Forget pancakes…nothing stacks up to authentic French crêpes with lemon and sugar. National Crêpes Day on Friday, February 2 is the ideal chance to put your pancakes on a diet and enjoy the absolutely delicious bit of airy breakfast, lunch or dinner that is the crêpe.
It’s incrêpe-able how versatile this dish is – hankering for a fruity breaky, then add peaches and cream, roll them up and voila! You want a savoury dinner? No problem, there’s nothing like a rich beef and mushroom-filled crêpe drizzled with gravy, made even better with a glass of red.
The history of crêpes dates back to the 13th Century in Brittany, France. It seems a housewife there accidentally dribbled some thin porridge onto a hot, flat cooktop; back then people were extremely reluctant to waste even their smallest cooking mistakes, so she ate it.
Want another interesting crêpe fact? Whenever milk was in short supply during the Middle Ages, intrepid crêpe lovers used a mixture of wine and water as a substitute – proving yet again the versatility of vino!
Celebrating National Crêpe Day is as simple as eating your favourite crêpe…head to your local café and dig in:
Admire the Harbour View
The magnificent headland location and harbour views are distinctively Sydney, but everything else about Frenchy’s Cafe in Mosman is delightfully Français. After 10 years in France (five spent running restaurants in Paris) Pierre Rayrolles and his Australian wife Alena have taken over the historic cottage in Headland Park, imbuing it with Gallic charm to create a relaxed, family-friendly spot for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, with an inviting outdoor terrace to admire the view.
Defined by home-style fare prepared almost entirely on-site, the menu is even more alluring – perhaps opt for crêpes, with lemon and sugar, while lunch-goers enjoy smoked salmon tartine with crème fraiche and dill oil, on sourdough with a side salad.
Slice of French Sophistication
Take a leisurely drive north from Sydney along the Pacific Highway through Pymble and say bonjour to a little taste of French sophistication at Brasserie L’Entrecôte. A stylish dining room awaits with exposed brick adorned with artwork, leather booth seating, chocolate walls and dimmed lighting, making for an ambient space for an intimate meal.
Brasserie L’Entrecôte gives a nod to the original Le Relais de L’Entrecôte, a famous one-dish Parisian steakhouse circa 1959, inspiring a vision to keep the menu simple yet do each dish well. Start at the bar with a glass of Merlot and traditional French onion soup before slipping into a booth for boeuf Bourguignon, with coquillette pasta; finish indulgently with crêpes Suzette with Grand Marnier flambée.
Say Bonjour to Romance
If something a little romantic is on your mind say bonjour to well-loved French restaurant Roule Galette Carnegie on Koornang Road. First opened on Flinders Lane in 2007, this specialty restaurant has gained a fierce following for its galette, a crunchy buckwheat pancake. With an open shopfront, exposed brick walls, communal tables and overhead pendent lighting, Roule Galette has taken a modern approach to classic French dining.
Those looking to indulge delve into La Lotus crêpes with Biscoff spread, whipped cream, ice cream, salted, caramel and Biscoff biscuit crumbs, or perhaps Normande flambée – ice cream, cinnamon poached apple, salted caramel and French apple brandy Calvados.
Anything but Ordinary
From hand-glazed plates to freshly baked bread, Periwinkle Restaurant on David Low Way in Peregian Beach is anything but ordinary. Unwind with your morning latte in the Village Square on wicker chairs, where a beachy chic vibe is highlighted by pastel mosaic tiles and basket drop lights, creating a relaxed, yet elegant dining experience.
Allow Chef and creator Frank Boulay to entice with a modern French menu, where Mediterranean-influenced dishes are prepared with fresh, local produce delivered daily. Delve into starters like baked scallops in white wine, béchamel, leek, button mushrooms and Gruyère cheese, before confit duck, potato Dauphinoise, green beans and black truffle sauce; don’t go past crêpes Suzette, vanilla ice cream, Grand Marnier sauce and Chantilly cream to end a memorable meal.
