Florida Mall and Mall at Millenia to both get new La Madeleine Country French Cafes

Six months ago, I'd name the Florida Mall as having the worst dining options of any mall in Orlando. Not anymore. With the opening of their new, improved food court, Florida Mall has risen to the top when it comes to mall dining. The Mall at Millenia has dropped to number two.

But more improvements to both malls are on the way. I just got word of another new concept coming to Central Florida, and, as fate would have it, it's coming to both malls.

Here's more information from the press release:

Courtesy la Madeleine Facebook page

La Madeleine Country French Café, the acclaimed, authentic country French bakery café, announced today significant expansion for the brand that will bring the company’s first two cafés to Florida. 

“We are coming to Orlando with great excitement and eagerness,” said John Cahill, president of la Madeleine. “This announcement represents a significant step in our growth strategy.” 

Known for its French cuisine handcrafted daily with fresh, seasonally inspired ingredients and comfortable, welcoming atmosphere, Dallas-based la Madeleine will arrive this fall at Orlando’s Florida Mall and Millennia (sic) Mall. The two cafés will be the restaurant company’s first locations in Florida. The restaurants are a joint venture between la Madeleine and Intram Investments Inc. 

Courtesy la Madeleine Facebook page

“Intram Investments Inc. is a valued partner for our brand,” said Cahill. “We have worked with them to open several successful cafés in Texas, Their extensive knowledge and 25 years of experience in restaurants and real estate in Florida will be instrumental with our café introduction in Orlando.” 

The café at the popular, high-traffic Florida Mall will be part of the newly expanded food court of nearly 30 retailers. At Millennia Mall, la Madeleine will be situated on the mall’s perimeter in a 6,000-square-foot freestanding restaurant. The café will also include a Maison de Coffee, or French coffeehouse. 

The distinctive bakery café brings tastes of the French country to America. Freshly prepared, handcrafted menu items include specialties, such as omelettes and quiche for breakfast, homemade soupes, salades and sandwiches for lunch, and dinner entrées, savory crêpes and pastas, as well as authentic French pâtisseries, viennoiserie and breads.

Courtesy la Madeleine Facebook page

“Our casual French bakery cafés become entrenched into the fabric of each community and Orlando is the perfect place for our brand and its growing fan base,” added Cahill. 

As one of the originators of the French casual concept, la Madeleine was founded in 1983 by French country entrepreneur Patrick Esquerré, and has continued to be an industry innovator since then. La Madeleine is committed to using the season’s freshest ingredients and adapting to guests’ varied tastes, while maintaining its French authenticity both on the menu and in each café’s warm and comfortable interior. 

“Using real, wholesome ingredients and writing our recipes using classic French techniques has let us craft unique products that create an addiction with our guests,” said Susan Dederen, vice president of culinary for la Madeleine. “We call it French with a wink…taking the best foods of France and using the best ingredients from the United States, we ensure the freshest products for our guests.” 

From its founding to today, the brand has also always made giving back to the community a high priority. Since 2012, la Madeleine has focused on the fight to help end childhood hunger, raising an average of $250,000 a year. 

For more information, visit www.lamadeleine.com.