La Madeleine Bakery Cafe & Bistro

When Patrick Leon Esquerré came to America, he brought the tastes of the French countryside with him. He grew up in the Loire Valley region of post World War II France, where meal times revolved around homegrown, hand-prepared food, friends, family and heartfelt conversation. Patrick missed the joys of his hometown. He yearned for the aroma of fresh-baked baguettes and lingering over an espresso at the corner cafe. So, he decided to create his own.

With little else besides his boundless enthusiasm and charming broken English, the self-described “French country boy” began to bring his vision to life. With the advice and support of legendary retail magnate Stanley Marcus, of Neiman Marcus fame, la Madeleine was born.

Patrick opened his first la Madeleine bakery, or boulangerie, on Mockingbird Lane in Dallas, Texas. It soon expanded to a café and neighborhood gathering place for all to see, be seen and enjoy a variety of classic French country fare. Now with more than 60 locations, Patrick’s dream of bringing the tastes of the French countryside to America continues.

La Madeleine serves guests in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Atlanta and