RESTAURANT REVIEW – LA CREPERIE CHICAGO

La Creperie located at 2845 N. Clark Street in Lakeview is definitely a local gem if you want to taste a world class crepe. The restaurant was opened in 1972 by Germain Roignant and his wife.  The front room maintains its farmhouse roots with beautiful wooden accents. The feeling of a true French bistro in the countryside is the feeling you have.

Back in 2013, Roignant was intent upon closing the neighborhood gem. He stated that the financial strains were becoming too much and needed a respite. Local customers waited in long lines to get their last crepe before the doors shuttered. During the closing process, his son Jeremey died suddenly in the family home above the restaurant. Roignant went home to Brittany, France to reconnect with family and friends, continuing to make the crepes where he learned his art. In the meantime, the owners of Duke of Perth were intent upon purchasing the La Creperie space, but in a small twist of events they instead partnered with Roignant to re-open this slice of heaven within the next year. A majority of the staff returned and our favorite creperie is open to this day.

Now about the menu.  First of all, yum! You can make an entire meal out of your adventure into the world of crepes. The savory crepes range from ham and cheese to scallops and shrimp in a béchamel sauce with a side of rice or the beef braised with burgundy, mushrooms, carrots and celery. My next visit demands that I try the Poulet et fromage de chevre – chicken, roasted tomatoes and goat cheese.

As with any creperie, you have to try the sweet crepes. I tried the Banana Sara which is raved about all over Yelp and other sites. It’s simple yet amazing. The crepe is filled with bananas in a brown sugar caramel and rum sauce topped with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream. After eating the filling savory crepe and this sweet crepe, there was no room left.  I’m told I need to return for the Soupe a l’oignon gratinee (French onion soup) as La Creperie boasts it to be the best in Chicago.

A couple other quick notes about this lovely bistro. They have a really great cocktail and wine menu in addition to a collection of rare French Aperitifs et Digestifs. Also they have two specials not to be missed. Every Tuesday is 50% off all bottles of wine. Since they are located so close to the Landmark Century Theater, bring in your ticket stub on the same day as the movie and get a complimentary chocolate crepe.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO