Carte Blanche
Poblano Cheddar Pretzel
Almond Croissant
Kouign Amann
Banana Walnut Bostock
Cream Cheese Danish
Carrot Cake Loaf with Pecan Streusel
Salted Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie
Orange Cream Brioche Doughnut
Vanilla Cruller
Opened in June of 2021 by Amy and Casey La Rue Carte Blanche was never meant to be taken lightly, the Tasting Menu evenings and morning Viennoiseries telling a story of the husband-and-wife team who met in Phoenix before cooking in some of America’s best kitchens and finally settling in Dallas.
Occupying a former Restaurant in Lower Greenville, its current layout divided left and right behind a big wooden door, 7:00am sees guests led left where Amy’s Pastries reside along a counter behind glass, some two-dozen daily choices ranging from beautifully laminated Danishes to tantalizing Doughnuts topped with shiny Glaze.
Priced on par with other such concepts, plush leather chairs offering far more comfort than the usual café, it was with wide eyes that nine Pastries plus two Coffees were ordered, first bites of a Soft Pretzel offering good stretch and a bit of heat before attention turned to an Almond Croissant stuffed with housemade Paste that is only subtly sweet.
Next enjoying a world-class Kouign Amann while an orchestral rendition of Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” played, shattering layers and Sugar falling to the ground while the center was still wet with Butter, La Rue’s Bostock succeeds as a result of good Bread and over-ripe Bananas while her Cream Cheese Danish carefully balances weighty filling with delicate surroundings.
Not afraid to dip into more “homestyle” selections, the day’s Carrot Cake Loaf moist beneath Pecan Streusel, one would be hard-pressed to name a better Chocolate Chip Cookie than Carte Blanche’s oversized version while both the Brioche Doughnuts and eggy Crullers are peerless – the later especially better than any previously tasted.
www.carteblanchedallas.com/bakery