Today we’d like to introduce you to Rainer Shaw and Ilona Knopfler.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Rainer and Ilona. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Le Bilboquet originally opened in New York City’s Upper East Side as a 38-seat hotspot in 1986.In 2015, Philippe Delgrange, founder of Le Bilboquet, teamed up with fellow restaurateur Rick Wahlstedt, owner and founder of national winning concepts, to expand the brand and establish the beloved Atlanta location.
Today, Le Bilboquet Atlanta is one of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top Restaurants in Atlanta.
Please tell us about Le Bilboquet Atlanta.
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 Buckhead neighborhood. The location, the food and the ambiance make the restaurant a natural gathering spot to enjoy a chilled bottle of rosé alfresco alongside classic bistro fare or a draft beer and croquet monsieur at the bar.
Over the years, Le Bilboquet Atlanta has undeniably become a wine destination. While local DJs spin the top hits, guests can experience unique wines that are not available on the regular wine menu and dance the week away at “Champagne Saturdays”. In addition, Le Bilboquet Atlanta coordinates monthly wine dinners hosted by well-known sommeliers. At these intimate dinners, guests can appreciate exceptional food and wine pairings and admire a rotating collection of paintings and photography by locally and nationally acclaimed artists.
Do need a special occasion to celebrate? Le Bilboquet Atlanta offers rosé on tap to help guests turn everyday into a celebration.
Le Bilboquet is located at 3027 Bolling Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30305. Dinner is available Sunday – Thursday from 5 – 10PM, and until 11PM on Friday and Saturday. Le Bilboquet is also open daily for lunch from 11:30AM to 5PM. For more information, visit www.lebilboquetatlanta.com or call 404.869.9944 to make a reservation.
Key Personnel:
Rick Wahlstedt, Owner
Rick began his career as an internationally ranked professional squash player before he found his way to New York from his native Sweden during the 1984 World Squash Tour. Soon after, Rick got a job bartending at night, beginning a 30-year love affair with the restaurant industry. Rick learned the ropes at some of New York’s most famous and enduring hot spots including Indochine and Odeon and establish many popular restaurants across America. Over the years, Rick used his knowledge of the restaurant industry to become one of America’s most successful restaurateurs.
Philipe Delgrange, Owner
Phillipe Delgrange grew up in Cambrai, France, just north of Paris in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. As a young man of 18, Phillipe came to the US in the early 70s and spent years working in a perfume factory and worked other unusual jobs. However, the urge to start his own establishment was too strong and so in 1986, Phillipe opened Le Bilboquet New York on East 63rd with just twenty tables. Today, Le Bilboquet, on East 60th street, has more than one hundred and twenty seats and is considered to be one of the most difficult reservations to get in Manhattan. As a result of his desire to team up with fellow restaurateur Rick Wahlstedt to expand the brand and establish the beloved Atlanta location, Le Bilboquet has become an institution in both cities
Ilona Knopfler, General Manager
Ilona Knopfler brings over 20 years of international hospitality experience to Le Bilboquet. As the Director of Operations at Le Bilboquet, Ilona manages and monitors all front of house operations, including guest relations, staffing, special events and reviews of all financial matters. Prior to joining Le Bilboquet’s opening team as Maître D, Ilona was a partner in a family operated Crêperie and worked as a catering and event planner at La Rose Noire, a family owned and operated fine dining French restaurant in Hong Kong. Alongside a musical career, Ilona’s love for the hospitality endures as she continues to provide a memorable and personable experience to the guests at Le Bilboquet.
Rainer Shaw, Operations Manager
Operations Manager, Rainer Shaw, is the man behind the scenes who keeps Le Bilboquet’s gears turning. His experience culminates from nearly 2 decades of food, beverage, and hospitality positions. Rainer is also the brains behind the restaurant’s varying cocktail offerings and was recently featured in CNN’s Weekend Express. Whether it’s crafting the perfect martini or analyzing detailed financial reports, his wealth of industry knowledge is uncanny.
Cyrille Holota
Leading the kitchen, Executive Chef Cyrille Holota—whose resume includes standouts such as the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, JOËL and The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead— brings many years of experience, serving up approachable classics such as Cajun chicken, crab and guacamole salad and steak tartare.
Pricing:
- Average price per plate: $30
Contact Info:
- Address: 3027 Bolling Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
- Website: www.lebilboquetatlanta.com
- Phone: 404.869.9944
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lebilboquetatlanta/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lebilboquetatlanta/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeBilboquetAtl
Image Credit:
Heidi Geldhauser and Chantelle Fandino
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