The slightly warped hardwood floor, low ceilings and lace doilies are all perfectly designed in La Madeleine's French Bakery and Cafe to make patrons feel as though they've been instantly transported from the busy sidewalks of American city centers to the slow-paced serenity of the French countryside.

Chefs, with their starched white jackets, tall toques, and red ascots line the counter at lunchtime, politely pointing customers in the right direction to keep theline moving. There are no soup dragons here. The employees do their best to maintain the image of the relaxed French boulangerie and sometimes offer suggestions to particularly picky patrons.