The sun shines brightly as the Pacific Ocean sparkles in the distance. It is a beautiful day in Southern California and as I make my way across the street, I greatly anticipate the delicious aromas that will soon greet me. I smile to myself, knowing I am in for an exceptional culinary experience.
My niece first introduced me to Crème de la Crepe several years ago and now it is most certainly a favorite of mine. There are several Crème de la Crepe locations in Southern California to choose from, but the one I frequent with my family is located on Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach, CA.
As I reach the restaurant, guests sit at outside tables enjoying their coffee and crepes. Once inside, I am transported into a French café that could be found on the streets of Paris. Cheerful, bright yellow walls greet me and beautifully colored murals and chalkboard menus add to the restaurant’s charming ambience.
Perusing the menu always poses to be somewhat difficult as each dish looks and sounds superb. But, alas, I can’t eat them all. Not in one visit, anyway. One thing is for sure, I have never been disappointed with a menu selection, only extremely delighted.
One of my favorites is the Exquise lunch/dinner crepe. Its name suits it perfectly: exquisite. The flavor combinations of brie cheese, tomatoes, and ham are marvelous. The crepe is then topped with a delicate basil sauce that compliments this dish so well.
After lunch, choose from a mouth-watering variety of dessert crepes. For example, The “Crème de la Crepe” dessert crepe is filled with bananas, nutella, and coconut, then flambéed with Grand Marnier. The “Montmartre” is a combination of chocolate, coconut, and vanilla ice cream. My family and I enjoy sampling each other’s selections and find that each is a sweet delight and becomes a new “favorite”.
Crème de la Crepe has many specialties and part of the fun is trying something new each time you visit. Their website offers a full menu and price list to peruse. As the French say, “C’est magnifique!”
Crème de la Crepe 424 Pier Avenue Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310-937-2822
Open daily 8 am to 10 pm