All,

Heard a rumbling today that some previously shelved plans for the nice La Madeline's eateries from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to expand into Oklahoma have been revived. Heard that Tulsa was going to be the first stop, followed by a location here in OKC. No locations nor specific timelines were mentioned.

Does anyone have any information regarding this? Would be a fantastic addition to OKC if its true.

Never heard of it...

I'd love to see them expand to this area... Great food.

That would be great. Used to eat lunch there frequently when I lived in Houston.

Chain haters will cringe but this would be a nice addition

All,

Heard a rumbling today that some previously shelved plans for the nice La Madeline's eateries from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to expand into Oklahoma have been revived. Heard that Tulsa was going to be the first stop, followed by a location here in OKC. No locations nor specific timelines were mentioned.

Does anyone have any information regarding this? Would be a fantastic addition to OKC if its true.

heard same rumor. . .just wish it was OKC first!! maybe with all the new Boeing jobs, they will reconsider?!

The Tulsa location is on Cherry Street; should be opening fairly soon I would think. I had not heard about an OKC possibility, and this is good news. We fairly regularly eat at La Madeleine's when we are in the Dallas or DC areas and actually ate there last week. Love the soup and the bread.

I went to one in Baton Rouge. It was not a place I would go back to or refer to anyone. Then again that was ten years ago so things may have changed for the better.

I just reviewed the menu, online.
Has the old Marie Callender's location on Memorial been leased yet?

(Gotta admit, though . . . The Tilapia and Shrimp Provincal looked tasty. =)

Once again Tulsa is first with most national chain restaurants and retail.

Still... never heard of it, lol.

La Madeline is a nice place to go for lunch. They have good salads and quiche. It would probably do well downtown or in NH Plaza, as the restaurant that was in NH Plaza where the Starbucks is now was a local version of La Madeline and we ate there frequently.

Tulsa gets everything first because their annual income is about $2,000 a year higher and also because they've got existing buildings in place in which stores can locate. But I just heard that NH Plaza is now going to be remodeled and all the businesses are being told their leases will not be renewed because Aubrey wants it to be strictly retail. I assume restaurants are still acceptable.

Still... never heard of it, lol.

OKC, best thing I can suggest is to think of La Madeline's as an upscale Panera with a broader menu, probably a higher overall quality of food (and that's not a knock on Panera, either - I like them very much) and a "cozier" atmosphere. Very nice IMHO. Kept trying to think of "better" descriptions but that's probably pretty fair.

Ah weesh to mak eet clear that I have no . . . 'ow you say . . . connection(?)
weeth thees restahraunt . . .
http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/mad_about_madeline_front_cover.jpg
. . . naur do I 'ave ahny responsibility ahn how you enterpreet le word, 'mad'.

It would probably do well downtown or in NH Plaza, as the restaurant that was in NH Plaza where the Starbucks is now was a local version of La Madeline and we ate there frequently.

I hear tell that the former Falcone's location in Bricktown just "opened up" . . .

I hear tell that the former Falcone's location in Bricktown just "opened up" . . .

Oh, really? Falcone's finally gave it up? I never understood how that place lasted as long as it did. Greasy, nasty stuff. When my 15-year-old football-playing constantly-hungry son, who would probably eat pizza three meals a day if I let him, won't eat it, that told me plenty.

OKC, best thing I can suggest is to think of La Madeline's as an upscale Panera with a broader menu, probably a higher overall quality of food (and that's not a knock on Panera, either - I like them very much) and a "cozier" atmosphere. Very nice IMHO. Kept trying to think of "better" descriptions but that's probably pretty fair.

Thanks for the description. I know i could probably look it up online but i had more important things to do.

Thanks for the description. I know i could probably look it up online but i had more important things to do.

Like post here about how you never heard of it. :smile: Just joshin' with 'ya. It's a pretty big deal in several cities. It's been a while since I've been in one of their restaurants, but they're all very nice and you hear people still rave about their food.

Thanks for the description. I know i could probably look it up online but i had more important things to do.

Like make this post?

