By: Michael Sarko | April 05 2011
Posted in Seattle - Find It - Seattle

Banana Chocolate Cream Crêpe from Crepan. Photo by: Michael Sarko

Believe it or not, the Greater Puget Sound area has a lot in common with the French region of Brittany. Both places are known for their rainy but generally mild weather, both are famous for their beer and cider, and both are great places to get that fussy French treat, the crêpe. These thin, versatile innovations have recently spread across Seattle in a variety of forms. Some can be found at classic French bistros, others in their natural habitat: street vendors, and more at specialty crêperies. It's worth exploring the several crêpe sellers around town to get a real taste of all the amazing things these sweet disks of dough can do. Make a day of it! Follow the map below to find each amazingly delicious crepe place.

La Créperie Voilà
707 Pike St

For a classic crêpe experience, La Créperie Voilà downtown (by the Convention Center) is a great place to start. In operation since 2005, the small but well equipped kiosk serves both savory Breton galettes and sweet Parisian crepes. For an especially delicious local (if not exactly Old World) recipe, try the Smoked Wild Salmon Lox crêpe (smoked salmon with crème fraîche, fresh spinach, lemon, and herb butter).

La Côte Créperie
2811 E Madison St

Moving up the hill, The Madison Valley neighborhood has a well-kept secret in its cornucopia of French cuisine. La Côte Créperie on a vibrant, local-friendly stretch of E. Madison Street. La Cote is more of a sit-down restaurant that encourages the indulgence of European-style crêpes, along with fresh housemade soup and a glass of wine - or if you're feeling especially authentic, they also serve cider. If you're lucky enough to visit on a day when their Smoked Duck crêpe is on the menu, order up this must-have treat.

Crepan Crepe World
1303 Madison St

But crêpes aren't just the purview of Breton cuisine and quaint bistros. Crepan, a sleek crêperie that transposes a little bit of Tokyo onto First Hill, specializes in international crêpes. Their Asian-style sweet crepes are a nice dessert alternative when ice cream doesn't perk up your tastebuds. The Banana Chocolate Cream crêpe is among their best. It's a good place to expand your palette once you've tasted some of the more classic, continental varieties.

Making your own

Once you've tried of a few of Seattle's crêperies, why not try your hand at making your own? Play around with the proportions of wheat flour, milk, eggs, and water, as well as salt and herbs for savory galettes, or sugar for sweeter crêpes. The most important thing to remember is an attentive eye. A real French crêpe uses butter to make the pan slick, but any butter-like substance should do. Just make sure to thoroughly coat the pan without turning it into a deep fryer. On medium-high heat, each 1-ounce spoon of batter should only cook for 30 seconds before flipping, and then just 10 to 15 seconds on the other side.

Flipping can be a tricky process. Gently shake the pan back and forth to release the crêpe, then carefully, but quickly turn it over with a thin spatula to prevent burning or tearing. Let the  crêpe cool for a few minutes, then fill. If you're feeling extra fancy, you can curl your crêpes by wrapping them around a smooth object like a rolling pin while they're still hot. Enjoy your tasty homemade treat with classic French fillings, or try some inventive flavor combinations with seasonal ingredients from your garden or local Farmers Market.

Whether you visit some of the city's best places for crêpes, or make your own delectable version at home - sit back and relax with your meal and a hot café au lait, and enjoy a little bit of Paris charm in Seattle.

View Best Créperies in Seattle in a larger map

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