Belle Epicurean
3109 E. Madison St, Seattle, WA, 98112
Belle Epicurean Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Diabetics at Taco Bell
The biggest concern for diabetics is to find healthy food with less sugar at restaurants. The hunt for the right food becomes even more challenging for diabetics when dining at a fast food restaurant. Well, Taco Bell changes that with Fresco style. Simply ask or order an item from the Taco Bell menu in Fresco Style.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Taco Bell:
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Fresco Steak Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 4g Fat (1.5g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 17g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 10g Protein
Fresco Soft Taco – Shredded Chicken
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 6g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 9g Protein
Fresco Soft Taco Beef
Nutrition Fact: 160 calories, 6g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 480mg sodium, 18g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Veggie Power Menu Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 480 calories, 19g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 970mg sodium, 65g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 13g Fiber, 14g Protein
Bean Burrito
Nutrition Fact: 380 calories, 11g Fat (4g Sat. Fat), 1060mg sodium, 55g Carbs, 3g Sugar, 9g Fiber, 14g Protein
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for Diabetics:
You must avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes at Taco Bell if you have diabetes. Almost every beverage offered at Taco Bell contains high sugar content.
High Cholesterol at Taco Bell
Fast food restaurants are known for serving high calorie, greasy food with lots of sugars. Taco Bell changes this trend by offering Fresco Style option where your favorite food item is prepared using pico de gallo as it will cut down 20 – 30 calories easily from the original meal.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Taco Bell:
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Breakfast Soft Taco – Egg & Cheese
Nutrition Fact: 170 calories, 9g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 330mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, less than 1g Fiber, 7g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Fresco Crunchy Taco – Beef
Nutrition Fact: 140 calories, 7g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 300mg sodium, 14g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 6g Protein
Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla
Nutrition Fact: 200 calories, 10g Fat (3.5g Sat. Fat), 490mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 1g Fiber, 10g Protein
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Spicy Potato Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 230 calories, 12g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 27g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Cholesterol:
It is best to avoid Bacon or Steak dishes at Taco Bell as such dishes contain a lot of fat. Also, try to avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes which are full of sugars resulting in empty calories.
Visit below restaurant in Seattle for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at Taco Bell
People with high blood pressure must avoid food with high sodium levels. You can either ask the people at Taco Bell to add less salt in your food or choose the food items with less sodium content or customize your order using Taco Bell's own nutrition calculator.
Food Suggestions to Control Blood Pressure at Taco Bell:
Fresco Chicken Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 6g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 9g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Grilled Breakfast Burrito - Sausage
Nutrition Fact: 340 calories, 17g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 730mg sodium, 36g Carbs, 3g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 11g Protein
Veggie Power Menu Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 480 calories, 19g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 970mg sodium, 65g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 13g Fiber, 14g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Blood Pressure:
Taco Bell offers a wide range of Grande Scrambler Burritos, Crunch wraps, and Quesadillas which are high in sodium. It is important to limit the sodium intake at Taco Bell and avoid any meal with over 750-800mg sodium.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
High Cholesterol at Taco Bell
Fast food restaurants are known for serving high calorie, greasy food with lots of sugars. Taco Bell changes this trend by offering Fresco Style option where your favorite food item is prepared using pico de gallo as it will cut down 20 – 30 calories easily from the original meal.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Taco Bell:
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Breakfast Soft Taco – Egg & Cheese
Nutrition Fact: 170 calories, 9g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 330mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, less than 1g Fiber, 7g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Fresco Crunchy Taco – Beef
Nutrition Fact: 140 calories, 7g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 300mg sodium, 14g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 6g Protein
Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla
Nutrition Fact: 200 calories, 10g Fat (3.5g Sat. Fat), 490mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 1g Fiber, 10g Protein
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Spicy Potato Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 230 calories, 12g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 27g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Cholesterol:
It is best to avoid Bacon or Steak dishes at Taco Bell as such dishes contain a lot of fat. Also, try to avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes which are full of sugars resulting in empty calories.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Q&A on Taco Bell
Who owns Taco Bell?
Taco Bell is a restaurant chain subsidiary owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. which controls the restaurant division of PepsiCo.
When does Taco Bell stop serving breakfast?
Taco Bell starts serving breakfast from 6 a.m. which is one hour later than other competitors. However, the restaurant chain continues serving breakfast till 11 a.m. which is half an hour later than other competitors.
When is Taco Bell happy hour?
Happy hour at Taco Bell starts from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Are Taco Bell beans healthy?
Beans are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals like iron and phosphorous. Hence, Taco Bell beans are healthy in nature. However, there are claims that Taco Bell uses a rehydrated slew of mystery ingredients instead of beans. So, simply inquire about the beans before ordering items serving Taco Bell beans.
Which Taco Bell is closest to me?
Use our Restaurant Listings directory to find Taco Bell nearby.
Which Taco Bell sauce is hottest?
Diablo is the hottest Taco Bell sauce.
Which Taco Bell sauce is best?
In terms of popularity, the Mild sauce is undoubtedly the best Taco Bell sauce favored by Americans.
Which Taco Bell sauces are vegan?
Hot and Mild sauces are certified vegan.
Which Taco Bell has nacho fries?
Taco Bell has a habit of discontinuing and relaunching Nacho Fries. You can find the Taco Bell locations nearby to see if the Taco Bell store has Nacho Fries.
Which Taco Bell is open right now?
Taco Bell opens at 6 a.m. in the morning and stays open until 3 a.m. the next day at major locations. In New York city, the Taco Bell stores stay open till 11 p.m. or 12 midnight.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
About Taco Bell
Taco Bell is a haven for Mexican delicacies such as tacos, quesadillas, burritos, nachos, and other specialty items. Owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. Taco Bell is one of the fastest growing American chains of fast food restaurants. The restaurant operates from 7,072 different locations which are mostly run by independent franchisees and licensees.
The background story of Taco Bell is interesting and inspiring for budding entrepreneurs. The fast-food brand is the brainchild of Glen Bell, who started his first food venture as a hot dog seller in San Bernardino, California. The year was 1948. After witnessing long queues outside a Mexican restaurant called Mitla Café across the street, Bell saw the opportunity and demand for hard-shelled Tacos. He reverse-engineered the recipe and later started selling Tacos and called the venture Taco-Tia.
Later, the name changed from Taco-Tia to El Taco. Eventually, Glen Bell sold the company to his partner and opened the first Taco Bell in Downey in 1962. By 1964, the restaurant also got its first franchise in Torrance. The 100th Taco Bell restaurant was opened by 1965. PepsiCo acquired Taco Bell from Glen Bell in 1978 and the restaurant brand is currently a subsidiary of Yum! Brands which looks after the restaurant business of PepsiCo.
Healthy Food Options at Taco Bell
You may believe that a healthy lifestyle doesn't go well at a fast food restaurant. Well, that's not the case with Taco Bell. Surprisingly Taco Bell offers a variety of healthy options, thanks to the in-house registered dietician who monitors the whole menu. The dietician ensures that each item on the menu is free from additives and preservatives, colors, and artificial flavors. The dietician also ensures that the food served at Taco Bell doesn't contain high-fructose corn syrup, low sodium levels, and reduced use of partially hydrogenated oil.
