Why: For years, Mon Ami has been the go-to place for crepes and Stumptown coffee in Vancouver’s Uptown Village. With hours that accommodate every meal of the day and a crepe for every one of those meals, it offers something for everyone. Beverages extend beyond what one may expect to find and include beer, wine, mimosas and an extensive coffee and espresso selection.
What I tried: I had the bacon, spinach and tomato crepe with feta cheese, and my dining companion tried the French club crepe. For drinks, I had the spicy black Dragonfly Chai, and my dining companion had a simple Americano.
Our drinks were up first, and while my dining companion enjoyed her Americano, I was glad to have chosen the chai. It had a wonderful, holidaylike and spicy-sweet flavor.
Both of the crepes came with so-called “mixed greens,” which at the time of my visit were simply butter leaf lettuce tossed in house vinaigrette.
The French club crepe is made with white batter and filled with apricot jam, Boar’s Head bacon, sliced Brie and Boar’s Head hickory-smoked turkey. My dining companion liked the sweet-and-savory quality of the crepe and its contents, but noted that a bit less Brie would be more to her liking because it overwhelmed much of the crepe.
The bacon, spinach and tomato crepe that I had was made with buckwheat batter and tasted precisely as I expected: very healthful with distinct flavors, which were evenly distributed throughout the crepe.
Atmosphere: The eclectic combination of art, furniture, lighting and service feels very Portland inspired. Seating consists mostly of tables and chairs, and there is a single corner booth that’s not situated in a corner, as well.
Menu highlights beyond what I tried: The ham, pear and Brie crepe sounded like a good brunch option. The creamy wild smoked salmon crepe, made with salmon, sour cream, cream cheese, dill and tomatoes, sounded delicious. There is a vegetarian option that contains spinach, tomatoes and a choice of cheese. For Nutella fans, the Nutella and banana crepe topped with powdered sugar, chocolate drizzle and whipped cream is sure to please, as is the Nutella, raspberry and bacon crepe. I was happy to see one of my favorite crepe varieties on the menu: Mon Ami calls it The Simple. This one has fresh-squeezed lemon, butter and sugar inside.
Other observations: Service is casual and friendly, and the crepes are expertly made. Outdoor seating is available. Mon Ami also provides free Wi-Fi.
Cost: Savory crepes cost $7 to $8.50. Sweet crepes cost $5 to $6.50. Gluten-free or dairy-free batter is an additional 75 cents. Coffee and espresso beverages come in 8-ounce, 12-ounce and 16- ounce sizes and range from $1.84 to $4.70. Fruit smoothies are $4.25 for 16 ounces.
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Where: 1906 Main St., Vancouver.
Contact: 360-750-5693 or www.monamicoffee.us
Health score: Mon Ami received a score of 5 on April 22. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants with a score of 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.
