Crepes for lunch
After I posted the photo of the Woman's Industrial Exchange this morning, I decided to wander up that way at lunchtime and see what was happening to the place. The lunchroom is closed, but the store is still open. More important, Sofi's Crepes is open downstairs for lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It's wonderfully cheerful looking, with a royal blue door and bright pansies in the window boxes outside. Inside, though, ...
...it looks like the WEI's luncheonette counter still, updated with a funky vibe, which was fine by me.
Only two other customers were eating at the counter when I was there, both alone, both reading. I joined them and had a mozzarella, chopped tomato and fresh basil crepe. It was doughy, but in a good way. (Maybe I was just hungry.) Anyway, it was better than most of the workday lunches I have, and I was sorry to see the place wasn't busier-- although more people trickled in while I ate.
Let me put in a plug for Sofi's, part deux. It isn't a cheap lunch, and I imagine there could be quite a wait if they got busy; but I feel like it's very brave -- an act of faith in downtown -- for owner Ann Costlow to have opened a second creperie there.
(Photo by me)
Comments
The downtown Sofi's completely captivated me. I, too, ordered the tomato-basil-mozzarella crêpe on my inaugural visit, though I wouldn't have described it as doughy, just perfect. Tender with slightly crisp edges and lots of gooey cheese and flavorful tomatoes and basil... (wipes drool from keyboard) The French-inspired décor is beyond charming, and it warmed my heart to see stacks of industrial-sized jars of Nutella behind the counter. The counter was full when I visited, and yes, you'll have to wait a little bit even if there are only two people in front of you, but it's worth it.
Posted by: Dr. Erlenmeyer Cantaloupe | April 30, 2008 9:19 AM
EL - You don't imagine that one of your dining "companions" was RtSO with his infamous Book, do you? Or perhaps Book was out and about and picked up someone on the sly ...
Posted by: Piano Rob | April 30, 2008 9:20 AM
And if you haven't been upstairs to the shop, stop in there, too! They have a terrific selection of hand-made items that you won't find in any other store around. They're all priced very well. For a present for a new baby, you can't beat their adorable handmade hats and blankets, and their fabulous selection of stuffed animals, hand-knit and felted.
Baltimore is only one of a few cities that still has a Women's Exchange. Please help keep it that way.
...and no, I am not on their payroll or board!
Posted by: Fairfax | April 30, 2008 9:57 AM
Mr. Piano Rob, you had to point it out, didn't you? Book is jumping and running around like a 4-year old od'ing on hfcs and sugar at the mention of one of its cousins may having almost, sort of, had lunch with Big Ace. Its going to be a long afternoon.
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | April 30, 2008 10:57 AM