In fall of 2023, Uptown welcomed a new French restaurant to Tryon Street called Coquette. This French pâtisserie and restaurant comes from Mother Earth Group, the same team responsible for Fern (a vegan oasis in Dilworth), Mariposa (serving a multicultural menu from their location in Mint Museum Uptown), Hip Pies (also in Uptown), and Something Classic (an elegant catering enterprise and retail offering). Jill Marcus founded Mother Earth Group in 1989, and since then the compassion-forward company has been just as focused on the food they serve as they are on the experiences they create and the relationships they foster.
Coquette is no exception. “Like all of our Mother Earth Group restaurants, Coquette is very personal for both myself and our team,” says Marcus. “We’ve poured ourselves into the menu offerings, the design, and the service to bring Charlotte a true taste of French culture.” The restaurant is intended not only to please aficionados of French cuisine, but also welcome newcomers who might be apprehensive about diving into unknown culinary territory.
Tartes and Tartines
There are two sides to Coquette. The first is a pâtisserie directed by Executive Pastry Chef Leressa Rucker that offers coffee and pastries. Visitors can swing through between 8am and 4pm to indulge in sweet treats like a chocolate-dipped eclair, tender canele, or tarte citron. Savory pastries round out the pâtisserie’s food offering with options like a garlic parmesan croissant stuffed with vegetables and herb infused cheese.
Adjoining the pâtisserie is a dining room area, full service bar, and patio space, where Coquette hosts visitors for lunch and dinner service. Executive Chef Cristian Medrano leads the kitchen as it takes on traditional French dishes such as duck fat fried chicken and coq au vin blanc (roasted chicken prepared with mushroom, bacon, and Riesling, served with lemon confit). Additionally, Coquette offers innovative creations like Foie Gras French toast (available from its weekend brunch menu) and a wide selection of charcuterie and fromage.
The beverage program is aided by Advanced Sommelier Fabien Boudart, who oversees a tasteful wine list and is launching a monthly wine club on behalf of Coquette. Members will experience rotating themes intended to introduce palettes to new favorites from a variety of French regions, while also sharing knowledge and context.
Countryside Cafe Meets Uptown Class
Although the restaurant spans across 3,300 square feet, it feels intimate, evoking the quaint friendliness of a French countryside cafe through scalloped dishware, floral print seating, curved cabinetry, a stone accent wall, generous portions, and liberal use of butter. At the same time, high ceilings, marble print tables, and mid century modern brass and navy barstools remind guests that Coquette is very much of-this-century and, for all its countryside flourishes, still true to its location in the heart of a city.
Lunch service is available 11am – 3pm Tuesday through Thursday. Dinner service is available starting at 5pm Tuesday through Saturday. Brunch service is available on weekends 11am – 3pm. The pâtisserie welcomes visitors 8am – 4pm Tuesday-Saturday.
