Dining Spotlight: CT European Cafe and Grill; A World of Possibilities
CT European Café and Grill, 4064 Mother Lode Drive, Shingle Springs, 530-677-5993, crepetowncafe.com
Not only does the aptly named CT (short for Crêpe Town) European Café and Grill in Shingle Springs serve up the best sweet and savory crêpes north of, well, anywhere, and a long list of American brunch classics, but scratch-made Eastern European eats, too—like cevapicci, goulash, paprikash, and schnitzel. Since the owners, Alma and Edi Zildzo, originally hail from Bosnia and Croatia, rest assured that these time-tested recipes come with a healthy helping of love.
My husband and I stopped by on a recent Saturday morning and were instantly charmed by the friendly service and quaint, cozy décor that boasts both booths and tables, as well as a spacious patio for summer dining.
I chose the Sunrise Crêpe from their “Favorites” portion of the menu, which comes standard with scrambled eggs and melty white cheddar and allows customers to select add-ons for an additional cost—from bacon and bell peppers to spinach and sausage. Bursting with my choice of toppings and fresh avocado, the crêpe itself was light, flavorful, and the perfect vessel for all the tasty toppings. There was no shortage of cheese either, which is always a good thing where savory crêpes are concerned. The accompanying hash browns were just the way I like them, too: golden and delicious.
My husband’s generously portioned pork schnitzel had the most delightfully crispy coating and was accompanied by lemon slices and side of garlicky sour cream that paired perfectly. The meat itself was tender and flavorful, and the spaetzel fries were a unique and tasty surprise; instead of the normal “scrambled egg” appearance, they looked like short noodles, resulting in more spaetzel per bite.
Whether dining in for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a weekend dinner, CT will keep you coming back for, and craving more.
Hours: 8 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-9 p.m. (Friday-Saturday); 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (Sunday-Monday); closed Tuesday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (Wednesday-Thursday)
Try This: German Pork Schnitzel, Hungarian Goulash, Sunrise Crêpe, Crab Cake Benedict, Croque Monsieur, Fettuccine Alfredo, Cevapicci
Drinks: Beer and wine
Tab: $$
Heads-Up: Online ordering; available for private parties and catering; gluten-free crêpes ($1 extra); kids’ menu; vegetarian options; all food is prepared made-to-order; shaded, dog-friendly patio; occasional live music on weekends
by Sharon Penny
photos by Dante Fontana