Tulsa gets everything first because their annual income is about $2,000 a year higher and also because they've got existing buildings in place in which stores can locate. But I just heard that NH Plaza is now going to be remodeled and all the businesses are being told their leases will not be renewed because Aubrey wants it to be strictly retail. I assume restaurants are still acceptable.

If you go to Cherry Street or Brookside you'll understand why Tulsa gets everything first. OKC does not have any comparable districts with that much character AND money in the same area. It's very attrative for nice restaurants. For example, a Mi Cocina just moved into Cherry Street and a Wolfgang Puck's just moved to Cherry Street. Everything is so spread out in OKC that they have not developed such dense areas that are as attractive, but they are starting too. I'm glad to see both OKC and Tulsa on the up and up.

I know there is a Wolfgang Puck's on Peoria in Tulsa. Did they open a 2nd restaurant on Cherry Street too ???

Puck's is in Brookside. There is not a second one. And for the record, the Wolfgang Puck's is a franchise opened by a local person. If someone in OKC wants a Wolfgang Puck's, they could get themselves a franchise too.

Not sure if it would be as successful in OKC. In general, Tulsans are far more desperate to prove to themselves that they are a worldly, classy city, so they will flock mindlessly and obsessively to anything they think demonstrates such.

La Madeleine is franchised as well.

La Madeleine is franchised as well.

Seems like I remember reading that they keep exceptionally tight reigns on franchises, especially locations and capitalization requirements, think in an effort to control the name brand. Think there are only one or two outside Texas, but i won't swear to that.

Not sure if it would be as successful in OKC. In general, Tulsans are far more desperate to prove to themselves that they are a worldly, classy city, so they will flock mindlessly and obsessively to anything they think demonstrates such.

Thought you would probably chime in....

Puck's is in Brookside. There is not a second one. And for the record, the Wolfgang Puck's is a franchise opened by a local person. If someone in OKC wants a Wolfgang Puck's, they could get themselves a franchise too.

Not sure if it would be as successful in OKC. In general, Tulsans are far more desperate to prove to themselves that they are a worldly, classy city, so they will flock mindlessly and obsessively to anything they think demonstrates such. Living in Dallas, I frequent LaMadelenes at least twice a month. I have casually mentioned to management staff that I believe this concept would do well in OKC. Every manager responded that they have tons of customers from OKC eating at their establishments and they have heard that LM is eventually going to locate in OKC. I believe it would be more successful in OKC, more so than Tulsa.

Seems like I remember reading that they keep exceptionally tight reigns on franchises, especially locations and capitalization requirements, think in an effort to control the name brand. Think there are only one or two outside Texas, but i won't swear to that.

17 out of approximately 60 are outside of Texas. And yes, most successful franchisors keep tight reigns on locations and capitalization requirements in an effort to control their brand.

La Madeleine is franchised as well.

Yes, but I believe the Tulsa store will be company-owned (not franchised).

17 out of approximately 60 are outside of Texas. And yes, most successful franchisors keep tight reigns on locations and capitalization requirements in an effort to control their brand.

Yes, but the point of the article I was recalling (however imperfectly) was that, for whatever reason, LaMadelines' was seen as *especially* strict. For what its worth.

La Madeline is a nice place to go for lunch. They have good salads and quiche. It would probably do well downtown or in NH Plaza, as the restaurant that was in NH Plaza where the Starbucks is now was a local version of La Madeline and we ate there frequently.
At the time that opened I knew one of the partners and they were going for a direct copy of La Madeline with Ground Floor Cafe.

Seems like I remember reading that they keep exceptionally tight reigns on franchises, especially locations and capitalization requirements, think in an effort to control the name brand. Think there are only one or two outside Texas, but i won't swear to that. There are stores located in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Atlanta, Washington DC.

They do hold a very short leash on franchises as SoonerDave posted. They are very concerned with quality control and pretty much only go with well capitalized groups with exemplary track records. Think of a franchise group like Hal Smith restaurants as a prime operator of a regional franchise. That is usually the type of group they align with.