More than 75% of food items served at Taco Bell falls under 500 calories. Taco Bell also features the Fresco Style option which helps the customers to maintain healthy diet plan without missing out on taste. In Fresco style option, Taco Bell switches pico de gallo with cheese, sour cream, guac, and mayo-based sauce. Taco Bell takes care of almost every health preference of its customers.
Tips for Dining at Taco Bell
Diabetics can also try other Fresco styled Taco items such as Fresco Crunchy Taco, Fresco Grilled Steak, and Fresco Soft Taco Beef. These are other healthy alternatives of Tacos for diabetics which contains an adequate amount of starch and minimum or no fat content. Switch the regular sauce or cheese with pico de gallo and you can easily reduce the sodium intake and fat content for your body. It will help maintain blood pressure levels and control high cholesterol.
Q&A on Taco Bell
Who owns Taco Bell?
Taco Bell is a restaurant chain subsidiary owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. which controls the restaurant division of PepsiCo.
When does Taco Bell stop serving breakfast?
Taco Bell starts serving breakfast from 6 a.m. which is one hour later than other competitors. However, the restaurant chain continues serving breakfast till 11 a.m. which is half an hour later than other competitors.
When is Taco Bell happy hour?
Happy hour at Taco Bell starts from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Are Taco Bell beans healthy?
Beans are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals like iron and phosphorous. Hence, Taco Bell beans are healthy in nature. However, there are claims that Taco Bell uses a rehydrated slew of mystery ingredients instead of beans. So, simply inquire about the beans before ordering items serving Taco Bell beans.
Which Taco Bell is closest to me?
Use our Restaurant Listings directory to find Taco Bell nearby.
Which Taco Bell sauce is hottest?
Diablo is the hottest Taco Bell sauce.
Which Taco Bell sauce is best?
In terms of popularity, the Mild sauce is undoubtedly the best Taco Bell sauce favored by Americans.
Which Taco Bell sauces are vegan?
Hot and Mild sauces are certified vegan.
Which Taco Bell has nacho fries?
Taco Bell has a habit of discontinuing and relaunching Nacho Fries. You can find the Taco Bell locations nearby to see if the Taco Bell store has Nacho Fries.
Which Taco Bell is open right now?
Taco Bell opens at 6 a.m. in the morning and stays open until 3 a.m. the next day at major locations. In New York city, the Taco Bell stores stay open till 11 p.m. or 12 midnight.
-
Address :
3109 E. Madison St
Seattle, WA, 98112 - Phone (206) 466-1320
- Website https://www.belleepicurean.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 am - 5:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Jenny T.
A great spot to go to if you want to indulge in a croissant or a sweet treat! I felt like I was on vacation in Paris. My bf and I ordered the twice baked apricot almond croissant, ratatouille breakfast sandwich, and a seasonal fruit cup to share. Everything was absolutely delicious. To be completely honest, I was skeptical of the sandwich at first since they have them displayed and it didn't look that great in its un-toasted state. But after a few minutes in the oven, it was a yummy and melty thing that was gone in minutes. Weather permitting, opt to sit outside in their patio space. If you are sitting close to the bushes, watch out for the honeybees (they are peaceful though).
(4)Jonie N.
My fiance and I came here on a Sunday afternoon to get some work done. First impression, super cute cafe! It's like I'm in Paris! :) I also loved how it wasn't super busy, so there weren't many distractions, but that also means this isn't an ideal place for people watching ;) We tried the iced coffee soda? and the twice baked raspberry croissant. The drink was different, I think it's just coffee, sparkling water and cream added in? Not sure.. didn't love it, didn't hate it. I was excited to try the croissant though since I love twice baked croissants and have never had a raspberry filled one before! It was sad though, didn't taste fresh and was dry and crumbly. I wouldn't recommend it. Their macs looked huge, not sure why I didn't try them aside from it being risky trying them at a new place. Overall, pastry selection was very slim, service was poor, and the wifi was borderline not working. Not sure I'll be back again despite the lovely ambiance of this cafe :/
(3)Caitlin C.
Came in here for a pick-me-up on a sunny afternoon. I ordered a Croque Monsieur and some sort of lavender honey pastry (it started with an m? It was French? Anyone?) and stole a seat right by the sunny window. Everything was kind of meh; I wasn't super into the brioche that the CM was on, and the pastry didn't seem sweet enough to offset the bitterness of the lavender. I ended up grabbing some honey from the back and dipping bits of the pastry in it, which kind of helped. The place is super cute, though, and I feel like I may have just not ordered the best things on the menu. I have high hopes that if I went back for a latte and that adorable little fruit tart I saw on my way out that I would be pleased. Maybe next time, Belle Epicurean.
(3)Tanya P.
Brioche was divine macaroons horrible only thing worse than the macaroons - the service.
(1)Opal D.
Knowing that we were a group of 4, they didn't time the food so that it would come out at the same time - and instead served each person's dish at a different time, presumably as quickly as the food could be prepared after being ordered. By the time the second dish came out, the first person was already completely done with their breakfast! They were not busy at the time so there was really no excuse for this poor experience.
(2)Xandra B.
ugh ugh ughhhhhhh Shame on me for not knowing what a cocotte is. It's a bit disgusting. Sorry France. Think: an overly soupy piping hot lasagna without the actual lasagna noodles. For breakfast. Oily and greasy and heavy and my entire mouth is burned. Would not recommend unless you're REALLY into it. + 1 star for the ambiance: adorable little imitation French cafe with a quaint little market to the side. The sample of the blueberry bun was delicious.
(2)Maria L.
Stopped here one Saturday afternoon for a morning treat. Very nice ambience and delicious pastries that they will heat up for you. Their coffee is delicious too - very convenient location and can't wait to spend more time here.
(4)Jaime S.
My favorite place to indulge. When kale just won't cut it, this place has the BEST pastries in town. Great coffee, great provisions, friendly staff. AMAZING back deck for summer.
(5)Karen Q.
Having lived in NYC and SF, this place reminded me of those places - reminiscent of a Dean and Deluca or Long Island deli counter. Lots of marble and dark wood accents. Amazing pastries and buns, a few deli salads and sandwiches. Wine by the glass. Excellent cappuccino - verified by my ex-coffee-roaster hubby (on par with Espresso Vivace). Tried the earl grey cake with cardamom flavors and the German chocolate cake - amazing!!! Also had the salted caramel macaroon, and can see why they win awards.
(5)Paul S.
One of our favorite neighborhood cafe's. House made baked goods, delicious coffee and friendly, subdued staff. The bun of the month is so fun, they always come up with a unique and seasonal flavor. They also have mini-brioche which is perfect for satisfying that sweet tooth without the guilt. In Seattle you often run into superficial or snobby coffee staff but here you get a quiet and knowledgeable friendliness. A truly sophisticated Seattle cafe experience awaits you!
(5)jody r.
I love this place. The French macaroons are wonderful. I've had breakfast as well and it's yummy too. In fact it's never disappointed in any way. Coffee is lovely and the food always tastes great. Service can be a little spotty if it gets busy but worth the wait.
(4)TM D.
