An Atlanta restaurant is under fire after denying entry to former NBA player Dominique Wilkins, which he says was because of his race. 

“In my many years in the world, I’ve eaten at some of the greatest restaurants in the world, but never have I felt prejudice or been turned away because of the color of my skin, until today in #atlanta In @LeBilboquetAtl #turnedawaybecauseimblack,” Wilkins wrote in a tweet.

The incident occurred on Saturday at Le Bilboquet, an upscale, French restaurant in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. 

The restaurant said that turning the Hall of Famer away was due to a breach in their business casual dress code, which “includes jeans and sneakers but prohibits baseball caps and athletic clothing including sweat pants and tops.” They argued that their decision had nothing to do with race and that the experience was a misunderstanding. 

"Our dress code policy is not meant to offend anyone but rather provide our guests with an acceptable clothing guide,” Le Bilboquet wrote in a now-deleted tweet, 11Alive reported.

“We apologize for the confusion it may have caused. Our upscale dining experience and our brand's culture is made up of multiple elements which includes our music, our food and our patrons' attire. We are very sorry that our attempt to maintain consistency in our dress code policy caused Mr. Wilkins to feel unwanted in our restaurant as that was not our intention and would welcome an open dialogue with him,” the restaurant continued. "We do not, nor have we ever rejected someone based on their skin color. We are proud of our multicultural workforce at patronage."

In a follow-up statement, the restaurant said that they strive to be “inclusive.” 

“We want to apologize to Mr. Wilkins for his experience at our restaurant and also for any confusion our dress code may have caused,” they wrote on their Instagram. “We in no way intended for him to feel unwanted, and welcome an open dialogue with him. Our upscale dining experience and our brand’s culture is made up of multiple elements, which include our music, our food and our patrons’ attire. We continue to strive to manifest our dining experience in a way that is exciting and most importantly, inclusive.”

The 61-year-old felt otherwise and said he noticed people glaring at him as he walked into the restaurant.

"As I’m walking in, I notice right away, that they’re sizing me up, they’re looking me up before I even said a word," he said to CBS46. 

The former Atlanta Hawks player says he requested a table outside and the employees said they did not have any available, despite plenty of empty seats. He also noted a woman working at the restaurant saying "…and plus, you have sweatpants on, and we’re trying to keep a level of elegance."

Wilkins justified being in compliance with the dress code, wearing designer casual pants and a t-shirt.

"During this time, I’m seeing people walk up in shorts, sneakers and shirts on," he recalled. "I know racism, I grew up with it, I’ve had a cross burning in my yard when I was in high school.” 

Online reviews of Le Bilboquet show a history of complaints about the restaurant’s dress code, which most feel have racial undertones. 

According to CBS46, one critic said she was denied because she “was curvy and had leggings.” Another reviewer said he was told jackets were required and was escorted out of the restaurant.  

Hawkins said that he would not have argued the circumstances had the restaurant not used his attire as a basis for barring his entry into their establishment.

“When I first got there, they said no tables, then they said I was not dressed fashionably enough,” he wrote on Twitter. “I guess if there were no tables, then why the follow up comment?” 

Following the incident, the restaurant has received threats and fake reservations under Wilkins’ name. 

In a Bally sports Sunday night broadcast, the NBA legend spoke out about the incident, saying he was “disappointed” in the way he was treated. 

"Unfortunately, in this world, we still have people who deal with discrimination, which is a disease we haven't found a way to conquer yet," he said to his co-host Bob Rathbun. "And so [it's] very unfortunate, I'm very disappointed that a restaurant in Buckhead would treat anyone that way but let alone myself who – this city, this is my city. And to be treated that way, I was very disappointed."

#AtlantaDominique-WilkinsLe-BilboquetNBARacial justice