#’Emily in Paris’ hunk William Abadie dishes on dating, working in NYC nightlife

As the former maître d’ of tony Upper East Side eatery Le Bilboquet, William Abadie is used to shielding boldface names like Bono and Ron Perelman from attention while they dine out.

Now the 47-year-old bachelor has to protect his own privacy since he’s skyrocketed to fame as one of the sexy stars of Netflix’s smash-hit show “Emily in Paris.”

“It’s happened a few times that people have come up to me when I’m sitting outside at restaurants,” said Manhattan resident Abadie, who plays philandering perfumer Antoine Lambert in the show about audacious expat Emily trying to make her way in France. “Because that’s when I’ve removed my mask.

“Otherwise, I can go unrecognized, because I’ve shaved, and I’m always wearing a mask and a cap. It’s a bit like I’m in hiding.”

The surprisingly shy Frenchman still juggles his showbiz career with occasional work in the hospitality industry. However, with his star in the ascendant, you will be more likely to see him on the silver screen rather than schmoozing clientele.

“I try to keep the two professions separate, but, in both cases, you need to have a fondness for people,” added Abadie, who quit Le Bilboquet after a 10-year stint in 2015 to launch his own high-end cocktail party venture.

Last year, he was delighted to win the part of Lambert in “Emily in Paris” and mix with Lily Collins in the title role.

His married character, who is having an affair with Emily’s beguiling boss Sylvie, is charmed by the young American and tries to bed her, too.

“It is part of the history of humanity that people of different ages flirt with each other,” said the actor. “I’ve certainly had my own adventures in that area, especially when I was younger, with women who have been a bit older than me.”

The lighthearted series has been criticized for reinforcing French stereotypes with its portrayal of dallying males and snooty females who eschew meals in favor of cigarettes.

But Abadie, who has previously appeared in Showtime’s “Homeland” and the CW’s “Gossip Girl,” maintains it is “a bit of escapism” and “a fantasy” during the pandemic — a time when we could all do with a distraction.

As a former Parisian, he particularly enjoyed the two-and-a-half months of filming in the City of Light between August and October 2019. “It is a city full of fashion, intelligence and beauty,” he added.

To prepare for his role as a master perfumer, he did a lot of research into the fabled French perfume scene.

“I have friends who are executives in perfume houses in Paris,” said Abadie. “It was good that I could draw inspiration from them for my character.”

Returning to the subject of his character’s complicated love life, the gym- and motorcycle-fanatic actor declared: “He is a much greater womanizer than I am or ever have been myself.”

Since “Emily in Paris” began streaming earlier this month, his Instagram account has blown up with messages from admirers proposing marriage.

“They say things like: ‘Please be my boyfriend’ or ‘Take me to the Eiffel Tower,’ and it’s very flattering,” Abadie said with a laugh. “I’m always very thankful and try to reply to their comments.”

He admitted dating in New York was “challenging” during the lockdown, but that he is “a fairly happy camper.”

“I don’t want to be too pushy about anything,” he concluded. “I’ve just tried to let the stars align.”