Umm $8 for a tiny mediocre breakfast sandwich drenched in oil? Nah I'm good. I called them 15 minutes ahead of time to order my food and stood there for another 15 minutes while they assured me it was "almost ready"... They weren't even busy, one customer before me like uhh ok clearly you forgot to make my food you could have just been honest about it. It doesn't take 30 minutes to make a sausage egg and cheese sandwich. Cashier apologized and came out while I was eating to offer me coffee but I don't drink coffee lolz. Probably won't be back -__-
(2)Sandie L.
Cute, unique, friendly! After reading the reviews on Yelp, I bookmarked and set off with a friend to try, and try we did! Many wonderful treats lure you and the sweet coffee aroma fills the space. Coffee is terrific! Nice smooth taste. The coconut cake was also a favourite of mine and I made sure to order after reviews on Yelp. Very flavorful and fresh. Macarons I did not care much for so I was disappointed. Nothing bad and nothing good just meh. Atmosphere is great! Cute, simple and clean. Adjacent to the shop is a place to shop for more treats including wine, chocolate and other tastey treats. A fun place to bring your friends or yourself and enjoy the atmosphere and sweet treats. Next stop for me will be to try their savory treats!
(4)Michael N.
You know, it's one of those places where I like the idea of the place better than the actual experience. I live nearby so I badly want to like this place, but to be honest, I'd give the gas station across the street a higher rating than Belle Epicurean. So first, the good. The stuff there is very, very pretty and it all looks delicious. The croissants (plain, habanero, chocolate) are very good being very buttery and flakey. However, the macarons are awfully dense with the filling greatly lacking air and probably having way too much salt. The salt aspect actually doesn't bother me as much as I can sort of excuse that as just being their own twist, but the cream is almost as dense as cold butter. That just seems wrong to me. We came in other other day to try their breakfast and ordered a pair of cocottes. The eggs were cooked into complete rubber with not even the slightest amount of softness left in either the whites or the yolks. Maybe that's the way that they do it here, but I I don't consider that very appetizing. Service isn't a huge deal to me, but while they're not rude, none of them ever seem to be happy to be there which in turn always makes me feel very unwelcomed. I don't work there so I don't know what the clientele is like day in and day out, but I've witnessed some pretty assholish customers just 10 or so blocks east into Madison Park. Maybe the workers are hardened by similar treatment here, but I don't know. After all of this I still plan to eventually try a croque and duck confit salad. But let's face it, I know this place well. They're going to give me an annoyed look when I order food instead of stuff from the case and it'll probably come out really slowly. I guess I just never learn.
(2)Yolanda C.
Certainly a pleasant surprise - usually wary of prepped frozen to oven meals, I decided to sample a few for a Monday night dinner for the family (let's be real - I had no plan for cooking). Tried the three different entrees and two sides. Every.single.one. delicious. I'll be back for to this awesome place the next time I need a plan :)
(5)Huy H.
Nice vibe but the macarons were quite thick and didn't have quite the required balance of crunchy/airy/chewy that good macarons demand. The almond croissant was great and espresso/coffee we got were decent. Staff was friendly and offered some advice on what to check out while in Seattle that was a bit more off the beaten path.
(2)Peter C.
When the old video store on the corner of Madison and Lake Washington Blvd. finally put up their 'going-out-of-business' sign I lamented the past. Now that Belle Epicurean is here, I'm embracing the future. This delightful patisserie isn't just a coffee shop, it's a little slice of Paris right here in Seattle's Madison Valley. Equal parts café and gourmet foods shop, Belle Epicurean is a wonderful spot to stop on a lazy day to enjoy an espresso or wine, and linger over some fine food, watch the world go by, and maybe read a book or newspaper. They sell a rotating selection of pastries and sandwiches including a terrific Croque Monsieur. The pastries have been known to lack freshness, but I usually enjoy their prepared foods. Next door to the café is a little shop that features a selection of gourmet edibles including wines, oils, vinegars, cheeses, and many of their own sauces and toppings. "You had me at roasted-chipotle carmel sauce." The service is friendly and efficient, and though it appears inaccessible from the road, a decent amount of parking is available on the side alley or in the back. There is also a back patio which is open in the summer. This place is a welcome addition to the neighborhood and terrific place to seek out and enjoy when you're looking for a little adventure.
(4)Steven G.
Nice staff, very shiny and beautiful cafe, and a sizable selection of pastries to go with coffee and other prepared menu items. Everything was so shiny I felt like I needed to be better dressed or get a reservation, but I was welcomed there and enjoyed the brioche I had. I'm not in this part of town often but I'd love to come by here again next time I am.
(4)Georgia W.
If I could go here everyday I would! Delectable to the last bite! Belle Epicurean puts thought into everything item- whether Savory or Sweet- it's perfect. BEST MACAROONS in town. From Kirkland to Bellevue to Magnolia...I don't think you will find a creamier and perfectly puffey Macaroon. * Lavender, Honey, & seasonal favorites are top of my list. Ham and Cheese Croissant tasted like it was homemade in France! The homemade granola bar was pure cinnamon and fruit. Love! Cappuccinos and brew...spot on. Not to mention the Quinoa salad and Beet Salad. While some Yelpers mention price, this place is worth every penny when you know it's done right every bite.
(5)Savannah S.
Super adorable, traditional French bakery-esque quiet breakfast goodness. This shop has a beautiful selection of savory French goodies. I got the croque madame and the man got the onion/gruyere feuilleté. Both were very tasty in breakfast style, but the lunch style bread didn't look as appetizing. Definitely get a couple macarons on your way out, along with some petit fours. Savory = a little bit above standard. Sweets = outstanding. I highly recommend the coconut crème petit four! Bonsoir mon amies.
(4)Rosa O.
This place was pretty cute! I had a few things the other day - the croque Monsieur, the white bean salad, some charcuterie, some wine. The wine was bad (looked like an old bottle) but the rest of it, particularly the croque, was tasty. It didn't really seem like the staff was very engaged- they weren't fazed or apologetic about the wine, and didn't check on how we liked our food.
(3)Kaitlin W.
I've always been a fan of Belle Epicurean. The Madison Park location makes me nostalgic for the time I spent in France. The food, macarons, and coffee are always excellent. I'm a big fan of the raspberry and orange blossom macarons in particular. The service was quick and efficient, but I was a bit turned off by the grumpiness of the counter staff. Now, as someone who has worked as a barista before, I will give the staff today the benefit of doubt. Overall, I had good experience today, and I look forward to my return visit!
(4)Emma F.
Such a cute little french cafe. The food is decent but the real reason to come here is the ambiance which transports you to your trip to Paris. My tip to diners is to ask them to heat the croque madame/monsieur for twice as long so it heats through all the way. Otherwise the food has been perfectly delicious.
(4)Sarah M.
I'm a sucker for anything French, and this place really hit the spot. They had a beautiful selection of foods on their menu...it was really hard to choose. I came here with some friends and my husband on a Saturday AM and actually expected it to be way more crowded than it was. We were able to grab a couple of cute high-top cafe tables by the window. The place has a mini shop with gorgeous wines, cheeses, mustards, etc. attached to it, and we sat at the tables in there. I ended up ordering a croque monsieur, a vanilla macaron, and a piece of lavender shortbread. I really liked the croque monsieur - they heated it up for me and it was the perfect amount of food for breakfast. So much crispy, bubbling cheese on top, it's hard to go wrong with this choice. The piece of lavender shortbread had a surprising amount of lavender in it. It wasn't overpowering but any more lavender and it would have been. I loved the uniqueness of the flavor. The third thing that I had was the macarons. For (I think) $3 each, I'm not sure that they were 100% worth it - I like Le Panier at Pike Place a little better. These had a surprising salty taste to them but a better aftertaste. It took me a few minutes to decide if I liked them or not, and I decided that I did. I'd love to come back and try some of the other options on the menu. There were some delicious sounding leek dishes that I'd like to test out.
