It is an early fall morning on Castro Street: while downtown Mountain View may just be waking up, Crepevine is already full of families and friends. The family-owned eatery, known for its breakfast and brunch food, is the next stop on our exploration of all the delicious food Castro Street has to offer.

When we entered the bustling restaurant, we were kindly greeted by the staff, who directed us to order at the cashier. The wooden decor, handwritten menu, and abundant pumpkin and squash decor created a cozy, fall ambience. Mirrors all around the space gave the impression that the restaurant is larger than it actually is, and the large windows connected the indoor and outdoor seating.

We decided to order the popular house potatoes, a savory crepe, and a sweet crepe.

Appetizer:

House Potatoes (8.2/10)

The house potatoes came out within a few minutes of us being seated, despite the excessive number of customers in the restaurant. It was the perfect amount for the three of us to share, as we were satisfied yet still eagerly anticipating the arrival of our entrees. The potatoes were well seasoned with a mixture of parsley and other herbs. We found that some of the potatoes were crispy while others were soft. Although this inconsistency could be seen as unfavorable, we enjoyed the variety in the textures. 

Crepes:

Crepes are thin pancakes that can be sweet or savory, depending on toppings and fillings. Crepes are originally from Brittany, France. First created in the 13th century when porridge was dropped onto a pan, they soon became popular because they were cheap and easy to make. These days, crepes are extremely popular and even seen as a token of France as they have spread throughout the world. Crepevine adds its American bistro charm to the original crepes, with toppings ranging from ice cream and bananas to salsa and veggies. 

California Savory Crepe (8/10)

The California savory crepe additionally came with a side of salad and a choice of fries or house potatoes.

Crepe (8.67/10)

This crispy, cheesy crepe was filled with perfectly cooked vegetables—sautéed bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes—and topped with salsa fresca, sour cream, and avocados. Melty cheddar cheese enveloped the vegetables, adding a softer texture to contrast the crispy crepe. Unfortunately, the avocados were underripe, but we still recommend this dish for vegetable and cheese lovers.

Sweet Potato Fries (4/10)

On the other hand, the sweet potato fries were disappointing, due to already being cold and soggy when we were served. As one could say, the fries were “tragic.” However, not all was lost, as with ketchup, they were not too shabby. Luckily, next time we know to choose the house potatoes or another type of fries for our side.

Salad (7.9/10)

After the fries, the salad managed to save the dish. Although it originally appeared less compelling than the crepe and fries, we were pleasantly surprised by how tasty it was. With fresh, well-seasoned spring mix, and an in-house sweet and salty vinaigrette, the salad perfectly tied all the components of the dish together.

Jamaican Sweet Crepe (8.67/10)

The Jamaican sweet crepe consisted of bananas in a caramel rum sauce topped with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. The warmth of the bananas and cool of the ice cream wonderfully contrasted each other, dissolving together on the tongue. However, while delicious, if not eaten fast, it begins to resemble not so much a crepe but a sugary soup with bits of baked batter. We all agreed that the crepe to sauce ratio was imbalanced and wished that the dish was less soggy.

Overall, we would recommend Crepevine for its large variety of breakfast foods, fast service, and cozy atmosphere.