Foundational FXBG Families – Renee’s Crêpes and Cakes
Back before Eagle Village, when we called it “The Park and Shop,” there weren’t a robust number of restaurant options in Fredericksburg. In the 80’s – The Parthenon Restaurant was a staple and a favorite among college students and families. A beautiful Greek-inspired mural adorned the wall, and the amazing smell of Greek and Italian dishes, drifted out the door…and the Pizza was simply amazing! And by the way, it still is!
Here’s the story of a Fredericksburg foundational family business – in 1983, Sophia and Manny Psaras acquired the Fredericksburg restaurant and made it their own, having moved from Greece to the DC area in the early 1970’s. The Psaras’ restaurant was a family affair. As a “regular”, I recall their daughter, Renee, in the Parthenon, when she was young.
“I grew up in the restaurant, I washed dishes at age nine, by age 11, I was taking orders and serving tables.” Renee continued, “I graduated high school, became a dental hygienist, moved around a bit including living in Greece. I was planning to start a restaurant business there. I always knew I wanted to build something of my own….but Fredericksburg seemed to call me back.”
In 2015, Renee and her husband Foteinos (folks here call him Frankie), converted the shop one door away from The Parthenon, into a Crêperie. At the crêpes shop, she has combined her love for Greece, the culture and the food, and her love of Fredericksburg. While crêpes are a French staple, and the flour is authentic – imported from Europe –Renee’s offers a rotation of sweet and savory, many with Greek-inspired flavors. Regular crêpe-loving customers, travel from Woodbridge and Richmond to enjoy the delicacies. It is worth the drive as there is so much to enjoy including homemade soup each day and a wide-variety of Greek sodas and other dessert specialties. She loves to cater, too and can create any style cheesecakes, cake bites and other tasty options.
“I do love Fredericksburg – and what it has become,” Renee added. And Fredericksburg loves having such authentic flavors, hospitality, and people who treat you like family, as soon as you walk in the door.