Dining Out 2 minutes 05 November 2017

The Breakfast Club: Giving a Crêpe about Brunch

Because they're delicious when sweet, savoury or doused in a sauce of sugar, butter and Grand Marnier.

They're paper-thin and almost invisible when paired with wobbly poached eggs and smoked salmon or a gloriously tart berry compote; crepes often take a backseat in this breakfast dish. It's usually not the crepe that we love but the deliciousness it comes with.

But what most of us don't realise is how imperative it is to get the thin sheet of batter right. Spread it a layer too thick on a pan and you'll get a rubbery, flabby crepe. Too thin, and it'll break at the slightest touch. But do it just right and you'll find yourself with a wonderfully crisp, wafer-thin layer of sustenance to your Sunday breakfast.

Here are five spots to visit if you're feeling a little fancier than pancakes this weekend.

The art of making breakfast crepes over a hot, flat griddle
The art of making breakfast crepes over a hot, flat griddle
Ô Comptoir
79 Circular Rd
Opening hours: 11am to midnight, Mon & Tues. 11am to 1am, Wed & Thur. 10am to 2am, Fri & Sat. 10am to 10pm, Sun.

One look at their menu and you'll understand why they're the leading authority on crepes in the city. Ô Comptoir is serious about their french pancakes – their deessert crepes are made with wheat flour and their savouries, buckwheat. If you're an adventurous eater, they've got crepes stuffed with duck confit, chicken marsala and chili crab. But if you're looking for a taste of the classics, they've got you covered too.

The White Rabbit
39C Harding Rd
Opening hours: 12pm to 2.30pm for lunch, Tues to Fri. 10.30am to 3pm for lunch, Sat & Sun. 6.30pm to 10.30pm for dinner, daily. Closed on Mondays.

Word of advice: make your reservations before heading down. Housed in a restored chapel with tinted stained glass windows and buttress ceillings, The White Rabbit is one of the most romantic restaurants in town. Their brunch is varied and decent but what we're after is their silky crepe suzettes, a French dessert consisting of a crepe topped with a sauce of caramelised sugar and butter, juice and zest of a citrus, and Grand Marnier. The White Rabbit prepares this dish with unexpected panache: a table-side performance of dancing flames.
For a sweet treat, opt for a crepe slathered with a tart berry compote and jam
For a sweet treat, opt for a crepe slathered with a tart berry compote and jam
Entre-Nous Creperie
27 Seah Street, #01-01
Opening hours: 12pm to 2.30pm for lunch, 6pm to 9.30pm for dinner, Tues to Fri. 11am to 9.30pm, Sat. 11am to 5.30pm, Sun. Closed on Mondays.

Among the sea of spiffy-looking shopfronts and fancy, new eateries on Seah Street lies an unassuming restaurant specialising in all things crepe. The decor is modest, menu unpretentious and the crepes, downright delicious. A crowd favourite is their sweet crepe topped with a homemade salted butter caramel, apples and vanilla ice-cream that's of course, homemade too. And fret not if you haven't got a sweet-tooth, they've got plenty of savoury options.
Henri Charpentier's signature crepe suzette ($21.40) comes with a real boozey kick
Henri Charpentier's signature crepe suzette ($21.40) comes with a real boozey kick
Henri Charpentier
Tanjong Pagar MRT Station, 15 Wallich Street, #B2-7
Opening hours: 8am to 10pm, Mon to Fri. 10am to 8pm, Sat & Sun.

The French-Japanese pastry establishment Henri Charpentier began as a cafe at Ashiya City, Hyogo prefecture known for its crepe suzettes in 1969. Today, it has over 80 stores across Japan and two in Singapore. But their famed crepe suzette, while delicious, divides people. Customers either love the soft, silky texture of Henri Charpentier's crepe suzette punctuated with a real alcohol kick or they hate it, preferring the wafer-thin, crispy goodness that's been nicely browned on a hot griddle.
Savoury crepe of serrano ham and fresh greens
Savoury crepe of serrano ham and fresh greens
Antoinette
30 Penhas Road
Opening hours: 11am to 10pm, Mon to Thurs. 11am to 11pm, Fri. 10am to 11pm, Sat. 10am to 10pm, Sun.

Named after the last queen of France who is famously attributed to the phrase, "Let them eat cake", Antoinette is the quintessential Parisian pâtisserie. Thus, it is not surprising to learn about their veritable menu of crepes. Think crispy crepes topped with roast chicken and a creamy morel mushroom sauce or nougatine ice cream and caramelised filo. Yum.

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