The Bald Headed Bistro will celebrate its 15th birthday on Saturday. Will Jones, partner and chief manager, on left, and Executive Chef and Partner Wesley True.
On the eve of its 15-year anniversary on Saturday, the Bald Headed Bistro has a new partner.
Wesley True, the Bald Headed Bistro’s executive chef, was given shares in the company, making him part-owner of the acclaimed restaurant, alongside brothers Bailey and Will Jones and their father, Allan Jones.
“Allan made me a deal that if I came to Cleveland and continued to elevate the success of the Bistro, he would give me his 49 percent of ownership within five years, 9.8 percent per year,” Mr. True said. “I couldn’t turn down the chance to be a part of an amazing restaurant like the Bistro and to really make it my own.”
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Mr. True trained under celebrity chefs Bobby Flay at Mesa Grill and the world-famous David Bouley at Bouley's, both in New York City. Most recently, he was executive chef at the Optimist, a top restaurant in Atlanta.
The Bistro opened for business in 2004. Mr. True joined the restaurant last year and has already taken its famed cuisine to yet another level, transforming it into a “bucket list” place to eat for food lovers across the country.
With the Bistro celebrating 15 years of gourmet food in a unique environment, founder Allan Jones said all involved with the restaurant are excited about what the future holds.
“We’ve had a good first 15 years,” said Mr. Jones, “and we’re thrilled about the next 15, with Wesley at the helm. What he is accomplishing is phenomenal.”
In addition to his responsibilities at the Bistro, Mr. True has also undertaken a new upstart with Will and Bailey, the pop-up hipster bar called The Diving Mouse.
Open every Friday and Saturday night from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., the Mouse is located a few doors down from the Bistro. At The Diving Mouse, patrons are treated to quick eats, alcoholic treats, and live entertainment.
Celebrities who have dined at the Bistro include the cast of the popular television program, “Leave It to Beaver.” Other notables include Peyton Manning, Pat Summitt and Phillip Fulmer, as well as television reporter Orlando Salinas, Bruce Pearl, Marla Maples, Ricky Skaggs, comedian Willie P. Richardson, golf legend Paul Azinger and David Oreck.
The Bald Headed Bistro is at 201 Keith St. in the Village Green Town Center. Call 472-6000 for a reservation. The Diving Mouse is located at the same address and can be found on Instagram at @thedivingmouse.