Le Bilboquet

Le Bilboquet houses over 2,000 bottles with a French-first philosophy. Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone, Loire, Champagne: every major French region is represented with genuine depth. This is not a French restaurant that stocks a few token bottles from the homeland. This is a wine program that treats France the way Bones treats Napa: with the conviction that one country can fill an entire cellar and justify every shelf. The non-French selections exist but feel like concessions to diners who insist on Cabernet.

The energy here is Parisian bistro transplanted to Buckhead with the volume turned up slightly. Steak frites, tuna tartare, Dover sole. The food is classically French and executed with confidence. The room is loud in the best way: people having a good time over good food and serious wine. The staff speaks the language of the list and can guide you from a casual Cotes du Rhone to a premier cru Burgundy without missing a beat.

If you love French wine and you live in Atlanta, Le Bilboquet is your home base. 2,000 bottles of depth, fair pricing relative to the quality, and a kitchen that gives you the food to match. The Burgundy section alone is worth a dedicated visit.