Restaurante El Panzon — Restaurant in Madison

I paid a visit to Le Petit Croissant a couple of weeks and came away impressed. While the menu provides a just a handful of choices and the seating options are limited, the friendly staff, a display full of enticing European pastries and well executed Reuben sandwich has me eagerly anticipating my next visit.

Claudia, who works the front of house, personally greets everyone who enters the restaurant. As I mentioned earlier, there are not a lot of seating option: there are five two tops and one larger table that could seat six. The thing that first caught my eye was the tantalizing pastry display brimming with an impressive array of confections. The offerings include a couple of savory options (plain / ham & cheddar croissants, baguettes, sourdough bread) as well as a wide variety of sweet options (morning buns, cream puffs, cinnamon rolls, éclairs, etc). The café also offer a compliment of coffee drinks to wash down all of the stellar pastries.

The breakfast menu is available all day and consists of traditional café breakfast fare (French toast, a couple of crepes, a quiche, a frittata and a croissant sandwich). The lunch menu offers a variety of sandwiches and salads. Since I am a creature of habit, I opted for the Reuben sandwich. The Le Petit Croissant serves their rendition of this sandwich on a soft pumpernickel pretzel roll. While I appreciated all the flavor that the bun imparted, it didn't make up for the lack of textural contrast that the traditional Reuben gets from its time on the griddle. Other than that deficiency, the sandwich packed a mouthful of flavor, including some heat (the hot mustard type). While the quality of the sauerkraut and corned beef components were solid, the sandwich as a whole did not dislodge Stalzy's Deli as the King of Madison Reben sandwiches. The small salad of mixed green with a dressed with well-balanced balsamic vinaigrette accompanied my sandwich.

Even though a steady stream of customers flowed into the restaurant, Claudia found time to check on what I thought of my meal and thanked me for visiting as I departed. Even though the restaurant is just a couple of weeks old, I felt very much at home during my first visit to Le Petit Croissant. With all those tempting pasties calling my name, I'm sure to...

I was so excited when this cafe opened just blocks from my house and a flyer was deliver d to my door to welcome me. There have been many failed restaurants in this small retail mall and I was hopeful this one would make it. When I visited the first time I had only a latte to feel out the atmosphere. I don't like loud coffee shops. It was new so very few people were there. I have since returned many times (especially for the quiche and side salad) and have brought friends. It is getting more and more crowded but there is always a place to sit and the warm smiles and excellent service remains excellent. My husband is now hooked and even brought his out of town brother there for breakfast before a Badger football game (there are a lot of breakfast options in town!) I am now inviting business colleagues to meet me there. I want to spread the word to ensure this gem is well supported financially. Thanks for opening a quality establishment in a great location. When the construction is finished I am certain your business will...

Too bad I can’t rate 0 stars. My family and I planned to eat here today. I arrived early and had to use the bathroom. Upon entering, the lady told me their restrooms are for paying customers only. Not knowing that I was waiting for my party of 12 to arrive. I walked out and noticed a restaurant El Jalapeño. Went in and they allowed me to use their facilities, no questions asked. I was really looking forward to eating here but since I wasn’t allowed access to their bathroom, my family and I decided to give our money to the guys next door. El jalapeño! Our bill was around $300 with all of us together. A few from my family have been in the service industry, so we enjoy tipping big. I gave $100 tip and a few others gave $20-$50 tips! You guys missed out on nearly $500, just because You wouldn’t let me use your bathroom! Next time, allow your customers access, you never know how much they are trying to...