Oh No! Not Le Madeleine!

I got some potentially sad news today. One of my favorite bistros is under attack by their landlord who not only wants to evict them prematurely but wants to demo the entire building!

Le Madeleine has been at 403 West 43rd Street since 1979 serving modern bistro fare to neighborhood regulars and theater goers alike. They not only serve a killer menu but they're also a recurring recipient of The Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence for their fantastic wine list. They're members of Slow Food International and promote organic and sustainable practices in farming and vitculture as well.

As the gentrification of the west side of midtown Manhattan crawls northward from West Chelsea, this section of Hell's Kitchen is seeing unprecidented building, with three or four new high rise buidlings under construction in the immediate neighborhood right now.


Here's what the Press has to say about Le Madeleine...

"Le Madeleine has been feeding theater crowds for years. ....The bistro's gone modern under chef Bruce Beaty (whose lively flavors reflect stints with Alfred Portale, Gilbert LeCoze, and Jonathan Waxman). We feel miles from Ninth Avenue reality in the quirky all-weather garden, sharing grilled lamb sausage and splendid yellowfin tartare that's zingy from lime and ginger. The tang of ripe tomato enlivens the skate's classic brown-butter vinaigrette. Corn custard, leaf spinach, and summer-vegetable compote tag alongside braised lamb shoulder, and the rib eye comes with fabulous frites. Lemon custard seals the deal. Grab a honey madeleine and catch that curtain."
–Gael Greene, New York Magazine, 9/11/01

"Soft lights, brick walls, fresh flowers and plenty of romantic ambiance comprise the very French very warm atmosphere of Le Madeleine."
–Jen Reiseman, The Star-Ledger

"Just a beautiful little restaurant."
–The Washington Post

"Another unexpectedly local charmer is Le Madeleine bistro ... this is a simple, casual establishment that is at its very best when dining in the pretty garden out back."
–Gourmet

If you'd like to help - please click here to sign the petition to their landlord - Save Le Madeleine!