Community is at the heart of Maman, which opened its first Westchester location in Rye on July 23.
Despite being a national chain — this is its 62nd location — each store is thoughtfully adapted to reflect the character of its neighborhood. While every café shares the brand’s signature elements including blue-and-white china, a custom toile-printed espresso machine, South of France-inspired décor, and imported bar tiles, each spot is tailored to meet the needs of the surrounding area. The goal, said Regional Marketing Manager Ella Nelson, is to create a space that feels like a natural part of the community rather than a generic chain outpost.
In Rye, the transition was relatively seamless. The café moved into the former home of The Snackery, inheriting a space that was largely turnkey and required few structural changes. The familiar layout remains intact, anchored by a walk-up counter laden with Maman’s signature pastries, including its nutty chocolate chip cookie (with macadamia and walnuts), which earned a spot on Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2017.
Near the counter, a small table stocked with coffee beans, the brand’s signature blue-and-white tumblers, and its cookbook reinforce Maman’s lifestyle appeal. Thirty seats, arranged around white bistro tables, complete the light-filled space, inviting customers to unwind.
Adding to the inviting atmosphere are layers of thoughtful details such as whitewashed exposed brick, toile wallpaper, china dishes mounted along the back wall, and vintage teacups filled with sugar packets alongside fresh flowers on each table. Floral installations by Floratorium and custom handmade lamps wrapped in branches add organic touches, reinforcing Maman’s signature blend of French-inspired charm and rustic warmth.
Another personal touch can be found in the café’s bathroom, where photos of staff members as children (including Nelson and Culinary Director Jean-Louis Berthet) line the walls. It’s a small detail that reflects Maman’s larger emphasis on connection and familiarity.
An all day café meant for relaxing
That personal touch extends beyond the décor into the overall Maman experience where lingering is encouraged. The all-day café welcomes customers to settle in over coffee, meet a friend for lunch, or spend an afternoon working, all while enjoying a menu that blends French-American options with Mediterranean influences. From soups and salads to sandwiches and the café’s signature “Maman Classics,” the offerings are as personal as they are seasonal.
Many of the dishes are named after employees or family, adding another layer to the café’s homey appeal. Laurette’s Mediterranean Garden Salad, for example, is named for co-founder Benjamin Sormonte’s grandmother. It features lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and pickled onions with fresh mint and parsley, topped with pita chips, herbed feta, and rainbow candied beets, finished with lemon vinaigrette.
Other entrees include Oliva’s Green Goddess bowl (herbed farro with pumpkin seeds, topped with baby gem lettuce, cucumbers, roasted zucchini, rainbow beets and avocado served with Maman’s vegan tahini Green Goddess dressing), Andrea’s Smoked Salmon Croissant Sandwich (smoked salmon with whipped cream cheese, everything seasoning, cucumber, pickled onions, arugula and herbs on an everything croissant bun), Elisa’s Hummus Bowl, Kelsie’s steak sandwich, Maman’s signature croissant waffles (topped with a homemade caramel sauce and served with salted whipped butter) and Quiche Sophie (spinach, feta and artichoke).
Quiches, like other aspects of the menu, are seasonal meaning, come fall Quiche Ella, named after the aforementioned marketing manager, will be on the menu featuring sharp cheddar, roasted beets and caramelized onions. According to French-born Berthet, this was such a popular item last year he had to bring it back.
The café also features a seasonal menu created in collaboration with Martha Stewart, a partnership that reflects co-founder Elisa Marshall’s longtime admiration for the lifestyle icon. Marshall, who grew up watching Stewart’s television shows and reading her magazines, worked closely with her to develop a selection of exclusive offerings. The collaboration includes beverages, such as the Martha Stewart Passionfruit Green Tea Palmer, alongside pastries and entrées (definitely try Martha’s cherry cheesecake turnover or salted caramel chocolate chip cookie).
General Manager Veronica Telesco said the goal is make folks feel like they’re dining in their mother’s kitchen. “The aesthetic has been created to make you feel like you’re at home,” she said. “Plus, the food is amazing, bright, fresh with lots of sweet and savory choices so there’s something for everyone.”
It’s a mantra echoed by co-founder Marshall who told lohud/The Journal News in a written statement that Rye was on the company’s radar screen because it has the kind of neighborhood feel that aligns naturally with their mission. “We’ve also seen many of our longtime guests move to Westchester over the years,” she said. “So, it felt like an exciting opportunity to bring Maman closer to them.”
If you go
Address: 64 Purchase St., 914-967-1735, mamannyc.com.
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Good to know: Maman sells many of its retail items online. It also offers an array of gluten-free food including Jeannie’s strawberry shortcake pancakes which is not named for me but a girl can dream.
Prices: Varies from $4 for a croissant to $14 for a sandwich to an average of $16 for a salad. Quiche is $10, pancakes are $16 and Maman’s croissant waffle is $15, putting items in the $3.50 to $18 range.
Skip the line: Via the Maman app (download and get a free cookie).
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Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Maman opens in Rye, with signature blend of food, design, hospitality
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
