Spoke with the owner prior to a Saturday evening closing regarding what I’d like to pick up for gifts Sunday morning. I placed my order for two boxes of six macaroons and two pastry bars online. At pickup all 12 macaroons from the two sets of six were in one box together and the pastry bars were not boxed correctly. I explained these were gifts and everything needed the boxes as ordered online but they said they were out of stock and could not box them as ordered for pick up.
The person called the owner on speakerphone in front of me and other customers and spoke in French before the owner yelled at me I was wrong and he and I had never spoken the prior day. I was mortified and literally just wanted my correct order which cost me $80. I left in tears apologizing to the other customers for the disruption. Needless to say I did not leave with my order correct.
This was highly disappointing as I originally visited one of their Paris locations and had a great experience. I would never return here or recommend this location.
Roman Hardgrave
We only had the macarons, which were not worth the price. Macarons are supposed to be light and fluffy and these tasted like the cookies were stale and the filling was overly sweet. At basically $4/ cookie, I expected more of a true French macaron.
Gram Ramsey
My wife and I popped in for a bite, and the African gentleman was extremely rude and almost seemed inconvenienced by our order.
Isabel Pulido
Worst customer service that I have received. I am a regular customer at Laduree, and normally I go to the Georgetown store, but today I was in the area and decided to pass by this location. Walking into the store felt like we were bothering the employee there (Friday at 4:00 pm). I asked specifically for a 18-macarons box and he started putting them in a paper bag. It was not until the third time that I asked for a box that he gave me a box (with an attitude). He didn't even asked or tried to wrap them up with a ribbon and/or putting it in a bag (what is the normal in other locations). He just slided the box as soon as I paid and went back to whatever he was doing. This attitude is unacceptable, especially after spending almost 100 dollars on their sweets. I do not recommend this Laduree to anyone.
Florence Kim
I just stopped by to get two holiday gift boxed macarons for my friends as Christmas gifts. Boy, was I in for a surprise. Holiday gift boxes not available in most sizes, lots of flavors unavailable, no ribbons, no gift bags. They put my two boxes in cheap, thin white paper bags! Many macarons on display were cracked and I had to cross my fingers and hope that the guy did not pick one of those or else I would have had to say something. What is this? Today is December 21st- the Saturday before Christmas. If you don’t have holiday gift wrapping, boxes, and limited flavors… what is the point? Let’s be real. People don’t come to Laduree just because the macarons are good. We come for the packaging too! It is like buying a pair of new Chanel shoes thrown in a plastic bag. Very dissatisfied and will not be back. The man working there was not apologetic at all and had a “take it or leave it” attitude. Unfortunate. They will go out of business at this rate.
Jaq A
This is what I got when I visited the store to get a Holiday gift. I understand that we do not “buy” the paper bags as they are free with purchase, I think many people make purchase at Laduree, especially as a gift, because of the packaging and the experience, as much as they get it for the taste. The store did not have any box in the original Laduree pastel hue (green, pink, etc) other than one green box. It had holiday themed boxes, but I wanted to get something from the original color palette, so I had just one box choice. This, i could understand. However, after i made a purchase, the employee just put the box in that doggy bag - No explanation whatsoever. I asked for a bag with handle and the employee told me the only handled bag they have is one thats about 3 feet wide.. i seriously wanted to cancel my purchase because I would rather gift chocolate or other sweets from different brands where I can get “normal” packaging. I can’t believe the employee was not apologetic at all about their situation and did not even say a word- an apology or explanation- when he put the box in the doggy bag. I really wanted to cancel my purchase (i had not yet made the payment, so technically I could have just walked out) and I think it is a legitimate reason to change my mind, but I only made the purchase because I felt bad the employee spent his time packing the box. Very disappointing experience.
M Eron
I went to Laduree and found out that all their wonderful handmade pastries have been replaced with chocolate covered whipped cream bars. I got one and I will seriously miss their patisserie.
