Casey La Rue

Sauvage, Dallas, 9/6/25

~ hsnixon ~ Leave a comment
dining counter – 1914 Commerce St. Ste 100, Dallas, TX  75201

Sauvage is a 12 person counter tasting meal that opened a week ago by the team of Casey and Amy La Rue, who previously ran the now closed Carte Blanche on Greenville.  Located adjacent to the Statler Hotel the La Rue team has done much of the finish out work on their own.  The “L” shaped concrete counter surrounds the open kitchen including a wood fired grill.  A lounge like area is at the entry to accommodate those waiting for their seating, as the times are flexible for the 2 seatings.  Music is in the background and lighting is fairly bright which helps for photos.   It’s on a busy downtown street and you can get your ticket from the nextdoor hotel’s valet validated at the restaurant and then it’s costs just $10. The name translates to “wild” or refers to something uncultivated.  I have to say it didn’t feel wild to me rather more approachable and relaxed. At $245 for the tasting that may be the untamed part for some but if you can swing it it’s worth a try.  They are barely open and I hope as they progress the menu will evolve and change enough to entice people to come multiple times.  Let me know what you think when you visit. Continue reading →

Carte Blanche (update),Dallas, 10/12/21

~ hsnixon ~ Leave a comment
exterior

Note:  Restaurant now closed

Now that they’ve been open several months we wanted to re-visit Carte Blanche and see how it’s evolved, and I’m happy to say they’ve made some positive changes to the place and menu.   It’s more subdued inside with lights from the kitchen being dampened by a partial shield and curtains added for the front windows. Parking out back is now well marked, there are way more people in the kitchen, the wine list has greatly expanded, flatware is delivered by servers (instead of the roll up) mellow music is in the background and the interior bar has lost the rail and hanging baskets.  It’s a lot of little things but they all add up to a more elegant and softer ambiance all while providing excellent service and delicious and beautiful food.  Put it on your list to visit Carte Blanche and enjoy the tasting menu of Chef Casey La Rue’s dishes. Continue reading →

Carte Blanche, Dallas, 6/29/21

~ hsnixon ~ 7 Comments
exterior

Note:  Restaurant now closed

Carte Blanche opened in mid-June in the space previously occupied by Mudsmith Coffee on lower Greenville Ave.  In the evening it offers a fine dining tasting menu and in the day it sells baked goods and coffee.  The 4 or 12 course tasting menus are offered Tues – Sat.  Husband and wife, Casey and Amy La Rue are the co-owners and chef and pastry chef, respectively.  The tasting menu features native Texas ingredients and wine pairings are available.  One interesting fact is that he doesn’t serve beef, focusing instead on smaller animals but the menu does stress seasonal items and will change regularly.  Inside the large area are well spaced fairly large bare wood tables divided into 2 sides by a huge bar, which holds the pastries in the morning.  Exposed ductwork runs across the high ceiling, art decorates the walls and music is in the background.  The tables are set with a nice cloth napkin and a wrap of flatware that you chose from during the meal.  We had the 12 course tasting and wine pairings however should I go back I would order my own wine.  Portion control was good as was pacing, however the meal was over 2 and a half hours. Continue reading →