(4)Julia V.
I absolutely love their macaroons! Super cute french cafe, I have yet to try their weekend brunch.
(5)Julie G.
What a wonderful surprise! I'm so glad Nishino and Arosa Cafe were closed. I don't know Madisen Park that well, but when I stumbled into the only open cafe - Belle Epicurean - fate was very good to me on a late Thursday afternoon! Quaint, patio seating on a sunny day, friendly staff, and some seriously tasty lunch time tidbits. It's a little bit of Paris here in Seattle. From mini baguettes to quiches to cheese plates to fresh salads and homemade tepanade. Yummy pastries too and espresso too? Oh yes. Loved it!
(4)Krystin T.
My boyfriend and I met another couple here for breakfast on a Saturday morning. I wasn't sure what to expect as I hadn't been to any of the locations, but it looked cute enough so I wanted to try it out. They have a lot of pastries and coffee-shop-like things, but there were also little brunch menus at every table. The menu wasn't incredibly extensive (although it turned out there was, in fact, a larger menu near where you order) but a lot of it sounded really good. I wanted the truffle pecorino & egg cocotte, but it turned out that it would be a 20-minute wait & everyone else was getting something that was already ready, so I went with a breakfast sandwich instead. It was delicious, so no regrets here! My boyfriend and I also split a chocolate croissant. The coffee was pretty good, as well. We sat near the little store area, where they sell wine and pasta, among other things. I wanted to buy/eat everything, but it was a little early for pasta & wine. :) We overstayed our welcome a little - a wine tasting was starting at noon so we had to move out of the shop area - but the server who informed us of that was very friendly and invited us to stay for the tasting or sit at another table if we wanted. I live way too close to this place to NOT come back, so it's definitely on my to-do list.
(4)Rachel G.
HOLY COCONUTS! The coconut cake is what dreams are made of. One bite of that, and I knew I'd be craving it for eternity. GET SOME!
(5)Paul B.
Convenient location near the arboretum but unfortunately not up to par with the location. Coffee was burnt and bitter Pastries were disappointing for their price mark There is a pleasant dog friendly area at the rear of the cafe Yet to find a quality almond croissant in this country.....
(3)Julian G.
I usually find these sort of bakeries over priced and leaving your fingers greasy from butter. This is most likely the only bakery of its kind (that i found) that make me think differently. Good work!
(4)Sharon F.
This location blows the dark and cramped downtown Belle Epicurean out of the water! It's a brightly lit space with plenty of chairs, classy marble table tops and a display case with macrons for miles and brioches for days. Walking in, you get a strong waft of butter and sugar, mingled with coffee and and air of refinement. I love the croissants from downtown, but this Madison Park space is all about brioches! Lemon, caramel pecan, cinnamon, orange, banana...there's even a brioche happy hour from 5 - closing (6:30pm). Although I came in for the pastries and coffee, I couldn't help but notice their amazing brunch menu with baked souffle pancakes and boeuf bourguignon. Definitely something to try on subsequent visits. I can see the location as a PERFECT place for a breakfast after a jaunt in the park, an afternoon coffee with friends, an early evening rendez-vous with co-workers or a quick stop to bring home snacks for the family. If I lived any closer, I would turn into a brioche.
(5)Hana P.
Arrived at Belle Epicurean at around 10am and the place was still pretty packed. The lighting and atmosphere was amazing! I ordered the Breakfast Croque Monsieur (the last one in the display case!) and it was very, very, delicious. The cheese and black forrest ham were of great quality and the crispy croaissant was just great. It's awesome that they have all of their sandwiches and pastries in a well lit display case and if you order the sandwich or a pasty they will heat it up for you. I need to go back to try their cakes and other pastries!!
(4)Phoebe K.
I love the new girl Cecilia! She's super and makes the experience much more enjoyable. She's always smiling and is very efficient.
(4)Amy S.
After driving by here a million times we finally stopped In for breakfast and it was delicious!!!! Had breakfast sandwiches and a raspberry brioche, and espresso drinks. All wonderful. The service was friendly and kind of bent over backwards for us. I wonder if a couple negative comments about service snaps the wait staff back into good behavior? I saw a couple reviews that the staff were unfriendly - that was not the case at all when we went! I am really excited about this place and plan on making it a regular breakfast spot as we live in the neighborhood and it was yummy!!!
(5)Monica B.
Back in November, I posted in Yelp Talk, searching for the perfect chocolate croissant. Someone I know had requested a chocolate croissant. I couldn't imagine buying one from a grocery store but honestly, had never given the matter much thought. I had no idea where to go. Yelpers did not steer me wrong. I got a short list of great croissants in the Seattle area to choose from. I purchased chocolate croissants from another business with more referrals from Yelpers. However, I remembered that I had gone by Belle Epicurean (which was on the list) before and I never went in. Why was that? Since I could think of no good reason, I made the decision to stop the car or get off the bus next time I was in the neighborhood and try some baked goods. On my arrival, my entrance was blocked by a medium sized dog laying in the doorway. I stepped over the dog and ventured in. I liked the space and it wasn't crowded on the overcast Saturday I decided to venture in. Most of the chairs in the store are not appealing for the vertically inclined like myself. In fact, I chose to stand rather than attempt to climb the stool, having visions of the jungle gym and falling off the jungle gym and people pointing and laughing at me falling off the jungle gym. I'd rather stand. There were a few customers and the case was very well stocked. I couldn't resist the smell of coffee and got a soy latte to go. It was nice and strong, just the way I like it. I got an assortment of goods including a variety of macarons, a chocolate chip cookie, and a plain croissant, but alas, no chocolate croissant. Why? I asked them about it and they described the difference between the chocolate croissant (lighter) and the almond croissant (rich). Whaaaat? Almond croissant? Why didn't you say so? I'm not a big almond croissant fan but this...the cream, the nuts, the flakiness...I can't grasp the right adjectives and don't want to say it was "awesome" or "amazing." The combination of flavors and textures as I bit, chewed, and swallowed was more than satisfying. I was stunned as to why I had not discovered this little treasure before. I have no answers. Everything else was very good as well. But honestly, the almond croissant blew my mind. Mind still blown.
(5)Scott K.
Holy creepers. This place is amazing. Best I've had in town. Moist. Great flavors. No dry nasty pie. No stale cupcakes. No previously frozen Chocolate cake with japeleno flavored ice cream. Can't believe that I haven't been here before. Cool decor. France. France. France. Wine. Almond paste. Arboretum across the street is perfect. Think I'll be a regular. Deal?
(5)Cheryl E.
