aixcentric

What with Chandeleur in France and Pancake Tuesday in the UK, February is a good time to get whipping up some batter for pastries and crepes.  But if you prefer to treat yourself to something here in Aix, there’s lots of choice.

As well as navettes  (see last post), the traditional pets de nonnes – nuns’ farts – are in the artisanal boulangeries in town – just under 4 euros for 100g of the delicious sugary pastries that are much more fragrant than their name suggests!

Crepes make a perfect light lunch and we are lucky in Aix to have some good creperies. As well as traditional pancakes, most offer ‘crepes au sarrasin’ which is the traditional dark flour (farine de blé noir) used in Britanny.

So where better to try one than ‘Crepes, Cidre et Compagnie’, a tiny centre ville resto run by Breton chef Delphine.

I sampled the galette forestiere, a whole-flour pancake with wild mushrooms, goats cheese and cream.  It was delicious but so filling that I couldn’t test the dessert crepes!  The restaurant is open Tues-Sat, 10-18:30. 23 Rue de la Cepede.

If you want somewhere more central and open in the evening, I suggest ‘La Crep Sautiere’. It’s been in business since 1973.  You step through the door at 18 Rue Bedarrides straight into a 16th century olive mill.  Quite extraordinary and a must for visitors.  Does takeways,  Open Tues-Sat, 12-14:00 and 19:30-23:00.

Another option, ‘La Patacrepe’ is in the Place des Augustins. Unlike the other two, you can sit outside on the ancient square and watch the world go by.  And it’s a favourite of la fille Aixcentric as you can get a pram in and out relatively easily.

Also unlike my first two choices, this is open daily (11:00-midnight).

Not a dedicated creperie, but a good people-watching spot is the Cafe Roi Rene at the top of the cours Mirabeau.  They have a small menu of pancakes under 4 euros….the lemon-and-sugar ones are delicious, but they aren’t served at lunchtime when I think they prefer people to eat a proper meal!

                                                               Bon Ap’!