Les Madeleines
By Stephanie Brubaker
Photography by Anna Jones
To eat at Les Madeleines is to love Les Madeleines. Romina Rasmussen, a Utah native officially trained in New York, unofficially trained in Asia and granted bonafide Francophile status (by us) continues to wow locals with her beautifully-presented desserts and the creativity mixed into her savory treats—all available at her French-inspired patisserie nestled on 200 South.
Why is Les Madeleines crushable? First and foremost, because Romina uses only high-quality ingredients—including a type of butter that’s better than what you can find in France, if you can imagine, and as a result her pastries not only taste delicious but their intense flavors linger just long enough on your tastebuds.
Moreover, she whips up favorites that include hard-to-find Kouing-Aman (also spelled “kouign”). Romina’s recipe has a cult following that keeps customers coming back for more. Seriously—Les Madeleines is one of only two bakeries in the states offering this pastry delight, originally from Brittany. Another winter pick is the Meyer Lemon Meringue Tart, showing off the most in the citrus season. If you’re visiting for lunch, go for the sesame chicken wrap or the caprese with house-made pomme frites (yep, that’s French for French fry). If you’re a lavender fan, don’t leave without a glass of lavender lemonade. Savor it; you’ll be transported to Provence while it lasts.
We dare you to walk in this patisserie/cafe combo and treat yourself to just one item. In fact, we’re so confident that we’ll double dog dare you. All signs point to your loving everything on the menu as much as we do. Promesse.
{J’taime}
Les Madeleines Patisserie & Cafe
216 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City
(801) 355-2294
www.les-madeleines.com
February 10th, 2009 at 9:31 am
LM is hands down my favorite place to eat in Salt Lake. Before I moved back to UT, I would come for a visit now and then. We always hit LM and spent a bundle of money buying one of practically everything. The lavender lemonade is one of my very favorite menu items.
February 10th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Oh my! I love Les Madeleines! I actually went there twice in 24 hours this weekend. Anytime I’m up in SLC I have to go.
My favorites: Kouing-Aman (I always get nervous that they’ll be out!), Vegas Baby Cupcake (has red hots in it!!!!) Cardomom Cookie and Quince Button.
I have yet to try a savory item. They look so good!
February 10th, 2009 at 11:07 am
love LM. If you haven’t been – go. If you have been – you’ll be back.
February 10th, 2009 at 11:26 am
yes yes yes! this is my new favorite lunch spot. and beautiful photos!
February 10th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Dear YHO,
SHHHHHHH!
You’re not supposed to tell people about Les Madeleines! Then their croissants and Kouing-Aman will be even more impossible to snag than they already are. I guess I can live with no one else knowing–as long as the rest of you don’t tell anyone else!
February 10th, 2009 at 11:33 am
wow…everything looks so good. I really want to try it, Thanks!
February 10th, 2009 at 11:34 am
ps. the photos ARE beautiful!
February 10th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Thank you. I have been looking for a place locally that has french macaroons. I cant wait to try it.
February 10th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Those gorgeous images of the food are making my mouth water!!! I can’t wait to get over to Les Madeleines and give it a try!!!!
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:01 am
mmmm…. I’m so sad that this quaint little shop is all the way across the country! Delish! -e
June 16th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
I love Kouing-Aman and a couple of the other items at LM BUT I rarely go there because I cannot stand to be treated like dirt, which is what every member of the staff, including Romina, typically does. Even the girls who work the counter (and can’t be making more than 8 or 9 bucks an hour) think they are God’s Gift, even though they probably couldn’t cook their way out of a paper bag. No thanks.