First Look: Savage in Fox Park

Chef Logan Ely’s new restaurant, Savage, will make its official debut this weekend. The eatery, located at 2655 Ann Ave., in Fox Park, is scheduled to open Saturday, Sept. 8.

Ely made a name for himself locally with Square1 Project, an underground pop-up dinner series in which he experimented with a variety of ingredients and techniques and served small groups in an undisclosed location on Delmar Boulevard. Savage builds upon this culinary foundation and makes Ely’s unique vision more accessible to the general public.

Ely described the food at Savage as simply “modern American,” a characterization that leaves the door wide open for him and his team to create all manner of dishes. The menu will be an ever-changing affair – Ely said some dishes might be available for only a night or two, while others could stick around for months.

Read More // What I Do: Logan Ely of Square1 Project

The debut menu, while not specific as of yet, may include such offerings as a beet chicharron with squid and lettuce and a tart of fermented potato with Penicillium roqueforti and ants, a nod to Ely’s use of insects at Square1. Savage offers three menu choices: a small selection of five snacks, six courses or 12 courses. Food is served on custom crockery from local artisan Phillip Finder.

The space used to be the A&B Market (the old sign still hangs from the building) and required a massive gut rehab. Ely and a small coterie of friends did most of the work, from the floors to the counters. The dark walls and exposed brick create an austere interior that puts the focus on the open kitchen, surrounded by 20 seats that give diners a bird’s-eye view of the staff’s culinary creativity. A small patio out back provides a comfortable space to wait for a seat or for a bit of day drinking. Ely said both reservations and walk-ins are welcome.

Savage is open Thursday through Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. for beer and wine service only for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Ely hopes to eventually expand the days of operation. Here’s a sneak peek of what diners can expect from Fox Park’s newest eatery:

Matt Sorrell is staff writer at Sauce Magazine.