Michael Williams
The croissants were rubbery. Not what I'd expect from a purportedly legit patisserie. With fresh baguette and maman nearby you really gotta step that croissant game up.
J C
If macarons is your addiction, then Ladurée is your holy land as the pastries, cookie, and coffee seem to be menu fillers. There are plenty macaron shops now compared to a decade ago as more craft patissiers seem to have demystified the science of macarons over the years. From my perspective, a premium quality macaron embodies exceptional flavor, texture, and a proper external layer of crisp. Ladurée's macarons score high marks on texture and crispy layer but the flavor could stand out a little more with less sugar. At $4 per macaron, it's expensive and that's without the additional cost for the packaging so make sure you love macarons if you decide to stop by.
Ron Paker
I visited on October 17th at 6 pm, but the store was already closed, even though the posted hours indicated they should be open until 7 pm.
Was closed at 6.30pm, even though the hours were supposed to be til 7pm
Attila Ozmulla
Always a lovely experience
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hudson Tang
I first learned of Ladurée decades ago when I made a trip to London. A colleague of mine asked me to bring back macarons from their first store outside of France at Harrods of London. I obliged and was introduced to macarons.
Prior to the Ladurée opening in Bethesda, I would need to get my macaron fix in New York, but now I can simply walk a few blocks as opposed to travel hundreds of miles to the City.
How is the macaron in London, the same in New York, and most importantly, the same in Bethesda? In order for Ladurée to maintain their consistency worldwide, all macarons sold outside of France are made in a factory in Switzerland, put in a hibernation state, and shipped to each store. The quality of a product is more important than the allure of something made "fresh daily" and I have yet to find a better macaron than those from Ladurée.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Aaliyah Clarkson
The macarons were absolutely delicious. I always appreciate the aesthetic and attention to detail in all Laduree products and pastries.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Blush Peony
I’ve had macarons from all over the United States (unfortunately not in Europe yet) and these are hands down the best ones I have ever tried. I also got a delicious hazelnut type cake. It was unbelievable! I cannot wait to come back!
Spoke with the owner prior to a Saturday evening closing regarding what I’d like to pick up for gifts Sunday morning. I placed my order for two boxes of six macaroons and two pastry bars online. At pickup all 12 macaroons from the two sets of six were in one box together and the pastry bars were not boxed correctly. I explained these were gifts and everything needed the boxes as ordered online but they said they were out of stock and could not box them as ordered for pick up.
The person called the owner on speakerphone in front of me and other customers and spoke in French before the owner yelled at me I was wrong and he and I had never spoken the prior day. I was mortified and literally just wanted my correct order which cost me $80. I left in tears apologizing to the other customers for the disruption. Needless to say I did not leave with my order correct.
This was highly disappointing as I originally visited one of their Paris locations and had a great experience. I would never return here or recommend this location.
We only had the macarons, which were not worth the price. Macarons are supposed to be light and fluffy and these tasted like the cookies were stale and the filling was overly sweet. At basically $4/ cookie, I expected more of a true French macaron.
My wife and I popped in for a bite, and the African gentleman was extremely rude and almost seemed inconvenienced by our order.
Worst customer service that I have received.
I am a regular customer at Laduree, and normally I go to the Georgetown store, but today I was in the area and decided to pass by this location. Walking into the store felt like we were bothering the employee there (Friday at 4:00 pm). I asked specifically for a 18-macarons box and he started putting them in a paper bag. It was not until the third time that I asked for a box that he gave me a box (with an attitude). He didn't even asked or tried to wrap them up with a ribbon and/or putting it in a bag (what is the normal in other locations). He just slided the box as soon as I paid and went back to whatever he was doing. This attitude is unacceptable, especially after spending almost 100 dollars on their sweets. I do not recommend this Laduree to anyone.
