Restaurant Review : Balon

I had the pleasure of going to a beautiful wine bar and restaurant on the Upper East Side the other day. Located at 81st street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue in Yorkville, Balon is an excellent and cozy spot to linger with a glass of wine and to enjoy some spectacular food. 81st street on the East Side is a restaurant goldmine: four of my favorite food-haunts are located within a one block radius (there's Yuka, a high quality all-you-can-eat for $21 sushi bar; Alice's Teacup III, for tea and scones; and Luke's Lobster, for expensive but mouth-watering seafood and lobster treats). I would pass Balon when I went to these other restaurants, and every time I passed, I wanted to go in.

The ambiance is what first caught my eye. On a warm evening, the bay windows are opened above an iron grille decorated with vines and christmas lights to reveal a modern, minimalist interior decorated in warm tones offset by warm lighting. The interior is garden themed, and guests are welcomed to sit back in wicker chairs at tables decorated with bright roses. My friend and I were seated in the window seat for two, where we stayed for over 2 hours without interruption.

The wine list is impressive and offers wine either by the glass or the bottle. While it might be described as expensive, it is by no means overpriced for the quality of the food, ambiance, and service. Wines range from moderately priced to pricy (from $9 to $18 a glass), giving patrons a wide choice. The food selection is impressive and expertly-crafted. Entrees are in the $20-$24 range, but you can enjoy a dessert for $10.



My friend and I each opted for a glass of wine and a dessert. She chose the pumpkin bread pudding with a glass of prosecco, while I had a glass of Crozieres red accompanied by a molten chocolate lava cake.

Both were, to put it plainly, incredible. My friend and I agreed, without hesitation, that that was one of the best desserts we had ever had. My wine was excellent and the serving size was not skimpy. My dessert was ample and to die for.

Balon is excellent for a special evening with friends, or if you're looking for somewhere quiet where you can linger for hours. I would not hesitate to go back, and hope that I have an excuse to do so soon.