Crepe e Vino
Somtimes kuaptic ventures pretty far afield from our comfy westside digs. This weekend found us in Old Town, Pasadena, crowded, festive and chock full of good restaurants. Saturday night was unexpectedly crowded at the newly opened Crepe Vine, a little European place, warmly decorated in rust tones and old tin ceiling tiles, with a splendid bar and a bright, large chandelier. There are a few outdoor seats, but when we were there, most of the indoor seating was taken up by two huge parties sitting in booths along the wall. It's hard to say that the staff was unattentive. They were very affable but hard to get sometimes. We had a reservation and still had to wait a good forty-five minutes, another twenty for the appetizers we ordered at the bar to show up at the table. Dinner did not come out all at once, with approximately fifteen minutes between the first couple of dishes coming out and the last couple. When we asked if the wait for a dessert of chocolate fondue would be prohibitve, the waiter answered us with a movement of his eyes. We laughed and got the bill.
For all the waiting, the food was excellent. We started with delicious cheese fondue and wonderfully crunchy garlic fries and a bonus of giant prawns. There was a green and lovely salad with bits of Greek olives and tomatoes. Then came the crepes. They were a wonderland of cheese and fresh ingredients -- chicken, sausage, someone had the Stroganoff and liked it very well. All in all, it was a fabulous, winter meal, full of cheese and savory flavors. The wait was well managed by large glasses of wine and the trickling out of food. Though it was crazy, no one minded -- the staff made light of it and the food was great. They comped half our bill. The Crepe Vine is definitely worth another visit, though perhaps in a couple of months when the kitchen is a little more sorted out.
The Crepe Vine Bistro and Wine Bar, 36 West Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA
posted by kuaptic. @ 8:05 AM
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