Spring is in the air, and a hint of warmth begins to replace the cold, dreary weather. Spring is the perfect time of year for a weekend stroll outside, and 17 Avenue, which boasts a variety of boutiques and shops, is a fantastic choice for such a walk around. While one might think to head straight to their preferred fro-yo place for a sunny April snack, heading further along 17 Avenue one comes across Crepes and Cravings.
A great stop for those in search of a delicious, yet cost effective crepe (all of Crepes and Cravings’s crepes are under $10), Crepes and Cravings boasts fourteen varieties of sweet crepes; three varieties of savoury crepe; authentic Belgium waffles; and house made gelato, made with natural and local ingredients.
Stopping in, one might find the restaurant itself to be quite small and seating
quite limited, with few and fairly small tables available. Bearing this in mind, in Paris, where crepes are largely popular, they are often a “to go” item that is eaten out of hand. At Crepes and Cravings, crepes can be ordered to go. While the size of the place would be an issue for a large group, for a date or with a group of three or four, it is not too much of an issue. Crepes are also quick to prepare, so even if the restaurant is a little crowded, the orders will be turned out quickly and one will not have to spend more than half an hour in such cramped conditions.
That being said, the atmosphere is welcoming. Brian, the owner, has decorated the restaurant to give it a cute café sort of feel. Ultimately though, it is the friendliness and enthusiasm with which Brian greets his customers that gives Crepes and Cravings its welcoming feel, and from the way he introduces his business, describing the house made gelato and delectable crepes with pride, it is clear that he is passionate about his business; his dedication is the key to Crepes and Cravings phenomenal success as a local restaurant with amazing food.
If going to try the Crepes, it is recommended that one try both a savoury and
a sweet crepe, perhaps splitting with a companion, so as to taste the full range of crepes that Crepes and Cravings has to offer. When it comes to savoury crepes, Crepes and Cravings offers crepes with a variety of meats: ham, chicken, turkey, Montreal smoked meat, Italian meat. For the vegetarians, Crepes and Cravings also offers a vegetarian option, which comes with “guacamole/hummus, lettuce/spinach, tomato, black olives, red pepper, cucumber, onions, artichoke hearts and feta” cheese ($7.38). Some notable varieties of the savoury crepe include the smoked salmon crepe and the Sicilian crepe. For those a fan of salmon, the smoked salmon crepe is an excellent choice: “smoked wild salmon with cream cheese, tomato, cucumber, capers, red onions, and dill” ($9.23) It is a savoury yet creamy dish, with the dill and capers adding a hint of flavour that blends smoothly in with the other components of the crepe. Arguably one of the best crepes, the Sicilian is made with “Italian meats with provolone cheese, roasted peppers, tomato, red onion, and black olive” ($8.54) and offers a rich, flavour-packed meal. The Italian meat is bursting with sapidity and is spiced to perfection. Combined with the tasty olives and gooey provolone, this crepe is sure to be many a diner’s all-time favourite. If something that is in a crepe is not to a customer’s liking, just let the cashier know and they will ensure not to add that ingredient.
When it comes to sweet crepes, it seems that this variety is largely favoured, as they provide the perfect balance between dessert and meal. Crepes and Cravings offers a range of choice with their dessert crepes, including the cherry cheesecake crepe which is stuffed with “cherries in sauce with cream cheese” ($7.86), the apple caramel crepe filled with “apples cooked and prepared as an apple pie filling, sprinkled with cinnamon” ($7.67), and for those unable to choose between gelato and a crepe, the waffle cone crepe “a crepe filled with banana, strawberries, chocolate, caramel, and gelato, served in a waffle cone” ($8.59). A classic choice Crepes and Cravings offers is the old fashioned which is filled with “fresh strawberries with cream cheese, strawberry jam, and chocolate” ($7.86). This crepe is very sweet, and the cream cheese adds a savoury undertone to the fruitiness of the strawberries and the jam. The chocolate sauce tops the dish off perfectly, adding a hint of richness to the filling, and whip cream on top of the crepe adds a final creamy touch; a mouth-watering end to a phenomenal meal.
Crepes and Cravings is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday. Stop by at 1013 17 Ave SW to give them a try, or call them at 403-228-6523 with any questions.
