North Shore Boulangerie

Not good.
Seat yourself and get no service for 15 minutes until you get up and ask them for menus and water. Then wait another 5 minutes for them to bring it to you.
Order and not get your entrees and soup for another 15 minutes. All while you wait without anyone refilling your water or brining out your coffee.
Truite Amandine had many bones in the trout fillet and not pleasant to eat cautiously around.
Cassoulet was absolutely tiny and had 4 pieces of lamb, 1 slice of sausage, beans and some gristle.
Coffee didn’t come out till we were finished with the meal. And entrees didn’t come with fresh baguette as described.
Overall fail and would not come back from this experience. Portions were tiny, service was irritatingly slow and just not worth the money. Better food and experience at Coquette Café or Le Reve.

I had not been here in a year and I am sad to see that the fromage sandwich is gone. However, it is still a great place at a great location. Not that many options for vegetarians though. Pastries are awesome. The Green Line bus stop going southbound is just outside the door.

Strong, delicious coffee… though served in much too tiny cups for how long you have to wait for a refill… but — for what it’s worth — pretty decent food. However, that is just not enough when it comes to dining. I think that with a good experience we may have felt different about the food, but the whole ordeal left everything completely disappointing. We waited over and hour from when we ordered for our food, ate it in a fraction of the time, and split.
Honestly, we felt a bit profiled for being «of young age.» Many families came in, were seated and treated at what seemed to be a fair pace of service. I am not sure if other’s on this Sunday morning felt neglected, but we definitely did. We gave the benefit of the doubt that maybe the restaurant was busy, but even with all tables full, the atmosphere was too calm to be neglecting tables.
We sat for over an hour waiting for our food, which, I am pretty sure was never put into order in the first place. And when we finally got it, our order was not correct.
The staff, though quite kind, never looked up to make eye contact for us to even get their attention to prompt them over… rather than it be their instinct to gravitate our wat. As a former server, scanning the dining room is important. You work as a team and help serve all tables whether you are getting their bill or not. That being said, our waiter seemed obligated when he, after leaving us sitting without anything for 5 minutes asked if the other server had gotten to us yet. When we answered «No.» he went onto say that «he would just take care of us then.» As though it were an obligation. (But, we did watch one of the chefs talk to a table right next to us for at least 10 – 15 solid minutes… she was jolly, it seemed. Kind of wish the rest of us were treated with even half that attention.)
They did, however — kind as it was — offer to remove a meal from the check for our long wait. Don’t get me wrong, we totally appreciated this, though it was not necessary and totally avoidable with good service.
Lastly, there were a lot of «empty promises» made… as we asked for refills, to get our silverware and for our food numerous times and each time were assured that it was «on its way» or would «be right there» …yet was not. It was all a scramble, really. Just really disappointing overall.
What was supposed to be a nice change of pace from our other totally favorite Sunday breakfast places, turned out to be a total flop. I really don’t think I would give this place a second chance — at least not on dining-​in… which is a shame, but we really were considering also buying bread to go, so maybe we will try one more time.

Good strong coffee n perfectly poached eggs. A gem of a neighborhood bakery/​café. A little haphazard service. But tres délicieux. Sinful pommes Anna which is fancy fried potatoes

Went here for lunch once. The food was pretty good but overly salty. In addition, the ambiance needs some work and they could use some marketing help. Didn’t even know this place was here and I’ve lived in the area for awhile.

I was hoping to stop in for a quick bite this afternoon– sat myself (as instructed) and waited. And waited. I left ten minutes later without a staff person ever making eye contact. Disappointing. It was after 2pm and there were 4 other occupied tables in the dining room.

What a gem! I’ve dined here multiple times and every time it has been excellent. The entrees, soups, and sandwiches, it’s all delicious. Love the ambiance too.

