Crepes Parisiennes, Shadyside, PA

It’s always fun to walk down Walnut Street in Shadyside on the weekends, there are always a lot of people to watch, and fun places to eat.  Pamela’s is usually on our list, but it’s not always accessible on Saturday and Sunday.  On this particular day, we found ourselves on Filbert Street, at Crepes Parisiennes.  It wasn’t terribly crowded, there were just a few people eating.  It was 1pm, and we were lucky to have missed the early-morning breakfast rush.  The restaurant is located downstairs- there aren’t any windows which is a bit of a bummer especially on sunny summer days.

The décor of the Crepes Parisiennes is plain.  There are tables, chairs, and not much on the walls.  It wasn’t too noisy when we were there due to the lack of customers.  Even when I’ve gone during the breakfast rush, it’s still easy to have a conversation.

There aren’t any waiters at Crepe Parisiennes.  You simply walk up to the counter, make a selection, and take a number to your table. When your order is ready, it’s delivered. As you’re placing your order, you can see the crepe-master at work.  There are two large seasoned crepe surfaces, and the skilled technician applies the batter, cooks until the surface is close to dry, and flips the large pancake.  At this point, the fillings are added, the crepe is folded in half (twice) and placed on a plate.  The crepes are served with a small salad with sweet vinaigrette with mandarin oranges, a nice touch.  Our first crepe was filled with Nutella; a chocolate-hazelnut concoction that warms the soul.  The crepe was tender and light; the warmth of the pancake shell helped melt the Nutella inside-divine!  The second crepe was filled with ham, eggs and cheese.  It was good as well, and hot.  The eggs were soft, and not overcooked.  The ham was sliced thin, and salty.  Swiss cheese had melted on the crepe; it was tasty.

The serving sizes at Crepes Parisiennes are on the small side, so if you’re hungry you may have to order more than one.  Overall, the service is good.   The crepes are soft, and there are many different fillings/combinations to choose from.  If you’re looking for a light, satisfying breakfast, Crepes Parisiennes would be a good choice.