Joie "throwing a hissy fish" P.'s Profile

I'm a bit torn on this one.  I can give them props but give them a big no-no finger as well.

Firstly, the crepe making process is fun to watch and this place lets you.  Second,  everything they use is fresh.  The spinach & mushrooms were straight from the produce aisle.  The girl behind the counter was very likable and attended to each customer to the end.  So there are your 3 stars.

The other two stars are a negative because the size of the crepe was skimpy.  The amounts placed on the crepe were barely enough to feed one person, let alone two.   I have been to a phenomenal crepe place right here in the Pasadena area and they actually have a half or full order for their Brittany Crepes ( I get the half because the full is so effing big!).  I have also been to a few wonderful crepe places in SF and the one constant in all of them is that the crepes are abundant with meat, cheese & veggies.  They are folded only once to get all of that yumminess in.  If I wanted a quick to-go style munchie I would eat a churro.  Let's bulk those crepes up, eh Valerie?  In an effort to eat better and lighter and not go for the stuffed pizza across the way at Sbarro we should be rewarded with more mushrooms...more spinach....more, more, more.

I have no qualms about going to Valerie's again.  But with the knowledge that it's more of a snacky visit than a meal visit.

Comfortable, quaint, beautifully decorated & chock full of eye candy.
Now on to the coffee!
LOL
Seriously.  This place is gorgeously decorated.  The menu's are clearly displayed, artfully arranged & filled with so many options that it was very hard to decide.
We approached the counter and the lovely lady said "Whenever you are ready ladies".  Sweet!  I am!!
My mom ordered a chai latte and I asked if I could get the mexican hot chocolate dirty (she taught me that word and I absolutely love it!!)  You see, she only had a mocha or a hot mexican cocoa.  I asked if I could meld the two together.  She had no problem with that.  Bonus!  
I tried both the chai latte and "mexican mocha" and they were above and beyond the best I've had.  We also ordered an apple turnover (or something like it) but this was different from anything I have had.  This apple turnover was soft, flavorful and for some reason everything I ended up trying at this place melted in my fricken mouth!  I swear this woman must add some magical mega secret flavor additive to everything!
It was morning so I didn't order any sammiches but I did read the choices and they sounded so delish that I can't wait to go back and order one!
Try this place.  She also had wifi and she had her music choice on big band and swing (which I'm sure changes from time to time but the music she played was perfect!)
Go Now!

I stand corrected with this Whole Foods market.  
http://www.yelp.c...

It's a healthy persons wet dream.  It's also a chefs porn mag.  I first sat with brown rice sushi and a glass of Merlot and purveyed the area.  The food area was well thought out.  Each bar was well stocked with wonderful choices.  I had a hard time choosing.  The sushi won.  
OK...so here is a taste of what a food geek I really am.  I had close personal conversations with the wine Aficionado, Chocolatier & Poissonier!  The Wino in me was drawn to the Wine Steward.  I asked him about many of the wines in stock and NOT in stock that should be.  
I had a wonderful conversation with Miss Chocolat over there at the Chocolate bar.  She was awesome with her knowledge of her nummies.  I asked about garlic, olive & chile chocolate and she led me to the Ancho Chile caramel chocolate and Vosges bacon chocolate.  MmmmMmmmMmmm!!
I stopped at the fish counter and made chums with the fish guy.   We discussed the scarcity of Chilean Sea Bass , wild salmon vs. farmed and the similarities between his spicy cilantro marinade and chimichurri sauce.
All in all a very satisfactory visit.
The prices are still skyrocket high but some gems are there to partake of......and so I do.