Now open on the back side of the Ferry Building Marketplace in the former Frog Hollow Farm location is GRANDE CRÊPERIE, a French crêperie from Patrick Ascaso and Joanna Pulcini-Ascaso of Le Marais Bakery, with executive chef and longtime friend Emmanuel Pradet and consulting chef Emmannelle Condessa from La Bara-K Crêperie in Saint-Nazaire.
This project pays homage to the authentic crêperie experience found in Brittany, where Patrick spent his childhood, the home of the crêpe! There are naturally leavened sweet crêpes and savory buckwheat galettes using local ingredients (and from Ferry Building merchants), designed to be enjoyed on-site in their charming outdoor seating area with classic bistro chairs and a view of the back plaza, at their indoor tables, or rolled to go.
I swung by for lunch last week, and thoroughly enjoyed my la complete galette with French ham and Gruyère, crowned with a golden oeuf au miroir (sunny side up pastured egg). I haven’t had a galette this good since I was at Breizh Café in Paris far too many years ago—such wonderful flavor (j’adore buckwheat). There are so many creative combinations (like the Marguerite, an homage to pizza margherita)—survey the extensive menu and you’ll say, “Ooh la la!”
Now, I’m not the biggest sweet crêpe fan (I usually find them so overdone with toppings), but the Aurélia (named after the owners’ daughter) with salted caramel and crumbled spéculoos cookie was truly divine and delicate. I’m coming back for the honey-lemon soon. There is also a sarrasin buckwheat waffle cone filled with local Straus Milk’s organic soft-serve ice cream.
The counter is full of Breton pastries, such as kouign-amann, tarte Normande apple cake, and Nantes cake (a delicious almond-rum tea cake), along with Le Marais’s levain croissants, delightful morning bun, and other baked goods, along with a full coffee and tea menu featuring their French roast blend from Wrecking Ball. Be sure to take a look at their mini shop inside, with French cookies and confitures. The crêpe makers aren’t the only round things that are busy—there’s also a record player playing vintage French music.
Opening hours are Wed-Sun 8am-3pm, with plans to extend through dinner hopefully before the end of the month. Evenings will feature French cider on tap and cider and Champagne cocktails. Suite 46, Ferry Building Marketplace.
La Complete galette on the back plaza of the Ferry Building at Grande Crêperie. Photo: © tablehopper.com.
