la Madeleine — Restaurant in Virginia

I have been going to La Madeleine in Baileys Xroads since it opened and have taken many friends there. I generally have sandwiches, soup, and also buy baguette, croissant, and Sacher torte. I do order whole cakes/pies for Thanksgiving, Xmas, etc. The staff has always been friendly and provided excellent service. I only remember the name of Gwenda but others (couple of Ethiopian ladies) are equally nice. They always make a fresh baguette for me regardless of how crowded the place is. I have to wait for about 5 mins but it is worth it. Lately, a young white woman has been at the register and the service has deteriorated. She has attitude and is arrogant...there is no greeting with na smile nor a thank you. The worse part is that she refused to get me a fresh baguette last time I was there and the baguette I bought was hard and cold so was the croissant. Today, Saturday, April 26, I went there to purchase a baguette and a croissant. She was at the register and the line was extremely long because of her. A young couple was being reprimanded over and over by her at the register because their little girl was walking around instead of her taking their order, which made a bad situation worse. I was in line for about half an hour. When my turn came, she again refused to get me a fresh baguette going on and on about how many times she's had to get fresh baguettes done since the morning. Well, is that the problem of the customer? I ordered a butter croissant and told her that I won't get a baguette then because other staff always do it for me (they don't even leave the register..they just ask the cooks to put a new one in the oven). She however had the audacity of telling me that I do not have to come to Madeleine anymore. What nerve..who is she to talk with me like this. Is she the owner? Then she says she is the manager and her name is something like Ivy. .I wonder how she became a manager. Unlike her, I am educated and civilized and just walked away as it was not worth my precious time. I eat out a lot and in upscale places, and have never had such a horrible experience anywhere. In fact, I have witnessed how managers go out of their way to please their customers and apologize if there are issues.I hope the owner of Madeleine will do something about this treatment and tell this so called manager that her salary comes from customers, send her to training on customer service, and remove her from the register of Madeleine at this location. There are amazing staff there..let them do the excellent job they've been doing for years. May be she should learn from them..it seems like she cannot even take orders and be a cashier. Please note that my low rating is based on my interaction with this woman only. However, I notice that there have been a lot of bad reviews lately. She is probably mistreating staff there and they cannot perform. She will kill the business. Panera across the street has excellent service and Paris Baguette will be opening down the street in a few months. So, good luck to this...

My experiences at La Madeleine have been a harmonious blend of indulging in delectable French-inspired cuisine within a charming and welcoming ambiance. However, it is essential to address an aspect that, on occasion, has left a notable room for improvement - the cleanliness standards of the establishment.

La Madeleine, with its warm and inviting decor, successfully captures the essence of a French boulangerie and café. The menu, featuring a delightful array of soups, salads, sandwiches, and pastries, is a testament to the commitment to providing an authentic French culinary experience. The rich flavors, meticulous preparation, and the use of quality ingredients contribute to the overall success of La Madeleine as a culinary destination.

The ambiance is where La Madeleine truly shines. The rustic charm, complemented by the delightful aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries, creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere. It is a haven for patrons seeking a casual yet sophisticated dining experience, reminiscent of a French countryside bistro.

However, the occasional lapse in cleanliness has been a discernible concern. Tables, at times, have shown signs of inadequate attention, and certain areas of the dining space could benefit from more frequent and thorough cleaning. Maintaining high cleanliness standards is crucial, especially in a setting where patrons are immersed in the dining experience, surrounded by the delightful sights and scents of the French culinary tradition.

Addressing these cleanliness concerns promptly would not only contribute to a more inviting atmosphere but also enhance the overall customer experience. A well-maintained environment aligns seamlessly with the overall sophistication and charm that La Madeleine strives to offer.

In conclusion, La Madeleine remains a commendable destination for those seeking an authentic French culinary experience in a delightful ambiance. While the cuisine and ambiance excel, attention to elevating cleanliness standards would ensure that every aspect of the patron's experience is consistently exceptional. With a continued commitment to culinary excellence and an added focus on maintaining a pristine environment, La Madeleine has the potential to solidify its standing as a premier French-inspired dining...

Let me start by saying, I have not been to La Madeline in over 5 years since they closed the Rockville location. I really love that place and was so excited to find out that they had one in Bailly's Crossroad. Some friends of mine got together because I bragged so much about it so much and had breakfast there yesterday and unfortunately, La Madeline didn't stand up to all the hype that I gave it. Just coming in the door is major chaotic as the line is all jumbled up at the door with a bunch of confused people... It would turn many people off and some people did just walk out. Then when you get to the register to order, the staff is not the nicest and they're not as helpful, but hey, I love the food so I'm staying. By the time my food came, I had to send some of it back because it wasn't correct and the server, although she was nice, didn't mention to the new customers that you have to go get your own utensils, so imagine the already stressed guest became even more stressed. They never brought my food back to the table, after 30 minutes I had to go back to the chaos and ask where is my food... while there, I decided to order some food to go (which took another 20 minutes in line) because I don't think I will come back to this establishment again. Once we finished eating, we left out and I stopped to pick up my to go food order and my friends just wanted to grab some desserts, but they made them stand back in the chaotic long line so they decided that was definitely a no and stood outside and just waited for me to get my food (a few people left the line as well that was waiting way to long). I literally watched the organization lose money that day and and as a business owner, that hurt my soul. I hope they get it together one day because I really love...