Before boarding a high-speed train to London followed by a flight back to Los Angeles, we made time for one last lunch in Paris. For our final feast in the city, I desired nothing more than simple, perfectly made crêpes. While most visitors head to Breizh Café or Josselin for this Breton specialty, I took David Lebovitz‘s advice and sought out West Country Girl in the 11th arrondissement.
Here, at this minimally appointed restaurant on the Passage Saint-Ambroise, Breton-native Sophie Le Floc’h makes an assortment of sweet and savory crêpes.
There’s also plenty of cidre to go around, another Breton specialty.
Mom and I were in similar moods this afternoon and ordered nearly identical crêpes. Her buckwheat parcel included a sunny side egg, Swiss cheese, and two strips of smoky bacon.
Mine boasted an egg and Emmental as well, but in place of the strips of bacon were slices of Breton andouille Guéméné, a smoked pork intestine sausage. According to this website, “20 to 25 guts are required for one andouille!” What fun! With its concentric intestinal rings, the sausage was spectacularly chewy and undoubtedly unique.
The Astronomer was in a completely different mood from Mom and me and ordered a crêpe stuffed with goat cheese, spinach, and raisins. It was a touch plainer than what he had envisioned, but nothing that a dessert crêpe couldn’t rectify.
My final bite in Paris consisted of a warm and toasty crêpe drizzled with salted caramel and topped with a whole baked apple. It was sweet, salty, tart, and perfect.
The Astronomer’s lemon and honey crêpe suited him just right.
It was finally time to make our way home.
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West Country Girl
6 Passage Saint-Ambroise
75011 Paris, France
Phone: 01 47 00 72 54
Dear, sweet memories…
London
- Afternoon Tea at Brown’s Hotel – London
- Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – London
- Dinner is Served.
- St. John Bakery – London
- St. John Bar and Restaurant – London
- Sunday Roast at The Mall Tavern – London
Paris
- Chez l’Ami Jean – Paris
- Huîtrerie Régis – Paris
- L’Astrance – Paris
- Le Beurre Noisette – Paris
- Le Bistrot Paul Bert – Paris
- Le Chateaubriand – Paris
- Pistache. Citron vert-Basilic. Café. Caramel.
- Restaurant Joséphine “Chez Dumonet” – Paris
- Restaurant Pierre Gagnaire – Paris
- West Country Girl – Paris
Provence
- AOC – Avignon
- Ginette et Marcel – Avignon
- Lavender Waves of Lavender
- Sunday Market at L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Loire Valley
- In the Loire Valley: Searching for Châteaux, Finding Foie Gras and Goat Cheese Instead
- Le Turon – Tours
- Pastoral Ideal
Burgundy
- Les Terrasses de Corton – Ladoix-Serrigny
- On the Route des Grands Crus
- Route des Grands Crus – Burgundy
Normandy
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One year ago: Ngự Bình Restaurant – Westminster
Two years ago: Krispy Kreme Chicken Sandwich
Three years ago: Momofuku Ssäm Bar – New York City
Four years ago: Vegetation Profile: Bamboo Shoots
Five years ago: Dai Duong – Da Nang
Six years ago: Field Greens with Craisins, Mandarin Oranges, Goat Cheese & Balsamic Vinaigrette
One of my regrets was not having a chance to come here or eat any crepes for that matter! We simply ran out of time. It didn’t help that so many places are closed on Sundays.
My mom used to make a lemon and honey crepe back in the day. I love it and the sound of all the crepes you tried.
I’m from Paris, and I confirm ! Those guys make definitively the best crepes in Paris !
Love your blog by the way =)
This post literally makes my mouth water. I *love* crepes. When I was fourteen, I visited Paris and thought that the crepes alone were worth staying for. Someday I’ll go back. West Country Girl will be at the top of my list!
I love Boston. It has great food but still, you could never get crepes in Boston like you can in France.
What a delicious way to say goodbye to France. Thanks for sharing your eating adventures! 🙂
I think you’ll find those savoury buckwheat pancakes are called galettes.