Capitol Hill’s Promising Crepe Counter Closes After Less than a Year

Petite Galette, the exciting Breton-style crepe counter from pastry chef extraordinaire Sara Naftaly (owner of nearby Amandine Bakeshop), has closed after less than a year in business on Capitol Hill. In its place, a sushi hand roll and sake counter called By Tae, which has been running pop-ups around town, will open in November.

By Tae chef Sun Hong will sell his Japanese-style hand rolls — a type of hand-held sushi that involves the typical rice and fish or other ingredients wrapped up in a thin sheet of nori seaweed — for diners to eat at one of the small counter’s stools or take out, as the dish is easy to eat on the go.

Hong’s menu should change seasonally based on what fish is available, with about four rolls for sale at any given time. Hong said he’s concerned with the state of the world’s oceans; the small space means he doesn’t have to source a ton of fish and potentially cut corners on sustainability.

When Petite Galette opened in January, it focused on sweet and savory crepes and fresh juices. It was on the ground floor of the Chophouse Row building, tucked behind Marmite, the French restaurant Sara runs with husband Bruce Naftaly, and Amandine, her European-style bakery. Tallulah Anderson, the creperie’s managing partner, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the closure.

• By Tae [Instagram]
• By Tae [Official]
• By chef Sun Hong’s hand, By Tae handrolls coming to Capitol Hill’s Chophouse Row [CHS]
• Amandine’s Sara Naftaly Fires Up a Capitol Hill Creperie [ESEA]