None were provided.
For the main course we had: NY strip (extra $ for béarnaise sauce? Really?), dover sole (deboned at the table, my son really enjoyed this), and the duck (very flavorful). Sides: mac & cheese with lobster (we all agreed this was the best mac & cheese we have had), brussels sprouts (the special vegetable — excellent!), and the shishito peppers (don’t bother).
Dessert was the low point of a very good meal. I love dessert but the bread pudding was dry and none of us liked it. The lemon meringue pie filling was too sweet.
Service — Our waiter was knowledgeable and made some good recommendations. However, he and the other staff were not attentive enough. We aren’t high maintenance by any means but my water ran out, our butter ran out and I had to ask a couple times for another napkin.

My son’s girlfriend plans to come back with her family. She liked the high energy — translate very crowded and noisy.

Baltaire is great. The old cheesecake factory has a new lease on life. The décor is amazing and there is music. We really enjoyed ourselves. Not only is the place great but the food is top notch as well.
As I valet parked my car, I walked straight the the beautiful bar and we enjoyed a few drinks. We then dined of tons of food and it was pretty good. If you are in the area and looking for a good time and food, I strongly suggest coming here. It is not plain casual so maybe wear a button down shirt and a nice pair of pants. Enjoy.

I’ve been wanting to try Baltaire for the longest time since I heard and read a lot of good things about it. I finally came last night to celebrate my significant other’s birthday. While I had really high expectations, I wanna say that this was a solid 3.5 stars experience and I don’t think I’ll be returning again.
I made reservations a few weeks back and specifically told them it was a birthday dinner. Once we arrived, we were promptly seated in the ‘senior citizen’ corner, sandwiched between a cute elderly couple and a very noisy elderly group.
We started with the steak tartare and west coast oysters. The dishes were good but nothing special. The oyster were an inconvenience to eat. They were served in a tower that was eye level, which made it difficult to reach and made it hard to have a conversation. For the entrée, we shared the bone-​in ribeye and olive oil whipped potatoes. The steak was huge and although we shared, we still had left overs. The desserts were our favorite dishes of the night. We went with the bourbon croissant bread pudding and salted caramel chocolate tart.
Everything we had was good BUT not amazing. I also thought they didn’t go the extra mile to make it feel like this was a special occasion. Most of the high-​end steakhouses we’ve been to in the past always found a way to make it a memorable experience … like putting a candle in the dessert, writing happy birthday on the dessert or even giving something complimentary. It’s something very minor but makes a huge difference. I really, really, really wanted to love Baltaire given that it’s a 60 second walk from my apartment but it just didn’t hit the mark.

Baltaire is really gorgeous venue to replace the old cheese cake factory that serves up great steak and seafood. It is divided into 3 main parts the bar, the main dining room, and the spacious outer outdoor-​like seating. We were seated in the latter which was really spacious and pleasant. The open skylight above and natural were really nice and provided a great atmosphere.
Onto the food. Fresh selection of oysters on the half-​shell although not diverse (they only provide an east and west option). We tried the new uni crudo which was really pleasant. Mixture of the santa barabara uni with the scallops, avocado, and a bit of citrus was great. We also had the steak tartare (very traditional with a nice quail egg to be poured upon the steak) and salmon tartare (really liked the texture the chips added). Of the three, the uni was the best but I do wish there was more uni!
For main we shared the A5 wagyu beef. It was amazing. The meat came out on sizzling plates and the meat melted in my mouth with a wonderful salt and pepper sear. This rivaled the wagyu at the cut and the kobe that I had in japan. Very good but pricey.
There is a lot of love for the lobster mac and cheese. I thought it was good but nothing extraordinary. It’s worth a try.
The service was friendly but really slow. Other than this, I am really happy with baltaire.
It is a great new addition to Brentwood serving wonderful foods in a lovely environment. I will have to come back and try the fish dishes or the filets next time!