Griddle me this, and fast

By Justin Rude
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 3, 2011

One wouldn't normally describe a menu of 74 items as simple, but when those items are all slight variations on the same dish, a case can be made. Such is the situation at Point Chaud Cafe & Crepes, a creperie with two 14th Street locations that opened last year. Both spaces host a healthy lunchtime buzz (which can be a bit more of a roar at the downtown location) and excel at providing a quick and affordable sit-down lunch without making guests feel rushed.

On the menu: Point Chaud's comprehensive, if unsurprising, menu of classic crepes offers 51 sweet varieties and 23 savory selections. Don't let the numbers daunt you; most are variations on a few themes. Nutella with strawberry and banana, Nutella with strawberry and raspberry, and Nutella with strawberry and blackberry are three menu items. Savory options include many variations on an egg-and-cheese theme but also such choices as roasted eggplant, sauteed and grilled chicken, and tuna and spinach with feta and black olives.

The crepes are slightly heavier than the French ideal, though that flaw is mitigated by the cooks' generosity with their fillings. That makes Point Chaud a better source for, say, the King Samm (almond powder, banana, coconut, Nutella and whipped cream) than for a plain crepe with butter.

At your service: Order at the counter and take a seat. The crepe-smiths do their work quickly, making this a great option if you are worried about stretching your lunch hour.

Something chaud: Looking for a good neighborhood alternative for your morning latte habit? Point Chaud serves Illy coffee products. (Though you risk turning it into a morning latte-and-Nutella-crepe habit.)

Something froid: Just in time for summer, the downtown location has started serving house-made gelato.