Aidan O’Neal

Born and raised in Vancouver, Aidan began working in the restaurant industry as a dishwasher during his teenage years. In 2005, he moved to Montreal to hone his culinary skills. He landed a job at Au Pied de Cochon under acclaimed chef Martin Picard, and later went to work at Toqué! in Montreal alongside notable chef Normand Laprise.

In 2010, Aidan moved to New York and joined chef and close mentor Hugue Dufour, overseeing culinary operations for Dufour’s M. Wells restaurants Diner, Dinette and Steakhouse. After five years, Aidan joined award-winning chef Ignacio Mattos at Café Altro Paradiso, where he met fellow chef Jake Leiber, and the two became fast friends. In 2017, Jake and Aidan opened their first restaurant Chez Ma Tante, an American restaurant with Canadian-inspired offerings in Greenpoint. The restaurant received favorable reviews and accolades, including GQ’s Best New Restaurant in America in 2018; The New York Time’s Great New York Dishes of 2018; Eater’s Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year 2018; among others.

Aidan went on to expand his footprint in Brooklyn when he opened Le Crocodile and Bar Blondeau at Wythe Hotel, the MICHELIN Key boutique hotel focused on community, food, culture, and warm, genuine service. Since it first opened its doors in 2012, Wythe has steadily established itself as a destination in the city, not only for its chic accommodations, but also for its dining, led by O’Neal. The property’s all-day, neighborhood brasserie, Le Crocodile, has been named one of “The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City in 2024” by The New York Times, and earned a rave three-star review from The New York Times and multiple Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence. Meanwhile, Bar Blondeau, the property’s destination-worthy bar and terrace boasting sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, has been named among the city’s best bars by numerous local and national publications, with its seafood-forward menu, an international selection of natural wines, and spectacular seasonal cocktail program. Wythe Hotel’s culinary program has been featured in publications such as Eater New York, Vogue, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, The MICHELIN Guide Magazine, among others.