Meet Bellini Restaurateur Michel Buthion

When Michel Buthion finished his schooling in the Alpine city of Grenoble in the South of France and headed for the United States, he had no way of knowing that he and his brother, Alain, would some day be a driving force in the restaurant business in Oklahoma.

     His education and experience in England and in Paris had provided a solid foundation in the restaurant industry when he first arrived in Oklahoma City in 1979, but he still wasn't certain exactly how he would pursue it.

     "I knew what my interests were because my family had a background in the food service field, but I didn't come here to build a restaurant" Buthion said recently while relaxing on the patio of Bellini's Ristorante, the chic Italian dining establishment located in the Waterford Complex in Northeast Oklahoma City. "It's just something I migrated to naturally."

     He and Alain, an accomplished chef, purchased Bellini's a couple of years ago while continuing to own and operate La Baguette Bistro, a popular French bistro less than a mile away.

     "It just seemed like a natural fit for us because of our European influence," Buthion said. "Alain understands the cuisine and I enjoy dealing with the 'front of the house,' where efficiency and service are so critical. I think we make a pretty effective team."

     When the older brother arrived in Oklahoma City, he immediately went to work in food and beverage at the old Skirvin Hotel. "During the oil boom, things were great," Michel recalls. But when the oil bust came along and the Skirvin business was impacted,  he used his skills to serve as a consultant to the industry he loved. It was about that time that he began to think in terms of owning his own restaurant.

     He first approached the owners of La Baguette Bakery about creating a French style bistro where he could use his knowledge of the European cuisine and customer service as a complement to the popular bakery. The concept worked and not long after that, Alain moved to the U.S. and together the Buthion Brothers began developing a reputation for quality at the site on North May.

     The most important component that provided the opportunity to launch their new business was a fellow Frenchman named Henri Chansolme, who helped finance the early development.

    He was a special man who took a personal interest in our careers," Michel remembered while enjoying a glass of his favorite port and watching the geese relaxing on the pond just outside of the Bellini patio. "I made sure we paid off the loan as quickly as possible and he was always there if we needed him."

     Michel decided to show his appreciation for his benefactor, who has sense passed away,  by naming his newest adventure - a bar and grill on Park Avenue scheduled to open soon in downtown Oklahoma City - "Henri Tavern On The Park."

     "It's just a small way of showing appreciation for someone who had such a powerful influence on our lives. In many ways, he really was our French Godfather."

     The combination of Michel's business acumen and Alain's magic in the kitchen allowed the brothers to expand even more and they opened Soleil, an upscale dining French dining experience in the Colcord Hotel at the corner of Robinson and Sheridan in downtown Oklahoma City. The popular restaurant was subsequently purchased along with the hotel when Devon Energy opened its landmark 50-story office building next door.

    Then came the opportunity to purchase Bellini's Ristorante and the Buthion Brothers brand and reputation grew even more.

   We're enjoying this new challenge a great deal," Michel said. "We're able to employ the same basic culture that has served us well in the restaurant business and Alain has done a great job enhancing the menu. One of the keys for us is to have a Manager like Mike Potts, who oversees the day-to-day operation at Bellini's. He worked for us at La Baguette Bistro and we admire his work ethic and his eye for quality. We have a high regard for Mike and I'm delighted he's a key part of our team."

     Michel was also quick to point out that the success of their restaurant business is directly attributable to the active involvement of his family.

    "My wife, Diana, plays an important role in our success, and I've also employed my children along the way. Michael, Meghan, Daniel and Pascal have all contributed".

     Asked if there are plans to expand the Buthion Brothers brand even more, Michel was quick to shake his head no. "Our focus has always been on quality and we don't want to lose sight of that. Our goal is to do it right every single day."

    In recent years, Michel has also hosted an annual food and wine tasting excursion for approximately 26 people. They have visited the wine region in France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Chile and Argentina. "It's just a really fun time. We've been blessed to have some very special friends in Oklahoma City and it's very rewarding to have the chance to share the cultures we experienced growing up."