Charlotte Patisserie (596 Manhattan Avenue) is like a little piece of France in Greenpoint. Although it’s been open since 2011, recent renovations and the addition of a dining room have given new life to the pastry shop, which also boasts a wonderful back yard surrounded by ivy- covered brick walls.
They have also expanded their menu to offer brunch and a casual but elegant dinner. Menu options include French classics like a croque monsieur, ratatouille, omelette, crepes, Niçoise salad and croquettes.
Magda and Michael Lechowicz are the brother and sister duo behind the store turned restaurant. Originally from Poland, they found a home in Greenpoint when their parents moved here twenty years ago, and have seen the neighborhood grow and transform over the past few years. Michael, the pastry chef, went to culinary school in New York and then studied in the South of France, which is where the French influence comes from.
The brunch and dinner offerings are delightful, simple, and fresh (plus they offer 2 mimosas for $7!), but the real stars of the show are the pastries.
They make their own chocolate and bread from scratch, and offer a fun variety of sweet options. The rose macaroon is beautifully fragrant but not overpowering; the pomegranate tart is a perfect summer treat, with pomegranate custard and fresh pomegranate seeds; and the salted caramel tea cake has a wonderful crunch from the house-roasted macadamia nuts.
For the coffee nerds out there, it’s also worth noting that they serve up a great cup of Counter Culture coffee.
