Sofi's serves sweet and savory crêpes reminiscent of the city of lights

By: Elizabeth Laseter

Posted: 10/9/08

I first discovered the crêpe when I travelled to France on an exchange trip. For those who are unfamiliar with the crêpe, it is a thin but flavorful pancake filled with any number of mouth-watering ingredients - a delicacy indeed. There was a crêperie right next to my hotel in Paris. I remember having crêpes for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a week straight. It was a truly divine experience.

Years later, I was ecstatic to discover Sofi's Crêpes, a cozy, high-energy restaurant with a funky, eclectic vibe right here in Baltimore.

The restaurant is just a short walk from Penn Station, conveniently a JHMI shuttle stop. It is nestled between The Charles and Everyman Theaters and is a perfect pre- or post-movie treat. Sofi's is open late, until 11 p.m. everyday except Sunday.

Sofi's is moderately priced. Crêpes range from $4 to $8, so ordering more than one is affordable. Inside the rectangular-shaped restaurant, the walls are splashed with bright colors and upbeat music plays in the background, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The servers match Sofi's funky vibe as well. Everyone is young, hip and friendly, with an attitude that brings life to the restaurant.

There is both indoor and outdoor seating at Sofi's. The inside room includes a long bar against the window lined with black leather chairs. I've found that this area can get quite cramped when the restaurant fills with people. If the weather is nice, I recommend sitting outside at one of the tables. It's a great place to do some people-watching too.

Crêpes are ordered and paid for at the front counter. Service is speedy and efficient - I've never waited more than five minutes for a crêpe. Even better, the crêpes are prepared adjacent to the front counter, so I can watch my meal being made right in front of me. I always look for this quality in restaurants because I know that I am in fact eating real, fresh food! And Sofi's definitely passes the test.

Sofi's offers two different options on its menu - savory crêpes and sweet crêpes. Savory crêpes are filled with ham, turkey, mozzarella, cheddar or gruyere cheese, mushrooms and endless other items. Sweet crêpes are the ideal dessert, filled with Nutella, cinnamon, caramel and other indulgences. There is also a crêpe du jour. The savory crêpes are filling, but don't worry - you'll still have room for a sweet crêpe.

My biggest dilemma at Sofi's is choosing a crêpe because every one sounds (and is) delicious. For savory options, I recommend the Mozzarella, Fresh Basil, Tomato Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil crêpe. The combination of flavors is quite tasty. I also like the Ham, Gruyere and Dijon Mustard crêpe, which is simple but full of flavor. In fact, any ingredient can be added to a crêpe for just $1 more.

Also appealing is "The Kevin Bacon," which consists of turkey, bacon, cheese, tomato and 1000 Island dressing. The crêpe is named for the actor Kevin Bacon, who has eaten at Sofi's. The "Crêpe Florentine" is also appetizing, containing fresh spinach, mushrooms, gruyere cheese, sunflower seeds and a peppery Parmesan sauce. And the next time I go, I can't wait to try to BBQ Shredded Pork and Cheddar Cheese Crêpe.

Orders are flexible and can be modified any way you prefer. For example, my server had no problem withholding the Dijon mustard from my crêpe.

After enjoying two savory crêpes, I tackled the sweet crêpes. My favorite dessert crêpe is filled with Nutella, a chocolate hazelnut spread that is mouth-wateringly delicious. The Nutella crêpe may be simple, but it never disappoints.

This time, I tried the Apple Crisp, which contains apples, caramel and cinnamon with graham cracker crumbs. My apple chunks were a bit mushy though, distracting me from the cinnamon and caramel flavors.

I recommend sharing the Peanut Butter Cup Crêpe with a friend, as it's too rich to finish alone. The Butterscotch Crêpe is another simple but tasty crêpe that isn't too filling. The Turtle Crêpe, which combines chocolate, caramel and nuts, is another smart choice.

In addition to crêpes, the menu also offers coffee, tea, hot chocolate and Orangina, a sparkling orange soda from France.

I always leave Sofi's satisfied and with a full stomach. Sofi's claims it has "mastered the art of crêpes" on its Web site, and I have to agree. Without a doubt, Sofi's crêpes have an authentic French taste.