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Crepes A La Cart
Uptown 3: Napoleon To Audubon: 1039 Broadway. 504-866-2362. Map.
Very Casual.
AE DS MC V
Website
WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
Almost every attempt to bring crepes to New Orleans over the years failed. Even those made by French chefs in major hotels in great locations. Even La Crepe Nanou, which has been at the game longest, had to become a general French bistro to succeed. In 2004 this little shop opened in the University section, and finally made a go as a crepe specialist. With a mix of savory and sweet crepes, its inexpensive treats seem right any hour of the day. Including the wee hours of the morning, when restless students make their way over and keep the night moving.
WHAT'S GOOD
If you entire experience with crepes comes from walking around Paris, these will fail to rekindle that fire. Otherwise, you'll like and maybe even love them. The crepes themselves are made more or less to order, with a yeasty aroma and crisp edges. The savory crepes are better, I'd say--unless you succumb to the temptation to try the overstuffed jobs. Notably the roast beef poor boy crepe, in which the idea is better than the reality. The sweet crepes are all right if you show restraint in your order. They're just right until the fourth filling comes in (the third, if one of them is chocolate).
BACKSTORY
Kevin Merlin originally opened his crepe operation in 2004 as a catering facility, which continues to this day. But it's handy for a caterer to have a pied a terre, and the Tulane-Loyola University neighborhood was perfect for selling inexpensive, chic, offbeat, and accessible crepes.
DINING ROOM
The customers blend with those of The Boot bar next door. There really isn't a dining room, unless you count the chairs on the sidewalk, or the order counter. At the latter you see your crepe actually being made--not merely filled. And get a cup of coffee.
ESSENTIAL DISHES
Savory Crepes
»»Crepes fromage (Swiss, cheddar, mozzarella or cream cheese)
Grilled chicken & cheese
»Ham & cheese
Turkey & cheese
Roast beef & cheese
Roast beef with your choice of cheese
»Spinach, bacon & tomato
»Crepe Monte Cristo (chicken, ham, cheddar, honey dijon mustard)
Chicken cordon bleu (ham, white asparagus, Swiss, hollandaise) Grilled chicken delight (broccoli, cheddar) cheese.
»Chicken florentine (spinach, mushrooms, red onions, Swiss)
»Crepe a la montagne (mushrooms, white asparagus, garlic, olive oil, cream)
Crepe Le Club (turkey, bacon, spinach, tomato & mozzarella)
Crescent City crepe (roast beef, mushrooms, onions, swiss, horseradish)
Crepe a la Cart (chicken, ham, mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, onions, choice of cheese)
Crepe a la carte (choose your fillings)
Sweet Crepes
»Chocolate (or Nutella), choice of fresh fruit
S'Mores crepe (chocolate, graham crackers marshmallow fluff)
Funky French monkey (peanut butter, chocolate, bananas) Chocolate dream (chocolate or Nutella) bananas, pecans,coconut, cream)
Caramel nut brownie
»Tiki rum runner (Nutella, pecans, coconut, raisins, caramel, rum, cream)
»Blue Lagoon (Nutella, blueberries, Bailey's Irish Cream, brown sugar)
Heavenly chocolate delight (figure it out)
»Crepe ã la cheesecake (cream cheese, graham crackers, brown sugar, cream)
»Strawberry Romanoff (chocolate or Nutella, Grand Marnier) Strawberry shortcake (angel-food cake, chantilly cream)
Nut tart (walnuts, pecans, brown sugar, caramel, lemon, cream)
German apple strudel (apples, raisins, cinnamon, caramel) »Raspberry Melba (angel-food cake, orange marmalade, cream)
»Trifle crêpe (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, angel food cake, brown sugar, cream)
»Butter & sugar (the French classic)
»Crepes Suzette (lemon, sugar, cream) suzette
»St. Honore (butter, sugar, Grand Marnier)
Rum raisin (ice cream, rum, chantilly cream, raisins, coconut, whipped cream)
Turtle sundae crépe (ice cream, chocolate chips, pecans, caramel, whipped cream)
FOR BEST RESULTS
The standard crepes here--even the savory ones--are sweeter than you'd find in Europe, so adjust your order.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
It would be great to have this place in a more substantial location, but that might wreck the business model.
FACTORS OTHER THAN FOOD
Up to three points, positive or negative, for these characteristics. Absence of points denotes average performance in the matter.
- Dining Environment
- Consistency +1
- Service
- Value +2
- Attitude +1
- Wine & Bar
- Hipness +3
- Local Color +2
SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES
- Sidewalk tables
- Open Sunday lunch and dinner
- Open Monday lunch and dinner
- Open after midnight MO, WE, TH; Until 5 a.m. FR. SA.
- Open all afternoon
- Easy, nearby parking
- No reservations
