My friend Bobbie and I talk more now than we did when we were neighbors. I guess that's because we make it a point to get together, like recently at Simple Crepes Café along the Erie Canal in Pittsford.
The café also has locations in Canandaigua and the downtown branch of the Monroe County Public Library, but I prefer the quaint feel of this one in Schoen Place.
The mood The blue and yellow decor lends an old-timey feel, but the café has a refined, not frumpy, flair. Chandeliers with crystal beads hang overhead, evenly spaced vintage pictures line the walls, there's comfortably arranged table seating (with a few outside on the narrow front deck), and an open kitchen offers a view that Bobbie appreciates because "I just feel like they're not hiding something." The food
Creative. Both of our tongues wagged at reading the description of the Chicken Tarragon Crepe ($11.99), filled with grilled chicken, mushrooms and broccoli in a tarragon cream sauce and topped with grated Parmesan cheese. To stay within our budget, we decided to split the dish and the Savory Crepe Chips starter ($5.99).
The "garlic-flavored crepe chips baked to a crispy crunch, served with roasted red pepper hummus" sounded appetizing, but we were disappointed. We couldn't taste much garlic or hummus, and most of the chips were thick and overcooked and took work to crunch. The few chips that were thin and lightly cooked were delicious, so I'm guessing we got an unfortunate batch.
The heavenly Chicken Tarragon Crepe totally saved the day. Wrapped in a delicate crepe, the chicken and mushrooms were tender, the sauce was light (cream sauces can easily be too heavy, and that's why I tend to steer clear of them), the tarragon was used judiciously, and the broccoli was soft but retained a little crunch. Bobbie found herself scraping up the last drops of sauce; I saved the last bite until moments before we left.
Simply Crepes also has lots of seasonal and local specials and soups and salads — and breakfast is served all day. The drinks The café serves fountain drinks (with free refills), organic and herbal teas, smoothies, hot and frozen coffee drinks and chai; prices range from $2.39 to $4.99. The damage: $23.42
Next time ... Despite our experience with the crisps, I'd eagerly try the Crepachos ($8.99), a platter of crepe chips served with shredded chicken, refried beans, melted Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese, salsa and sour cream. (But I'd slip in a request that the chips not be overdone.)
