Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café has officially opened its first Arkansas location at Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers.
The Texas-based chain opened earlier this month at 2203 Promenade Blvd., bringing its array of sweet and savory crêpes, waffles, paninis, salads and coffee drinks to Northwest Arkansas. The café is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I stopped by recently for lunch and quickly understood the appeal. The spacious café has a bright, airy feel with plenty of natural light and a polished design that fits naturally into the promenade. I ordered an espresso alongside the ham and gruyère savory crêpe, which came with a simple side salad. The portion size was substantial, easily the largest crêpe I have ever had, and filling enough to split or save for later. I also tried a bite of the caprese crêpe, which ended up being my favorite of the two with its fresh, lighter flavors.
One thing missing from the full café experience, at least for now, is the cocktail menu. Staff said the restaurant is still waiting on its liquor license, which could arrive as soon as June, meaning the Aperol spritz I had my eye on will have to wait until next time.
The Rogers location is owned by husband-and-wife team Michael and Melissa Aaron along with partners Michael and Lane Cooper. The Aarons spent more than 30 years operating Sonic Drive-In locations before expanding into other restaurant concepts, according to a news release.
"When we were looking to expand our portfolio, we knew we wanted a brand we truly believed in," Michael Aaron said in the release. "From the moment we experienced Sweet Paris, we were drawn to the ambiance, the quality of the food and the leadership behind the brand."
Sweet Paris was founded in 2012 by Ivan and Allison Chavez and has since expanded to locations across several states, including Texas, Florida, Tennessee and Arizona.
The Rogers restaurant marks the beginning of a six-unit development agreement that will bring additional Sweet Paris locations to Arkansas and surrounding states in the coming years.
Just across the street, another recent addition is already drawing crowds. After lunch at Sweet Paris, I walked over to Amorino Gelato, where customers packed the shop on a hot Sunday afternoon. The menu includes gelato, cakes and macarons. I settled on a cup with chocolate and black cherry gelato that felt especially fitting for the warm weather. Between the two spots, it is easy to turn a quick stop at the promenade into a longer afternoon of coffee, lunch and dessert.
Sweet Paris Rogers is open Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Amorino Gelato is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