The food here is to die for! I’ve never had something I didn’t like (the duck sandwich and raspberry opera cake are my personal favorites); and while I’ve never been to France, my friends that have tell me that everything is spot on. I really think it has some of the best food in the city and it’s very reasonably priced. It’s also the only place I’ve ever been able to drink coffee black (so give it a try if you like coffee!).
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 out 5 stars is because, while the food is consistently some of the best I’ve ever had, the service is consistently some of the worst I’ve ever had anywhere. I’m not sure if it’s that they don’t have a lot of wait staff or if the wait staff is doubling as kitchen help, but it’s always terrible at best. At first I thought it was because I was younger than most of the other clientele (29 years old) or because I usually prefer to sit in the front area with the plants, but after taking some older family members out for their birthdays I found out that wasn’t the case. 15 minutes to be initially greeted by your served, no mention of daily specials, empty waters throughout the entire duration of the meal, empty plates sitting around for 20 minutes, no check-​ins, and you have to actively track down your server to get your check… frustrating.
Also, be aware: they don’t serve lunch on Sundays (only breakfast). I made that mistake once.

If there was a way to give 0 stars then I would!
All the bad reviews I’ve read for this place have been for poor quality customer service.
I have visited this establishment twice now, only to be told the kitchen is closed. The hours listed for Sunday are 6am-​3pm. The first time we went on a Sunday we arrived at 2:35pm and were told that they stop taking orders for dine in at 2:30pm, but we were welcome to buy something out of the almost completely empty pastry case… no thanks! The manager said that he would update the website to reflect that the kitchen closes at 2:30pm on Sundays.
Today I thought I’d give them a second chance, something I simply do not do when it comes to dining, but nevertheless, we tried again. We arrive at 2:25pm and were looking to get a pastry. I asked about getting something to-​go off the menu so as not to inconvenience the staff anymore than they wished to be at this time of day. The waiter said he would have to check with the kitchen as they might be closing down for the day, sure enough he returned to tell us, «Sorry but they’ve shut everything down!». So they turned us away for a second time, even when we returned following the previous guidelines that were given on the first attempt!
I don’t give third chances and will never spend a penny here. There are far too many restaurants that provide far better customer service, and if the food has the same attention to detail as the customer then it probably won’t hold up to what I expect from French cuisine.
When any establishment has turned me away or not been able to provide the service that they usually would then they have offered something to lessen the blow. «Please take something from the pastry case» or «Here’s something off your next visit». Even Starbucks does this!
By the way, your website has still not been updated to reflect your flimsy «closing times»!!!

It’s with regret that I have to update this review and knock off a star, but after being mocked by waitstaff there today I feel I have no choice. I came in and ordered a café noisette to go. Was it an unusual order? Probably. did I have my reasons? Sure, but I don’t have to explain them to anyone! While I was still at the counter paying, one waiter gave my order to another, and the second one asked, «really, why?» about my order and the other one replied, «I don’t know, I said the same thing!».
Despite the fact that I can order what I want without answering to anyone, if they wanted to comment, they should have made sure I was not in earshot. It was incredibly rude and insensitive.
So boys, all I have to say to you is: va te faire foutre! :)

The food is good but that’s about it. The owner is rude to staff in front of us, the customer, and comes across as temperamental and unprofessional. Luckily, I’ve only ever been a paying customer at this place and I don’t work in food service, but I couldn’t imagine ever working for someone like this. From what I’ve seen, he seems sexist and neurotic — accusing his hard-​working employees of stealing ridiculous things. Perhaps that’s why turnover seems quite high… You get what you put out. I don’t support businesses and people like this. I rather spend money supporting businesses/​owners who show more grace and respect.

