Méli-Mélo, Popular Greenwich, CT Eatery Opens Expansion This Week Featuring Works of NYC Artist

Feb. 8, 2011 - PRLog -- Greenwich, Connecticut — The eagerly anticipated opening of Fairfield and Westchester Counties’ most beloved Crêperie is finally here. On Monday Méli-Mélo of Greenwich will unveil their new, larger Crêperie next-door to the eatery’s longtime location on Greenwich Avenue. To warm up the fresh addition, restaurateur Marc Penvenne and his wife Evelyn have enlisted the help of New York City artist Layla Jafar, formerly a Greenwich native and regular at the Crêperie.

Layla provided the eatery with four single piece paintings and two collections including multiple pieces that will remain up throughout March. The previous Crêperie location is scheduled to go under renovation next week as well, and expected to open mid March as Méli-Mélo Pâtisserie. Once the pastry division is complete Méli-Mélo Crêperie & Pâtisserie will jointly create a one-stop-shop for -- prepared foods, pastries, chocolates, breakfast, lunch, dinner, freshly squeezed juices including wheatgrass and most importantly dessert.

Growing up in Greenwich, Layla attended Greenwich Academy and regularly visited the eatery for her favorite soups, crêpes and ice creams. After high school Layla attended Brown University as a division 1 Lacrosse player and later moved to Manhattan upon graduating in 2006.

“When I’m back in town visiting I always make it a point to stop in for some French onion soup” she explains. “This past Fall I realized one of the paintings I’d just finished incorporated the same colors found throughout the Crêperie.”

During one of Layla’s recent visits she spoke with Evelyn about the expansion, and they both thought a partnership would be a good idea. The Crêperie would finally be big enough to show larger sized canvases and Layla could provide décor that compliments Méli-Mélo’s tone. Once Layla mentioned that a recent painting she finished ironically incorporated the colors of the Meli-Melo logo, Evelyn suggested she exhibit and sell her paintings out of their new space.

Layla is thrilled about the opportunity as are the Penvenne’s, “We are so delighted to have Layla’s art in the new space” said Evelyn, “it really brings everything to life.” Marc adds, “her work compliments our fun environment, Meli-Melo is exciting and Layla’s art reflects that.”

Along with both renovations and extra seating additional changes will go into effect once the Pâtisserie is complete this March. New specials will be added to the menu, wheatgrass will be added to the juice bar, a and a chocolate bar will join the Pâtisserie. Breakfast hours start at 6:30 am weekdays, 8:00 am on the weekends; and will soon feature a new breakfast menu.

About Mel-Melo Crêperie: Meli-Melo Crêperie opened as an independently owned and operated, BYO, with only 15 seats in 1993. Today the restaurant is known for its lively atmosphere and wide variety of homemade -- soups, salads, sandwiches, crêpes, ice creams and freshly squeezed juices. In recent years gluten free, dairy free and vegetarian options have been added to the menu.

About Layla: Layla Jafar was raised in Greenwich, Connecticut. She attended Greenwich Academy and went on to play Division 1 Lacrosse at Brown University.  After graduating with a double major in 2006, Layla moved to Manhattan to pursue her love of painting.  Layla’s abstract and bold acrylic paintings are profoundly influenced by her urban environment. She focuses on designs found in New York City. In 2009 Layla took on a creative endeavor, LA.DEE.DA Decor (www.ladeedadecor.com), where she exposes small details found in the City and transposes them into distinctive works of art.  The name, LA.DEE.DA, is a combination of her and her sisters’ names; Layla (LA), Nadia (DEE), and Neda (DA).  Driven by passion and spontaneity, Layla finds herself embarking on an incredible experience, exhibiting paintings in galleries, homes, and restaurants. As a talented Manhattan based artist, Layla still enjoys spending time in Connecticut with her family and visits regularly with her fiancé Gary.

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Meli-Meli of Greenwich located at 362 and 374 ½ Greenwich Avenue, is a family-owned and operated restaurant and caterer that opened in 1993. Meli-Melo prepares all natural food from fresh ingredients every day at the Crêperie and Catering kitchen.