Fun &  frivolous side of French

When people think of French cuisine, they normally think of high-end dishes that set gourmets’ moustaches all a-quiver, yet often overlooked is the simple joy of one of France’s greatest gifts to the world: the plain old crepe. A La Galette Creperie on Szondi utca dedicates itself to rustling up plentiful variations of this tasty and filling treat.

The restaurant focuses largely on two things: the galette - a buckwheat crepe with a savoury filling - and standard crepes with a variety of sweet fillings.
Some twenty galettes are available, ranging from a simple egg galette at HUF 600 to the big daddy of the galette world: La Savoyarde at HUF 2,500. La Savoyarde is stuffed with raclette cheese, ham, potatoes and cream, and is a beast. Despite the size of the portion, the creamy texture and addictive raclette cheese finds the diner desperately trying to force in the last mouthful even if there is not enough room in the stomach for a wafer-thin mint. There are also options with salmon, beef or bacon.
Vegetarians have plenty to choose from, for example La Larzac, which at HUF 2,500 combines blue cheese, cream, walnuts and green salad. However, La Dauphiné - potatoes, cream, nutmeg and cheese - is highly recommended as a tasty yet cheaper option at HUF 1,550.
The crepe purist and the sweet-toothed out there may consider going straight to the sweet. A La Galette offers over 20 sweet crepes. The simple chocolate option at HUF 650 is not unlike a Hungarian palacsinta, but the deluxe models are a different matter.
La Drome (HUF 1,300) - with red fruits, strawberry ice cream, peach and whipped cream - is a wonderful blend of ingredients that may send your blood sugar levels soaring but sets your taste buds sighing. For those that don’t mind risking their eyebrows, several flambé crepes are also available in the HUF 1,100-1,500 price range.
The French owner herself provides the friendly and fast service in pleasant surroundings. The creperie has a nautical theme, and its blue and white colour scheme and good natural light create a bright-yet-relaxing atmosphere. For those who want to experience real French food, but can’t quite afford to stump up the high prices for the snooty experience, A La Galette is hard to beat.

A La Galette Creperie
Szondi utca 11, District VI
Open: Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 11p; Sunday 11am to 3pm
Tel: 302-6925

Michael Logan
www.budapesttimes.hu - Monday, June 11, 2007