One of the things I have missed most since my entrance into poverty is going out to eat. I love good food, and I LOVE restaurants. It's something I've enjoyed since I was a little girl. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy a homecooked meal too, but there is just something so special and celebratory about eating a meal and drinking a glass of wine in a restaurant. It's extravagant. It's frivolous and luxurious. And I love it. Especially since moving to Long Beach. There are so many amazing, locally owned restaurants here. I love supporting business owners within my community and patronizing a business to the point where the owners and other regulars know you by name. There's something so community building about it. That's probably my favorite thing about Long Beach - the community spirit and abundance of locally owned, non-corporate, non-chain businesses. It's something that I've been pretty bummed about missing out on for the last few months. In order to not feel like we're completely missing out on life and the things we love, Levi and I have figured out a few ways to get our restaurant fix (he loves eating out as much as I do) without completely going outside of our budget. The best way to do this is to split entrees. Unfortunately, Levi has the world's fastest metabolism and the huge appetite that comes with it, so this can be difficult sometimes. We've found a couple different places that have menu items that are large enough and rich enough to satisfy Levi's appetite and both of our tastes. We had the most delicious lunch at a little place in Belmont Shore today. The restaurant is called La Creperie.
It's a yummy little bohemian, French bistro specializing in its namesake - crepes! La Creperie is actually pretty special to us - it's the place where our friendship went from just friends to something more while splitting a bottle of Pinot Noir and our favorite crepe. Today we shared the Croque Madame. Mmmmm.
I borrowed this one from someone's flickr.
I love the contrast between the gilt framed mirrors and the brick wall.
I want one.
It's a yummy little bohemian, French bistro specializing in its namesake - crepes! La Creperie is actually pretty special to us - it's the place where our friendship went from just friends to something more while splitting a bottle of Pinot Noir and our favorite crepe. Today we shared the Croque Madame. Mmmmm.
It's a sandwich layered with French bread and turkey (it's supposed to use ham, but we substitute turkey because I prefer it), covered with bechamel sauce, and topped with an over easy egg (take off the egg, and you've got yourself a Croque Monsieur). It's very very rich and very very delicious. La Creperie serves theirs with a side of garlic and parsely French fries and a mixed greens salad. Look at how large my half of the serving is! I can't imagine eating the whole thing...especially for lunch. I'd explode! After lunch, we walked around 2nd street and popped into a couple of interesting shops just to browse, read some magazines at Devynn's Garden (an outdoor magazine/flower shop whose shopkeepers never seem to get annoyed if you don't buy anything), and then scored free traditional cappucinos at Peet's, our preferred coffee retailer.
borrowed from Long Beach's Press Telegram
It was such a nice day. And it only cost us $13.21 plus tip!
We'll have to skimp on our dinner tonight to make up for it, but it's not too bad for the couple with no disposable income!
Looks very yummy!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comments on my blog....you made my day. :)
It reminds me of our Paris bistro's!! How cool you have a little bit of France in your town! I just have to say that I LOVE Peets!!! I am from San Diego (L.A., too) and there are several Peets in SD, as well... My hubby, who is French also ADORES Peets and when we're in San Diego visiting... he takes two Peets cappuccino's (large, mind you) for breakfast... Can't WAIT to get back to Calif. this summer so I can enjoy some Peets!!
ReplyDeleteHaha! That's awesome, Leesa! :) It's such good coffee....speaking of, I am actually sitting in Peet's right now enjoying a traditional cappuccino and some lovely classical music. :) You're going to have a very nice trip this summer.
ReplyDeleteLa Creperie is great. I'm sure it's nothing compared to a real Parisian bistro but it tries! I can't wait to get myself to Paris. I could probably be happy eating nothing but French food for the rest of my life. Mmmmmm. :)
Hehe... I'm jealous that you were at Peets!! I love the one in MB. Do you know Le Pain Quotidien resto? I don't know if they have one in LB, but it's a great resto if you guys have a chance to check it out! After reading this, I just realized that I already wrote that I'm coming to Cali this summer so please disregard the fact that I wrote it AGAIN in another comment... It's old age, sorry... Once you hit 40 you're memory goes! : ) You are still young!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to go to Peets... Hope you make it over to France... I hope the economy gets better .... Take care... Leesa
Mmmm... That place looks wonderful!
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