So . . . I posted a link to this thread to a friend and fellow foodie/hobby chef/critic of mine in the UK (specifically Liverpool) who has only recently discovered AmericanFoodNetwork via the BBC (i suppose).
Here, for your reading and paradigm adjusting pleasure is . . .

Re. La Madeleine: I'm surprised a French restaurant would survive in the US, you're even more francophobic than we Brits are. And you never even got invaded by them. What is - as ever - interesting is seeing what a US slant on a cuisine is compared to ours.

Even in the UK, what you get in a 'French' restaurant is nothing like you get in a restaurant in France. Mostly because what you get in a restaurant in France is local dishes to the region the restaurant is in, but also because the UK version is fast food whereas the French will be stews cooked for hours. Often with offal too, which we don't eat..

There's a fairly dismal chain here called 'Café Rouge'. I would never choose to eat there, but when I do all I will have is 'merguez baguette & frites' - i.e. a moroccan spicy sausage sandwich and french fries. IT's edible, but that's all I can say about it.

So... I looked at La Madeleine's menu, and the first thing I noticed was this:

"Chicken Parisien - Marinated chicken breast, bacon, melted cheddar, mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato on a toasted sourdough roll "
The reason this makes me smile is that in a british pub, you often see this:
"Chicken New York style - Marinated chicken breast, bacon, melted cheddar, mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato on a toasted roll "
(I deleted the sourdough because most English people think sourdough means the bread has gone bad). But you get the gist; pubs here think that's how New Yorkers choose to eat a chicken sandwich, in Dallas they think that's how Parisians would eat it. I guess New Yorkers are as likely as Parisians to eat that - i.e. not likely at all.

What is quite striking about the menu is that it is Italian. Very little about it is in any way French, which is bizarre. For example, lots of dishes have pesto, Italian; the French equivalent is caled Pistou. And they use lots of provolone cheese, basil - no mention anywhere of French cheese (which is completely different in style from Italian), and little mention of French herbs other than provencal. Even the mediterranean salad has greek cheese and herbs.

That is of course an arrogant snooty foodie view, the food may be delicious. But it's not French, and what puzzles me is that French cuisine is closer to south-western US than Italian; obviously the creole influences, with french andouillette sausages and the use of seafood. But the simplest and arguably tastiest French dish isn't on the menu - steak & frites. If you go to France, no matter where you go you see steak & frites on the menu. Some of London's best authentic French restaurants have their reputation to do Steak & Frites like you get in France. Not what we in the UK call 'chips' either, proper 'stringfellows' like you get in McDonalds (except unlike McDonalds they are made of potato).

"made of potato" . . . heh, heh, heh.
The drier the commentary the more accurate it probably is.
Not to mention being closer to The Prime Meridian.

FYI, the Tulsa location has been discussed for about 8 years now, and will be a corporate owned location. Franchising for La Madeleine is VERY new, as about 99% of the stores at this point are corporate owned.

As for the cuisine, of course it's not "authentic French" any more than P.F. Chang's is "authentic Szechuan/Cantonese/Hunan/Thai/Japanese." Because nobody would eat that crap over here.

After 10 days in Paris eating at lots of cafés and bistros around the city, I was longing for something with as much flavor as La Madeleine. Excellent croissants, Croque Monsieur, quiches, salads, *fantastic* pastries and desserts, and a rotating menu of sandwiches and hot entrées which have included such things as Beef en Croute, Rosemary Chicken, etc. Did I mention that their desserts are out of this world? Creme Brulée, Sacher Torte, fruit tarts, cheesecake, and a lemon tart that you'll be eager to make yourself sick on.

Yes, the Wolfgang Puck on Brookside is a franchise. It is technically a Wolfgang Puck Bistro, which is a little different from some of the other concepts (when it opened, it was one of only four, each with unique locally-sourced menus). Good place.

The Mi Cocina opened up a few months ago about two blocks from the La Madeleine location and seems to be doing very well. Chuy's will be opening up in south Tulsa next month in front of the Cinemark at 71st and 169. It's a good time to be eating in Tulsa.

