When I heard that there was a new crêpe spot in Downtown Greenville, I was excited to try out the place. After studying abroad in France this past fall semester, I was missing and craving these savory and sweet creations that had become a staple in my abroad diet. Though I found this place to be a cool spot, unfortunately, Crêpe du Jour did not live up to my hopeful expectations.
The restaurant, though narrow, is uplifting and spacious with warm lighting and a chic exposed brick interior. I was immediately drawn to the restaurant’s open plan which along with standard seating, includes two bar areas—one in front the expresso and alcoholic beverages, and another in front of the kitchen. The restaurant was full that night, but they were able to seat us at the bar looking into the kitchen. It was a pretty neat seating arrangement. We were right behind short pane of glass that stretched the kitchen’s length which divided the thin bar counter where we were sitting from the small kitchen.
Within a few minutes of sitting and waiting to be served, it was clear this place was not organized. There was so much mix up in the kitchen: hot crêpes that had come right off the griddle and sat plated on the counter that were never served to customers. The service was lacking and chaotic. After waiting nearly fifteen minutes for someone to come and hand us menus and take our order, another server came up and asked if we had been helped yet, only to be followed by another to come up and ask the same—clearly, not very organized. You could tell the servers were focusing their attention on the tables ordering fancy and expensive bottles of wine and champagne rather than two college kids.
The counter idea was cool, though. You are literally right in front of the kitchen and get to see everything being made. However, if you are going to have a kitchen that exposed for customers, it must be near perfectly run and organized. This kitchen wasn’t. While the chefs seemed professional, there lacked an order between the chef plating the crêpes and the servers. In addition, I was a bit repulsed by the chef plating the crêpes who shook a visitor’s hand and continued to handle the crepes, sprinkling the garnishes without changing her gloves.
Despite this revulsion, the crêpes weren’t a complete flop and in fact, were beautifully plated. I was also very happy to hear that the restaurant caters to gluten free people like me, offering a gluten-free crêpe option for a small up-charge. However, I was disappointed that the kitchen is not accommodating towards preferences or substitutions which was a downside.
The crêpes were in and out of the kitchen within less than ten minutes. They were hot and fresh and smelled delicious. Both of us ordered the Tomato Pesto Crêpe. The pesto and roasted tomatoes were flavorful and delicious. I couldn’t really taste the sautéed onions and goat and pepper jack cheese, however, but the crêpe was still tasty and filling. The gluten free crêpe itself was a bit dry but I assume that is just expected of gluten free batter.
Though we were too full for a sweet crêpe, from seeing them being plated and made, I can say they looked delicious. The coolest part of the evening was seeing the crème brûlée crêpe being prepared. The crêpe itself has an actual crème brûlée on top of it, and its caramelized sugary aroma smelled incredible. I wish I had ordered that for dinner instead.
The flips? Warm, fairly flavorful and filling crêpes that are out quickly and nicely presented. The restaurant also has a chic and warm atmosphere, and the kitchen-view bar seating is a neat feature. The flops? Slow and disorganized service that seemed uninterested and superficial.
I know a number of people who have been to Crêpe du Jour and only have wonderful things to say. Perhaps the restaurant was having an “off” night. Nevertheless, I am in no rush to return. But if Tandem is growing old on you and you’re dying to try a new crêperie, you might as well give Crêpe du Jour a try.