This is a wonderful, warm and delicious oasis in Madison Park. The smells are amazing as are the actual wares of the expert bakers. I especially love their pain au chocolat, the chocolate is dark and creamy, the crust has just the right ratio of butter to flake. Lovely layers, easily peeled until the chocolate is revealed. The coffee is very French and is the perfect compliment with the pastries. In addition to the yummy baked goods is a great food and gift selection. A wonderful place to watch the rain, embrace your book or just day dream about the next sunny day!
(4)Christina P.
These prices are crazy town. $5.79 for a tiny piece of opera cake? $2.25 for a small macaron? I ordered a latte to accompany my overpriced pastry, which took the barista 15 min to prepare. He forgot to put caramel in my friend's caramel mocha, but we didn't want to wait another 15 minutes to have it remade! If you're going to charge high end prices, then the customer experience needs to also be high end. Otherwise, people will feel ripped off and write bad yelp reviews! I'd recommend that the owners of this place check out Thomas Haas in Vancouver. That guy has it down! Amazing pastries, delicious coffee, outstanding service.
(2)Briana M.
Great place to study! Outdoor patio, great food, pastries, and lots of fun things in their shop.
(5)Alex L.
Consistently poor service. The space is beautiful, and would be ideal for a sunday morning with the paper, were it not for the almost post-modern lack of organization behind the counter. Baristas are either minimally trained or simply don't care about drink quality. There is no consistency in espresso drinks. The staff is largely unprofessional. Heard a story of one employee filling their bleach bucket with 1/2 bleach 1/2 water... Pastries are solid, however. I continue to patronize for sheer lack of a closer option.
(2)Lisa B.
This is one of those places that would be a problem if I lived a little closer. Everything (sweet and savory) looked so good. I got a cinnamon brioche roll, a red velvet petit four, and the flourless chocolate decadence. All were amazing. I liked the atmosphere too, very French and classy. Seemed like a great place to take your mom or grandmother. I will be back, hopefully with some female relatives :)
(5)Danielle C.
This is a cute cafe in the Madison Park neighborhood. There are display cases of food and the tables and chairs tend to be mostly bar height. This is the type of neighborhood where there are a lot of dogs. My boyfriend and I saw a lot of dogs leashed outside this cafe. There are a lot of pastries (macarons, croissants, quiche), as well as some coffee and tea. I thought the food we got was okay. It was a bit pricey - one chocolate crossiant, one quiche-like dish (forgot the name of it), one orange juice, and one cafe mocha ended up costing us around $17. Plus the portions were definitely really tiny - more of a snack size or an incredibly light breakfast. All the mocha syrup was at the bottom of my drink... and there was no pretty art at the top either of my foam. The chocolate croissant was incredibly tiny although the dough was rather buttery. I tried a bit of my boyfriend's dish. He said that it had ham and cheese but it mostly tasted like ham. Anyway, I do not think I would go out of my way to come here (plus there is also another location in downtown Seattle), but the atmosphere is rather charming.
(3)Diane C.
Feels like Being transported to Paris and I cannot wait to go back. The bake case is all i want it to be. From the large array of macarons to the perfectly classic croissants, I adore this little spot. I recently had a delicious little pastry with orange confit that was such a dream. I wish I had ordered two! It's so clean and pleasant! I love meeting people here for meetings or just hanging out on my own reading and making notes. I like this location a lot better than the downtown one, because it allows for a lot more relaxed vibe.
(4)Veronica V.
I went here with a Meetup group since the other pastry shop we meant to go to was closed that day. The place was small but had a cute decor and my mouth was watering looking at all those pastries! I eventually settled on a chocolate croissant with a mocha. Coffee was good, the croissant was...meh. The flavor of the chocolate was rich and delicious but the texture was a bit tough, which threw me off. If I'm in this part of town again, I'll definitely try another of their yummy-looking pastries with a coffee (and check out that wine shop they have next door.)
(4)Seonstifer H.
HERE is the REAL DEAL with Belle Epicurean. Belle is on the more expensive side, but DOES deliver in customer service excellence, AND delivers in fine French cuisine and hand-picked wine sold in the very unique Provisions section. BELLE EPICUREAN is perfect for BREAKFAST LUNCH/BRUNCH AND DINNER! Starting next week, Belle is open till 8pm at night, each day! This is the perfect opportunity to come for dinner and enjoy french cuisine in a perfectly serene atmosphere! I have only been for lunch, but am going back to try dinner as well! I recommend for romantic date, or even if you are just hungry! On a side note, belle has just started a rewards program with Five Stars. Earn stars here and many other locations!
(5)Jeff L.
I came here on a Sunday in the early evening. The service was very friendly and welcoming. I loved the atmosphere, especially on the nice day, sitting in the outside area in the back. The only reason I didn't give this more stars is the ham croissant and cinnamon brioche were pretty good but I'd say pretty average. Maybe if I had it earlier in the day it would have been better though. Overall good but not great.
(3)Nguyet G.
Went here last night around 6pm. We were excited to try a new dessert place n the neighborhood but were very disappointed in the service. We asked for a description of the desserts and he described one as a "tiramisu." We ordered it however, after the 1st bite, I wondered if he gave us the wrong dessert as it was fruity and did not taste like a tiramisu. I went back up to confirm if we go the right dessert. He seemed bothered that we were asking any questions. He did give us another dessert. But the whole time we were there they made it obvious they were closing down, turning down lights, no smile, not checking if we needed anything, overall not friendly. They can't blame it on being busy as there were only 2 other customers. The dessert was OK, but we were so disappointed in the service, especially for the price, we will definitely not be back here again. Very sad as we live in the neighborhood and were hoping to like this place. Hopefully management invests the time in customer service training as I believe good service is just as important as a good product.
(2)Clover A.
Oooh La La! It looks stuffy, but it's not. It also looks delicious, and it is. Oh, so much so. I've tried sweet and savory and both are really REALLY good. Croque Madame is available here as are my little favorite macarons. Not the best in town of either of those, but this place knows what's up. They're both really REALLY good. Go stop in for lunch, dessert or tea and cookies. It's really quite nice and so are the staff.
(5)Rachel H.
Filled with nostalgia after our recent trip to Paris (and wanting to retain all these lovely extra pastry pounds) I dIpped my foot into the water at Belle Epicurean today, starting with their butteriffic croissant and a Cafe Vita expresso. The soy lattes are a perfect blend of silk and strength. The setting complete with white and grey marble, belle epoque inspired logo, and french cafe inspired easel-mounted menu is lovely, but there was a certain sterile feeling with all the stark whiteness of the decor. On the other hand, it is polished and professional feeling, and remarkably clean. The cafe soundtrack is enjoyable and includes an eclectic mix of Edith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, and modern Euro trance. The cloth napkins are a nice touch. The cafe has free wifi and parking, serves wine, and is attached to Provisions, a specialty food and wine store. As far as the croissant went, nice flavor and a good compliment of flakiness and chewiness. The croissant was fresh, but not impeccably so. There were samples out, so I also tried the Honey Almond Coffee Cake (with cranberries) , the mini cinnamon brioche bun, and the opera cake, with spongy layers of frangelico and marzipan. All were solid, but not remarkably fresh. I loved the delicate tiny cinnamon brioche, fresh and tasty, but at almost $3 a pop, they should either cost less or be made to the larger brioche size of their other pastries. At $6 for two tiny items, its likely you'd need $9 worth to fill up. There were service hiccups. It is slightly odd to have food brought to the table by a server, but then be expected to bus your own table. and to tip. Timing tends to be off at times, but if you keep in mind this is really a self-service cafe and not a restaurant, that makes more sense.
