Bistro Maxine: Crepe Expectations in Palo Alto

I mentioned in my previous post on crepes that I would try the newly opened Bistro Maxine on Ramona Street in Palo Alto. I finally had a chance to stop by with some friends last week and found it to serve solid, if not spectacular, crepes in a cheery atmosphere with friendly service. The place is tiny: about 5 tables inside, plus a couple out on the sidewalk. A word to the tipplers: no alcohol may be served or consumed out on the sidewalk (per municipal code). Not even out of a paper bag, as my wisecracking dinner companion confirmed with the waitress.

The menu offers a few salads and sandwiches, but is dominated by the crepes. You can go savory or sweet, the latter served with choice of whipped cream or creme fraiche. There is a subcategory of sweet crepes with liqueur, some with colorful names such as "Malicious" (orange jam, hot chocolate, Cointreau). The fact that they will serve the liqueur crepes out on the sidewalk is a neat loophole around the sidewalk booze ban -- after my fifth Malicious, I definitely had a buzz going. Or maybe it was just a sugar high.

On the back of the menu, you can read the story behind the Duralex Picardie glass you are enjoying as you sip your beverage. Actually, if my experience is representative, you'll need a bit of luck to enjoy drinking from a Picardie at Bistro Maxine; only one person in our dinner foursome actually received the genuine vintage style as pictured on the menu back, and boy did she feel special. Another member of our party was inspired to spontaneously douse my wife's hand with water in order to test the veracity of the claim (per the Picardie biography) that "fingers slip nicely into the hollows of the flutings on the lower part of the side, and even with wet hands the glass feels secure." Oy, things get wild and crazy at Bistro Maxine.

As it turns out, we visited the bistro on a historic day: we witnessed (and captured on film) the affixing of the "Bistro Maxine" logos on the front door. Though the place has been open since June 14, seeing the sign hung underscored the happy freshness of a new eatery in downtown Palo Alto. I liked the feel of the place and will go back, though probably for dessert after lunch or dinner elsewhere. Bistro Maxine makes it easy to do that almost anytime by staying open 7 days a week from 7am to 10pm.

Bistro Maxine
548 Ramona Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 323-1815