Located on the quieter offshoot of Wisconsin Avenue (steps from Georgetown's iconic, ever-bustling M Street), maman is a Soho-based cafe chain inspired by the founders' mothers hailing from the south of France. A lovely Mediterranean-themed white-and-cobalt blue building marks the cafe's exterior, while the inside carries the same color theme, adorned with rustic wooden tables and chairs and leafy greenery to complete the look of a whimsical, elfin-like space with a neighborhood feel. You can order breakfast/brunch fare after having a seat in their dining area, or you can order up at the front counter, where a variety of delectable pastries sit behind an enticing glass case. Their coffee menu is extensive, and there is something for everyone, from seasonal drinks such as their Apricot & Cardamom Earl Grey Tea Latte to tried-and-true classics like Americanos and Flat Whites. There is a small cafe area off to the side where you can work on laptops while enjoying a drink and a pastry.
I ordered their special Paris to New York Croissant ($6), which comes with "a decadent chocolate cookie nestled inside a croissant, topped with layers of hazelnut chocolate spread, white corn chocolate, & crushed hazelnuts." I asked for it to be heated up, and they were more than happy to do so; upon taking the pastry out of the toaster, the barista accidentally set it down too hard, and the cookie actually fell through the outer croissant layer! He was so kind and heated up another one, even though I told him I didn't mind taking the broken one. The chocolate cookie inside is so dense and fudgy that it almost borders on being a brownie, generously studded with melty chocolate chips and slathered with that Nutella-like spread. The croissant is solid if not stellar - I mean, it's buttery, flaky pastry...what's not to love? I couldn't really taste the white corn chocolate (but you can definitely see it on top), but the crushed hazelnuts added a lovely textural element to the pastry. It was so rich and decadent that I couldn't finish it, but it was certainly unique and delicious!
Most of the coffee items and pastries range from $4-7 here, which is pretty reasonable given Georgetown's location, as well as the high amount of competition in the area. I can't speak for the breakfast/brunch sit-down menu, but it looks delicious, and I saw many people enjoying their food. There's a wide range of options in the $10-20 range, from standard breakfast fare (think omelettes, waffles, and breakfast sandwiches) to healthier options (e.g. avocado toast, granola parfaits, etc.) to creations unique to maman (Everything Croissant & Salmon Sandwich, or "Croque Maman", anyone?). I used the noshd app, which is a sister platform to the popular inKind app. Both apps aim to make dining out more accessible through providing rewards and savings to a variety of restaurants and cafes, though noshd is more specifically for students. Due to a special going on during Finals Week, I actually got this pastry for free (I only paid tax + tip of $1)! Ultimately, I think that maman is worth paying full-price for, as its pastries are unique and delicious, the ambiance is stellar, and service is fast and friendly - a definite recommendation for a cute cafe if you're in the area! read more