It might be difficult to find a store more aesthetically pleasing than Maman in Ardmore. Situated at the far side of Suburban Square, the cozy environment welcomes customers as they enter. The wooden tables and botanical accessories create a rustic backdrop for a bright, if not somewhat sterile, café presenting appealing, if not somewhat expensive, pastries.
At the center of Maman lies a huge glass display case filled to the brim with pastries of all kinds—from seasonal items (like five-dollar vegan pumpkin spice carrot cakes and six-dollar pumpkin-pie-croissant-cubes) to classic staples (like the almond croissant and nutella brownie.) The pastries were all high quality, but for some it was harder than others to justify the price. Upon first taste, the nutty chocolate chip cookie—recommended by Oprah—was completely crunchy and almost over baked on the outside. But thankfully, the inside was a pleasant surprise: a layer of macadamia nuts and chocolate that surrounded a perfectly underbaked center. Similarly, the vegan pumpkin spice carrot cake was fairly dry, but had a pleasant, fall-inspired flavor. While all the pastries were good, the chocolate croissant was an instant classic, with layers of flaky, buttery pastry and a rich chocolate core. The pastries were all enjoyable, but definitely on the pricier side. Most people visiting Maman tend to do it for the atmosphere and aesthetic, and are willing to pay premium prices.
If you’re looking for something more filling at Maman, the kitchen does not disappoint. The smashed avocado tartine, a glorified avocado toast, was, in fact, glorious. The two slices of toast were topped with a spread of avocado, diced tomatoes, and a singular piece of cilantro. Completely rich, the flavor of the tomato complimented every bite. Like much of what Maman serves, the most satisfying part was probably its presentation. The toast was served on a cutting board-style platter with three small clumps of herbs lining the side. In the same vein, the pastries were served on blue Willow pattern plates, and even the to-go bags and cups were intricately designed in a similar china pattern.
Likewise, each latte was served in a china mug and was adorned with an artful design. But while the drinks were pretty, they were underwhelming. Maman offers a large range of seasonal flavors to complement its fundamental drinks. The chai latte, a staple café beverage, was disappointing. It was watery and bland, with little to no chai flavor. At first taste, the honey lavender latte seemed similar, but with each foamy sip, the savory flavor of the lavender was joined by the sweet aroma of honey, and the drink ended up as a mostly pleasant and elegant seasonal beverage. Maman’s brown sugar and sage latte was an interesting combination, but its savory flavor was nearly identical to that of the honey lavender. In general, we’d recommend skipping the drinks in favor of their pastries or food.
Overall, Maman is exactly what meets the eye. It’s a nice café with pricey pastries, hit-or-miss beverages, and beautiful decoration. More than anything, a visit to Maman is about the experience, promoting a work-free environment and gorgeous presentation. The one real standout? An absolutely stellar piece of avocado toast.
