La Crepe Et La Vie Now Open On Foster Avenue
After months of waiting, La Crepe et la Vie opened quietly this past Friday at 1715 Foster Ave between E 17th and E 18th Sts. In a space that most recently held a store that sold monuments, neighbor Konstantino has done a lot to change it into the quaint cafe it is today.
A bar in the front seats about four people, who can watch as Konstantino cooks up traditional crepes on a large 17-inch machine, then tables line the wall toward the back of the shop, where there’s a space dedicated to selling jewelry and other gift items. The Normandy-inspired cafe can seat about 20 people, and Konstantino says that even though he opened without really telling anyone, this weekend was busy.
“I still have a lot to do,” he said, explaining that he is trying to decide between making the sweet crepes that people tend to expect, and buckwheat flour galettes, which are a little crispier and more common to the region of France that he’s representing.
La Crepe et la Vie is a nice spot for a quick lunch, and we can see it being popular for brunch or a leisurely dinner. As much as we wanted to test a sweet crepe, it was lunchtime, so we went the savory route, choosing the Crepe Greque. Stuffed with spinach, feta cheese, and dill ($8), it was certainly enough for a meal. The crepe itself is thin but has a nice chew to it, and the spinach mixture was tasty, even if it was a bit heavy on the dill.
The space has WiFi, so it’s another option in the neighborhood if you’re looking for a place to work or study for a bit.
The decor is meant to echo the look of Normandy restaurants in the early 20th century, and it does feel something like a world away from the Foster Avenue of today.
The restaurant is currently cash-only and BYOB (though they may get a beer and wine license down the line). As Konstantino said, he’s still working on things, so the menu may change, and they may add delivery in a month or so, but for now, stop by to try a crepe during the week, or to try the $15 brunch deal on the weekend.
La Crepe et la Vie is located at 1715 Foster Ave between E 17th and E 18th Sts, 347-350-6627. Hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 11am-9pm.