Make it the Zest day ever
By Breeana Laughlin
For the TODAY
Longtime Lincoln City residents and local business owners Marci Baker and John Rislov are inviting everyone to experience the unique and community-oriented vibe of Zest Creperie and local artisan boutique.
Patrons can choose from a wide variety of homemade sweet and savory crepes, all available gluten-free and with many vegan options, including the house specialty vegan crepe batter. Then, they can dine at a table right in the midst of a funky local artisans’ boutique.
“I want people to walk in and feel the way Lincoln City is,” Marci said. “I think Lincoln City is artistic and cozy and relaxed. That's what I love about it here.”
Zest was inspired by Marci's personal health journey. She's gone through periods of time where dietary restrictions have severely limited her food choices.
“I know how hard it is when you have diet restrictions — whether for health or personal reasons,” she said. “That it can limit you to just a few food options at many places.”
The couple, who also own Marci's Bar and Bistro just across the street, wanted to run a business with a large kitchen where she could cook tasty, healthy and locally-sourced food items from scratch. They call their menu “flexitarian,” with something for everyone.
“Local food systems and sustainability are really important to us, and we offer a lot of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options,” Marci said. “But the whole idea is that we have a great restaurant that can serve everyone. And if people aren't vegan they might not notice that our Alfredo sauce is vegan. We've had people say it's the best Alfredo sauce they ever had. My favorite thing to hear is that people feel good after eating the food.”
The restaurant doubles as a space for local artisans and craftspeople to share and sell their work. All of the goods featured in the Zest boutique are made by local artists who rent a space free of commission. The boutique features many items including jewelry, blown glass, key chains, bags, greeting cards and other art.
“I love when people get excited about seeing something they have never seen before because a lot of our stuff is so unique,” Marci said.
The artisans’ gallery doesn't have a lot of the typical souvenir items you would find in Lincoln City, but offers many pieces that speak to you, like “Oh I know exactly who would love that.”
Zest is open to feature more goods from local artists and craftspeople.
“We found it to be a good fit particularly with people who have a hobby and a talent that isn't really a business yet, but who are interested in having a space to share with people and to sell their work,” Marci said. “Some of our artists do really well.”
Zest opened in early 2020, just a few months before the pandemic began affecting business across the country. The owners have had an “interesting journey” developing, honing and expanding their menu options. Now, Marci said, they are ready to share their restaurant and boutique with anyone and everyone in the community.
Currently, the local cribbage club meets at Zest and is recruiting new members. There is also a weekly “pasta feed” where community members who might be feeling food insecurity, or who just might not be financially able to enjoy dinners out, can come into Zest and enjoy themselves for a low-cost or donation option. “Everybody eats night,” is on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 pm.
“After running businesses for four years now I'm trying to focus not only on building a business financially, but also doing work that feels good,” Marci said. “What is important to me is community and doing whatever I can to make this community a better place — even if it's just by providing a place where somebody can go out and have dinner.”
Zest Creperie is located in the heart of Lincoln City at 1816 NE Hwy. 101. It is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm, and Wednesday from 6 to 9 pm.
For more information, go to zestcreperie.com or call 541-614-1444.