Crepes worth seeking out in Chicago

Lutz Cafe and Pastry Shop

2458 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago
Tel: (773) 478-7785
http://www.lutzcafe.com/

11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday - Saturday

You have to love and respect a neighborhood restaurant that's been around for 62 years. Such is the case with popular Lutz Cafe and Pastry Shop. This internationally inspired cafe opened in 1948 as a pastry shop influenced by the Black Forest region of Germany. Lutz is a Chicago tradition. Just mentioning the name elicits stories and memories from childhoods passed. While the pastry shop is a destination for fabulous pastries, cakes and tortes. A menu staple includes Chicken & Mushroom Crepes ($8.95) and Spinach Crepes ($8.95) both finished with hollandaise sauce. Always delicious and worth coming back for return visits. The lovely outside garden in back is one of Chicago's most charming.

Crepes A Latte

1840 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago

Tel: (773) 549-4444

www.crepesalatte-thecafe.com

We were pleasantly surprised at Crepes A Latte with blue "clouds" suspended from the ceiling, a clock tower and a caricature of a Parisian street scene on the back wall, Crepes A Latte is whimsical and fun.  We don't think that you'd find Crepes A Latte in France but the broad crepe selection is impressive if not confusing. With breakfast crepe options ranging from egg and cheese to the enticing crumbled blueberry muffin with vanilla bean sauce for under $5, there's something for everyone. We have to note that we were confused by the printed menu. While it appears that there are choices other than crepes, the perhaps too cleverly worded menu packages everything in a tasty light wrap. For lunch, dinner or an afternoon snack, there are a variety of savory options ($6.75), Avocado, Tomato & Cheese, Baked Apples with Brie, or Chicken Peanut Satay. There's also a Smoked Turkey and a number of  veggie selection. Visiting Crepes A Latte for dessert? You won't be disappointed. Try a twist on an old favorite, Bananas Foster or Caramel Apple Pie or be more European and enjoy our favorite, Nutella Banana (all $5.75). They have a nice selection of "hot stuff", i.e. coffee, tea and hot chocolate drinks, as well as drinks to "chill out" with including frappes, iced, smoothies and milkshakes. Crepes A Latte is a perfect for a multi-unit operation. Look for more coming to Chicago. This is one concept with legs worth the run.

Crepes Cafe

410 S. Clark St.

Tel: 312-341-1313

http://www.crepescafe.net/

If you can dream it, you can have it at Crepes Cafe. They offer a large variety of traditional and not-so-traditional crepes, sweet and savory, including Beef Stroganoff ($12) or Frutti di Mare ($11), Spinach and Feta ($7), Sweet Lemon ($4), Maple Syrup ($4), Vanilla Cheese ($7), PB&J ($7), and Fruit Preserves ($7), among others.  If you're a hot dog ($7) fan, you don't have to go elsewhere. They wrap theirs in a crepe. You can also have a Polish Sausage ($10), Chili ($7), Corned Beef ($12), or Lasagna ($10). And, if you haven't guessed, you're welcome to "create your one."

Other's worth mentioning:

Crepe Bistro & Martini Bar

186 N. Wells, Chicago

www.crepebistro.net - (312) 269-0300  

FliP Crepes at Chicago French Market

131 N. Clinton, Chicago

www.flipcrepes.com - (312) 504-2541  

Crepes and Coffee Palace

2433 N. Clark, Chicago

 (773) 404-1300  

Crepe Crave & Gelato

1752 W. North, Chicago

www.crepecrave.com - (773) 698-8783 

Cindy Kurman Barrie and Lee Barrie are the principals of Kurman Communications, Inc., a Chicago-based marketing and public relations agency. Please visit their blog at www.gotbuzzatkurman.com and check out all DineWise articles at www.dinewisechicago.blogspot.com.