Back in the early 1990’s, I fell madly in love with a restaurant on Clark Street, just north of Diversey, in Chicago. La Creperie was a mainstay when I lived in the city and for special events years before and after. Wonderful wines, a vibrant, kitschy atmosphere, and the best crepes I have ever eaten made this spot a favorite. When I moved to the Western suburbs I traveled to the city far less often, so it had been years since I had lingered on the hard wood floors near the copper bar.
When we moved to Michigan in 2012, there just wasn’t time to get there before we left. Sadly, I learned last year that it closed. I was heartbroken. I had lost my favorite spot without a last visit. I wondered if I would ever feel magic like that again.
Last fall, I found La Creperie’s Facebook page and learned they would re-open. Thrilled, I knew it was a must-visit when I returned to Chicago last week.
I reached out to the Chicagoland AssistU Chapter and was able to change our Valentine’s Day lunch meeting so I could revisit this little neighborhood gem.
I arrived early, and walked in to an unanticipated wave of nostalgia. As I was seated in the front window, my eyes welled up with tears. The restaurant interior was virtually unchanged, and the sites and smells rushed back a flood of happy memories.
Betty Gonzalez-Rico joined me for lunch a few minutes later. My eyes were still salty-wet as I shared with her my love of the place and the kinds of moments I had experienced within the walls. We had our little two-person chapter meeting (no one else was able to join us) and said our goodbyes, after enjoying lunch.
Betty had a lovely French Onion soup and a Citron crepe. I indulged in a mushroom-brie soup du jour, a crisp romaine salad and a crepe Suzette a la Germaine, which is my treasured favorite, and a glass of Beaujolais. I have to have wine there. It is required.
The time came to leave and I found myself wanting to linger. I wanted to call in sick for the rest of my life, for the rest of the day, and stay within the walls and write.
I remembered the hours I had written there with a bottle of wine.
I remembered the meals there I discussed poetry, relationships, love, and life. The birthday parties, the romantic dates, and the solo time when I wanted to be there rather than in my studio apartment down the street, even if it meant I were there alone. I remembered my treasured friend who first took me, and the amazing conversations and meals we had shared there together.
I left with tear stained cheeks and wondered when, if ever, I would spend another evening there. I determined as I drove away, still waist deep in the flood of memories, that it had to be sooner than later. I now have new friends I want to take there. I will begin making those plans.
It’s a true and treasured #werkperk to be able to work from anywhere, to travel and see new places and to venture back to treasured memories. I am grateful I was able to reconnect with a Chicago VA and have such a memorable, meaningful visit in my favorite spot as well.
As I reminisced back at the 20 year old me writing in those walls, I found it remarkable that the current me could be back there writing once again. This time, a virtual assistant. Working in a business type that didn’t even exist in those days. A business all my own that allowed me to experience a time like this. What an amazing blessing.
What is your favorite #werkperk? I would love to hear about it.