Saute calls it a day; replacement on the way

Nikki Kaufman tells me that she has pulled the plug on Saute, her Queen Village bistro, which opened in spring 2009 at the former La Creole at 775 S. Front St.

The restaurant had a shakeup last month when chef Nicholas J. Cassidy left for Barclay Prime.

At the time, Kaufman told me that changes were in store, related to the hiring of Paul Martin, whose resume includes Pod, Buddakan, and a stop in Louisiana.

Prices are coming down. Kaufman now plans to redecorate and reconceptualize the place as a rustic, casual Louisiana themer called Catahoula (as in the parish). She hopes to open in two to three weeks.