California Crepes
California Crepes
www.cacrepes.com
324 Horton Plaza, Downtown
619-702-9156
Our kids have dined at a wide variety of restaurants but somehow they had never tried crepes. California Crepes in Horton Plaza was the perfect place to introduce them to this traditional French specialty. We walked past the courtyard seating area—it was too hot that day to sit outside—and into the sunny shop, where we stopped, transfixed, watching the chef squeeze silky batter onto a large round grill.
“It’s like a big pancake,” said my son Leo, 8.
“Thinner, though,” my son Roy, 10, said.
“Yeah, and they fill it with yummy ingredients,” I said. We watched the edges crisp as steam rose, carrying the heavenly aroma.
Roy and Leo looked at me with knitted eyebrows as they saw the list of savory options, such as ham, pepperoni, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, egg and guacamole.
Then they saw the sweet side of the menu. Strawberries. Smile. Whipped cream. Smile. Nutella. All was well.
Roy ordered the Carlsbad ($4.25)—fresh strawberries, sugar, whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Leo decided on the Santa Barbara ($3.95)—Nutella, strawberries and whipped cream.
My husband John and I ordered savory crepes. I chose the San Francisco ($6.95) with chicken breast or ham (I had chicken), roasted red peppers, basil, onions and tomatoes mixed with the signature pesto sauce. John’s vegetarian Berkeley ($5.25) was filled with tomatoes, onions, feta cheese, kalamata olives and harissa—a Tunisian sauce made with piri piri chili peppers and olive oil.
We sat window-side, four in a row on the fun, spinny bar chairs, but no one was spinning. We were too busy, snouts down at our own crepe festival. I glanced sideways and realized I had to act fast—and with authority.
“I need to try a bite of everyone’s crepe,” I said.
They started to eat faster. I zipped from one to the next reluctant sharer, fork in hand. The unanimous verdict: We will return again and again to systematically chow our way through the menu. The crepes were light but satisfying, with fresh ingredients and an ingenious blend of flavors. We ate every last crumb. Service was quick and friendly, too.
I loved my savory crepe, but next time I might opt for sweet. Maybe I’ll try the Salinas ($4.25)—Dulce de Leche with bananas and sliced almonds, or the Julian ($4.95)—cooked spiced apple and whipped cream or the Big Bear ($4.95), with peanut butter and Nutella. After that, I’ll return to savory because I need to try the Irvine ($6.50), filled with the famous chicken salad. Then it’s time for a classic Crepe Suzette ($5.45) served with a Cointreau, butter and sugar sauce.
Upgrade your savory meal to a Combo, which includes a side salad and medium drink for $2.25.
Add flavored syrups—caramel, vanilla, chocolate, almond or hazelnut—to sweet crepes for 50 cents.
Slake your thirst with tea, coffee (including specialty brews), espresso, hot chocolate, milk or fountain drinks.
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Ondine Brooks Kuraoka writes from her home in San Carlos. She savors culinary adventures with her family.
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