Alison C.
Yelp
I had been really eager to try Madame for quite some time, so I finally made it a priority to get there recently. The restaurant and cocktail lounge was down a few steps, into what looked like a cool basement, with brick walls and dim lighting. From the moment we checked in with the hostess to the second we settled our bill, the service was impeccable! We could not get over just how professional and friendly the staff truly was.
In terms of the drinks, I started with the Simone de Beauvoir, which was served in a flute, as it included brut champagne, ginger, spiced agave, lime, and mezcal. I was not quite sure what to expect in terms of the flavor of that wacky combination, but it was pretty enjoyable. I think there might have been too much of the agave, though, as it became too sweet the more I consumed. For my second cocktail, I opted for the Jeanne de Clisson, which was a more familiar blend of passion fruit, lime, chili, mezcal, and tequila. Despite the beverage list highlighting the included alcohols towards the end of its noted ingredients, the drink sure was boozy!! My companion had also had the Jeanne de Clisson, as well as the namesake Madame Claude, which had been a sweet blend of cinnamon, chocolate, amaro, and bourbon, topped off with a smoker.
From the food perspective, I went with the Long Island Duck Breast, which was served in 2 large, rectangular pieces. The meat was very tender and not overly fatty. It was served over a parsnip puree, which was tasty, but could have been warmer and served in more of a generous portion; it was more like a light smear across the plate. There was also a small salad of shaved brussels sprouts and pomegranate seeds that was really delicious. My companion enjoyed his Hanger Steak and potato puree as well, though we both felt that the portions were a bit small for the cost.
Overall, we were largely pleased with our Madame experience and found the atmosphere super cool, so we plan to return!