Rick Wahlstedt’s inspiring journey from professional squash player to accomplished restaurateur has led him to co-found the acclaimed Le Colonial, now with locations in Chicago, Delray, Lake Forest, and Naples. His business partner, Maurice Aboody, similarly succeeded when he arrived in New York from Europe, sharpening his squash skills while studying restaurants, ultimately leading him to open Le Colonial in 1993. Together, they have crafted a remarkable legacy in the restaurant world, continuing to be sought after for their collective wisdom.
From Professional Squash Player to Successful Restaurant Entrepreneur
Rick Wahlstedt, a renowned restaurateur and co-founder of the world-famous Le Colonial, is a proud Swedish native. His passion for squash has continued to inspire him as he gears up for the World Masters in Amsterdam this August. His remarkable journey from professional squash player to successful restaurant entrepreneur is one of admiration; it’s no wonder Rick is sought after for his advice on success in the restaurant industry and why the expansion of Le Colonial to Naples has been so successful.
Expansion to Naples, Florida
Le Colonial had long been widespread in Chicago, with its restaurant becoming an institution. Even before the pandemic, people were asking if they would open on the West Coast, and despite the grim circumstances of 2020, Le Colonial decided to take the chance. Not only could they remain open by providing takeout and delivery services, but they also chose to pursue location leases in Lake Forest near Chicago, Delray, and Naples.
The city of Naples quickly won them over, thanks to its beautiful Fifth Avenue location, harmonious community, and great potential for creating a comprehensive experience that included excellent retail, office space, and hotels. Thanks to its evolution over the past 10-15 years, Naples has become an even better destination than it used to be, and Le Colonial is thrilled to be part of this development.
Maurice Aboody’s Journey to Success
Maurice Aboody’s Early Beginnings
When Maurice Aboody arrived in New York from Europe, he was filled with anticipation and quickly went to work honing his squash skills at restaurants every night. Keith McNally played a pivotal role in Maurice’s journey, offering him a job as a squash instructor at Uptown Racquet Club and later giving him his first restaurant job at The Odeon. This is where Maurice developed his passion for the restaurant industry and worked his way up, eventually becoming a maître d’ at Indochine.
Cultivating Relationships and Exploring Opportunities
Maurice continued cultivating relationships within the squash community, enabling him to explore other avenues, such as Wall Street and modeling. 1993, Maurice opened Le Colonial, marking a turning point in his career. Since then, he has been successful in the restaurant industry.
Maurice Aboody’s journey to success is an inspiring story of hard work, determination, and seizing opportunity. Through his experiences, he has become a respected figure in the squash and restaurant industries.
When Maurice Aboody arrived in New York from Europe and stepped off the boat, he was excited. He quickly went to work honing his squash skills while working at restaurants every night to support himself. Keith McNally played a pivotal role in Maurice’s journey, offering him a job as a squash instructor at Uptown Racquet Club and later giving him his first restaurant job at The Odeon. Through these experiences, Maurice developed a passion for the restaurant industry and worked his way up, eventually becoming a maître d’ at Indochine. He also cultivated relationships within the squash community, allowing him to explore other avenues, such as Wall Street and modeling. 1993, Maurice opened Le Colonial, marking a turning point in his career. Since then, he has been successful in the restaurant industry.
A New Venture: Punsch Restaurant
After his service in the military, Ulrich Trojaborg and RW pursued a unique venture – a French-Scandinavian restaurant called Punsch located near Lincoln Center. Despite some successes, they eventually had to close it down after a few years, a challenging experience that encouraged RW to explore other opportunities. At this time, Jean Denoyer, an acclaimed restaurateur, approached him with the idea of creating a concept that could expand beyond New York. This inspired RW to plunge in and open a Vietnamese restaurant on 57th Street. He embraced the industry he loved, which marked the start of an exciting new journey.
A Timeless Design Concept
The design concept for Le Colonial in Houston was a true celebration of French colonial Vietnam, drawing inspiration from the architectural and cultural elements of 1920s Vietnam and influences from movies like Indochine. The late designer Greg Jordan, hailing from New Orleans, also lent his touch to the concept. This fusion of ideas and influences created a romantic and timeless atmosphere that has stood the test of time. The French Quarter in New Orleans and Greg’s favorite restaurant, Galatoire’s, greatly informed the design, allowing guests to be transported into a different time and place, creating a warm and inviting ambiance even on cold winter days. This design concept has been successful, as the restaurant has been open for more than 30 years, proving its lasting appeal and ability to create a truly immersive dining experience.
Expansion Success
Le Colonial has seen significant success in expansion since the 80s and 90s due to favorable demand and pricing.
This has enabled them to open in cities such as Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Lake Forest, Florida, San Diego, Boston, New York, LA, and Europe. Construction is set to begin in Denver this January, demonstrating their continued success and growth.
Le Colonial has been expanding since the 80s and 90s when many similar concepts failed to do so. However, with the changing landscape, Le Colonial has found success in cities like Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Lake Forest, and Florida and is even beginning construction in Denver, Colorado, this January. With demand and price points becoming more favorable, Le Colonial has succeeded in places like San Diego, Boston, New York, Chicago, LA, and even European cities like Paris or London.
A Unique Dining Experience Tailored to the Tastes of Naples
Le Colonial in Naples aims to stand out from the crowd with a menu tailored to the local community’s tastes. With around 30% of the menu showcasing new, region-specific dishes, the restaurant pays homage to Florida’s Gulf Coast flavors. Expect to find fantastic branzino and lemongrass steaks cut thinly and cooked to perfection. Le Colonial seeks to bring a unique dining experience to Naples, respecting the local culture and its preferences while providing a range of classic dishes.
Collaboration with Employees Only: Pushing the Boundaries of Flavor and Freshness
Le Colonial is proud to collaborate with Employees Only, a renowned cocktail bar known worldwide for its expertise. Together, they are pushing the boundaries of flavor and freshness to create unique and fast-to-prepare cocktails that will resonate with diners in Florida. From classic cocktails to sweet flavors, their selection will surely please everyone. With this collaboration, Le Colonial aims to bring something distinct to Naples.
Le Colonial: Walking Before Running
Le Colonial is a fine dining restaurant on 5th Ave. South that opened last Thursday, December 14, at 4 p.m. With the focus on putting 110% effort into one thing and doing it well, Le Colonial is a prime example of walking before running. A lesson that many young entrepreneurs should take note of is that success comes from succeeding in your first concept and not worrying about having 100 of them too quickly.
