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The new owners of The Atlantic Bistro aim to build upon the restaurant’s reputation for thoughtful cuisine and welcoming service in Marion.Marion Today
After building The Atlantic Bistro into a staple of Marion’s dining scene over the past nine years, chef and owner Chris Thibeault has announced he is stepping away from the restaurant. Thibeault is handing the keys over to chefs Zach Smith and Mariana Gonzalez-Trasviña, both graduates of Johnson & Wales University with decades of combined restaurant industry experience. The restaurant will remain The Atlantic Bistro under its new leadership, with plans to grow and expand while preserving what guests already love about it.
Why it matters
The Atlantic Bistro has become a beloved part of the Marion community, known for its thoughtful, approachable cuisine and warm, attentive service. Thibeault’s decision to pass the torch to new leadership ensures the restaurant’s legacy will continue, allowing it to evolve while maintaining the qualities that have made it a local favorite.
The details
Thibeault opened The Atlantic Bistro with his wife Jennifer in June 2017, after spending years searching for the right home for their vision. With a background that includes time in the kitchens of some of New England’s top restaurants, Thibeault brought a style centered on thoughtful, approachable cuisine and warm, attentive service. Now, after nine years at the helm, Thibeault feels the time has come to step aside, passing the restaurant to chefs Zach Smith and Mariana Gonzalez-Trasviña.
The Atlantic Bistro opened in June 2017.Thibeault announced his departure in April 2026.
The players
Chris Thibeault
The chef and owner who built The Atlantic Bistro into a staple of Marion’s dining scene over the past nine years.
Zach Smith
One of the new chefs taking over The Atlantic Bistro, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University with decades of restaurant industry experience.
Mariana Gonzalez-Trasviña
One of the new chefs taking over The Atlantic Bistro, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University with decades of restaurant industry experience.
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What they’re saying
“I’m very fortunate to be able to pass it on to two amazing chefs.”
— Chris Thibeault, Owner, The Atlantic Bistro
“The Atlantic Bistro truly would not exist without her.”
— Chris Thibeault, Owner, The Atlantic Bistro
“To all our guests, you are the reason we open our doors every night. Without you there would be no Bistro.”
— Chris Thibeault, Owner, The Atlantic Bistro
What’s next
The new ownership team, Zach Smith and Mariana Gonzalez-Trasviña, plan to build on the foundation already established at The Atlantic Bistro, with the goal of growing and expanding the restaurant while preserving what guests already love about it.
The takeaway
The transition of ownership at The Atlantic Bistro represents a changing of the guard, but one that aims to build upon the restaurant’s strong reputation and community ties. Under new leadership, the Bistro will continue to evolve while maintaining the qualities that have made it a beloved part of the Marion dining scene.
Dining and Cooking