Here’s the Dish: Crêpes on Columbus’s Chocolate Lovers Crêpes

By Ava Stryker-Robbins

There is something undeniably enticing about crêpes. Their sweet, thin dough. The layers of fillings that can be folded inside. The fact that they are versatile enough to eat for breakfast, snacks, or a more substantial meal. Crêpes are simply delicious, regardless of when or how they are consumed.

The Chocolate Lovers Crêpes — despite their name — are crêpes in which customers can choose three fillings of any type. These include imported Belgian chocolate, butter, Nutella, caramel, marshmallows, nuts, fresh fruit, and more. Steve Hlay, the owner of Crêpes on Columbus (and the first Trudy’s Ice Cream store across the street, a family-run business since 1949), wanted to ensure that while customers had a wide selection of crêpes, they could also create their own combination of ingredients; “make your own masterpiece.” This dish has been served since the restaurant opened in 2004.

WSR tried the Chocolate Lovers Crêpes with Belgian dark chocolate, Nutella, and strawberries. The sweetness of the Nutella and chocolate is perfectly cut by the tart strawberries. The crêpe itself is also delicious: warm, perfectly cooked, and made from scratch. Each bite of this wonderful dessert melts in your mouth and satisfies every sugar craving you could possibly have.

Crêpes on Columbus serves a variety of sweet and savory crêpes, as well as other French dishes. Hlay, whose mother is French, is a self-professed dessert lover who had “always wanted to open up a restaurant.” With Crêpes on Columbus, Hlay was able to combine his love of French food and desserts, and begin serving them to the public. The recipes served at Crêpes on Columbus were mostly created by the head chef who has been working with Crêpes on Columbus for 18 years, but some recipes were created by Hlay’s mother and his wife, Monika.

Crêpes on Columbus has a very homey, comfortable feel. According to Hlay, Monika was the interior designer of the restaurant and they remodeled the institution during the pandemic. The dining experience was certainly enhanced by the beauty of the room. Crêpes on Columbus has both indoor and outdoor dining options.

The Chocolate Lovers Crepe with three fillings costs $12, with additional fillings available for $3 each.

The Dish: Chocolate Lovers Crepes
The Restaurant: Crêpes on Columbus (990 Columbus Ave between 108 and 109th Streets)

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