When it is this difficult to get a table, you know something has to be special about Balthazar. A recreation of a French brasserie, it is bold, loud and exciting. The space is dominated by red leather banquettes, and retro mirrors add to the room's spaciousness. The restaurant is the creation of Keith McNally, who also owns Pastis in the Meatpacking District. Balthazar serves such excellent dishes as rillettes of rabbit with marinated mushrooms. So grab a table (if you can find one).
• Hours: Noon-2a M-Th, noon-3a F, 11:30a-2a Sa-Su