I just stopped by to get two holiday gift boxed macarons for my friends as Christmas gifts. Boy, was I in for a surprise. Holiday gift boxes not available in most sizes, lots of flavors unavailable, no ribbons, no gift bags. They put my two boxes in cheap, thin white paper bags! Many macarons on display were cracked and I had to cross my fingers and hope that the guy did not pick one of those or else I would have had to say something. What is this? Today is December 21st- the Saturday before Christmas. If you don’t have holiday gift wrapping, boxes, and limited flavors… what is the point? Let’s be real. People don’t come to Laduree just because the macarons are good. We come for the packaging too! It is like buying a pair of new Chanel shoes thrown in a plastic bag. Very dissatisfied and will not be back. The man working there was not apologetic at all and had a “take it or leave it” attitude. Unfortunate. They will go out of business at this rate.
This is what I got when I visited the store to get a Holiday gift. I understand that we do not “buy” the paper bags as they are free with purchase, I think many people make purchase at Laduree, especially as a gift, because of the packaging and the experience, as much as they get it for the taste.
The store did not have any box in the original Laduree pastel hue (green, pink, etc) other than one green box. It had holiday themed boxes, but I wanted to get something from the original color palette, so I had just one box choice. This, i could understand.
However, after i made a purchase, the employee just put the box in that doggy bag - No explanation whatsoever. I asked for a bag with handle and the employee told me the only handled bag they have is one thats about 3 feet wide..
i seriously wanted to cancel my purchase because I would rather gift chocolate or other sweets from different brands where I can get “normal” packaging. I can’t believe the employee was not apologetic at all about their situation and did not even say a word- an apology or explanation- when he put the box in the doggy bag. I really wanted to cancel my purchase (i had not yet made the payment, so technically I could have just walked out) and I think it is a legitimate reason to change my mind, but I only made the purchase because I felt bad the employee spent his time packing the box.
Very disappointing experience.
I went to Laduree and found out that all their wonderful handmade pastries have been replaced with chocolate covered whipped cream bars. I got one and I will seriously miss their patisserie.
The croissants were rubbery. Not what I'd expect from a purportedly legit patisserie. With fresh baguette and maman nearby you really gotta step that croissant game up.
If macarons is your addiction, then Ladurée is your holy land as the pastries, cookie, and coffee seem to be menu fillers. There are plenty macaron shops now compared to a decade ago as more craft patissiers seem to have demystified the science of macarons over the years. From my perspective, a premium quality macaron embodies exceptional flavor, texture, and a proper external layer of crisp. Ladurée's macarons score high marks on texture and crispy layer but the flavor could stand out a little more with less sugar. At $4 per macaron, it's expensive and that's without the additional cost for the packaging so make sure you love macarons if you decide to stop by.
I visited on October 17th at 6 pm, but the store was already closed, even though the posted hours indicated they should be open until 7 pm.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Pastry
Restaurantji Recommends
Was closed at 6.30pm, even though the hours were supposed to be til 7pm
Always a lovely experience
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I first learned of Ladurée decades ago when I made a trip to London. A colleague of mine asked me to bring back macarons from their first store outside of France at Harrods of London. I obliged and was introduced to macarons.
Prior to the Ladurée opening in Bethesda, I would need to get my macaron fix in New York, but now I can simply walk a few blocks as opposed to travel hundreds of miles to the City.
How is the macaron in London, the same in New York, and most importantly, the same in Bethesda? In order for Ladurée to maintain their consistency worldwide, all macarons sold outside of France are made in a factory in Switzerland, put in a hibernation state, and shipped to each store. The quality of a product is more important than the allure of something made "fresh daily" and I have yet to find a better macaron than those from Ladurée.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
The macarons were absolutely delicious. I always appreciate the aesthetic and attention to detail in all Laduree products and pastries.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve had macarons from all over the United States (unfortunately not in Europe yet) and these are hands down the best ones I have ever tried. I also got a delicious hazelnut type cake. It was unbelievable! I cannot wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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