Balaban's History
Opening its doors in l972, the original Balaban’s featured outstanding bistro fare including crepes, roast duckling a l’orange, coq au vin and beef Wellington in an inspired interpretation of a classic Paris bistro.
Original French art posters covered the exposed brick walls, and an 18th Century bar from a Left Bank bistro set the atmosphere of relaxed cafe life along the Seine. Oysters from Nova Scotia and Puget Sound, soft shell crabs from the Chesapeake Bay, morel mushrooms from Oregon’s Cascade Mountains and Maine lobsters served to create meals unrivalled in taste and execution.
An instant dining and social landmark on the St. Louis scene, Balaban’s attracted an array of visiting celebrities from Paul Newman, Richard Gere, Jerry Seinfeld, the Rolling Stones to the Dalai Lama—all drawn by the sublime cuisine and world class wine list.
A winner of the prestigious Wine Spectator Award for 13 consecutive years, Balaban’s meticulously sourced the finest wines and the freshest food ingredients and, then, paired them as perfect complements.
Balaban’s wine cellar and tapas bar carries on this tradition. . .with a stock of the original cellar in its library wines. . .with Steve McIntyre, the former chef and owner, sharing the classic dishes. . .with the Balaban’s name bringing back good times and fostering new ones. . .with exciting new culinary creations by current executive chef Kevin Sthair.
