Sofi's Crepes a charming new place on Charles St.
Kate Denoyer
Issue date: 4/20/04 Section: Arts & Society
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I discovered Sofi's Crepes two weeks ago, and I've been there three times since. That's how good it is.
Although it's only been open for a little over a month, this tiny carry-out crepe restaurant has already established a loyal clientele of theatre-goers, local residents and business people. Above the window, a colorful banner declares, "Sofi's Crepes, Now Open" and a neon blue and purple sign reads the name of the restaurant.
Through the big window you can see the bright décor of Mediterranean blue walls, small orange cone lamps, a large print of the Chrysler building taken by the owner's friend, and a faux-fur orange picture frame displaying a photograph of a tri-color bearded collie.
A counter lined with plants, flowers, and dishes of cream and sugar for coffee separates the cozy standing area from the comfortably crowded cooking space.
Nestled between the Charles and Everyman Theaters, the line for crepes is often 20 people long on the weekends, according to owner Ann Costlow. "I'm so happy to be neighbors with the Charles Theater. We trade crepes for movies, and our customers can eat in their lobby."
Costlow is no newcomer to the treasures of French cuisine.
"I spent a lot of time in France, and I always missed the crepes while I was away," says the tall, blond, 30-something woman who was once married to a Frenchman and still goes back at least once a year. "So I decided to open my own place here, and spent three weeks traveling throughout France, especially Brittany, where crepes were invented. I tried all sorts of crepes, and I also went to creperies in Florida, Philadelphia and New York. Basically, I've been eating crepes for the past year."
She also attended Le Cordon Bleu, the renowned French culinary institute. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it, and Baltimoreans should be glad she chose to do it here.
The restaurant was a solid year in the making. Costlow acquired the 150-square-foot space on Charles Street and decided to name it after her 11-year-old bearded collie, Sofi, who "was my inspiration. She went through two surgeries but she just never gave up," remembers the owner with a smile.
Although it's only been open for a little over a month, this tiny carry-out crepe restaurant has already established a loyal clientele of theatre-goers, local residents and business people. Above the window, a colorful banner declares, "Sofi's Crepes, Now Open" and a neon blue and purple sign reads the name of the restaurant.
Through the big window you can see the bright décor of Mediterranean blue walls, small orange cone lamps, a large print of the Chrysler building taken by the owner's friend, and a faux-fur orange picture frame displaying a photograph of a tri-color bearded collie.
A counter lined with plants, flowers, and dishes of cream and sugar for coffee separates the cozy standing area from the comfortably crowded cooking space.
Nestled between the Charles and Everyman Theaters, the line for crepes is often 20 people long on the weekends, according to owner Ann Costlow. "I'm so happy to be neighbors with the Charles Theater. We trade crepes for movies, and our customers can eat in their lobby."
Costlow is no newcomer to the treasures of French cuisine.
"I spent a lot of time in France, and I always missed the crepes while I was away," says the tall, blond, 30-something woman who was once married to a Frenchman and still goes back at least once a year. "So I decided to open my own place here, and spent three weeks traveling throughout France, especially Brittany, where crepes were invented. I tried all sorts of crepes, and I also went to creperies in Florida, Philadelphia and New York. Basically, I've been eating crepes for the past year."
She also attended Le Cordon Bleu, the renowned French culinary institute. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it, and Baltimoreans should be glad she chose to do it here.
The restaurant was a solid year in the making. Costlow acquired the 150-square-foot space on Charles Street and decided to name it after her 11-year-old bearded collie, Sofi, who "was my inspiration. She went through two surgeries but she just never gave up," remembers the owner with a smile.