Crepes and Co
18/1 Sukhumvit Soi 12
Bangkok
Tel: 02 653-3990
Website:

Think Crepes and what do you think of? I suppose most would think of puddings - in particular crepes suzette but not a whole menu of them. There are fast food places doing various crepes in France and these and food stands sell instant snacks, but not a whole proper menu of them. So it is strange that such a place exists in Bangkok - and more than that - it is may actually be a worldwide one off.
The restaurant is in a pleasant old wooden house in a conservatory type area where there is also an agreeable garden to look out on or I suppose to dine in at less heated times of the year. The drawback is that it is a decent trundle down Soi 12 and therefore a taxi is a good option. They sent a man up the soi to collect a cab to take us home and that was well worth the 20 baht to the runner.

I glanced at the wine list and was pleasantly surprised at what I saw, in particularly the prices. Apart from some drinkable wines on promotion at 800 Baht, and a regular selection at 900 Baht they had French Gewurztraminer and Riesling at 1250 Baht. But what caught my eye was the comments about cider and that being the drink for crepes. The inference was that they had proper French (Normandy) cidre. So I had to have a glass and it was indeed the stuff that I last drank on the Cherbourg peninsular. It came in a 75cl bottle with a wired cork as on a Champagne bottle. Needless to say a glass became a bottle and one became two. She who is seldom obeyed seemed to enjoy it as much as I did.
I had received a note saying that they were holding a tapas festival here and that had tickled my palate, although I had tried to get here before and made the mistake of going to Soi 10! The crepes options do seem to cover most possibilities in both a massive savoury section that included seafood, vegetarian and even curry options, and a sweet section with the classics of suzette and citron as well a delicious apple and raisin version that we had at the end.
As it was, we started with the mixed tapas plate for two that was okay rather than good. We then had a couple of crepes which I am afraid I rather rated as the tapas. I suppose at the end of the day crepes is crepes is crepes as they say. The crepes are made on a purpose built hot plate (to order) and nothing wrong there except it makes them very thin and thus the filling needs to really have some oomph. I found my 'supreme' which was really bacon and eggs in béchamel unfulfilling although I enjoyed the side dish we had of garlic prawns. However, as indicated, I did enjoyed the later pud.
I found this a very interesting place with an out-of-the-ordinary menu and some good ideas. The concept is French but the chef has strong Middle East-Mediterranean connections which produces a fascinating range of foods and ideas. I can understand why Crepes and Co has survived and flourished in this difficult location for so long . It is genuinely different and the ideal spot for either a light snack, or even a hungry pig. So a great spot to go when one wants 'not a lot' and the other feels like the pig. Then there is that Cidre from Hornfleur!