The French bistro Once Upon a Time In France, located at 1102 Gallatin Ave. in East Nashville, has changed ownership. Ramy Habib and Majed Mikhail acquired the establishment earlier this fall, taking over from the father-son team of Laurent Champonnois and Melvil Arnt, who opened the restaurant in 2019. The bistro is known for its authentic French dishes, including boeuf bourguignon, filet mignon, and confit de canard, along with a selection of French wines and cocktails.
Mikhail expressed their motivation for entering the restaurant industry, driven by a passion for food and service. He noted that when they discovered the bistro was on the market, it presented an opportunity to preserve a beloved local business. “The restaurant business is hard. It’s challenging for small, locally-operated restaurants to stay in business,” Mikhail told What Now Nashville. He emphasized their desire to keep the establishment thriving for the community, stating, “My partner and I fell in love with Once Upon a Time before we were even considering buying a restaurant.”
The new ownership team aims to retain the charm of the bistro while enhancing the quality of food and service. Mikhail stressed the importance of maintaining the cozy atmosphere reminiscent of 1920s Paris. He highlighted the necessity of keeping unique local establishments alive, especially as other local favorites, like Margot Cafe and Bar, prepare to close in June.
“Once Upon a Time is a local favorite in the East Nashville area,” Mikhail said. “It’s uniquely positioned to offer a French bistro experience that has nothing similar to it in the Nashville market.” The new owners plan to foster relationships with customers and other local businesses, emphasizing a commitment to quality and community support.
Mikhail concluded with a vision for the future, stating, “We want the local community to come together to support local businesses and preserve what made East Nashville what it is today.” As Once Upon a Time In France embarks on this new chapter, both Habib and Mikhail are determined to uphold the restaurant’s legacy while introducing their own enhancements to the beloved bistro.
