la Madeleine — Restaurant in Houston

When I first visited this location I was pleased and posted a glowing review, see below. I need to follow-up with what my husband referred to as the worst La Madeline, ever. He is a really easy going guy so that statement means even more.

First they were friendly when we walked in so 1-star there. They made a great dessert suggestion (coconut cake, yum!) 1-star too. After that is goes down hill...

First the quiche Florentine was "sold out", that is fine. We already seated when they informed us. They offered a substitute. When I requested a pasta dish as a sub the waiter quickly came back and said they would make me a spinach quiche. It would just take 20 mins. 20 Mins!

At that time they delivered my husbands salad and my bowl of soup. I had requested it to be put in a to go cup, since I never finish it. He took it back and I watched them pour it into a to-go container and set it down on a tray. I assumed waiting for my entree. During this time my husband examined what seemed like potatoes in his Roasted Pear & Prosciutto salad w/Chicken. (We'd had this dish as a special at the W.Gray location and it was GREAT.We were pleased to see it on the new main menu.) Nope they smelled like pears but were bland and very hard to cut into. Much like a raw potato. We did have a fun round of find the prosciutto, which we understand is an expansive meat so we didn't expect it to be drenched in it but this was just sad. (Are you noticing yet what we haven't mentioned?) My husband is a good sport and he finished it.

Finally the quiche! I see why they said they were out of it. It was mainly egg with a little bit of spinach. Ok. Not a big deal. It'll still be good with my soup. Where is my soup? I flagged the waiter down and he asked what soup I had. Keep in mind there were only 3 other tables there. I said tomato basil. He said he'd bring it right away. And he did bring me soup right away only it was french onion. He said that was what I ordered and I showed him our receipt. My husband and I were laughing at this point. He brought the soup. I checked it and we left. We had just gotten on I10 when my husband exclaims "Son of a _" Didn't I order chicken? We debated back and forth with him erring on the side of the restaurant. When we got home we pulled out the receipt and noticed the up charge on the salad for chicken.

Hence the worst dining experience at La Madeleine ever.

ORIGINAL REVIEW: 5.0 star rating 8/5/2014

I don't often eat at chains but La Madeleine is the except! The locations on W.Grey and over on Woodway are my go to places for comfort food.

The new location is all shiny and NEW. It feels a bit odd after the other two locations I frequent who have a nice loved feeling to them. It has a great patio area that I can't wait to use when the weather turns cooler. The staff was nice, maybe not as friendly as the other locations but then again they are new and I haven't been going there 10 years. My favorite manager from W.Grey moved to this location. Yay!

I was disappointed when they got rid of the reduced fat tomato basil. But lets me honest it wasn't as good as full fat but I could make myself feel better about getting a bowl versus a cup. One of my favorite things to get there is the quiche Florentine. I will say the egg to spinach ratio was a bit off. I chalk that up to it only being open for a week. If it happens the next time I might mention it. All in all I'm glad to have a location that is...

I have always ordered the chicken Caesar salad for the hot chicken tossed salad I order online I order in store never have had an issue except at this location. I usually get a tossed salad and the chicken is on the side HOT wrapped in foil in a cup. Well I go in store wait in line order my salad to go during my lunch time. I get to work I get a bowl packed with lettuce cold chicken in the salad no croutons dressing on the side I asked for extra dressing so I get 2 little tiny cups filled half way of dressing that you could fill up one if you put them together. I called the store spoke to an employee and was then transferred to a manager which argued with me about the fact that they never serve salads tossed or with hot chicken when it is TO GO that it is policy and that's the way its done and he has never seen that it is done that way when it is a to go order. He also explained that if I wanted it done I have to request it. I am very disappointed in the service i think it is this location because i ordered a salad not even 2 weeks ago from a different location and my salad was perfect as it has been in the...

Came in the other day and forgot to review this place. I hate giving out negative reviews, but this place deserves it.

I normally love going to la Madeleine for a quick lunch and a pastry, but I was just bothered by the interaction I had.

I was ordering my food and couldn’t help but overhear what I believe was a manager being rude to his employees. The employees themselves weren’t behaving in any way one would find inappropriate. No surprise here—the service industry is full of this sort of thing. I found it very off-putting and won’t be back.

Looks like I’m not the only one from the other reviews who has had a bad experience with this location.

I paid cash, got my food and my coffee, and left. I normally enjoy dining in, but I didn’t want to stick around and be subjected to whatever unhealthy work environment these folks were suffering through. Any longer in there, and I would have told the manager something myself.

My soup and crème brûlée didn’t taste any different than usual. Still good. I’ll just be getting them in a different area of...