Carte Blanche Restaurant

9,7 based on 43 reviews
Cuisine(s):
International
Main Course:
$99.00 - $99.00
is:
  • Fine Dining
  • Indoor Dining
Accepts:
  
Meals:
Dinner
Serves:
Ratings & more:
Excellent!
Editors' Pick
Menu(s):

Restaurant Information

Carte Blanche Restaurant

J.E. Irausquin Blvd.330 u
Aruba
Tel: +(297) 586-3339
Opening Hours:
Seating at 7pm
Carte Blanche Restaurant
Carte Blanche is a restaurant for foodies, people who are open minded and enjoy an exquisite fine dining experience, without limitations.

The highlight is Owner/Chef Dennis van Daatselaar cooking a 5-course "Carte Blanche" (chef's surprise) dinner right in front of you.
Alongside the chef is Maitre d' Glen Bonset, pairing wines and mixing premium drinks. The restaurant features a 14-seat elegant bar where guests are seated in a relaxed and cozy atmosphere.
Carte Blanche Restaurant maintains a limited availability of 14 seats per evening to ensure exclusivity of your dining experience with us, and many diners reserve months in advance.


Showing reviews 31 - 40 of 43

“”

Mar 21, 2011 - posted by
A one of a kind dining experience you do not want to miss!!

There is no menu. When you arrive, you are greeted by Dennis and Glenn, who talk to you about your preferences, food likes and dislikes, allergies, etc. You are then presented with a five course dinner, and Glenn pairs the courses with wines. There are only 14 seats and there is only one seating per night. We were there for five hours, and it flew by.

When I got home, I immediately booked for July.
8.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
n/a
n/a

“”

Mar 1, 2011 - posted by
A fantastic restaurant that you do not want to miss. The food is superb, the wine pairing perfect and the friendly and fun personalities of Chef Dennis and Sommelier Glen is something not to be missed. And although there is planning ahead to get the reservation you want, it is worth the effort. Do not miss this somewhat hidden gem on this lovely island.
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
n/a
n/a

“”

Jan 30, 2011 - posted by
Before I arrived in Aruba in January, I made reservations at all the restaurants we intended to dine at during our stay in Aruba, including Carte Blanche. Notwithstanding that we have been going to Aruba for many years, I had never heard of Carte Blanche, but the reviews by others were quite impressive. Therefore,I decided to try this restaurant at our last night in Aruba. We made our reservation for 8:30 PM.

We left our hotel by taxi to the restaurant. The taxi driver said that we were the first passengers he had taken to Carte Blanche and he was not sure where it was located. Since the taxi driver was not sure where the restaurant was located and you could not see the name of the restaurant from the street, the taxi driver got out of the cab and told us that we were at the correct restaurant.

After you walk from the street to the restaurant, you see a sign that says: "Carte Blance Restaurant, a dining experience." That is precisely what Carte Blance Restaurant is, a "dining experoence".

When we walked into the restaurant, we saw no tables and you sat at a bar (similar to a sushi bar) that had 14 chairs. There were 2 chairs left for us and we sat down. We later found out the restaurant has only one seating for 14 people between 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM.

To say that this was a "dining experience" is an understatement. In short, Carte Blanche is an extraordinany dining eperience that is second to none.

Your two gracious hosts are Dennis and Glenn. Dennis prepares the food to perfection in front of you and Glenn carefully selects which wine goes with each dish Dennis prepares for you.

When you enter the restaurant, Dennis and Glenn personally greet you, tell you their first names and politely ask whether they may also call you by your first name. This personal touch makes you feel that you are not eating in a restaurant, but rather in a long-time friend's home, who happens to be a gourmet chef.

Before the dining pleasure begins,which is fit for heads of State and Royalty, Dennis asks you after the social greetings, whether you want a four course or five course dinner. Luckily, my wife insisted that we select the four course dinner - - there was no way, notwithstanding that the meal was ambrosia and nectar for the "gods", we could have finished a five course dinner.

There are no menus. When you confirm your reservation when you arrive in Aruba, you are asked whether you have any food allergies? If so, they will accommodate your special situation. After you arrive at the restaurant, you sit back and leave all the work to Dennis and Glenn. Dennis will prepare your food and explain what he has prepared for you. Your palate will be in for an extraordinay amazing treat - -that you will be speaking about for years to come. I can't wait for my return to Aruba so that I can, again, share this "dining experience" with my wife.

