maman — Restaurant in New York

A Sweet Delight at the Heart of Midtown: The Pastry Place on 45th St

I've recently had the utter pleasure of visiting this quaint little gem nestled among the bustling streets of Midtown Manhattan – The Pastry Place on 48th St., near Fifth Avenue. This spot offers an enticing selection of delightful pastries and refreshments that make your taste buds dance with joy.

The crown jewel of my visit had to be their sublime pistachio cookies. One bite of these green-hued treats and I was transported to a world where pistachios reign supreme. They strike the perfect balance between a crunchy exterior and a soft, flavorful interior that immediately entices you for another nibble. The pictures I snapped simply don’t do these wonders justice!

Complementing these divine cookies was my stash of chocolate croissants. Oh, where do I begin with these?! Perfectly flaky on the outside, generously filled with the richest chocolate on the inside – they're more than just "freaking delicious," they're a taste sensation. The beautiful dance of textures and flavors had me reaching for one after another, with no regard for the expanding waistline!

Now, what's a pastry spree without a solid beverage to wash it all down? An iced cappuccino, served without sugar, was my brew of choice. It was a perfectly brewed, chilled concoction that was just the right partner for my sweet delights. This unsweetened cappuccino was rich and refreshing, elevating the overall taste experience to a whole new level.

To anyone whose taste buds align with mine, this place is a must-visit. Unpretentious yet exceptional, The Pastry Place on 48th St. is truly a beacon of culinary delight in the heart of Midtown. It shines brightly with a well-deserved five-star rating. Can't wait for...

IF YOU HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES, EAT ELSEWHERE

I had anaphylaxis at Maman this past Friday and a very rude employee was very dismissive of it. I work across the street, at the 1 Rock building and I stop inside Maman almost daily for a latte. On this particular morning I was hungry and decided to order an avocado toast as well. I have a severe grapefruit allergy, but didn’t think anything of it considering, there’s no grapefruit or citrus included on the avocado toast. Within minutes of eating my meal, my throat began to close & I went on a mad dash blocks away to RiteAid for Meds.

When I went to the cashier later on that to day and explained what had happened (I was not rude or stern at all, just gently notified her of what occurred) just to let them know to be mindful as it’s very dangerous and life-threatening, she was very dismissive. Saying “Well, I mean everything’s cross-contaminated, it happens here all the time, we have a sign”. I went from loving this café, to absolutely detesting it. Not okay. Accidents happen, but if it is simply normalized here, I will not be returning and I suggest you eat elsewhere.

I have worked in several restaurants in Manhattan for years in my younger days (I am 25, so under 7 years ago) and all of the kitchens pay close attention to detail to ensure no cross-contamination happens.

I will not be ordering coffee, food, or anything of the kind from Maman again. As this carelessness, on a day where I can’t make it to medication in time, could cost me more than just a wasted 20 bucks if you...

Maman now has 11 locations; nine here in NYC and two in Canada. Their newest location which opened recently is situated across the street from Rockefeller Center. Like all other Maman locations, the décor here is lovely and French garden themed. You'll find lots of floral greenery, rustic wooden tables, and their signature blue and white patterned cups. They have a small set up in the front of the café for outdoor dining as well.

Before I visited them yesterday, I went and checked out their menu online to plan my order. Unfortunately, I did not realize that their kitchen closes every day at 4pm, so by the time I came after work, the only items left were the drinks and baked goods in the display cases. Bummer! So instead, I ended up getting a pistachio chocolate croissant, a nutty chocolate chip cookie and a honey lavender latte. Their baked items are amazing, but I really did not care for the latte. I thought the lavender note was just too strong. Luckily, the croissant and cookie more than made up for the drink. They were both so delicious. I loved the chunks of macadamia nuts in the chocolate chip cookie. And the croissant had both pistachio and chocolate cream stuffed inside. I could have eaten ten of these.

If you're looking for a nice place to grab coffee or light fare, come here to this oasis in the middle of busy midtown. But make sure you go earlier in the day if you want to...