Oh Crêpe! is known for its crêpe cakes. Flavors change frequently since chef Claire Corvaisier bakes with whatever ingredients she has on hand at a given time. Photos: Chris Emeott
A delicious new French dining experience brings sweet surprises.
There are 4,039 miles between Edina and Brittany, France. The region is best known as the birthplace of crêpes. But you won’t need to hop on a plane to get an authentic crêpe because Edina has welcomed an adorable and authentic creperie to France Avenue, born of nostalgia and cultural pride of a Brittany native, Claire Corvaisier.
Claire Corvaisier
Corvaisier grew up in Brittany, along with her five siblings, and much like other places in Europe, they walked everywhere, including home from school for lunch every day. With a larger family, cooking at home was essential, and she watched her mom provide countless meals for her family.
“I was always in the kitchen. I would sit at the counter and do my homework quickly, so I could cook,” Corvaisier says. With her mother by her side, she learned to hone her skills. “I love how sharing a meal brings people together … It’s a shared experience that is so special.”
For those with a sweet tooth, try the Dark Chocolate and Almond crêpe which has a delicious chocolate ganache and roasted sliced almonds. Oh Crêpe! also has a variety of coffee, including a matcha latte. All these delectable treats on the menu are creatively displayed on the shop’s wall.
Located in northwestern France, Brittany is known for its coastal charm, culture and cuisine. Crêpes are a crowd pleaser for breakfast, lunch or dinner because they are delightfully versatile and capable of satisfying anyone, from savory seekers to sweet tooths.
The Roasted Bell Pepper is one of the many savory crêpes on the menu. It features cheddar, roasted bell pepper caramelized onions, tomatoes, spinach and chipotle mayo.
“It’s such an easy food; it’s something we eat weekly in Brittany,” Corvaisier says. But once in Minnesota, she had difficulty finding authentic crêpes, especially savory versions made with buckwheat. “The distinction is that savory crêpes are always made on a buckwheat crêpe,” she says. “I love the taste and texture of it because it’s unique and adds a lot to the other savory ingredients and balances it well.” Armed with the knowledge of the gap in French cuisine, Corvaisier set her sights on the food industry, a long-standing dream since her mother’s impact. Starting first by making crêpes for family and friends and at fairs and festivals, she whet her appetite for the business. Keying in on a storefront, Corvaisier knew in her heart that a permanent location would be the new iteration of her American Dream. Oh Crêpe! came to life.
Aside from the traditional crêpe recipes and ingredients, Oh Crêpe! also entices visitors to try a slice of its towering crêpe cake. Its flavor often changes, depending on what Corvaisier has on hand. She hadn’t explored crêpe cakes until 2020, when she embraced the time quarantined at home by getting creative in the kitchen. “I had seen the crêpe cakes before. I was hesitant … but for six months, I made a new cake each week, inventing new flavors and posting them on social media for fun,” she says.
Celebrated with enthusiasm for their beauty, those 20 some crêpe cakes in 2020 unknowingly paved the way for the menu spotlight they hold at Oh Crêpe!. For those unfamiliar, this style of cake features 25 layers of sweet crêpe, alternating with 25 layers of sweet cream. It is a time consuming effort that requires immense skill.
It’s safe to say the community of Edina is thrilled to have such deliciousness in its backyard, but Corvaisier was intentional about where Oh Crêpe! landed. Beyond adorable neighborhoods and great restaurants, the vibe of the area felt right to her. “Our kids go to [Normandale Elementary’s French immersion program in Edina], and the influence of the area feels French. It feels homey because you can walk or bike everywhere,” she says. “I knew if I opened a place, it would have to be in a neighborhood with a community that feels like this.”
The Affogato is topped with a La Mère Poulard butter biscuit.
The support of Normandale Elementary and the community has since impacted Oh Crêpe! in meaningful ways. Teacher Isabelle Skoog worked with Corvaisier to custom design and paint art that is displayed in the restaurant. Inspired by Brittany, the modern, colorful pieces give subtle nods to her origin, images of a fisherman, a market and the Brittany landscape. In addition, fresh flowers are brought in by a family friend and parent of one of the employees, an avid gardener who offers to beautify the space with blooms.
Hot chocolate is served with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
And if those factors weren’t enough, the ambiance of Oh Crêpe! is approachable and cozy, making it easy for time to pass and conversation to flow. With whimsical wallpaper, live plants on the windowsill and a variety of gold, wood and marble accents, Oh Crêpe! is as delightful as it is delicious. “You don’t realize the value and richness of your culture until you leave it,” Corvaisier says. But with Oh Crêpe! in town, we can all embrace both the culture of Brittany and the cuisine born from it.
Oh Crêpe!
4408 France Ave. S.; 612.440.8998
Facebook: Oh Crêpe
Instagram: @ohcrepemn
