la Madeleine

La Mad has been around forever, but this was my first visit to the Northwoods location. I was looking for an electronics store on 281 and the traffic was just terrible; it was 5 o'clock rush hour. So I got off the freeway and pulled into the first place I could to map my location. The place was pretty slow at that hour, a group of women outside on their laptop, and one or two tables inside. I ordered a half sandwich with soup and bowtie pasta combo, and the cashier was kind enough to let me have a complimentary coffee. She did not ask if this was for dine-in or carry out, but then I had no idea they have separate ordering stations for either. It is one of those counters like Subway where you don't know where the line starts. Besides that little bit of confusion on MY part, everything was absolutely perfect, from the crispiness of the bacon on my half sandwich to the chopped peppers on my perfectly al dente bowtie pasta salad. The potato soup was equally delicious (lots of carbs I know) and also cooked to perfection, neither undercooked or too gluey. The manager is very hands-on and was present and visible as well as helping bus tables, as the place started to fill up as soon as I got there. I don't know why that always seems to happen. The decor is very charming, Country French, with lots of dark wood butcher block style furniture. At night it must be a real treat. I would definitely recommend this location but since I live far from there probably wont make it in for a while. more

First, I have enjoyed the food and atmosphere at La Madeleine for years. Their recent policy to discontinue complimentary bread, butter, and jelly has led to my decision to stop visiting La Ladeleine. I wrote their corporate office and received an insensitive reply from a person in their Guest Relations department. She said they discontinued the bread for several reasons, yet chose not to give one single reason. \r \r Obviously cost is a factor and I can understand that, but if that is the case, why can customers refill coffee, tea, and soda to their liking - giving the rising cost of things? Bread is universally provided with entrees, salads, or soup. Soup or salad without a slice of bread is like servicing pancakes without syrup. Maybe if other customers wrote in, La Madeleine would find some way to offer complimentary bread without some customers treating bread like a buffet. Pros: Ambience, intimate setting Cons: Complimentary bread, butter, and jelly has been discontinued more

The food is great, but I dont know if it is worth the hassle you have to go through to get it. You wait in line to order your food or you can pick things off the line. If you place an order you still have to wait in line to pay for it. The line moves very slowly because they do not have enough people running the different stations. Then even after you pay you have to wait in yet another line to get your silverware, napkins, drinks and complimentary bread. When we were there, they were out of coffee, water glasses, napkins and spoons, again because they dont have enough people working to cover that area. After you finally get everything you need, its now time to find a table. It was very busy, but we saw 5 empty tables. The problem was all 5 were full of dirty dishes and they didnt have cleaning tables. We had to clear a table just to sit down and wait for the food. When the food finally got there it was great, but after the inconvenience we went through, we will probably not be going back until they find a MUCH more efficient way to serve it. Pros: Food was wondderful Cons: It is to difficult to get the food to enjoy it more

This particular location choked on a Friday dinner rush. Jan 06 Line was out the front door - I ordered in advance from the hostess but still had to stay in the line to complete the transaction - what's the point of that?? Food took 30 minutes to arrive and was not the plate I had ordered - ate it anyway. I ordered Beef Bourguignon but received Beef au Poivre instead which was mostly onion and very little meat. For the money I could have done much better elsewhere and would not have been forced to stand in line. The glowing abience lights had all been replaced with high watt security bulbs so the entire dining room was flooded in eye-piercing glare - it was like dining on stage - I did not take a bow. more