(3)Patricia E.
Not sure how they were voted as having the "Best Macaron" - IMO, they're just "ok". Appearance: muted colors, blah, not vibrant (i.e. google "Laduree"). Taste: missing something. Who knows - maybe mine were a day old, but they just didn't have the same texture as any macaron I've ever had (and I tried the 3 flavors they had that day). They almost seemed stale. And at $2.50 each, I guess I expected more out of a bite-size delight. Their brioche earn them 3 stars. I'll return for those if in the neighborhood.
(3)Shane K.
Excellent coffee drinks mixed with a French atmosphere that brings me back to my many trips to Paris. From the marble high bar to the smell of pastries this place hits all of the marks for a good Parisian cafe'.
(5)Liz S.
Pricey and mediocre. I had the pecan brioche and it was just okay... seemed to be baked a bit too long and the flavor was average. Maybe it was just an off day?
(2)Vicki L.
I wanted SO badly to give this place 5 shining stars, but alas I just can't do it. While I love what Belle Epicurean has done with the old Island Video space, and the idea of wine + sweets is pretty much heaven to me, I'm just not in love with the pastries here. Between me and my friend, we tried the Bouche Pistache and the Chai Mousse Triangle. She also bought half a dozen assorted macarons to go (more on those later). To wash it all down, we split a glass of chilled rose (not my first choice, but given that the AC was broken in the shop and it was swelteringly hot, I needed something cold, and a red was out of the question!). The Buche Pistache had a lovely nutty pistachio flavour, but it was entirely overpowered by what tasted like a raspberry coulis (? or jam, depending). To top it off, the entire cake was coated in a milk chocolate ganache-like shell, which didn't help to soften the sweetness. If the chocolate was bittersweet dark instead of milk, and the coulis/fruit base was ditched entirely, this cake would have been amazing, but instead my mouth was totally overwhelmed with a single note of extreme sweetness. The Chai Mousse Triangle unfortunately suffered from the same problem. While I appreciated the nuanced flavours of chai/cinnamon, I couldn't enjoy them long before the bright, overly-sweet citrus overtones completely overtook my mouth. To top it off, the mini macaron adorning the side of the cake was chewy and stale! (the other macarons purchased by my friend were later reported to also be overly sweet and a bit too chewy). Overall I found myself digging around the frosting to try and find plain bits of unadulterated cake, and eventually giving up. My dining companion and I sipped our wine in an attempt to fend off the diabetic haze we were falling into. The owner happened to stop by for a quick check-in (probably to address the broken AC) and also chatted with us briefly. I appreciated his attentiveness and he also topped off our wine glasses as a "thank you and sorry the AC's busted" gesture of kindness, which I felt was very sweet. It's this attentiveness and care that makes me bump up what would otherwise be a 2 star review to 3. Even if super sweet is not my thing, I still recommend people try Belle Epicurean. The staff is friendly, the space and location is great, and I do appreciate a new patisserie near my house. I'll be returning to try some savory bites in hopes that they'll be more suited to my preferences, but in the meantime I think i'll abstain from their desserts.
(3)Heather H.
Belle revives the La Belle Epoque period with good measures of delicate pastries and beautifully spacious marble decor. It feels as if this places belong adjacent to a museum or conservatory with older women sporting Chanel jackets. Or perhaps you'll find the chef/owner of Rovers waiting for a chocolate croissant. For an spontaneous afternoon craving of champagne they serve some cute mini bottles, straw included. Or they brew up a fancy tea to go along with your choices in pastries, puffs, and mini baguette sandwiches. Though it does leave the wallet much lighter for a simple lunch. I can tell all the smart fancy people flock here and rightly do so!
(5)Sin T.
This place is super cute and very white! It's a small cafe with some pretty good pastries! My sister and I went here for some coffee and sweets. The coffee is eh...too watery I thought. I bought a sampler of pastries for there and to bring back home (pain au chocolat, apple cinnamon macaroon, oranage brioche, rosemary brioche, honey bannana brioche and a sticky pecan bun) I've tried a little bit of all of them and the honey bannana brioche is my fave!! they were sampling these at the cafe that day...awesome choice! They do bring out your coffee and food but you have to bus your own table so FYI. Plus parking is a one way and getting back onto madison can be a bit hard to see oncoming traffic.
(3)Nicole L.
I came here on New Years Day. Yes, New Years Day. This was one of the few bakeries even open. Even better, their macarons are just beautiful! They have some pretty bomb flavors too (maple beacon, s'mores *my fave*)
(5)fred t.
Exquisite French pastries artfully done in a beautiful setting. Getting a latte in the morning is a little slow, but other than that this place is a gem!
(5)Heidi R.
Everything in this store is really expensive, and many of the baked goods (especially the croissants) are burnt. (Coffee is good, as it should be, and so are the pistachio macarons, for which I seem to have developed an addiction.) The store decor resembles that of a surgery room, rather than a cafe (which doesn't make for very good atmosphere)--but it is clean, I will give it that. There is a nice little courtyard out back and a small parking area available.
(2)Jayme D.
Drool! This place is heaven! I love the chic decor and the smell that entices you as you open the door. This is my new favorite place I've found in Seattle. They have a variety of delicious pastries. Their croques are AMAZING! I am still dreaming about mine. They are filing and tasty. I would eat one everyday if I could! Their black ice tea was a nice refreshing treat as well. I love that they have a little patio in the back that I can bring my dog to. They also have hidden parking in the back!
(5)Luba K.
Although a little slow, their ham and cheese croissants are to die for. Literally the best in town. You won't go wrong with that and a latte!
(4)Yumiko K.
Belle Epicurean, you're very much welcome in this neighbourhood. The pastries were not only delicious but gorgeous-looking. My boyfriend and I shared a small piece of coconut cream layer cake and pain au chocolat at the cafe. (I bought brioche with pear for me to enjoy later...) The coconut cream layer cake was super moist and rich in coconut flavour. It was nice that they offer 2 different sizes for some of the cakes. Their small size is perfect for when you are looking for something sweet but don't want to overindulge. As I bit into the pain au chcolat, the sweet buttery aroma swirled around on my tongue, and the crust flaked lightly. It had just enough amount of chocolate. I was in pastry heaven! Now I want to try their macaroons!
(4)Mairead R.
I am saddened that Belle Epicurean's standards have fallen in the past few months. While the fresh good are still worth five stars, they've been keeping baked goods out past their prime. I went in for a few treats on a recent thursday night and was disappointed in the freshness for all three selections. The macaron was so stale that it was inedible. The almond cake had chewy frosting from sitting out too long. And the coconut cake was very dry. Granted, I bought these items at the end of the day. But there is no excuse for three different stale items from a bakery of this caliber.
(2)Darcy H.
