la Madeleine — Restaurant in Austin

La Madeleine charged me 38$ to gatekeep and gaslight me. It was one of the worst experiences, period. I've been to this location before years ago, and this time I saw they had this "Croffle" and I thought I'd give it a try. My partner had the American Breakfast, and we had two drinks. I was charged $38.05, which I didn't think much of at the time.

The drink dispenser was out of syrup on both Starry and Bubly Lime, but you couldn't tell till you drank it. The melon in fruit salad my order came with had been cut too near the rind but you couldn't tell till you ate it. They used to have fresh bread out as an appetizer, but that was gone too, though the butter and jam were still out.

Unpleasant so far, but a pleasant meal could cover a lot of failures. Then my order was delivered. It was a single Croffle, no powdered sugar, with a 2oz plastic cup of syrup, and a strawberry cut in half that was an unhealthy shade of overripe.

I took it back to the counter to ask if this was the right order, and the manager confirmed it was. I asked where the other Croffle was, and the lady looked me in the eyes and said it was two. I looked at her, then at the round Belgian waffle iron behind the counter. "Where's the powdered sugar and preserves?" She said I could pump my own from the condiment bar.

That's the gaslighting. When King Solomon has handed a baby, he didn't cut it in half and say, "There, it's two babies." But La Madeleine seems to think that's how it works.

The gatekeeping came into play when the manager returned with my sugared Croffle. She'd walked past a tub if sliced bread in plastic baggies. I asked her how much for the bread, since my meal was half the size the menu said. She said the bread was free and passed me some. Apparently, I had not met their complimentary loaf standards until I complained.

The strawberry jam came from a ketchup pump and was mostly corn syrup with the consistency of catsup. The bread was not fresh and had some of that school lunch plastic bag smell and a stale, waxy texture. I can't figure out how my order came to 38$ and I wasn't given a receipt to check.

If I hadn't been so pissed off by the point I tired it, I might have actually enjoyed the Croffle because...

La Madeleine in Austin, TX, is a delightful culinary treasure that never fails to impress. From the moment you step inside, you're transported to a charming French café, with its cozy, inviting atmosphere and elegant decor. Whether you're looking for a hearty breakfast, a leisurely lunch, or a delicious dinner, la Madeleine has it all.

The menu is a delightful blend of French classics and innovative dishes, each prepared with the finest ingredients and a touch of culinary finesse. The Croque Monsieur is a must-try, with its perfectly toasted bread, flavorful ham, and gooey melted cheese. Their Quiche Lorraine is light, fluffy, and packed with flavor, while the Tomato Basil Soup is a comforting, creamy delight that pairs wonderfully with their fresh, crusty bread.

One of the highlights of la Madeleine is their incredible pastry selection. The éclairs, macarons, and tarts are beautifully crafted and taste as good as they look. Each bite is a testament to the skill and passion of the bakers.

The service at la Madeleine is equally exceptional. The staff are friendly, attentive, and always eager to ensure your dining experience is nothing short of perfect. Whether you're dining solo, with family, or meeting friends, la Madeleine provides a warm and welcoming environment that makes every visit special.

In summary, la Madeleine in Austin is a haven for lovers of French cuisine and a standout in the local dining scene. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a taste of France right in the...

I went in for breakfast this morning expecting a good experience; I have been to the South location and they are great. I ordered the spinach quiche and potatoe galette out of the display case. The quiche was fine; the galette was cold, but no big problems. My friend ordered strawberry French toast, which has to be made fresh. When the French toast was brought to the table, it was two pieces of dry, unbuttered toast with a few sliced strawberries and a messy drizzle of sweet cream. It looked nothing like any French toast I've ever seen. My friend brought the dish back to the front to ask about it, and the employee at the front counter immediately started yelling at him, loud enough for the whole café to hear. It was pretty clear that he was not willing to refund, replace, or change the order. Another staff member (I'm assuming a manager) came to our table a few minutes later and offered to bring something else (she was much more polite), but honestly, by then we just wanted to finish the food and get out of there. I understand that restaurants have their own "spin" on a lot of dishes, but there is no version of French toast that involves bread that hasn't been soaked, and besides that, the employee's reaction was completely unprofessional and very off-putting. I'm definitely not returning to this location or recommending it to others; if you really want to visit a la Madeleine location, I'd say it's worth it to drive the extra 30 minutes down to Brodie Lane and...