discovered Renaissance Patisserie through the Charlotte in Bloom event a few weeks ago and finally…read moremade my way in to experience it for myself. They had offered samples of their lemon tart at the event, which stayed on my mind--so I came back and ordered the Lorraine-style quiche. It was rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced by a fresh side salad. I paired it with a café au lait, which was equally well done. The ambiance is effortlessly chic--very much reminiscent of a European café--and it was lively during lunch. It's the kind of place where you can sit, linger, and people-watch... and SouthPark definitely showed up in style. At one point, several guests seated near us were speaking French, which added to the authenticity and overall experience. Service was warm and efficient, even with the crowd. The bakery itself is on the smaller side--you order inside and then head outside to sit and eat. I went on a Sunday, so it was very busy with a long line, but it moved quickly. When seating fills up, the neighboring restaurant allows use of their patio, which is a thoughtful touch. My friend enjoyed her quiche as well, and we both agreed it's a spot worth returning to--whether for a casual lunch, coffee, or a pastry break. I also order a few macarons to go and my family enjoyed them.

Review for Renaissance Patisserie…read more After relocating to Charlotte from San Francisco, one of the first things I searched for was a proper kouign-amann (pronounced queen-ah-mahn). It's a staple where I'm from, and when I discovered that Renaissance Patisserie carried it, I made the drive immediately. I'm happy to say--this place is the real deal. The kouign-amann here reminded me of the ones back in San Francisco. It wasn't quite as buttery or rich as some of the West Coast versions, but it was absolutely enjoyable--and most importantly, I finished every bite. That alone says a lot. Location & setting: Renaissance is tucked into the upscale specialty shops of SouthPark, in a lovely, polished shopping center surrounded by quality retailers like Williams Sonoma and several restaurants. Parking is plentiful and convenient, and once you step out of your car, you're welcomed into a charming outdoor courtyard that feels relaxed and refined. You'll immediately notice the bright yellow awning--it's cheerful and inviting--and inside, the bakery is just as charming. The black-and-white tile floors, small bistro tables, and beautifully arranged pastry case create a classic European feel. It's not a huge space--maybe six or seven tables--but it feels cozy, elegant, and thoughtfully designed. What makes it special: * A stunning pastry case filled with beautifully crafted desserts and laminated pastries * Skilled bakers and decorators--you can tell there's real craftsmanship behind the products * Friendly, efficient service * Apple Pay accepted (always appreciated) * Self-service water and condiments station * Clean, comfortable environment * A lovely outdoor patio that's perfect when the weather cooperates I do wish they occasionally experimented with more creative variations of the kouign-amann--perhaps seasonal fruit or specialty flavors--but even in its classic form, it's consistently a hit. I've brought these pastries to friends and gatherings, and they're always well received. What I appreciate most is that Renaissance delivers on quality and consistency. It may be a newer trend here in Charlotte, but these pastries have been a long-standing favorite in cities like San Francisco, and it's wonderful to see that level of craftsmanship available locally. Bottom line: Beautiful pastries, fair prices, great service, and a polished, welcoming atmosphere. This has become my go-to bakery in Charlotte, and if you appreciate well-made French pastries, you will not be disappointed.

The food was quite good, I loved the tart cakes. Especially the Lemon Raspberry. The place also is…read morereally gorgeous and has a good welcoming vibe. I will say the workers did not seem like they wanted to work here, and were a little rude when we were trying to order. But other than that, this place is cute!

What a unique experience. Love the french theme, Napolean paintings, Eiffel Tower selfie-bait. All…read moreamazing. Had the cinnamon roll, and the cream dripped all over fabulously. The almond croissant was perfect. Mini pecan bites super tasty. Iced latte was perfect. I can see why this comes up on places to visit in Charlotte, it was the highlight of our trip!

What a pleasant experience! I thoroughly enjoyed everything I ate . Leading things off was the…read moreavocado toast with a side of salmon to create an imitation lox on bagel sorta experience . It worked out beautifully and it was very filling . I thought the sliced avocado along with the balsamic on the arugula all worked really well on the crisp bread . The hazelnut latte was just as rich and amazing. I also tried two pastries , their scones which had contained three different fresh fruits (apricots , blueberry and I forgot the last thing ) and each bite was orgasmic . So too was their bread pudding with the blueberry compote . Many of their other pastries looked really inviting . Hopefully I can try more of their offerings soon as this was a home run !

My friend and I were finally able to check out the Everyday Market for a sweet treat. Surprisedly…read morefor a Saturday, it wasn't too busy. There was plenty of seating inside to eat, chat, and just hangout. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Now on to the actual desserts, unfortunately for me, the options I picked were a mostly a miss. I got the marbled brownie, a slice of lemon pound cake, and a red velvet macaroon. The macaroon and the brownie were just okay, kind of on the soft side for both. Definitely not memorable. The only item that I really liked was the lemon pound cake but I wouldn't still go out of my way to grab it unless I was already in the area.

