Little Madeleine | Charlotte’s French-Korean Fusion Café

☕ Little Madeleine | Charlotte’s French-Korean Fusion Café 📍 First Impressions Tucked in a SouthPark strip mall, this minimalist bakery blends Parisian pastry techniques with Korean flavor twists. Founded by a former home baker from Seoul, the space features: • Scandi-chic decor: Light wood tables + dried flower installations • Open kitchen: Watch them pipe matcha financiers • Subtle K-touches: BTS playlists + embroidered "hangul" aprons Pro Tip: The "secret" back corner has the best natural light for photos 📸 🍰 Pastry Deep Dive 1. Signature Madeleines ($3.5 each) • Lemon-Basil: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 • Zest-forward with herbal finish • Texture: Crisp shell + cloud-soft center • Matcha-White Chocolate: 🌟🌟 • Flaw: Powdered tea taste (needs higher-grade ceremonial matcha) 2. Basque Cheesecake ($7/slice) • Texture: Overbaked – lacks iconic jiggly center • Korean Twist: Served with yuzu curd (brightens heaviness) • Order Hack: Ask for extra drizzle (free!) 3. Hidden Gem: Injeolmi Croissant ($6) • Layers: 27+ gluten-free folds • Filling: Sweet soybean powder + mochi bits • Best With: Misugaru latte (roasted grain drink) ☕ Drink Menu Stars Drink Price Notes Dalgona Cloud Latte $6.5 Whipped coffee foam thicker than TikTok’s Misugaru Latte $5.5 Nutty 6-grain blend + oat milk Yuja Sparkler $5 Homemade citron syrup + soda Barista Tip: Request "half-sweet" – their syrups pack punch! 📊 Why It Stands Out Category Little Madeleine Typical Charlotte Café Creativity Korean-French fusions Basic avocado toast GF Options 5+ baked goods 1 token muffin Vibes Seoul meets Lyon Generic millennial gray Winner: Most Instagrammable pastry case in town 💡 Insider Tips 1. Timing: • 8-10am: Fresh-baked madeleines • 3pm: Free samples of day’s leftovers 2. Parking: Lot fills by 11am – park near REI 3. Workability: • ✅ Strong WiFi • ❌ Only 2 outlets (bring portable charger) Local Secret: Their savory kimchi scones (off-menu) – ask nicely! 🚫 What Needs Work • Cheesecake: Needs less bake time + more vanilla bean • Service: Solo barista gets swamped at lunch • Seating: Just 12 chairs (no groups >4) Protest Move: Petition them to sell bingsu in summer! ❄️ 📍 Nearby Alternatives 1. Amélie’s: For classic French (but zero Korean flair) 2. Suji’s: Better cheesecake but no madeleines CharlotteCafes #KoreanBakeries #FrenchPastry #NCFoodie