Sunday, September 18, 2011

Fontaine Caffe and Creperie, Old Town Alexandria



My husband discovered this restaurant while searching the internet for gluten free dining options. (Isn't the internet wonderful?)  We do not eat out as often as we used to before I was diagnosed with celiac disease. Sometimes, it is awkward, to have to explain to a server what I can and cannot eat, so when we saw that this restaurant makes crepes, both gluten free and with wheat flour, we couldn't wait to try it. Or should I say, I couldn't wait to try it.

I grew up eating crepes for breakfast, "eirepfannkuchen", was a special treat in my family reserved for the occasional Sunday morning. My mother would stand at the stove, making one after the other, until all of us were stuffed! We would smear them with butter, and either syrup or sugar , roll them up and cut them into bite-size pieces. Oh, how I have missed them!

I was excited to make them for my husband when we were first married, but he never really liked the texture of the thin pancake, preferring the fluffier more traditional American version. So when I assured him that he would change his mind about crepes, after dining at this restaurant, he agreed, somewhat hesitantly.

The restaurant is tucked away on a quiet street in Old Town Alexandria VA. It has tables outside, but the inside is welcoming with a definite European feel. They offer both savory and sweet crepes, made with either wheat or gluten free buckwheat flour, with several choices of fillings.( buckwheat flour is gluten free despite the word wheat in the name) I ordered a savory crepe with spinach and feta cheese filling, my husband a ham, cheese and mushroom one. They all come with a generous side salad of fresh greens with a delicious dressing. I asked for a doggie bag for about half of mine as I wanted to save room for dessert. The sweet crepe I ordered for dessert was really the best thing I have eaten in a long time! It is called the Lemon Drop and it has a subtle lemony sweet filling and is dusted with confectionary sugar. I truly could taste no difference in these crepes made with the buckwheat flour, and they reminded me of the German ones my mother used to make.

Give this place a try next time you are in Old Town...you will not be disappointed!




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