I love it at Belle Epicurean! The decor transports me instantly to Europe. I'm starting to part with money regularly at this location, both on the wine side and the bakery. Two things keep me from giving them 5-stars: 1. a counter staff that absentmindedly stares at you when you browse the pastry cases (a common café error that drives me batty) and 2. there's nothing to read. This seems like the kind of establishment that would have a New York Times for customers. (I would stop 4 x a week if they had something there to read!) Are they trying to ensure that people don't linger? Hrmm Scrumptious treats, flavorful macarons, rich mushroom soup--okay, all of it VERY rich, so rich that the portions are small, which makes them exactly right. It's a little expensive, not that I mind, but I'd think anybody can afford to walk out with a baguette if s/he wants to ($3). Love, love, love the Brioche Happy Hour. Now just give us something to read, Belle Epicurean. No fun just sitting there looking at one's own hands.
(4)Francis C.
Great food. Great atmosphere. Great staff. Great Americanos. I would like to see more of a pastry selection, but I can't knock them for wanting more. 5 stars!
(5)Courtney G.
I have tried Belle Epicurean a few different times and I have been slightly disappointed in the baked goods. The pastries seem dry and are kept in a cold refrigerated case that does not contribute to the quality or taste. If you find yourself here I would recommend something more fresh off the lunch menu such as the duck salad or mushroom soup. Steer clear of the pastries but make sure to check out the Provisions specialty wine and food shop next door which is my go-to place for a good bottle.
(3)Christie B.
I love this place. Lattes are always perfect, food is good and treats are super yummy too! Friendly service as well, always!
(5)Tim S.
This place is freaking amazing! I really don't care who you are, their brioche are INCREDIBLE!!! I dream of these things. Recently had a job in the area, and as I'm a coffee snob I like to try every place that I can when in new areas. I stopped in for a cup and saw this sweet little thing in the display case and figured I'd try one. Bam! It was love at first bite. Started to buy them for family and friends cause stuff this good has to be shared :). Last time in we tried the coconut cake thing, wow! Rivals T. Douglas's coconut cream pie, really really good. Thanks B.E. for helping to make life even more enjoyable!
(5)Daphne D.
Great treats, drinks... and the service was enthusiastic and genuinely friendly. Sooo nice to be engaged behind the counter, instead of a bored, annoyed order-taker rolling their eyes at you for interrupting their deep thought for a pastry.
(4)Kat T.
The patio is nice, but don't order anything more complicated than black coffee and a scone.
(2)Justin M.
Fabulous! Randomly stumbled across this place walking to Madison Park Beach. Oh my was it good. I ordered a raspberry torte, the opera cake, and red velvet cake, along with two macroons. So very very very very very very good! The memory of these sweets are still privy to my lips. I have to go back and try everything. Look to an update soon! 5 tortes-and-macroons-and-cake-OH-MY stars out of 5
(5)Luke R.
I come here two to three times a week, primarily in the morning before I head to work. Every time I'm in, I'm greeted by the friendliest staff and top quality customer service. The pastry case is always pristine, and the pastries themselves are delicious. If you're not one for pastries, then try their coffee. Belle Epicurean spares no cost in delivering the highest quality espresso beverages. Not only is the machine they use to make the espresso incredibly fancy (I think it is from italy) but it tastes delicious too. Perfect crema every time. They also make an excellent chai latte. Sometimes I'll even pick up one of their sandwiches for lunch. Yumm!
(5)Andrew G.
Amazing. Amazing. Amazing. Best lunch I've had in a while. I'll definitely be back. Thanks. Try the macarons!
(5)S O.
Oh the pastries! The coffee is amazingly strong but definitely pairs great with any of the savory pastries. I dont know exactly what I tried to day but boy was it a memorable treat.. an almond rolled "cinebon" with a pear stream in between.. Was looking for more non pork items.. the turkey choices were double in prices
(4)Jessie C.
This place is ah-mazing! I came here for breakfast one Sunday morning and got a chai, brioche, almond croissant and chocolate-banana croissant panini. Although heavy on the sugar for breakfast, everything tasted spectacular and more than I could've hoped for. It may have been the best chai I've had in a long, long time. Besides the food (which everything looked yummy and I wanted it all), the staff was nice and the decor is really cute. It wasn't overly crowded but received a fair amount of business while I was there. This is a great place to grab a pastry and coffee and have a good chat with someone, I'll definitely be back.
(5)Stefano K.
Since I'm such a crabapple, in a Parisian sort of way, first The Bad: Belle Epicurean Madison Park may not last a year for one reason: the owner needs to seriously rethink her pricing strategy, unless "chaotic snob appeal" IS her ingenious pricing strategy. (1 1/2 stars deduction) I ordered the croque-madame and my companion had the sandwich of the month, a tasty combination of pork, apple, and herbs on some kind of interesting focaccia-like carbohydrate. Our sandwiches were roughly the same modest size, but mine was about twice as much in the argent dept, over $14 with tax for a small croque-madame! I thought surely a side salad would be on its way, but no such luck. Knowing that man can't live on cholesterol alone, I ordered a side salad anyway...now we were up to around $19 for what would be an $8 déjeuner anywhere else. My contribution to the white marble and linen napkins, I guessed, as I jealousy eyed my friend's better sandwich. Don't get me wrong, both the marble and the linen are elegant touches, not to mention the airy space, single potted palm and jazzy music. Stick with Piaf, a touch of North African and maybe a valse or deux. Turn that dial to Top 40 and you're dead morte. But back to the dollars and cents: Almost $4 for a somewhat stale almond croissant? Sounds like a recipe for entrepreneurial disaster to me in this city where cafes compete like piranhas during mating season--or at least should be, if our fair city weren't the birthplace of passive aggression. But what do I know, I've only been working as a marketing consultant for like, what, 30 years? The proof isn't my singular, snarky opinion, but the fact that the place was almost empty 1-3 pm on a prime Saturday afternoon. A little aside: For the model of what a croque-madame or -monsieur SHOULD be in an ideal world, try the old-fashioned bistro-cafe with the big chalk boards in the Charles de Gaulle departure terminal, if it's still there. Talk about good value--my lunch was slouching off the plate on both sides, all for a few Euros, or maybe it was Francs, that was a while back. The sight of which prompted a coterie of well-fed, middle-aged ladies, who obviously knew their café fare, to declare in unison, "we'll have what he's having!" And so it was croque-monsieur and house rouge all around. The Good: understated elegance, a bevy of pleasant staff plural (this is definitely NOT a one-barrista joint), and pastries that will make me come back for a little while, until I learn how to bake a lemon-orange marmalade brioche this good myself. Not the sorry, insubstantial excuse for "brioche" you'll find at most cafes and bakeries, but practically a meal, if, again, a man could live on luscious cholesterol alone. Eh...the mental pathways are beginning to feel clogged...with...could it be...butter? Bottom Line: Ms. Owner/Chef, rethink the consistency of value and quality you offer, and you may, with any luck on our part, still be baking on Madison St. a year from now. A couple of jazzy paintings on the wall might be nice too, and perhaps the traditional ardoise.
(2)Susie N.
The service is a bit slow and I'm not entirely sure that the staff there know how to make coffee, but I honestly don't care. The blackberry cream brioche bun rights all earthly wrongs, as does pretty much everything else in the pastry case. Sure it has a pound of butter in it but holy cow is it delicious.
(5)Todd E.
