Crepe Expectations: Veggie Variety at Crepe Bistro

By John DiGilio in Food on Nov 16, 2010 7:20PM

Living on an all-vegetable diet does not have to be boring, and finding exciting vegetarian fare is all about where to look. For a quick and fancy lunch sojourn look no further than downtown's Crepe Bistro & Martini Bar. This little restaurant offers just the type of culinary creativity that vegetarians crave in an atmosphere that is cozy and unpretentious.

From the savory to the sweet, the Crepe Bistro offers a smorgasbord of fresh ingredients wrapped in delicate French-style pancakes. There are eight vegetarian crepes on the savory menu. On the dessert side, all 18 of the bistro's offerings are meat-free. Vegetarians could eat here for days and not repeat the same meal. The Crepe Bistro also features a broad selection of appetizers, omelette crepes, panini, salads and, of course, martinis.

If you are new to crepes or just favor something simple, order the "Russian Plate" appetizer - a stack of three buttery crepes with sides of sour cream, warm honey, and orange marmalade for dipping. The crepes are light enough to let the flavor of the sauces shine. For an entree, sink your fork into "Alain's Avocado." This crepe nearly bursts with a filling of tomatoes, mushrooms, avocado and cheddar cheese. It is warm, gooey, and good. The savory crepes are served with a choice of either house salad or french fries. Either will provide a crisp compliment to the soft and fluffy entree.

For dessert, sample a "Snow Queen". Aptly named for the generous helping of vanilla ice cream served on top, this is a simple crepe lightly topped with powdered sugar, whipped cream, and a honey drizzle. It is just sweet enough to round out the meal. Vegetarians can certainly leave full and happy.

Crepe Bistro & Martini Bar is located at 186 N. Wells St. Get there early for lunch or be prepared to wait in line.