Newly opened in Sanlitun Prime (a.k.a M. Night Shyamalan's "The Village") is Japanese fashion brand-cum-Creperie Gelato Pique Cafe. From their origin in Shibuya, Tokoyo, the brand has, for the past few years, expanded through Shanghai's high-end commercial district (Isetan Mall, Nanjing Lu) and now into Beijing. This is their first store in this city, opened in early March. It's like a game of Risk, really. In attempting Fashion World Domination, that's the prudent path you take, with optional beachheads in Taiwan and / or Hong Kong. The creperie is an outgrowth of the fashion brand gelato pique. They do light and breezy outfits, ideal for people getting married on a beach in Thailand. That's my assessment. It's like clothes for people who think MUJI is a just little too death metal for their tastes. But yeah, I don't know what I'm talking on that front. This is just a look at the creperie, now open in Sanlitun, which you can check out if you want. The creperie environs are a Japanese take on a French cottage cafe. Blond wooden surfaces, lots of rustic nicknacks placed carefully around, lots of willful nostalgia and cutsie brick-a-brac -- it's a dollhouse, basically. A dollhouse, yeah, but it's a bit restrained. It's not a full-on infantile meltdown, as these things usually tend to go. It's nice. When I went it was full to capacity with shopping Sanlitun babes as well as a gentleman in the finest double-breasted plum suit I've ever seen. RESPECT. This dude knew what he was doing. I did not. Suggestion: Don't wear your Napalm Death shirt unless you wish to incur a few curious glances. On the menu: an 88rmb burger, which utilizes Australian Beef. Australia: "We're just an huge, damn island full of cows feeding all of China's higher-end Western restaurants at this point." They're also doing a few signature salads (68rmb, 88rmb), a few desserts-orientated pancakes (68rmb), the requisite line of arcane coffees (30-40rmb), smoothies in mason jars (same), and, of course, the savory and sweet crepes. About four variations in each category, with some pretty ambitious ingredients: crab meat, smoked salmon, prosciutto in the former, mango, macha, even a macrobiotic option in the latter. My sneaky photos of the menu didn't really turn out but you can view the full thing online right here. Mustard Chicken Salees (68rmb) So, this crepe. Not bad. The restaurant makes a big deal in the propaganda about their "secret crepes" recipe, which uses imported French flour, echile sugar, and butter. It was good. I've never had it like this, with the crepe at the bottom and all the ingredients sort of plopped on top. But it's definitely a nice combination of flavors. Very rich and moist. Very satisfying. Egg, mustard-treated chicken, and a vinaigrette'ed salad as well. This is another one of their main things: the "Pique Parfait". Oh my God, this thing is good. OMGOMG. It's a creme brule at the top, into homemade vanilla ice cream, into fresh seasonal fruits (strawberries and mangoes), into honey frosted flakes at the bottom. Damn. Damn. Pretty stupendous. I was sticking my whole face in this thing, and everyone's like, hey is Napalm Death guy even supposed to be here? Rounded out a lunch with their signature house iced coffee... ...which tasted exactly like an ice coffee. The Take-Aways: So, yeah, Japanese fashion / cafe success story now open in Sanlitun. As far as crepes go, it's decent. You've already got some good options for those around there. I've always liked Moka Bros' crepes, but these are nice for something different. That Pique Parfait is mothereffin' sublime. If you're looking for something new and a you're a Sanliun Village sort of person (a "Village Person", if you will), give it a whirl. Also, their free water game is on-point. Look at the action in this free water. It's just water! The madness! P.S. Yeah, I know that the word "crepe" is supposed to have a little thing over the "E", I don't know how to do that, whatever, just be cool. *** Gelato Pique Cafe is at S5-15b. They're open daily from 10am to 10p. Reservations are peak times, not a bad idea: 6413 1314.