Chef Sylvain Rivet drives a 1929 Mercedes-Benz Gazelle, and he often puts it on display at Renaissance Patisserie, his French bakery in Charlotte's SouthPark. It fits the place.
Sylvain was born in Paris and has more than 50 years in professional kitchens. He once owned an award-winning restaurant called Amuse Bouche. In 2013 he began selling French pastries at farmers markets in Charlotte and Gastonia. After that, he wanted a place of his own to "make people happy" with French desserts, and he found it on South Boulevard. In 2018 the bakery moved to SouthPark.
It's a family business. His wife, Jo-Anne, keeps the books and handles HR after a 40-year career at Bank of America. Their daughter, Jessica, runs marketing and the front of house.
The specialty is the kouign-amann, a caramelized, flaky pastry from Brittany, and the shop calls itself the pioneer of Charlotte's own. Around it you'll find macarons, mille-feuille, almond croissants, fresh bread, and quiche, plus a cake gallery that runs from baby showers to weddings to French gâteaux. Custom cakes and private events are on the menu too. Find it at 6401 Carnegie Boulevard, Suite 4A, Charlotte, and grab a seat on the patio. It's open daily: 8 to 5 weekdays, 8 to 6 Friday through Sunday.
Life is short. Eat dessert.
