| By Dathan Kazsuk |
End Bistrot Raleigh, a popular French restaurant since its opening in 2023, is entering an exciting new era. Chef William D’Auvray, celebrated for his mastery of seafood and Asian-inspired French cuisine, has officially stepped into the role of executive chef and managing partner.
The partnership with Giorgios Hospitality & Lifestyle Group marks a turning point for the restaurant, evolving its fine dining reputation into a more approachable, every-week destination.
Known for redefining fine dining in Raleigh with his groundbreaking restaurant, Fins, D’Auvray has a culinary pedigree that includes working under icons such as Michel Richard, Wolfgang Puck, and Joachim Splichal, as well as years spent mastering seafood alongside Japanese chefs Hidemasa Yamamoto and Fujimoto Fokui. His influence on the Raleigh dining scene is unmatched—from Parizade to Buku—and now East End Bistrot Raleigh has become his latest stage to showcase refined technique and playful, modern flavors.
“Raleigh has welcomed us and proven there’s an appetite for adventurous dining on a weekly basis,” said D’Auvray. “I’m excited to take East End to the next level, leaning even more into my strengths in French-Asian cuisine and seafood, and modernizing our menu so it’s built not just for special occasions, but for weekdays and weekends.”
That vision is already reflected in East End Bistrot’s expanded menu. Guests can enjoy timeless classics such as Dover sole filet tableside, Chilean sea bass with vadouvan and luxurious cote de boeuf, alongside more accessible offerings like mussels with frites, deviled eggs, seasonal salads, and a crave-worthy 10-ounce prime Angus burger with duck fat frites.
The restaurant has also launched a Champagne Terrace menu, available Monday through Thursday, featuring dishes under $15, sparkling cocktails for $12, and an approachable wine-by-the-glass list, while still offering its celebrated Reserve Wine List for oenophiles. On
September 28, East End Bistrot will also debut its much-anticipated Sunday brunch, expanding its reach as a true destination for fine dining in Raleigh.
Giorgios Hospitality & Lifestyle Group co-owner Giorgios Bakatsias praises the chef’s leadership. “We have been blessed here at East End Bistrot with William’s caliber, an exceptional hospitality team, and a beautiful dining room in East End Market. Under his leadership, this dining destination will continue to flourish and welcome guests for every occasion.”
East End Bistrot has already earned accolades from Eater Carolinas, The News & Observer, Axios, and Infatuation as one of the best new restaurants in Raleigh. With Chef D’Auvray at the helm as executive chef and managing partner, the restaurant is poised to further cement itself as the city’s premier French dining destination—one where locals can savor the elegance of fine cuisine any night of the week.
