Two of my favorite restaurants in Buckhead Atlanta happen to be just a few short steps away from each other. It’s hard to choose which one to dine in, so I suggest one for lunch, enjoy some shopping (read about what I would buy at Theory Buckhead right in between the two) and then the other for dinner! Both have excellent champagne selections, why not order a bottle and celebrate?
Le Bilboquet
Reminiscent of a charming European square, Le Bilboquet is located at the center of The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, anchoring the upscale retail and dining development. Open daily for lunch and dinner, the bistro and bar offers a vibrant atmosphere paired with simple, classic French cooking, bringing a slice of Parisian café culture to the neighborhood and a natural gathering spot to enjoy a chilled bottle of rosé alfresco alongside classic bistro fare or a draft beer and croque monsieur at the bar.
Illuminated with natural light, the dining area incorporates quintessential Parisian elements like blue velvet banquettes, a two-color terrazzo floor and pewter bar counter and features a rotating collection of paintings and photography by locally and nationally acclaimed artists and ornate floral arrangements. Outside of the restaurant, guests are transported to a Parisian sidewalk café with traditional French bistro woven rattan chairs and tables.
Le Bilboquet originally opened in New York City’s Upper East Side as a 38-seat hotspot in 1986. After 27 years of success, the restaurant relocated to a larger space on East 60th Street in Manhattan in October 2013. In Atlanta, Philippe Delgrange, founder of Le Bilboquet, has teamed up with fellow restaurateur Rick Wahlstedt to bring us this lovely space. Leading the kitchen, Executive Chef Cyrille Holota brings many years of experience to the Atlanta location, serving up the same approachable classics such as Cajun chicken served with a heaping pile of crispy pomme frites and green salad, crab and avocado salad and steak tartare.
Our video, “If you had a Day…” was partly filmed at the lovely bar inside Le Bilboqet. Watch it here:
Le Colonial
Le Colonial is a celebration of the seductive spirit and vivid flavors of 1920s French Colonial Southeast Asia, located in the heart of Atlanta. Designed to capture a bygone era of sophistication and opulence, celebrated restaurateurs Rick Wahlstedt and Joe King deliver on exquisite attention to detail in a luxurious escapist oasis at The Shops of Buckhead Village in Atlanta. Their Vietnamese inspired menu has a French flair to it that is elegant dining with a fun atmosphere, great for celebrations of all sizes. The Lotus Room, the private chef’s dining room, nestled next to the front entrance seats up to 14 for private dinners and has its own specially designed tasting menu.
A lavish dining room boasts of period photography, overhead fans, leather banquettes, and is flanked by a veranda with Parisian-Style sidewalk café seating. Beyond the main dining room, a large bar and lounge awaits replete with mahogany millwork and plush seating creating the perfect atmosphere for cocktails and light fare. Custom louvered shutters surround the front veranda which connects to an additional, fully enclosed terrace overlooking Buckhead Avenue. The atmosphere of the second story restaurant is as if you have been transported to a country far away.
If you had a day to spend with Hidden Gems with Grace, where would you choose to dine?
