I Heard It Through the CrepeVine

Wan and Lilcee joined me tonight at The CrepeVine Bistro for vines. I was totally expecting crepes, but the servers just kept bringing us vine after vine after vine. So unexpected. So tough and fibrous. So unpalatable. So cruel.

Ok, not for vines. For crepes. Crepes taste better than vines. Or, at least, I imagine they do.

It is my goal to eat my way through Old Town Pasadena, and my two partners-in-crime agreed to accompany me on this quest as often as possible. I welcome others to join us in this quest.

That is, if I know and like you.

And now...on to the crepes!

Imported cheese plate ($13). I don't remember any of their names, so, from bottom left in clockwise order: stinky strong cheese, slightly less strong and unstinky cheese, delectable creamy creamy creamy cheese (my fave), mild firm cheese, grapes, delicious honey vinegar reduction (perfect for baguette), and lightly sugared pecans.

Specially ordered smoked salmon and caper crepe. Salmon was on the fishy side. Capers were overpowering. I picked them all out and shoved them to the side after my first bite of my one-third portion (we shared all the savory crepes equally). Not my favorite by a longshot.

Club crepe with ham, turkey, bacon, cheese, and avocado ($11). Lilcee kindly ate all the avocado for us. 'Twas a happily deconstructed sandwich in a soft warm blanket and just as comforting.

Duck confit crepe with garlic cream, wild mushrooms, boursin, truffle oil, chives ($15). Tender. Flavorful. Rich. The best savory offering of the night.

Specially ordered strawberry banana crepe with nutella and vanilla brandy flambe. Totally decadent. Totally awesome.

Crepe suzette with Grand Marnier and fresh oranges ($9). Light. Tangy. Like springtime.

For some reason, our group picture and my picture of my apple pie crepe a la mode ($9) -- which was drenched in the most wonderful sinfully buttery, sugary, apple-y, cinnamon-y sauce -- were corrupted and un-uploadable. Boo! I'm sure Wan will have pics up soon, though, so fret not.

I liked all of these crepes more than the ones I had at La Creperie a few months ago. Why? The thin buckwheat pancakes had no gumminess whatsoever, even when not at their maximum heat. Kudos to The CrepeVine Bistro for this. This little place is worth a try for this reason alone.