Balsan

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Balsan

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Address:
11 East Walton Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Neighborhood:
Gold Coast / Streeterville

Getting there ›
Cuisine:
European

Price: $30 and under

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More Details ›

Balsan Details

Dining Style: Casual Dining
Website: http://www.balsanrestaurant.com
Email: contact@balsanrestaurant.com
Phone: (312) 646-1400
Hours of Operation: Breakfast: • 7am-11am M-F • 7am-10am S-S Brunch: • 10am-2pm S-S Lunch: • 11am-4pm M-F Dinner: • 5pm-10pm Everyday Late Night • 10pm-Midnight F-Sat
Payment Options: AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: European, American
Executive Chef: Danny Grant
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Getting there

Cross Street: Rush Street
Parking: Valet
Parking Details: Discounted Valet for Restaurant Guests Available

A word from Balsan

Balsan is a contemporary bistro showcasing refined, yet rustic, fare with an American sensibility. Served in a relaxed social setting, the market-driven menu offers a wide range of options including family-style dining, shared plates and updated classics. It is located in the heart of Chicago’s… Gold Coast neighborhood on the third floor of the Waldorf Astoria Chicago at 11 East Walton Street. Continued

Balsan

4.1

102 $30 and under restaurant

Featured Reviews

More Reviews ›

Reviews from OpenTable Diners Learn More

97 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

97 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

fit for foodies(52)
special occasion(33)
great for brunch(27)

neighborhood gem(26)
hot spot(24)
great for lunch(18)

Current OpenTable.com Diner Reviews (97)

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Had a charcuterie board and

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/02/2012

2010

Dined on 04/02/2012

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Had a charcuterie board and the pasta carbonara -- everything was excellent!"

Dined on 04/02/2012

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Balsan was recommended to

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/18/2012

2012

Dined on 03/18/2012

2012

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Balsan was recommended to me by a friend. Went there for a special occasion and everything from when you walked into the hotel/restaurant until you left was impecable. I would most definitely return."

Dined on 03/18/2012

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Food was solid. Service was

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/24/2012

2011

Dined on 03/24/2012

2011

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Food was solid. Service was distractingly bad. Ordered small plates and all six items arrived at the same time. Aggressive upselling of wine, constantly trying to top off our wine glasses to try to force us to finish the bottle as quickly as possible (a peeve of mine). Ignored for stretches. One person at our table accidentally spilled his water, a server was standing next to him (delivering food to the adjacent table) and never noticed the loud crash. We had to go track someone down. Space is nice, romantic but energetic. Good looking clientele. They automatically put in 18% tip for party of four(?)"

Dined on 03/24/2012

2011

Special Features: hot spot

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

The brunch was DELICIOUS!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/18/2012

2010

Dined on 03/18/2012

2010

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"The brunch was DELICIOUS! I will definitely be returning and I have already recommended it to friends that are heading to Chicago! It was EXCELLENT!"

Dined on 03/18/2012

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

My wife had the farm fresh

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/15/2012

2012

Dined on 03/15/2012

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"My wife had the farm fresh eggs with some phenomenal bacon & potatoes. We shared an order of unforgettable pancakes and I had the Smoked salmon with capers & a bagel, Delicious. I almost forgot..... THE INTELLIGENTSIA COFFEE my favorite."

Dined on 03/15/2012

2012

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for brunch, kid-friendly, notable wine list, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch

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Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Too casual, people with Jeans

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/03/2012

2005

Dined on 03/03/2012

2005

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Too casual, people with Jeans and Hoodies and children and babies too! Certainly not what we expected for Saturday @ 8:00 or is portrayed on the website or the e-mail blast - we drove over 400 miles round trip and stayed overnight to visit this restaurant and as much as the food was very good, the atmosphere was far too casual."

Dined on 03/03/2012

2005

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Great casual restaurant serving

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/02/2012

2007

Dined on 03/02/2012

2007

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Great casual restaurant serving good regionally sourced food - charcuterie and cheese all excellent. Helpful service."

Dined on 03/02/2012

2007

Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Balsan for brunch

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/12/2012

2004

Dined on 02/12/2012

2004

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Service was a bit slow. We had a hard time making eye contact with our waiter. The baked goods are delicious, but they are a bit stingy with them, considering how small they are!"

Dined on 02/12/2012

2004

Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Went for the $48 chicken...it

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/27/2012

2006

Dined on 02/27/2012

2006

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Went for the $48 chicken...it had absolutely no flavor. Great crispy skin but the meat itself was nothing special. Some said it was because we went on a Monday and the "real chef" was not there. No excuse. Consistency counts."

Dined on 02/27/2012

2006

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

I live and work nearby. Balsan

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/24/2012

2003

Dined on 02/24/2012

2003

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"I live and work nearby. Balsan is one of my favorite lunch spots, and their Sunday Supper is also fantastic. Beautiful environment, very good food, and consistent service."