Saturday, June 5, 2021

[EXCLUSIVE] "Upscale Restaurant, Bar and Lounge" to Replace McKinnon's Louisiane in Buckhead

Longstanding Buckhead restaurant McKinnon's Louisiane has been sold.   According to a recently released sales flyer from Steve Josovitz of The Shumacher Group, Inc., Josovitz represented the seller in the transaction which closed Friday afternoon.  McKinnon's is located at 3209 Maple Drive, just off Peachtree Road, in the heart of Buckhead.  When contacted for comment, Josovitz indicated that the terms of the sale prevented him from disclosing the new owner but he did say that the new concept will be an "upscale restaurant, bar and lounge."  

In business for nearly 50 years, McKinnon's was one of  Atlanta's oldest continuously operating restaurants.   

"At the age of 35, Billy McKinnon quit his day job as a stockbroker to pursue his first true love - cooking. After a lengthy apprenticeship at the hallowed Galatoire's in New Orleans, Billy Moved to Atlanta in 1972 to open McKinnon's Louisiane. Atlanta quickly accepted this new cuisine and Mckinnon's became a destination restaurant for many famous Atlanta's such as Dick Rich, Sam Massell and the late Senator Paul Coverdell.  In the mid-nineties, Billy McKinnon turned over the ownership to his long-time protégé, Aziz Mehram, who has managed McKinnon's since 1980."

Shumacher Group's listing for the restaurant indicated that the sale was due to its "owner retiring."  According to the listing the restaurant is 4,500 square feet with with seating for 160 plus a full bar. 

UPDATE 6/5Aziz Mehram contacted ToNeTo Atlanta Saturday afternoon to clarify that although he has sold the business, the new owners (who he declined to identify), will keep him on as manager and continue to operate the business as McKinnon's "until further notice."  

Did you ever dine at McKinnon's Louisiane?  What is your favorite classic Atlanta restaurant?  Are you excited at the prospect of another "upscale restaurant, bar and lounge" opening in Buckhead?  

Please share your thoughts below 

13 comments:

Lucas said...

Original location was on Cheshire Bridge

MFR said...

So, so sad to hear. Used to go there to eat and sing at the piano bar.My picture hangs on the wall along with many other regulars! Aziz, Fran and Julian will be missed! Hate to see this classic restaurant leave Buckhead!

Anonymous said...

😢

badcarburetor said...

I'm absolutely gutted to learn this news. McKinnon's has been a favorite for decades. It was a truly unique place in a city that is rapidly turning beige. Aziz and his wife were always so welcoming and the bar on live karaoke night was like no place else.

To lose McKinnon's to yet another "upscale" restaurant is just a sign of the times...and not a good one.

badcarburetor said...

And farewell Aziz and Soheila. You're family meant more to ours than you will ever know. We will miss you, but we hope you have a wonderful retirement for many years to come.

Will M said...

McKinnons is an Atlanta institution. Nothing could replace it!! Apparently it will remain as McKinnons for a while longer. Hopefully will be possible to get in and get dinner there during its 50th year.

Unknown said...

McKinnon's and Aziz hVe been so great over the years. My boyfriend (partner) and I had our first date at McKinnon's.

We go back every year for our anniversary (and some in between).

Aziz and his wife Suhala have always treated us so well.

We will miss McKinnon's and Aziz and Suhala greatly but will try to pack in many visits until they close.

John Sartain

Anonymous said...

It is not closed its still open

robert planner said...

i hope the new owners will allow fran and julian to keep playing
music.............. because if they get fired............well......there will be great sadness........ because people have been going there to hear them since the 1970s.

sincerely, robert planner..................there is no place like mckinnom's in atlanta.

Steve & Toni Needel said...

Our family's favorite restaurant in Atlanta since we move here in the 90s. So many great memories - thanks Aziz.

Steve & Toni Needel

Unknown said...

VERY SORRY TO HEAR THE NEWS. I STARTED GOING THERE IN LATE 80"S. HENRY DUNN AND FRAN ON THE PIANO. FANTASTIC FOOD, THE PIANO BAR ON THE WEEKENDS WAS TRULY ANOTHER WORLD, MANY GOOD FRIENDS SINGING...I LEARNED WORDS TO MANY SONGS, SITTING BESIDE SAM HIRSH AT THE BAR, HIS PICTURE HANGS ON THE WALL

THOSE WERE TRULY THE "GOOD TIMES"

CHARLES P MOORE

Unknown said...

Was thinking about this great Buckhead place tonight. Best chicken livers ever. Praying for a Buckhead City. The only hope for this part of Atlanta.

Anonymous said...

I totally agree! Billy and then Aziz were incredibly welcoming with amazing food. Aziz, you knew me most as Jeanine Bartlett (now Sanders). I hope you are still with the new restaurant.

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