Cheap Eats: Crepes & More

(Credit: Danielle Hope Hier)

Photos:

In Italy, it's a Crespelle. In Hungary, a Palacsintas.  But a crepe by any other name, still tastes as sweet.

Last week, I visited the newly opened Crepes & More in Parrish...more than once, actually.  Their savoury unsweetened crepes with a hint of buckwheat, and the slightly sugared sweet crepes are nothing short of addictive.

Owner and sugar artist Alla Levin greets her customers personally, describing her new cafeteria-style cafe' as "gourmet fast food", and customers order at the counter.  Her policies are simple. Rule #1: The customer is always right, and Rule #2 If the customer is ever wrong, go back to rule #1.

The decor is as savory as the crepes, with red formica tables, high backed black chairs, and rustic amber walls.  The flooring is an acid washed concrete that looks like smooth marble, with similarly polished countertops.  There are a few leather comfy chairs sprinkled throughout the cafe', and the piped in 40's sounds of Sinatra and Fitzgerald give the room a feeling of lightness.

The Food: In the Savory, the Taste of Tuscany ($7.95) is filled with homemade Italian sausage, roasted peppers and onions, and topped with Alfredo sauce.  For vegetarians, the Garden Fresh ($7.95) is the way to go, with fresh vegetables and sprinkled with  gorgonzola.  In the Sweets, the Old Country ($6.95) gets my vote, made with ricotta cheese, roasted macadamia nuts, apricots, peaches, nectarines and pears, finished with a raspberry sauce and a hint of whipped cream.

The Desserts: With a chef and sugar artist for a father, Alla's dessert recipes run in the family, and all pastries are baked fresh each morning.  Every day there are different cookies and cakes for sampling.  Slightly less sweet than American cakes, the Cacao and Cappuccino rolls ($3.95) are perfect with tea ($1.65) or a Caffe Latte ($2.75).  The decadent truffles ($0.99) are rich enough where half of one is plenty.

The Drinks: Custom fruit and ice cream based smoothies are available in 16 oz. and 24 oz. sizes ($3.75-$575), in a variety of flavors.  I settled on the Banana Kiwi Smoothie with a boost shot of detoxing Spirulina powder ($0.99).  The next day, I went back and tried one of their shaken (not stirred) Mango Teanis, made with refreshing green tea and pure cane sugar ($1.55). They also offer a full espresso bar.

The Bottom Line: Crepes & More offers something for every appetite, including $5 and $6 lunch specials that include a single crepe and a cup of tea or soup.  Straight menu items (with two large crepes and a beverage) will average $12.

Little Known Customs: In Russia, it is customary to burn and throw out the first batch of crepes (blinis or blintzes) to get rid of the bad and bring in the good.  In France, it's considered lucky to touch the handle of the fry pan as the first crepe is being turned.

Crepes Around the World:

Italy - "Crespelle"

Hungary - "Palacsinas"

Russia - "Blinis" or "Blintzes"

Greece - "Kreps"

Romania - "Palcinke"

India - "Dosa"

Ethiopia - "Injera"

Germany - "Palatschinken"

*****

Crepes & More is located at 1824 US 301N in Parrish (near the Ellenton Outlet Mall), and is open from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily. Phone: 941-803-8294 or visit the website at www.crepesandmore.com for a complete menu and directions.

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