Why: If you have followed C’est La Vie from its humble beginnings in the back of the Angst Art Gallery in downtown Vancouver, you know it just keeps getting better with every relocation. Having recently moved from Battle Ground to Hazel Dell, its new digs provide everything we have come to love about it and more. In addition to delicious crepes and an expanded menu, a merge with Soir?e Supper Club adds a monthly supper opportunity, and a retail space has delicious offerings of locally sourced specialty food items and some outstanding wines.
What I tried: I settled on the open-face pistou sandwich and the French butter with lemon juice and powdered sugar crepe. My dining companion had the Monte Cristo crepe, which is new to the menu and has quickly become a favorite of diners.
The pistou begins with two thick slices of fresh bread topped with French style pesto. This pesto does not have pine nuts or Parmesan cheese in it, so it is less dominating than the Italian version. Mozzarella is the next layer of the sandwich, which is then topped with Kalamata olives and halved yellow and red grape tomatoes before placing in the oven for a proper toasting. The sandwich is then plated with an organic, mixed green salad. I found the sandwich a tasty combination and perfect balance of a few of my favorite things, and I was glad for the mild tasting pistou, which complimented the other ingredients nicely without taking away from them.
The salad consisted of mostly dark, leafy greens. Drizzled atop was the dressing, made in house with buttermilk and fresh herbs. It was some of the best dressing I have had. I often omit dressing from salads because most are so strongly flavored that it takes away from the point of having a salad, which, to me, is to experience the delicate nature of a garden. However, this dressing combined the essence of the herb and the vegetable garden competently, and the dressing’s texture was appetizingly silky instead of oily or syrupy.
My dining companion thoroughly enjoyed the Monte Cristo crepe, which is filled with Black Forest ham, oven roasted turkey and Gruy?re and topped with a generous slathering of raspberry preserves.
The crepe I chose is my go-to C’est La Vie sweet crepe. In my opinion, nothing speaks volumes for this French street-food staple quite like the simplicity of French butter, lemon juice and powdered sugar.
Menu highlights beyond what I tried: The fresh spinach, tomato and feta cheese eggs en cocotte (whisked and baked eggs) sounded delicious, as did the tuna melt made with albacore tuna salad, shallots, capers and Tillamook cheddar. The Figgy Piggy from the savory crepe selection, made with prosciutto and goat cheese and topped with fig jam and organic arugula, sounded very appetizing. Beverages include house made sodas, coffee, tea, juice, chocolate milk, hot chocolate and Perrier.
Atmosphere: Blue walls are skirted with white wainscot. Farm inspired tables are topped with fresh flowers and paired with contemporary chairs and complete the dining room in a simple and charming way. The space adjacent to the dining room provides an opportunity to shop for wine, cheese, crackers, chocolate and other items — some of which are used in menu items.
Other observations: Owner Keri Buhman is key to the success of her endeavor. Her knowledge and expertise ensure only the very best for her diners, and her smile and winning personality make everyone feel welcome and appreciated. The atmosphere is quaint and comfortable, the food is outstanding, and the additional offerings bring more value to a visit to C’est La Vie. If you plan on partaking in the monthly supper, reservations are required. Catering and private parties are available. To-go orders are accepted.
Cost: Eggs en cocotte are served with a baguette and butter or apple slices and cost $8 and $9 (diners may substitute a French croissant or scone for $2). Savory crepes cost $8 and $9 (add-ons are $1 to $2). Sweet crepes are $4 and $5. Meat and cheese plates are $8 to $15 and are served with a baguette, chutney, nuts and apple slices. Open-face sandwiches (tartines) are $10 and $11 and come with a mixed green salad with house made dressing. You may add a cup of soup for $3. Grilled cheese sandwiches cost $7 to $10 and are served with chips. You may add a salad or soup for $3. Salads are $10 and come with a baguette. Soup is $4 for a cup and $6 for a bowl and come with a baguette as well. Beverages are $3 to $6.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Where: 1307 N.E. 78th St., Suite 10, Hazel Dell.
More information: 360-258-1403 or www.cestlaviebistro.com. C’est La Vie is also on Facebook.
Health score: C’est La Vie received a score of zero on June 21. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants with a score of 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.
