When the owners of Petite Violette decided to throw a season-long celebration to commemorate their 50 years in business, they knew their murder mystery show would be a part of the party. Anthony and Michael Gropp enlisted their writing team, formerly of Agatha’s: A Taste of Mystery, to come up with a concept of a murder mystery that incorporated their major milestone. The result? Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem at Petite Violette: “Hell’s Killer Kitchen!”
According to Anthony, “There are not a whole lot of family-owned restaurants that have been open in Atlanta as long as we have, so we wanted to celebrate our 50 years some way special. In addition to a big party, a wine tasting and cooking demonstration, and a charity dinner for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in August, we wanted to do something to make the celebration last a little longer. So, “Hell’s Killer Kitchen” highlighting our anniversary allowed us to do that, from August 9th through November 8th. It’s been a blast so far, and we’re excited to welcome even more guests these last few weeks. Then, on November 15th, our holiday show—”Die Hard Candy Christmas”—starts. We’ll keep the mystery going the rest of the year!”
The “Hell’s Killer Kitchen” story goes… Brookhaven’s premiere French restaurant Petite Violette is turning 50! To celebrate, renowned chef Gordon Slamsey and some of his famous celebrity chefs are hosting a culinary competition for the ages! They will test the knowledge, dedication and knife skills of wannabe cooks. And one lucky contestant will win $150,000 and fulfill their dream of becoming the new executive chef at Petite’s soon-to-open sister restaurant, “The Itty-Bitty Bistro!”
There’s just one problem, someone in this kitchen is serving their dishes with a side of “murder”! Will anyone have what it takes to survive this “cutthroat kitchen” and not end up getting “chopped”? One thing is for sure, you’re going to need to be able to do more than bake, braise or boil to survive all this butchery!
Featuring Agatha’s all-star production, cast, and crew, Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem at Petite Violette is an interactive murder mystery dinner unlike any other. The event showcases unique, original, hilarious murder mysteries with live professional actors and audience participation, paired with a four-course dinner of fine French food (hors d’oeuvres, salad, choice of entrée, and dessert, plus coffee and iced tea). This special brand of comedic murder mysteries is centered on making the audience laugh continuously, while also keeping them guessing.
The audience participation is a little different than other murder mysteries, but it’s also WAY more fun. Two professional actors greet all guests at the door to explain how the evening is going to be played out. At that time, the actors will give every audience member a part in the show, if desired. Parts can range from playing a character in the show, complete with props, or a smaller part singing in a group with many other guests. Participation is highly encouraged, but it’s not required. Guests who want to sit back, relax and enjoy a great evening of food and laughter with friends and family, will get exactly that.
Shows run on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 p.m. (check-in begins at 6:30 p.m.). The cost per person is $75 plus tax and gratuity. Seating is family-style, so guests get a chance to sit with the star of the show. Reservations should be made at https://www.
A Bit of Petite History:
Petite Violette was started in 1974 by Wolfgang Gropp and Helumt Bittl, under the moniker Petite Auberge, which means “little inn” in German. Wolfgang received training in the culinary arts as an apprentice and chef at some of the finest hotels and restaurants in Europe, including in Paris; at The Savoy Hotel, in London; plus at Lake Louise Inn, in Canada.
When Wolfgang trained in The Savoy Hotel in London, he apprenticed under several chefs including some who were trained by Auguste Escoffier, the father of modern French cooking. According to Wikipedia, Auguste is a legendary figure among chefs and gourmets, and he was one of the most important leaders in the development of modern French cuisine. Wolfgang’s son Anthony adds, “Auguste Escoffier took ‘chef’ from servant position to the modern respected profession it is today.”
After immigrating to the United States, Wolfgang, his wife Ilse and Ilse’s brother Helmut (serving as maître d’) poured their hearts and souls into making Petite Auberge a favorite of Atlanta’s diverse population by providing a consistently superb dining experience to generations of satisfied guests. Over the years, Wolfgang passed his knowledge, experience and love for creating classical dishes down to his sons Michael and Anthony.
Anthony literally grew up at Petite Auberge, as he was two years old when his father and uncle opened the restaurant. He “helped in the kitchen” (as he remembers it, or “played in the kitchen” as his parents probably remembered it) from the time he was eight years old.
When Anthony was 14 years old, he was working at the restaurant regularly and running a station in the kitchen. It was then that he thought to himself, “Hey, I’m pretty good at this, and I can make a living doing it. It’s something I’d kind of like to do.”
When Wolfgang retired, Anthony took over the job of Head Chef. Anthony says he and his father were always very close, especially in the kitchen, while his older brother Michael, who is the restaurant general manager and co-owner, was closer to their mother, Ilse. Michael has a management degree and took over the business side of the restaurant when his uncle, Helmut Bittl, retired.
While one was in command of the front of house and one was cooking in the kitchen, the Gropp brothers found themselves at a crossroads in 2016, when their original space in Toco Hill Shopping Center was sold. The Gropps needed a new space to call home. As luck would have it, Stephanie Belcher, the owner of Violette, located right down the way on Clairmont Road, was ready to sell her space. She contacted “the boys” (as she called Michael and Anthony) and offered them a deal they couldn’t turn down. They could purchase her location, the building and everything in it, and still retain some of the staff and menu items. So Petite Auberge and Violette merged to become Petite Violette. Still family-owned-and-operated, still the city’s most beloved French cuisine, still the same top staff and servers, but a new name and new opportunities for growth.
In the eight years Petite Violette has been in its new space, it has added an entire murder mystery dinner series to its offerings. Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem at Petite Violette runs Friday and Saturday nights, in addition to the monthly Dinner and a Diva shows featuring singers from the Capitol City Opera Company and weekend live music by the Day Coy Trio and Berne Poliakoff.
So, what’s next? Anything is possible, especially when it comes to serving the community in all ways. Michael and Anthony take every opportunity to support local fundraisers and mentor local chefs from the American Culinary Federation and Le Cordon Bleu. Several students have gone on to become successful chefs at other restaurants, and one started a local food truck that Petite Violette then purchased from him. In addition, Petite Violette is an active member of the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce, the German American Chamber of Commerce, and Alliance Francaise d’Atlanta (the French Alliance in Atlanta). The perfect place for a business lunch, a date night, a milestone celebration, dinner and a show, or any other event, Petite Violette will be a fixture in the community for decades to come!
