A first look at uptown’s new French-inspired restaurant.
by Krisha Chachra | photographs by Justin Driscoll
True to its name, Charlotte’s new uptown restaurant Coquette — which in French means playful, coy woman — flirts with combining modern French cuisine, exotic spices and southern flavors.
Mornings at Coquette begin with delightful pastries, quiches and coffees. By afternoon, the patisserie introduces charcuterie, cheeses and sandwiches. Once the cocktails and wine start flowing, the restaurant transforms from a classic French café to an upscale dining experience featuring mussels, oysters, coq au vin and duck-fat fried chicken, showcasing ingredients from all over the world.
Open since late August, Coquette is another feather in the cap of Mother Earth Group, created by Jill Marcus, which also operates nearby Mariposa at the Mint Museum, vegan eatery Fern and catering company Something Classic.
Located in the heart of Charlotte’s business district, Coquette’s décor turns heads with a blend of Parisian and French country design elements. The interior stands out with floor-to-ceiling windows, marble tables, elegant chandeliers, rustic stonework and colorful wallpaper that gives the illusion of stained glass you might find inside European cathedrals.
Krisha Chachra served eight years on the Blacksburg Town Council and has written for NRV Magazine for a decade. She is a member of The Mama Movement and a proud mom to a curious toddler. Krisha is a community advocate and connector and runs an event production organization that hosts Up on the Roof. Krisha has reported and hosted shows for public radio and television and has freelanced for USA Weekend Magazine, the Honolulu Advertiser and the Alexandria Gazette among others. Her book about returning to Blacksburg, Homecoming Journals, may be found online or in local bookstores.
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