Coquette made my birthday dinner absolutely unforgettable…read more From the moment we arrived, the hosts made us feel genuinely welcome, and every interaction throughout the evening was warm, friendly, and attentive. Don't let the location fool you - despite being in the middle of bustling Uptown Charlotte, Coquette feels like a cozy, delicious escape. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between elegant and comfortable, making it the ideal place to celebrate a special occasion. Our server, Francesca, was phenomenal. She was knowledgeable, personable, and somehow always there exactly when we needed her without ever making us feel rushed. To help celebrate my birthday, she surprised us with a complimentary glass of champagne for a toast - a thoughtful touch that made an already special evening even more memorable. We started with the charcuterie board and the foie gras crostini, and both were incredible. The charcuterie was beautifully curated with delicious cheeses, prosciutto, olives, cornichons, and thoughtful accompaniments. The foie gras was rich, buttery, and perfectly paired with caramelized onions on crisp crostini. My Black Rose cocktail was one of the best cocktails I've had in a long time. The combination of gin, thyme, blackberry, and botanicals was perfectly balanced - complex, flavorful, and refreshingly not overly sweet. We also enjoyed a bottle of Bezel Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles by the Cakebread family, and wow... what a fantastic wine. It paired beautifully with dinner. For our entrées, Shane had the perfectly cooked duck confit, served over a pesto of summer squash and eggplant that complemented the duck beautifully. He also enjoyed a side of garlic butter mushrooms... all by himself, because mushrooms and I have a lifelong disagreement. I had the lamb frites with eggplant caviar and eggplant fries - absolutely phenomenal. Everything was cooked perfectly and packed with flavor. And yes... I actually ate a vegetable. Of course, we couldn't pass up dessert (we had to finish the wine, after all ). Shane ordered the apple tarte Tatin, which was absolutely fabulous. The apples were exactly what they should be - the star of the dish - and somehow made the buttery pastry feel almost guilt-free. I had the chocolate pot de crème... Magic. Rich, silky, decadent, and the perfect ending to an incredible birthday dinner. From the food and cocktails to the wine, service, and atmosphere, Coquette exceeded every expectation. Thank you, Francesca, and the entire Coquette team for making my birthday so special. We will absolutely be back.

We had a nice dinner at Coquette and tried a little bit of everything, oysters, branzino, lamb, egg…read moreplant fries, mashed potatoes, and the Potato Croquettes. All solid, but the Brussels sprout salad was easily the star of the night. It was flavorful, and perfectly balanced, it was the one dish that really stood out and the reason I'd come back. If you go, make sure that salad is on your table.

Authentic French Patisserie. Superb coffee. Small comfortable dining area awash with natural light…read more Desserts delicious and artistically beautiful but limited. I had the lemon tart ($10) and a Coffee Americana ($4). Nice place for a dessert splurge. Very friendly service.

Chez Marie is a bright, charming little patisserie at one corner of Sharon Corners shopping center…read more The blue and white ambiance lends a decidedly French air to the place, with its half-dozen or so tables inside and another four or five outside. The inside was immaculate and beckoning, with a two-sided display of the offerings and a shining espresso machine behind the register. The workers bore welcoming smiles and a a polite, inviting nature. All of that is the reason I give this patisserie three stars instead of two. While some foods are still a mystery to me - barbecue I can just take or leave, mostly leave - I know coffee and I know baked goods. The croissant I sampled was dry, implying unkindly that the flaky pastry dough was either formerly frozen or not fresh, and while croissants aren't exactly the moistest pastry to be found, the idea behind making them is kneading and rolling in a lot of butter, which I truly could not taste. What a disappointment. And somehow, somehow, my latte, albeit freshly prepared before me, was lukewarm when I took my first sip on the way to the car. How is that even possible? At the last minute, I asked for caramel to be added to my drink, but that was imperceptible too. I'd forgotten to ask for it to be half sweet, so I guess that was a blessing in disguise. When you stop by a bakery late in the day you sort of pays your money and takes your chances, but I visited just before noon. No crowds either. Disappointing all around, though again, the ambiance invites lingering. Cute bistro, lovely people, but - and I cannot believe I'm saying this - I'd have done better at the nearby Starbucks if all I wanted to do was get a latte and pastry. As the French would say, domage.

Parking was a nightmare... had to stay in my car while my son went to get the Churros... the…read moreChurros were exactly what he wanted ... so that was wonderful... but we did have to drive around way too long to finally get them

Yes! I went after meeting a friend in the area and glad I did. There is street parking and it is…read moreaccessible. Was able to look at the menu and got excited. I love horchata and tres leche and there was tons of both to choose from. I got a chai horchata frappe and Dulce de Leche cake. Both were really good. I appreciated the flavor. I am so glad we stopped by. I will definitely be back while I am in town as I was there was a location closer to my area.

Try to get by as much as possible. I go on Wednesday because of the special. Burger, chips and…read moredrink for the price of the sandwich. They have lots of toppings available and cook the sandwich to order.

This place is phenomenal. I have ordered food from this place two days in around. Service is fast…read moreand friendly. I maybe have to do some more research on their menu tomorrow too!!!