Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

New UES Creperie Combines French and Hungarian Flavors

YORKVILLE — Say au revoir to hunger.

Bonjour Crepes & Wine, located at 1585 Second Ave. near East 82nd Street, started serving sweet and savory quickbread specialties about a month ago, said owner and Upper East Side resident Parvez Eliaas.

The creperie replaced a now-defunct frozen yogurt buffet.

The eatery, which is open from 8 a.m. to midnight daily, differs from others in that the crepe batter recipe hails from Hungary — giving the thin pancake a hint of sweetness, Eliaas said.

"My wife, she's from Hungary," he said. "It's a recipe that came from my wife's family.

Crepes, as you know, are originally from Brittany and traveled around all over Europe as well as Hungary," he said. "It's one of the traditional dishes, they call it. They are basically the same, but the Hungarian way, it has a little hint of sweetness in the batter."

At Bonjour, Eliaas said, there are both fruity favorites — including crepes with poppy seeds and sugar and jam — as well as hearty picks, such as Hungarian ham with egg and cheese.

"The chicken gruyere is one of the best," he said.

Another favorite?

"Nutella with fresh berries," he said.

Eliaas said the shop has a wide variety of French and American wine — mostly half bottles including many pinot noirs, he said — as well as domestic beers.

Prices range from $4 for a plain crepe with sugar and butter to $9 for more involved, meal-sized dishes.

Eliaas, a veteran restaurateur who co-owns neighborhood Persian stalwarts Persepolis and Shalezeh, said he's excited to embark on his first crepe venture.

"So far every guest who has come in, they're really amazed with my food," he said. "I always see them leaving my place with the biggest smile on their face. That makes me really happy."