MANAYUNK

 

Frederic Elmalek and Fabrice Goutte embarked on a life-changing journey when they left their home of Lyon, France. After meeting nearly thirty years ago as classmates, the two entrepreneurs stirred up a mutual passion for authentic French cuisine. Not only did they set out to pursue the American dream, but more importantly, their ultimate dream of owning and operating a business while doing what they love.

Frederic and Fabrice brought their roots to our very own City of Brotherly Love, and they opened the first So Crêpe café on South Street in April 2013. Since then, they’ve put forth all their efforts to much more than just dipping and flipping delicious, one-of-a-kind crepes. The success of So Crêpe has been recognized and awarded for catering the most authentic French eating experience in the Greater Philadelphia area. This year, Frederic and Fabrice were pleased to announce the opening of their second So Crêpe location in the heart of Main Street Manayunk. I had the chance to sit down and speak with co-owner and chef Frederic, who has settled in quite well with the local business community as well as with managing the expansion.
 
Frederic first came to America after obtaining a Marketing & Management degree from his home university in France and studied as an exchange student at Suffolk University in Boston. Before traveling to the U.S., Frederic developed an appreciation for cooking at home with his family in Lyon. Some of his fondest childhood memories include cooking with his Maman and sister every Mother’s Day with the hope of creating something delicious and special each year.
 
Today, So Crêpe blends that same family tradition but with a modern twist. Frederic continues to be inspired by cooking techniques that include revising recipes, adding new ingredients, and creating a truly authentic eating experience for his customers. “I want to give every customer at So Crêpe a real taste of French culture,” he claims, “and the key to that success starts with quality ingredients.” Likewise, So Crêpe was built to be an open and inviting space with an exposed kitchen window and a flexible, diverse menu for customers. So Crêpe also has upscale interior designs and exquisite French decor incorporated with the contemporary indoor and outdoor seating.  
 
Whether you prefer savory or sweet, So Crêpe has the taste of authentic cuisine that is undeniably so-French. Frederic is proud of his original recipes on the menu and takes pride in the way he specially prepares each dish. "There's nothing to hide at So Crêpe," he claims, "that’s why every crepe always starts with homemade batter and cooked in front of customers from start to finish." These crepes stay in mid to low range price points; about $4.50 for the cheapest and up to $12 being the most costly. Typically, each specialty crepe on the menu is priced around $8, which is a bargain if you're looking for a true foreigner's taste.  All the chefs at So Crêpe are pleased to take any special requests, as they also like to experiment with new ingredients and traditional recipes. Frederic especially enjoys spicing things up in the kitchen at So Crêpe with new creations, such as slider crepes and crepe chips, that are sure to have your taste buds mouthwatering.

 

Behind the scenes at So Crêpe, Frederic works multiple jobs to ensure he is fully satisfying his customers. He is constantly cooking, cleaning, and contemplating new recipes for crepes. When asked what is most rewarding about his job, Frederic replied simply, "It's the whole idea of owning my own business. Working as my own boss motivates me to do better, and it also allows me to easily make all my other dreams for So Crêpe into reality." His three tips for running a successful restaurant is authentic cooking, good environment, and valued customer service. Frederic continued to explain that opening a second location in Manayunk has yet to bring any challenges, but instead only opportunities.
        
Frederic shared with me some of his latest ideas and future endeavors with So Crêpe. Behind the scenes, Frederic has been working on a new savory crêpe coupled with kale. His approach for creating new recipes always starts with using a new or alternative ingredient that complements well with the other basic goods. Aside from this sneak peak of a new crepe, Frederic hopes to incorporate more special events into his business that celebrate French culture. For example, "Bastille Day," honors the unity of the French people as a nation on July 14th. Another exciting summer event that takes place in France is Fête de la Music, also known as Make Music Day or World Music Day, an annual music celebration taking place on June 21st, the first day of summer in cities around the world. In light of these popular and beloved French events, Frederic has considered whipping up a special crepe for each. Be on the lookout for a colorful French flag or chocolate musical note on your next crepe!

 
In France, crêpes are enthusiastically received any time day - at breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea, or dinner. At So Crêpe, you can get that same experience in your neighborhood whenever you wish!  So Crêpe is expected to become another "hot spot" of the up and coming Main Street Manayunk, as it remains still a hidden gem to many Philadelphian food lovers. There was something about Manayunk that Frederic felt when leisurely riding his bike through the neighborhood looking at different properties for sale. To his surprise, he saw an untouched niche of people who wanted more from their dining experience. Since the second opening and big debut in Manayunk, So Crêpe has only seen bigger and sweeter opportunities. "I appreciate the neighborhood feel (like South Street) and value the small business community, even though the two locations are vastly different," he said. Frederic only hopes to become more involved with promoting Manayunk's beneficial aspects with his business or through other community events. So Crêpe embraces its international feel where anyone can enjoy a cross-cultural fusion of new and traditional food. Experience a traditional French delicacy of your own and try So Crêpe today!