Please note, Mamie's has now closed. Time Out Food editors, September 2019.
What’s more deliciously French than crêpes? Crêpes, galettes and cider. Which makes Mamie’s crêperie-cum-cidrotheque – that’s a cider bar, bébé – basically the culinary equivalent of Brigitte Bardot.
Set across three levels of a Covent Garden space, the vibe is cosy-chic, with lots of hanging plants, warm lighting and a little open kitchen – which you can peak into and watch the chefs work their magic. On my visit the basement cider bar was still under construction, so it was pancakes only, ordered via a swish iPad system and dished up in what felt like seconds.
First up were the galettes, French savoury pancakes made with buckwheat flour. Combining the chewiness of a dosa with the buttery crispiness of a crêpe, it’s the quality of this flat fella that makes Mamie’s such a big deal. The Forest Complète was excellent – topped with a luxurious melding of emmental, garlic mushrooms, thin-cut ham and beautifully runny egg – but the galette itself is so good you can ask for it plain, a perfect light bite for £3.50.
Things are almost as good on the sweet side of the menu. The La Gauguin crêpe was a wonderfully boozy mess of flambéed banana and chantilly cream – and arrived at the table literally on fire. Feeling health-conscious? There’s an option on those iPads to make your crêpe vegan or dairy free. In fact, you can use them to build your own personal crêpe-galette nirvana from a range of luscious toppings (goat’s cheese, blue cheese, honey, sausage… ooh la la!). Once the cidrotheque’s up and running, I just might move in. Bon appétit.