La Maison du Chocolat Madison — Restaurant in New York

This review concerns their poor customer service, not the quality of chocolates.

I purchased two gift cards at the Madison Ave store in NYC, near where I live, on May 24th, 2019. I have bought items there before but decided to enroll in the Chocolate Circle that day. I strongly suggest that the lady under training (I believe her name is Gail) undergo some sensitivity training. While enrolling me for the loyalty program, she discovered that my birthday was on 9/11 but a different year. Like all decent people, I was deeply affected by this awful event, but it is also my birthday. Her first reaction was 'Tsk', then head-shaking, then looking at me and saying 'Really?'. There was no need for her to respond like this. I might add that I am Asian Indian (Hindu), but did she think I was somehow responsible? No one needs to be reminded of a tragedy when they are buying chocolate. I emailed the corporate office straightaway with my complaint. A customer service agent assured me that they had spoken to the Madison Square boutique, and that the Boutique Manager would be in touch. It is May 30th, and I haven't heard a thing. All they had to do was call to show me that they were interested in developing positive customer experience. I will never buy or recommend this brand again. I have since discovered Royce on Madison and consider them a far...

I have visited La Maison du Chocolat on a variety of occasions over the years and was always impressed by the quality of the products and the competent service. However, my most recent visit, on Saturday afternoon, was disappointing. I ordered a cup of hot chocolate. To my surprise and dismay, it was poured piping hot into a paper cup with a plastic lid. When I remarked that one would expect it to be served at La Maison du Chocolat in a porcelain cup, I was told “we have no service today”. For the same curious reason, the pastries were hidden in boxes, with only their pictures in the display case. Three staffers were on duty. One to take the order, one to pour the hot chocolate (no coffee was available due to there being “no service”, and one who spent her time scrolling on her phone. We were permitted to sit in the closed off dining area where pastries were on display, and where I found a clean porcelain cup to pour my hot chocolate into. On my previous visits, a single staffer was present and able to serve seated customers. Despite previous critical reviews by other customers and pledges to correct the situation at the Madison Avenue location, little if anything has been done to effectively resolve poor management, resulting in a growing number of disappointed customers and tarnishing the reputation of La Maison du Chocolat....

It's the time of year to buy people you don't really know a nice, thoughtful gift. Well, you will never go wrong with fine chocolate! They have many selections in the $11 and $30 range. After that, things get a bit pricey. Make your way through the display cases to the cafe in the rear.

I came for the hot chocolate. Excellent. It was the perfect cup of hot chocolate. Not cloyingly sweet, not bitter, just right. It's got a lovely light mouth feel. Add the accompanying whipped cream for added richness. I also ordered the large Rigoletto macaroon. So light and balanced. Just a little sweeter than the hot chocolate. Teensy bit of salt to accentuate the caramel. The whole thing melted in my mouth like a dream.

The presentation is top notch. The whipped cream comes in a little crock on the side with... they weren't nibs, but they were chocolate and added to the whole experience. I even got a small piece of milk chocolate to take home with me.

Someone ordered the eclair and made me regret my choice for just a moment. But not for long. The macaroon was really, really good. The best I've had so far. My goal is to go to France and see how it holds up to others in its class. I doubt La Maison du Chocolat has much...