June 29, 2023

If you are in NYC, I highly recommend checking out this cute cafe called Maman. Started by Benjamin Sormonte and Elisa Marshall, Maman transports you to France with their delicious baked goods and serene, aesthetic ambience. There are locations all over New York City (Click the link to find one near you). It really is adorable and feels as though you have entered the Secret Garden. Every detail is on point from the gorgeous blue, floral, unique plates and dishes to the white flowers, rustic white bricks, and aegean blue windows and doors. It was a charming representation of the French Country style. 

Maman has an excellent bakery, and I recommend trying at least one of their pastries. I love the Raspberry Flower Croissant and the Strawberry Rhubarb Hot Air Balloon. They are visually beautiful with the bright red colors and fun shapes, but they also have very delectable and sweet tastes. To drink I recommend getting the Lavender Hot Chocolate, the Mocha, and their Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice. Surprisingly, I actually preferred the mocha to the hot cocoa, but they were equally creamy, chocolatey, and not too sweet. 

For the food options, I recommend getting Maman’s Breakfast Sandwich, the Daily Quiche, the Smashed Avocado Tartine, and Brenda's Belgian Waffles. The breakfast sandwich has the best sunny side up egg with crispy edges and a gooey yolk. I also am obsessed with the smashed avocado that they add onto their soft cornbread bun. They switch between their quiches everyday, and we had their Sophie quiche, which has spinach, feta, and artichoke. I adored this combination. One thing that I loved about the avocado tartine besides all of the fresh ingredients and fresh baked sourdough was how they plated it with the pumpkin seeds, sea salt, and chili flakes on the side. I especially appreciated the chili flakes on the side because everyone has a different spice level that they like on their avocado toast, and I have had many avocado toasts that have put either too much or too little spice. It personalizes it so that the tartine tastes perfect. Finally, the belgian waffles are a must-get because they are topped with a delish blueberry compote and a divine crème fraîche. The actual waffles taste so rich yet are light and fluffy at the same time. 

Maman is somewhere that I will definitely visit again. There are more than ten things that I still want to try on their menu. The food is superb but the thing that really takes it to the next level is the atmosphere. It transports you out of New York City. The subway is still rumbling below you, but above you feel like you are sitting in the French Countryside. I highly recommend spending your breakfast or lunch in this perfect little oasis.