Executive Chef Denise Carr and business partner/husband Joash Proctor have created De Cuisine to present the hands-on, detailed, artistic approach to cooking Chef Denise loves. With an exciting, small menu that changes regularly, limited covers, a cool interior and the internationally experienced Chef Denise in the kitchen, this is likely to be the “hot ticket” restaurant for those looking for a new fine-dining experience on island this season.
“It’s my hope that when people see our menu they are intrigued and interested, and when they see their plate they say, ‘Wow, that’s so pretty and it tastes so good’… A lot of people play it safe, but this is our place, and we thought… why not go out on a limb a bit… do something different.”
Denise worked as an Executive Chef in the Middle East, Las Vegas and San Diego, California before coming to Anguilla; first as Executive Chef at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa and more recently creating a successful Tapas and Cocktail restaurant. This time around, energetic and innovative Chef Denise, who’s coined the term “Food Artistry” to describe her approach, has decided to focus on fine dining.
“My technique is hard to pinpoint. I like modern cuisine; fresh and new flavours. So I guess Modern Eclectic. I want to cook bright, fresh food using the best local ingredients I can get and a combination of classic and modernist techniques!” (One of De Cuisine’s starters is a local lobster cerviche with “Sea Air”: tasty, savory foam made with Wakame, Anguilla sea salt and fish broth).
“It’s about being able to create beautiful food for a small amount number of people… being an Artist… a food artist,” continues Denise, so they are capping service at a maximum of 20 covers a night – at least during the early days – with a maximum table size of four persons and staggered seating times. Dishes – organized by appetizers, fish, meat, vegetables and desserts, can be enjoyed à la carte or as part of a 3 or 4 course set menu – the recommended way to savour the full De’Cusine experience.
Denise is not only an exceptional chef, she is also a talented visual artist, and has transformed the small space in South Hill Plaza (previously a shop) into an impressively chic restaurant. Baby Sea Grape trees in terracotta pots, teak furniture from local suppliers, wall-art made from reclaimed driftwood and coconut husks and clever use of hundreds of pieces of bona fide Anguillian sea glass to make a mosaic on the bathroom wall, give the air-conditioned interior a sophisticated international feel with warm Anguilla touches. For those that prefer to dine outside there is pretty bougainvillea edged terrace.
The experienced husband and wife team are keeping the staff small and the service will be very personal. Joash’s skills complement his wife’s, and he runs the front of house with his signature laid-back charm, excellent mixology skills and enthusiasm for his wife’s talents. “I’m excited; we are creating a new type of dining experience for Anguilla. I’m glad to see my wife back in the kitchen, doing what she loves: creating exceptional, artistic food.”
De Cuisine is located in South Hill Plaza on the West End Road and is open 6.00pm to 10.00pm Monday through Saturday. Reservations required. Please call 1 264 476 3273. For more information please email Joash Proctor decuisine.ai@gmail.com. www.facebook/decuisineaxa.
