Discover a French nook in Anna Nagar, with savoury crêpes and torched crème brûlée

The Hindu

4 days ago

Julia Child once said, 'In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport,' and few cuisines carry the same reverence for detail, tradition, and finesse as French cuisine. However, beyond the gilded menus of Parisian bistros and the layered elegance of haute cuisine, there is something humbler — the French love for street-side crêpes, sandwiches on the go, and no-fuss meals. It is this everyday side of French food that Sucré et Salé, a snug café tucked inside a quiet lane in Anna Nagar, seeks to recreate.
Step inside, and you are greeted by wooden furniture, a vintage rotary phone, and soft lighting that bounces off maps of Paris and old vinyl records. A miniature Eiffel Tower stands watch over the space, and an antique-style wall clock hangs above a doorway.
Run by husband-and-wife duo Hajerah and Said Bahadur, the cosy café is a labour of love. Said was raised in Paris, where he developed his love for food. 'From the age of 17, I worked part-time in fast food restaurants like McDonald's. That's where I first understood how the food industry works,' he says.
The menu is compact but well-crafted, divided into sandwiches (served in a choice of brioche, bun, ciabatta, or galette), savoury crêpes, plated meals with rice and fries, and a dessert section featuring crêpes and crème brûlée. There is a strong tilt toward chicken — in fact, almost every savoury dish features it in some form. 'We spent nearly a year just doing trials on non-vegetarian options, breads, marinades and savoury combinations,' says Hajerah, adding that the bread for the sandwiches comes from a baker in Puducherry. While there are just a couple of vegetarian dishes on the menu at the moment, she adds that salads, French pastas and meat-free additions are in the works.
The pommes de terre, a savoury crêpe filled with crisp potato and creamy pepper sauce is rich, cheesy, and quietly filling. Also try the Le Classic, a rice-and-fries plate served with a choice of marinated chicken and dips, which is a crowd favourite. Dips are unlimited and made fresh, a gesture the couple says is meant to keep the space accessible to younger diners. 'We have a lot of students come in, so all our dips are free and can be refilled as much as they like,' says Hajerah.
'Portion sizes are big on purpose. We wanted to keep them bigger to make it easier for people to order one and share,' adds Said. Each sandwich or savoury crêpe comes with a beverage of choice, making it a complete meal.
The dessert menu delivers on comfort. There is classic crème brûlée with a torched sugar crust that gives way to smooth custard, which leans slightly sweeter and eggier than expected, but still feels indulgent. The dessert crêpes come with multiple filling choices, including a mango-Nutella one for the mango season (which could end any second now).
French cuisine may carry the weight of its reputation — elaborate, refined, and reserved for white-linen tables — but Sucré et Salé is a reminder that it can also be fuss-free and heartfelt. The couple hopes to expand soon, adding shaded rooftop seating and more options for vegetarians. But for now, the little café quietly offers a slice of Roanne and Puducherry in the middle of bustling Chennai.
Sucre et sale is located at 1st floor, river view colony, AG-89, 3rd Cross St, AG Block, Anna Nagar. A meal for two costs ₹700.