Les délices de Awa — Restaurant in Madison

I really struggled with this review. The experience started so well but ended up being pretty rough. I went with 2 others with the intent to be able to share and try a bunch of things. Upon entering, you are smacked in the face with mouth-watering smells. The restaurant is small but colorful and decorated. There is an open kitchen, so you can watch your food being prepared. It was a while before a waitress came to our table, so we were ready with appetizer, drink, and main orders. Our juice drinks and one of our appetizers came out about 30 minutes after ordering, and the second came out at about 45 minutes. We never received the 3rd; there was a mistake and it went to a different table. The restaurant took it off our bill when we let them know. Both of the appetizers we received were very delicious. After that, we waited another hour until our meals came out. At this point, it was nearly 30 minutes after the restaurant closed. At first glance, our food looked great, but quickly, disappointment set in. What they served us had amazing flavor, but it was 75% just bones. I fully acknowledge that this food is stewed with the bones for their flavor, but it felt like they served us just whatever was left in the bottom of the pot. They served my friend literally a bowl of the chicken carcass and then brought out a small bowl with a cut up chicken breast because they realized when they were serving his food that there was no edible meat left; we were very glad they did this. My dish had maybe 2oz of edible meat amongst the bones. Again, the food did have amazing flavor, but for the price I wanted more than a few morsels of chicken picked from between the bones. I wanted to like this place way more than I actually did. We arrived 1.25 hours before close and didn't end up leaving until after they closed. The atmosphere in the kitchen seemed very much "we are casually cooking as a family" rather than "we have hungry customers and need to turn over tables." If this place is still open in a year, I would like to try it again to see how it has changed, but I stress that looks like it will be a big "IF" based on what I saw. If I could offer a suggestion, they should really make some sort of combo meal out of an order of pastel and an order of yucca fries because both of those things were awesome and since both are fried they could be turned out quickly.

EDIT BASED ON OWNER RESPONSE---- Thank you for your very thoughtful response. I do understand your restaurant is new and is still going through growing pains, but my reviews are meant to be an honest retelling of my experience - hopefully with some nuggets of constructive criticism that can be used to highlight areas of improvement. I generally have a policy of not making a fuss or 'talking to the manager' during my dining experience. I don't want my meal comped because I worry that would bias my review or I wouldn't feel comfortable offering an honest review. Plus, after 2.25 hours, I just wanted to go home. I do think that if you can get the kinks ironed out, this restaurant will be successful. The smells and flavors I experienced were great and I know those can only come from time and love. I thank you for your offer to come back for a dinner on you, but I must decline; I never want my reviews to feel like they are bought or influenced. I will agree to come back far sooner than a year from now (but with some time so you can figure out staffing and process) to give your restaurant another try and I will update my review...

Ah, the evening held such promise—a reservation at an African restaurant that my girlfriend and I had been eagerly anticipating. Our taste buds were ready to embark on a flavorful journey across the continent. Yet, the true journey that night seemed to be the endless wait for any semblance of service.

As a food critic with a love for African cuisine, I was prepared to indulge in culinary wonders. But instead, we were left parched and unattended for 25 long minutes—long enough for a tomato to ripen or an awkward silence to turn into an awkward eternity. Water? Not a drop. Interaction from the staff? Not even a crumb.

The scene played out like an ironic twist of culinary theater: the staff seemed locked in a secret pact, intensely focused on the kitchen while the patrons around us looked like extras in a play called “Invisible Customers.” One almost wonders if they were preparing for a Michelin review from a ghost.

After a solid half-hour of testing our patience and pondering life’s mysteries (like how to get a waiter’s attention), we decided to cut our losses and take our appetites elsewhere. $150 later, spent at a different establishment, we concluded that at least our wallets were lighter, even if our spirits were too.

As for the future of this establishment, I fear they may have perfected the art of cooking up disappointment. With a business model like that, I’d wager they’ll be closed by February 2025—unless, of course, they start serving invisible food to match the...

Awa is an amazing caterer and made our wedding day even better than we could have imagined. Her food is so delicious and flavorful. We had compliments weeks after the wedding on how amazing the food was. Some people said it was the best food they ever had at a wedding. Awa was so flexible, and such a pleasure to work with. She customized the menu to include food of my culture (Haiti).

Her food is bursting with flavor and she has such a kind soul. What she wants more than anything is to make your day/gathering a success and she will work hard for it. Awa took initiative, calling our venue, making sure she knew the layout, what to expect, etc., so she could deliver. And without a doubt she delivered. We could not recommend a better chef. She cares about her clients, and is passionate about cooking quality food and her work. She even ordered wooden cups directly from Cote D'Ivoire to fit our Caribbean theme.

Her food presentation is spot on. I can go on and on about how amazing she is, but I hope I convinced you. Hire her for your wedding or event, and try her food, you will not regret it. Thank you so much Awa! We wish we could do it all over again, so we could have more of your food. Hope we will have more opportunities in the future!

A grateful...