A Touch of France at La Crepe Michel -
Culinary Delight in Old Town Albuquerque
By
Bonnie Carroll
Hidden
away at the end of a lovely shopping street in Old Town
Albuquerque is an unexpected escape to France at La Crepe
Michel, where the menu and atmosphere offer an authentic
and delicious experience of a Paris cafe.
Owner
Claudie Zamet-Wilcox and her chef son Marc
Wilcox work happily together with their skilled staff
to create a delightful respite where patrons enjoy exceptionally
fine French crepes, along with signature entrée plates
and desserts.
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Claudie,
born in Lebanon, and educated in Paris, came to New Mexico with
her two young sons to begin a new life, following the purchase
of the French Café twenty-three years ago. Since that time
her son Marc has become a major asset by honing his fine skills
preparing and presenting outstanding French favorites. His touch
with crustless quiche and French signature cakes is uncanny. Anyone
familiar with these authentic recipes would assume he was trained
in France or did a stint at Le Cordon Blue. It is a pleasure to
sample these heavenly creations.
Claudie is the host with the most, and has the amazing charm I
have often experienced in the dining rooms and kitchens of Lebanese
friends and chefs. The main entrance of La Crepe Michel is a seductive
little patio that leads into a small entry dining room and the
kitchen area. At first glance you think this is it, but not so.
The restaurant rooms ramble back to an elegant dining room with
a fireplace that affords guests complete privacy and a very romantic
ambiance.
Lunch
Entrée
The
lunch menu changes daily and may include home-made soup, a crustless
quiche with a green salad, and fresh vegetables with butter. All
meals are served with a basket of divine French bread, and freshly
made iced tea or lemonade. Naturally, a variety of exceptional
crepes can be found on the menu, as well as delicious salad options.
Michel's
Salmon Crepe
The
dinner menu offers soup l'Oignon, pate de champagne maison, les
escargots, crepe de saumon, salade Nicoise and maison, crepes:
aux fruits de mer, a la ratatouille, aux epinards, boeuf bourguignon,
porc Dijonnaise, Saumon et Asperges, poulet Basquaise, epinards
et artichauts, aux champignons. Special entrees include steak
frites and truite aux amandes. Dessert crepes include a la confiture,
aux Fraises, aux trios crèmes, au chocolate, aux pommes,
au miel et noix, a la bananae at miel, au poivre, Helene, David,
Antillaise, and Suzette. Additional desserts include mousse au
chocolat, crème caramel, crème brulee, Charlotte,
tarte fine aux pommes, coupe glacee, sorbet framboise, as well
as an assortment of additional desserts.
Charlotte
Dessert
Aperitifs
include Lillet Blanc, Kir-Aligore and Crème de Casis, Kir
Royal and a variety of champagne, sauternes, vin doux, sherry
and port. Also served are beers from France, Belgium,Quebec, and
England. Naturally, they serve a collection of European style
coffee and tea. Claudie's place is a favorite hide-a-way for locals,
who all seem to love this talented gourmet driven family. Following
a shopping spree in Old Town or after sampling the New Mexico
diet for a week a visit to La Crepe Michel is
a delicious change.
La
Crepe Michel
400 S. San Felipe (Old Town Albuquerque)
(505) 242-1251
www.lacrepemichel.com