Balthazar, Covent Garden, London - 6 March
The London debut for legendary New York restaurant concept Balthazar has been on the cards for a number of months but on 6 March renowned restaurateur Keith McNally, who was exclusively interviewed by Restaurant magazine recently, finally launched Balthazar in Covent Garden.
"I know Balthazar has a reputation and that's really difficult to reproduce," McNally told Restaurant magazine's Stefan Chomka.
"When someone goes to New York they have a great time because they are on holiday and things seem more special. When you drink a glass of beer after a four-mile walk it tastes pretty good, it doesn't taste as good when you wake up at 4am.
"I do worry that there's this burden of what might be perceived as a reputation. It's a huge disadvantage because I've got something to live up to It's like telling someone you're great in bed before you have sex with them."