Delicious, pretty, carefully-made pastries and sandwiches offered with espresso drinks, juices, soda, wine and beer, with cheerful, smart service in an upscale, natural-light bright atmosphere: a very good place for a drink and bite. So far, I've had the piperade egg sandwich, Walla Walla onion quiche, "classic" pecan brioche bun, lemon brioche bun with confit orange, 100% butter croissant, cherry macaron, and red velvet cake with its praline crisps. All excellent. The fresh baked baguette sandwiches include ingredients like herbed goat cheese, Black Forest ham, horseradish aioli, smoked salmon, and organic greens. Most pastries are $3 to $4, salads, sandwiches and tarts $4-$9. The large storefront windows bring lots of light onto the white marble and glass display cases, shiny floors, and dark wood seating. Welcome to Madison Park, Belle Epicurean, we're glad you're here.
(5)Debbie W.
What a perfect place for a late lunch on a sunny sunday afternoon (whilst also avoiding the Super Bowl). We'd run 12 miles today and have run past this place many times now thinking we should try it out. After a shower and change, we arrived in search of some European flair, reasonable portions, great flavors and real food. We were not disappointed. Husband had the ham and gruyere baguette (perfect, simple, not messed around) and an unbelievably delicious almond croissant accompanied by a perfect macchiato. I had the onion and gruyere baguette and half a beet salad - both equally delicious. Wandered into the wine part post eating - look to have a good selection of local and european wines. We'll be back.
(5)J J.
Sweet baby Jesus, I love my pastries! Belle Epicurean WOW'd us..... with solid service, amazing coffee and tasty pastries! Triple Combo of goodness. After the crazy snow storm, we adventured out to B.E. My wife enjoyed a vanilla latte and I had an almond croissant. Both were EXCELLENT. Go, relax and enjoy this fantastic place. We cant wait to go back aka probably going to tomorrow. ;)
(5)Marie M.
What a lovely looking little restaurant/cafe in my neighborhood. I want to like you so much, but unfortunately after so many visits and attempts to enjoy your food and atmosphere, I'm continually disappointed. The service is marginal with wait staff forgetfulness, and the food just isn't 4 star. I've returned too many pre-made frozen dinners because they were either labeled incorrectly or just too salty to eat. When dining in the restaurant, I've needed to remind the staff to bring my lunch or my glass of wine. I'm so sorry Belle Epicurean. I wish I could like you.
(2)Alice B.
Yummy, light and flaky croissants! Decent breakfast and lunch sandwiches as well, although a bit pricey. I love the new look of this place, very chic and European feeling. It's more of a cafe than a restaurant with bus yourself tables and pitchers of water on a back table. Parking is more ample out back that you would expect from the front.
(4)Dan G.
Among the best breakfast sandwiches I've ever tasted. Many bakeries give short shrift to the savory; Belle Epicurean makes it their focus. Although they also do sweet well; at least, the pear almond brioche was excellent, not overly sweet but with a soft custardy inside like well-dipped french toast. I had an egg with red pepper spread on a three-cheese croissant; my wife had a ham and gruyere tart, and we washed it down with a perfect latte and mocha. (Not that good espresso drinks are hard to find in Seattle, but they usually don't correlate with good baking. I'm looking at you, Le Fournil and Grand Central.) Both were sharp and flavorful, with flaky dough and an outer coating of crispy browned cheese. Prices are a bit high, but not out of line with the neighborhood. And of course everything is quite rich, but what else are French bakeries for? Enjoy a little excess, in moderation.
(5)Shoshana M.
The food is unbelievable -- best in Seattle. The atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired but the pastries are so good you won't care!
(5)Mikiko T.
The shortbread cookies and macarons always have such amazing flavors!! While I think $2.50 for a macaron is overpriced, it is worth every penny! I find that their cakes are hit or miss. The coconut cream cake was delicious, but the opera cake was way too sweet and I was not a big fan. The service is a little slow so I wouldn't go there if you are in a hurry.
(4)Judy F.
A must visit. I took Boeuf Bourguignon home and served guests. A few days later went back and bought Zucchini Parmesan Basil Soup Base. Both excellent and a hit with my company. Each time I try a new dish I end up buying the frozen soups and entrees to serve guests. Oh and I can't slip past the coconut cake without having a slice. So delicious that I don't think "cake" adequately describes it.
(5)Erica D.
Love this place! The brioche buns are fantastic and I'm always happy when I go in. I don't know why I've chosen this place over the other pastry options in Madison Valley/Park, but I think the option of getting something savory and lunch-like is great. The gruyere they use is actually real (which most of the time they say they use gruyere and it tastes like 'swiss' cheese). Love it and will keep going back!
(4)Abby L.
If you love decadance, this is the place for you! Their french pastries and breakfast sandwiches are buttery, rich, and absolutely delicious! It's a little pricey and heavy to eat every day, but perfect place to pick up sweet or savory treats from time to time. Their coffee is also excellent.
(4)Maria L.
Keep driving... This place is cute, hip, expensive and we purchased 3 pastries. 2 were dry and average. The pastry of the month was excellent. I think if you are going to pay a lot of a pastry it should be excellent. As far as I can tell you only get a 30% chance here and thus the 3 star rating. Keep driving down Madison and find a bakery by Ines. It is very difficult to find it is located behind Bill the Butcher. She is french and her pastries are 100% outstanding.
(2)Ariana G.
I have to give one star because when we arrived on Saturday for dessert at 8pm the doors were locked! The hours posted on the website and Yelp state that BE is open until 10pm. When someone came to the door and we asked, "Aren't you open until 10pm as stated on your website." The response was, "Sorry, there was a miscommunication." That left us a little confused. A miscommunication on your own website? Or was it really a slow Saturday night and you decided to close shop up early? Needless to say, we were disappointed.
(1)l s.
WOW I got an "opera cake" to bring to Thanksgiving dinner. It was a hit. I was unsure which of the the cakes to buy. They didn't steer me wrong. It was a nice counterpoint to pumpkin pie. ~linda
(4)Victoria D.
The service was pretty slow, ran out of water and glasses...lunch was okay but the macarons we bought were terrible, stale and HARD. I have lived in Paris, worked in the restaurants in Paris and travel there twice a year. These were the worst macarons I have ever eaten. My nine year old son, who LOVES macarons, threw his away in the garbage.
(1)C A.
Good variety of pastries, salad, sandwiches, and brunch fare. They're all tasty but nothing I've tried there so far was quite rave-worthy for me. The servings aren't very generous so, don't come here too hungry unless you want to spend a fortune. This is a place to savor flavors not to satiate big appetites. The dining area is not very large so, not good for groups bigger than 4. Also, not exactly kid-friendly, half of the tables and chairs there are bar height. The ambience although brightly lit with daylight from the large windows seem cold; not quite a place you want to hang out, it's not quite like a fast food joint but the effect is the same: you don't feel warm and fuzzy, more like dine and dash. Maybe its Provisions store being in such close proximity to the dining area that made me wonder...is it a grocery store with a restaurant or a restaurant with a grocery?! Regardless, it's not doing either of it well. I have enough confusion in my life, I don't need to wonder about that whenever I have to walk in somewhere to dine. Not likely coming back.
(2)Jaime P.
Disappointing. Ines is MUCH better.
(2)