Madison Cheese & Cafe — Restaurant in Madison

Let me start by saying great sandwiches.. however terrible customer service and experience... THE TIMELINE - 12:03 PM: sandwiches ordered (all of which were requested on SOURDOUGH bread) kept on phone for four minutes to confirm timeline for sandwich pickup. We agree that the sandwiches would be ready in 20 minutes. 12:15 PM: depart my paying job for sandwich pick up.. 12:25 PM: arrive for sandwich pickup. 12:26PM: pay $100+ dollars for sandwiches (ONE HUNDRED US DOLLARS!!!). 12:27 PM: Customer is advised that the sandwiches are almost ready. (I'm a patient person but keeping a customer for 35 minutes while you prepare five sandwiches is simply egregious and bad business. Everyone has off days I get it, however in this time frame three other walk in customers were serviced and two pick up customers. NO ATTENTION TO CUSTOMERS ACTIVELY IN YOUR ESTABLISHMENT, WHO ARE TAKING ONE HOUR FROM THEIR WORK DAY, AND SPENDING $100+ UNITED STATES DOLLARS FOR FIVE SANDWICHES.. I digress.. 12:55 PM: Sandwiches are presented to the customer... and the sandwiches were made on baguettes...

As far as I'm concerned, the constellation of the bookstore, Willoughby's coffee and this cheese shop make the center of Madison's universe. The charm of this town centers on this triad, and the cheese shop and its sandwiches are essential. I've only been once and tried the Cheesy Chin, but it was the perfect pairing of sweet and savory, blending stilton with a drizzle of honey and serving it on a rosemary focaccia and layered with chicken for some protein and texture. More than that, the staff were extremely friendly and happy to walk us through an eccentric parade of cheeses, both mild and alluringly foul. This shop takes it's cheese seriously, with all the inventory of a Whole Foods, but with the passion of staff that actually know what each block stands for on the nose and tongue. It's a touch out of the way from the central avenue, but make the extra 50 foot trip - it's well worth it for a...

I used to praise that shop, really. Until today. As much as the two male staff are fantastic, the owner however always came across as unpleasant. Confirmed today. She was humiliating when I mispronunced the name of a foreign cheese (lerdaamer) in English so After her making a remark loudly enough in a full store, I tried in French. There again no luck. So I had to say, the one the gentleman just had. It went on same for a French named bread by the way... anyhow, she had to comment again saying “your accent is cute but I don t undetstand”. You know what lady, at least I speak English, how many languages to you speak? And, I rarely, rarely, have people not undrrstanding me and when they do, them manage to blame it on them, or noise or something. You humiliated me, not more praising your shop lady, on the contrary. And you know what, I ll take my small but regular business to Old Saybrook....