Carte Blanche is presently known to a select few, who were fortunate to dine there. According to Dennis, the restaurant has only been opened for five months and they do not advertise. However, I have no doubt that, in a short time, you will need to book your reservation at least three or more months in advance as word spreads about this fantastic restaurant.

In conclusion, we give Carte Blanche a "10" rating and thank Dennis and Glenn for their graciousness and in allowing us to share with them an incredible, wonderful evening.
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
n/a
n/a

“”

Jan 26, 2011 - posted by
we were not sure if we were going to keep our reservation here as there is no printed menue,wow are we glad we did an amazing experience we have eaten in some great rest. in new york,Carte Blanche is equal to them don't miss this gem
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
5.0
7.0

“”

Jan 6, 2011 - posted by
Wow, wow, wow.....and wow!!
Amazing food, service, and concept! If you want a "dining experience/event" then this is it!

You can choose 4 or 5 courses with or without wine pairings (they also have a wine list to choose from.) They use the best, freshest ingredients for every course and the flavors and presentation are amazing! They also do an awesome job to cater to your tastes by inquiring in advance about any likes/dislikes.
Some of the items we had included an oyster shooter, cerviche, foie gras, and lamb chops. We also went with the wine pairings and they were spot on - complimented each course very nicely.
Thanks again for a wonderful evening!
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
n/a
n/a

“”

Jan 2, 2011 - posted by
A truly unique restaurant for Aruba. Great ambience, personal attention, excellent food and presentation. Appetisers and deserts were great. The veal medallion was a bit boring though. Wine paring by Glen was very enjoyable. It is expensive but the price is reasonable for the experience.
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
n/a
n/a

“”

Dec 13, 2010 - posted by
If you prefer 5 star dining, don't go to Carte Blanche in Aruba. You have to be prepared for 6 star dining in this restaurant.
Not only is the food the freshest and most well prepared, you get an explanation of everything that is being made as it's done right in front of your eyes. It was the most friendly and accommodating dining experience we have ever had anywhere in the world. These guys have a great concept and know what they are doing. Don't ever change...stay who you are. We will be back.
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
n/a
n/a

“”

Nov 28, 2010 - posted by
Truly a remarkable experience. Small, intimate, friendly setting, and it was one of the very best meals we have ever had - and we have had some wonderful meals in many places! It was so good we had to go back for our last evening's meal - and when we return to Aruba this will be our first choice!

There is only the chef, Dennis, and the wine steward, Glen, 14 seats and one seating per night. We arrived at 7, and left at midnight (by our own choosing - there was no rush) and we thoroughly enjoyed the food, the wine, the company, and our hosts. While you can interact with other diners, you can also opt to have a quiet, intimate meal.

This is unlike any other restaurant on the island. It is somewhere for a special night out, an evening of true dining. We savored every bite (and took pictures of each course - something we've never done before!), enjoyed each glass of wine and left thrilled with the experience. It is more expensive than other places on the island, but it is a meal you will remember for a long time afterwards, and one you would pay significantly more for in New York or Boston.

Dining at Carte Blanche was the highlight of our vacation to Aruba this year! Wonderful!
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
n/a
n/a

“”

Nov 12, 2010 - posted by
Friendly people, nice environment and great food! A absolute 'must go' place
10.0
10.0
n/a
8.0
n/a
n/a

“”

Nov 9, 2010 - posted by
Went to Carte Blanche with my beautiful wife Camille for our 21st anniversary and were not disappointed. Recommended to us by the owner of another resaraunt named Barefoot.We were very pleased with our entire evening,the food was a 5 course meal cooked by chef Dennis who made up a menu that was fantastic. The restaraunt is inside the mill in front of the Mill resort, the maitrade/bartender s name was Glen and he and Dennis were the most gracious of hosts. It was like eating at there home , very comfortable seating and a great ambiance,you see everything prepared in front of you and I would recommend this dining experience to anyone visiting OUR ONE HAPPY ISLAND ARUBA.
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
n/a
n/a
Showing reviews 31 - 40 of 43

Restaurant page views: 127,230