I had dinner at Le Madeleine last night at 6pm. The restaurant was reasonably busy with the pre-theater crowd. I was delighted with the atmosphere. There are two dining areas. The inside area has charming brick walls with faded painted signs. There are white table cloths; large, fresh floral arrangements; and a brightness about the place. The other dining area is garden-style and outside. We had a reservation. I would recommend making reservations, since it can be busy because of the theater crowd.
They brought fresh bread and butter, which was quite nice. The water glasses were tiny, but they refilled them frequently.
The menu was fairly streamlined, with a choice of about eight appetizers and entrées. We just ordered entrées. I ordered the pork with creamy polenta, roasted plum tomato, and broccoli rabe. The pork was flavorful, but probably due to the high fat content. My friend ordered the veal pasta. He seemed to enjoy it. The entrées were priced at around $15 to $22. Other entrée choices included salmon with fennel and scallions, steak, and duck. Most of the dishes come with a starch accompaniment and a small side of vegetables. You can order additional sides at $6 each. They include french fries, haricot verts, spinach, and more.
For dessert, we ordered the caramel chocolate mousse. It was light and dense at the same time. It was fantastic! Other dessert choices include crème brulee, a cheese plate, or ice cream.
They are attuned to the need to finish eating in time to attend an 8pm show. They adjust the service speed accordingly. I would recommend eating here for a nice dinner with a friend.