Yeah . . . Except for the boring drive. =)
(Unless you travel "The Mother Road"--remember? Route 66?)

[Not a subliminal plug for High Speed Rail . . . with traditional, "American", traIn horns]

Wolfgang Puck lost all credibility--as a chef--in my opinion--when he first appeared on QVC hawking his wares.

Yes, the Wolfgang Puck on Brookside is a franchise. It is technically a Wolfgang Puck Bistro, which is a little different from some of the other concepts (when it opened, it was one of only four, each with unique locally-sourced menus). Good place.

The Mi Cocina opened up a few months ago about two blocks from the La Madeleine location and seems to be doing very well. Chuy's will be opening up in south Tulsa next month in front of the Cinemark at 71st and 169. It's a good time to be eating in Tulsa.

If you're a fan of food chains. I can live without all of these, pretty much forever. I do, however, miss the Ground Floor Cafe, which was better than La Madeline, copy or not.

Yes, the Wolfgang Puck on Brookside is a franchise. It is technically a Wolfgang Puck Bistro, which is a little different from some of the other concepts (when it opened, it was one of only four, each with unique locally-sourced menus). Good place.

The only other two are here in California and both are in malls and absolutely nothing to get excited about. More akin to the WP pizza counters they have in grocery stores than his other concepts.

In fact, one was opened very near me a couple of years ago, was universally panned, and only last about six months.

I think another concept that would do well in OKC would be "The Corner Bakery" it is a close second to LaMadeline and has excellent coffee, pastries, salads, sandwiches and breakfast.

The Mi Cocina opened up a few months ago about two blocks from the La Madeleine location and seems to be doing very well. Chuy's will be opening up in south Tulsa next month in front of the Cinemark at 71st and 169. It's a good time to be eating in Tulsa.

OF COURSE it's doing well in Tulsa. It is a restaurant that is popular in Dallas. That does not mean it would be successful in OKC. Chuy's will do well in Tulsa too, for the same reason.

OF COURSE it's doing well in Tulsa. It is a restaurant that is popular in Dallas. That does not mean it would be successful in OKC. Chuy's will do well in Tulsa too, for the same reason.

It would do well in OKC...for the same reasons. It's something new and people will flock to it. Consistently good food and service will ensure its long-term success.

I always thought Cafe Plaid and La Madelaine were similar. I wish they still had their Sunday brunch.

Okay, in running through some of the comments here, I have to admit to some confusion - is there, in fact, a La Madeline's either under construction or in operation in Tulsa, or is it still just being discussed? One response made me think it was already there (location on Cherry Street), another made me think the former was a prospective location (it would do well...)

I'd be most interested in the OKC location, but any presence gives hope :)


Sorry to be dense between the ears :)

No great shakes. Better than Arby's. This is really not a groundbreaking announcement.

It would do well in OKC...for the same reasons. It's something new and people will flock to it. Consistently good food and service will ensure its long-term success.


Yes, just like Mi Cocina did well in Kansas City. and Houston.. oops; not so much.

Okay, in running through some of the comments here, I have to admit to some confusion - is there, in fact, a La Madeline's either under construction or in operation in Tulsa, or is it still just being discussed? One response made me think it was already there (location on Cherry Street), another made me think the former was a prospective location (it would do well...)


Under construction at 15th & St. Louis (Cherry Street)...opening in April. An OKC location is supposedly in the works but no word on where it will be.

Under construction at 15th & St. Louis (Cherry Street)...opening in April. An OKC location is supposedly in the works but no word on where it will be.

Okay, great. Thanks.

OKC, best thing I can suggest is to think of La Madeline's as an upscale Panera with a broader menu, probably a higher overall quality of food (and that's not a knock on Panera, either - I like them very much) and a "cozier" atmosphere. Very nice IMHO. Kept trying to think of "better" descriptions but that's probably pretty fair.

Spot on Dave. Very popular when I lived in Baton Rouge. Another cool place that would be a nice addition from South Louisiana is "Ralph and Kacoo's". They have started to spread their wings a little.


http://ralphandkacoos.com/


Chris
www.clubcountryradio