La Creperie

La Creperie
82 Fones Alley, Providence, RI 02906

La Creperie is a very tiny hole in the wall sort of place on a back alley of Providence's East Side. I found it quite by accident over New Years when they had a sign sitting out on Thayer Street. To find them, turn left on the alley beside the Au Bon Pain across from the Tunnel on Thayer St. Nothing on the menu is over $6, and most items are just under $5.

I stopped in knowing that I only needed a light meal to make up for a less than complete meal at home. I opted to have the "Rita" from the savory crepe menu. A large, perfectly cooked crepe was delivered to me filled with sauteed spinach, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and feta cheese. It completely filled the 8" paper plate and is quite a value for the price. I found that the mix and quantity of the filling was excellent with the feta providing the strong center to the flavor complemented by the bite of the onion and the tartness of the tomatoes.

Other savory options include the equivalent of a Monte Christo, 3 cheese, chicken and cheese, apple and brie. I didn't have room to consider a second crepe from the sweet menu, though I was seriously tempted by the nutella as well as th nutella and banana filled. La Creperie also offers Belgian waffles with an assortment of toppings, smoothies and wraps.

This place is light on comforts, with seating for only about 10 to 12 patrons including the counter. Plastic utensils and a water cooler are placed next to the large front window. The walls are decorated with various "coffee house" type paintings, as well as a 6 foot panel of the Paris skyline. Taken together, the place has a definite artist community vibe. The last crepe I had was in a Paris park and was filled with banana and nutella making its difficult to compare the experience with the small store, heavy music (with some CD skipping fun).

I intend to go back and have more of these lovely little bundles of goodness. While I set out for a light meal, a single crepe can easily be a complete meal. If you want to have a desert crepe, bring a friend and split a savory one. Who knows, perhaps this will become a regular haunt.