The journey into town is miserable, as one trudges through the deep snow and slips on icy sidewalks, all the while carefully avoiding huge slushy puddles on the streets. So it was much to my surprise when over a dozen students showed up at my invitation to eat at Amherst's newly opened Amherst Crepes. Tucked neatly between an optical store and a used book shop, this small restaurant is a safe haven from the gloomy winter conditions outdoors. Walking through the front door, I felt a passing calm and a sense of comfort from the warm yellow walls and the light tunes playing in the background. The room is decorated with locally done artwork, providing a visually appealing decor. The owner greeted us with a warm smile, the service was efficient and the restaurant was clean, cozy and intimate.

As we approached the counter to order, we looked up to glance at the main-menu, a straightforward and colorful board offering fresh roast coffee, espressos, lattes, mochas, organic teas and fruit compotes, soups, beverages and of course, sweet and savory crepes. Of French origin, crepes look like very thin pancakes that can be served as appetizers, main dish or dessert. Crepes can be served hot, cold, sweet, salty, fruit-filled, glazed or accompanied with a variety of sauces. The possibilities are endless and surveying the wide variety available here can make one swoon with delight. As a meal, the crepes can be melted with an assortment of cheeses-from brie to goat cheese to ricotta-and then filled with turkey breast, roasted red peppers, proscuitto, eggs or a variety of vegetables. If none of the available combinations are to your liking, you can easily create your own as I did, stirring up a concoction of marinated chicken, spinach, fresh tomatoes and fresh mozarella for just $5.

My crepe arrived in under three or four minutes, trimly folded on a paper plate, looking much like a quesadilla. Though the crepe itself was a bit thicker than I expected, it proved to be fresh, full of character and absolutely delicious. The light, golden brown color of the crepe balanced by a warm and healthful filling was unapologetically satisfying, leaving me with a bold desire for more. Of course, that's what the dessert crepe is for-a delectable creation of soft dough gushing with apple sauce and cinammon, maple syrup, plum butter or rose hip jam, heavenly priced at under $3. Or perhaps, you are yearning for a sinful fix of Nutella, belgian chocolate, coconut, a dollop of whipped cream, toasted almonds or sweet strawberries. For $6.40, a friend and I shared a crepe of freshly sliced apples oozing with brown sugar and cinammon with an accompaniment of a hot chocolate made of steamed milk froth, and thin chocolate shavings. Transcending far beyond the average dessert, this sumptuous dessert, prepared with great care, was heavenly. The apples were fresh and crunchy, the sugar was exceptionally sweet and the cinammon added the perfect punch to seal the deal. Absolutely lovely. I am definitely coming back to this restaurant. I can already picture myself lounging for hours in a chair with a crepe in one hand and a novel in the other, or having a chat with a friend as we enjoy cups of Kobrick's Broadway Blend of fresh roast coffee.

Amherst Crepes is definitely worth the walk from campus to relax, unwind and fill up on French pancakes and coffee. From the laid-back atmosphere to the unique and inexpensive food to the generous portions and quick service, this small restaurant leaves you with a full tummy and a feeling of comfort in your soul. Despite the expected icy sidewalks and muddy puddles along the way, I almost enjoyed the walk back to campus as I happily remembered our lovely meal. By the end of the night, the only words that came to our minds were "Oui, oui!" to Amherst Crepes.