In the Know: Irma closes Le Lafayette; Bistro Bagatelle opens

Because Hurricane Irma severely damaged his longtime French restaurant, Le Lafayette, in downtown Naples, Chef-owner Sebastien Maillard is launching Bistro Bagatelle on Friday.

The new bistro has taken over another longtime space for local eateries on U.S. 41 East across from Sonic Drive-In. The brick building, perhaps best remembered as Mr. Mom’s Diner, also has been the former home of Cloyde’s Prime Steak & Seafood House, Scallywags Steak & Burger House, Osma & David Restaurant and Grill, Sweet Mama’s Island Cuisine and Bernice’s Barbecue.

Chef Maillard painted the brick white inside, added marble floors and velvet chairs in an effort to create the ambiance of a smaller version of Le Lafayette, which he operated for 16 years on 13th Avenue South.

“We will be offering the same quality and variety of food that we have been doing for years,” Maillard said. 

Of course, the traditional French cuisine will include escargot in garlic butter, seared fois gras, sauted frog legs, caviar, roasted duck, chateaubriand, Dover sole, filet of branzino, sweetbreads, French onion soup and seafood specialties.

Bagatelle will be open daily for lunch, dinner and a Sunday brunch buffet, as well as host regular happy hours, wine tastings and cooking classes. The restaurant has a porch area as well as a dining room next to an open kitchen.

Meanwhile, Maillard said he still has a long-term lease for Le Lafayette in a downtown building that was purchased this summer by the Hoffmann family. He said the landlord is responsible for repairing the damage caused by the Sept. 10 hurricane. The chef estimates that it could be a year before he can return to his original location.

“Our whole kitchen and dining room ceiling collapsed due to leaks from the original roof and that’s when water started to come inside of the restaurant. Very little was saved,” he said. “Le Lafayette French restaurant in downtown eventually will be reopened as soon as all the construction and repairs are done. Right now, the restaurant is completely destroyed inside. There are no walls, ceiling, nothing.”

Maillard hopes his loyal customers who visited Le Lafayette year after year will find his new restaurant in East Naples.

Bistro Bagatelle, 3560 U.S. 41 E., is open daily 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for lunch and 4 p.m. to closing (about 9 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 to 10 p.m. weekends) for dinner. The Sunday brunch buffet is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information call 239-403-7861 or go to the restaurant’s Facebook page.

More restaurants opening this week

► The Rooster Food + Drink coming to Naples

► NeNe's Kitchen on Marco Island adding 2nd location in North Naples

For the latest in local restaurants coming and going, see Tim Aten’s “In the Know” columns archived at naplesnews.com/intheknow, and on Facebook at facebook.com/timaten.intheknow.