Very nice bakery!
Lots of delicious and interesting breads, croissants and focaccia.
Coffee, French press, expresso…
Jazz music (currently Miles Davis“Kinda Blue”) al fresco dining, birds chirping and people watching.
They do serve breakfast and lunch and a Sunday brunch.
Today I just bought the Petit Épée
It’s delicious!
It’s like a pull apart but it’s tender where it should be and crusty where I like it.
Staff very very Nice and courteous.
I will be back for a meal with My favorite dining person…(J.W.) lol

Our lunch at North Shore Boulangerie was okay. I ordered a cup of the almond asparagus soup, which was so creamy to the point where it obscured the other flavors of the soup. But it wasn’t bad. The salad Niçoise was also just okay — not too much in the way of flavor, which surprised me a little because the Niçoise salads I’ve had elsewhere (La Reve, Pastiche) were much more inspired and delicious.
My husband got the turkey sandwich. The mustard was very overpowering — he scraped most of it off — but it was okay. It didn’t seem to be worth the $ 8.25 price tag, though.
The service was pretty lackluster as well. Empty water glasses, and our dirty plates sat in front of us for some time before they were removed by our server.
Honestly, although we didn’t have a stellar time and weren’t blown away, I think we would go back to NSB and give it another shot if we were in the area.

My second visit, my Husbands first. We flew in from long weekend out of town and wanted a quiet, comfortable lunch. The warm greeting as we entered the Boulangerie was a nice start to our experience. The service, wine selection and food were all first class. Can’t wait to return and try more dishes. Highly recommend this delightful, European style restaurant. Happy campers here.

I just can’t get enough of this place! I Iove coming here on Saturday mornings to get a latte, read a magazine and eat a leisurely, delicious breakfast.
Today I got the Quiche Lorraine, a cup of the French onion soup and a vanilla latte. Would recommend all three. I don’t think I’ve ever come here and not gotten the soup– it’s so good! It’s crazy how light and fluffy the quiches are and the crust is always deliciously buttery.
Service is always great too– staff seem knowledgable on the French fare they’re serving. Would definitely recommend this place!

This place continues to make its mark a ms an awesome addition to the North Shore. Now serving wonderfully crafted brunch on Sunday. The petit pays was exquisite with scrambled eggs served over a bed of Duck confit with onions and roasted Yukon gold potatoes wonderfully accented with Guyere cheese. And as always the best authentic French pattisserie in the city.

It has been some time since I first went and I noticed changes.
First, my gripe: how can a French boulangerie not have sparking water? Just don’t get it.
They used to have a chalkboard on wall with specials and that is gone and the menu is a bit more focused it seems
Today I had the cassoulet for lunch and it was quite good. Not overwhelming or overfilling — perfect amount for semi-​hearty lunch. It was quite delicious and I’d come back for it again in a heart beat. I also had the tomato soup which is flawless (but could have used the offer of a little bread?).
The place still delivers and if I didn’t have to drive into shorewood I’d lunch there more often.

Nice hidden gem! Enjoyed a delicious salad on a peaceful quaint patio.

It’s true that the croissants are out of this world. And when I had a friend in town for a week he insisted on going every single day for a hazelnut beignet. But today I finally had lunch there and I kind of think lunch is even better than breakfast.
I had a niçoise salad and it was heavenly. Usually when I order a salad I have to ask them to go easy on the dressing since most places assume more dressing = better (a policy I heartily oppose). I forgot to give them that instruction when I ordered but they had it perfectly dressed.
That the salad had just one half of a cherry tomato (seriously) was not enough to keep me from swooning. It was still the best salad I’ve had in a long time. The green beans were perfectly blanched but still crunchy, the hard boiled egg just ever so slightly soft in the middle, the potatoes creamy and not at all mushy. It was divine. And surprisingly filling. I imagine if you got it with the salmon you might not even be able to finish it, but you would find a way b/​c it is so good.

What a welcome addition to Shorewood. I arrived mid-​afternoon at North Shore Boulangerie and they had nearly sold out all of their baked goods and breads. I did snag a baguette and croissant. The Croissant was the best I’ve had in Milwaukee, super flakey and buttery with a nice chew to it. Delish! Look forward to stopping by here for a croissant and coffee before work.