Euro Crepes Opens Tomorrow on South Broadway's Antique Row

Whether you call it Antique Row or the Green Mile, the stretch of South Broadway from Mississippi to Evans avenues is seeing a business renaissance fueled in part by the recreational marijuana industry and in part by sky-high rent rates pushing small-business owners toward previously neglected neighborhoods. Mehdi and Crystal Mdouari, newcomers to Denver, are getting in on the South Broadway action: They're opening Euro Crepes to the public starting tomorrow at 9 a.m.

The couple previously operated a small crepe eatery and catering business in Hawaii, but their new venture takes its inspiration from their recent tour of Europe, where they drove a tiny car through several countries, enjoying the food along the way. "It's all based on our honeymoon two years ago," Crystal explains.

The menu is divided in to savory and sweet crepes, each named for a country or famous landmark they encountered on their travels. There are also similarly themed panini, salads and appetizers, plus a full bar with signature cocktails and European wines and beers. The beverage list is rounded out with espresso drinks and fresh-squeezed lemonade in a variety of flavors (check out the pineapple-jalapeño), which can be spiked for an additional $3.50.

The decor emphasizes the buildings origins as a warehouse built in 1926, with a vaulted barrel ceiling, original windows, exposed brick walls and polished concrete floors. The industrial theme is carried through to the furnishings, much of which Mehdi built by hand, salvaging wood from the construction and using it as stool tops attached to legs made from threaded pipe. The tables and bar tops are made from sanded and varnished shipping pallets, as are wine racks and room dividers. Euro Crepes will feature a revolving selection of local art on the walls; this month's pieces are from artist Jesse Frazier, who is represented by Cabal Gallery just across Broadway. 

A glass garage door opens up to the parking lot but will soon become the entrance to a fenced patio which will be covered by the restaurant's liquor license.

Euro Crepes will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday and will be hosting a grand opening party this Sunday, August 30, with vendors and artists in the parking lot in addition to plenty of crepes and cocktails. The cafe joins a number of other bars and restaurants in the area, including Azucar Bakery, Corvus Coffee (where Euro Crepes has previously sold crepes from its mobile cart), Grandma's House Brewing, La Cour, and the nearby Declaration Brewing and Bear Creek Distillery just west of Broadway.