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Crepes No Ka Oi in Kailua
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Mmm...crepes!
In France, the two most inexpensive eats for a student are either crepes or couscous. The first creperie I went to with friends in Lyon left an indelible impression on me.
My order of a savory buckwheat crepe filled with cheese came on a plate with the four corners folded over, and a runny egg on top. The perfect drink to go with your crepe is a cup of cidre (alcoholic apple cider).
It was a simple meal, but so tasty and filling — the cidre added just the right touch to the melted cheese.
That's why I'm so excited that here on Oahu, we now have our very first sit-down creperie — Crepes No Ka Oi on Hekili Street in Kailua.
Crepes No Ka Oi (No Ka Oi means "number one") is just off the main boulevard of Kailua town, but easy enough to get to (it's across from old Pali Lanes near the Foodland shopping center).
The inside of the restaurant is painted a cheerful, sky blue, and there are stacks of Nutella (hazelnut spread that's very addicting, so watch out!) along the front counter. You can take a seat at one of the tables or order out.
There are several choices of savory crepes, including Basic Breakfast (melted jack and cheddar cheese, scrambled eggs and oven-roasted turkey breast or honey ham), which is perfectly filling for breakfast or dinner. There's also Say Cheese (just cheese) or Say Cheese with Substance (cheese with honey ham or turkey). Also, Basically Mushroom, Southwest and Popeye's Power (spinach, onions, cheese, turkey or ham). One of the specials includes a creative spin — it's a crepe with pizza filling. Prices range from $7.50 to $8.50.
After a savory crepe, you've got to finish up with a dessert crepe -- my favorites are the Banane au Nutella (bananas with the chocolate-hazelnut spread) and Temptation in Paradise (cinnamon apples and brown sugar topped with whipped cream). Try the Temptation à la mode, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top — it's a great combination. Dessert crepes range from $5.50 to $7.50.
This is a great place to come for the gourmet loose-leaf teas as much as for the crepes -- there's a great selection including Organic African Red Roobias Tea Pomegranate and Herb &Spice Infusion Lavender Superior or Le Touareg 'Nana,' a minty tea with no caffeine. Teas cost $2.25, and are refilled at no fee.
The place is a dream come true for Chris and Rosario "Kakay" Tarvyd — and these crepes are, most appropriately, inspired by tropical Tahiti and the Philippines. These are light and fluffy egg crepes, not buckwheat crepes.
Chris fell in love with the crepe trucks on the wharf in Papeete, and Kakay grew up going to a favorite creperie in Cebu, where she adored crepes made with fresh local fruit. Turns out many of their first dates were over crepes. Most folks may recognize Chris and Kakay from their crepe stands at many fairs and festivals on Oahu over the years.
Crepes No Ka Oi is dog-friendly. If you've got your dog with you, then you can sit at one of the cast-iron tables outside (there are only two or three). The servers here are so friendly, they'll strike up a conversation any evening, and always bring a little container of water for our dog. That — and the tasty crepes and tea — keep us coming back.
Crepes No Ka Oi is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and closed on Tuesdays.
Crepes No Ka ‘Oi
131 Hekili St.
(808) 263-4088
For more info: Visit Crepes No Ka ‘Oi.
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