Everyone deserves a go-to place for aesthetically pleasing scenery, coffee/tea, and a snack. This is a place to read, write, scroll on TikTok, have some laughs, or link with a friend. Become a regular there. Visit when you need a pick-me up. Learn the Barista’s name. Choose a favorite on the menu. Sit and take a breath there. For me, that place is Maman.
Often, especially in New York City, we are moving so quickly. Our pauses are only seconds in between movement, and often not long enough to reset the mind and recharge the spirit. It’s hard to find a place surrounded by greenery that is accessible, clean, not too noisy, and has wifi. I believe in balance, so I need all of these when I need a recharge.
Maman: Centre Street
All of the Maman locations are unique in that they each have their own set ups and rules. For example, not all Maman locations are laptop friendly. Someone needs to make a laptop friendly coffee shop list because I have seen too many “laptop free” signs in places that serve coffee, and how does that make sense? It doesn’t. In smaller places, I understand like the Maman on Centre Street in Little Paris. It’s intimate and great for coffee dates. At the Centre Street location, I got the papa’s breakfast bowl and the farmhouse granola parfait, and I literally crave both every morning for breakfast. You can browse their menu here.
Today, I intended to return to the Maman on Centre Street because I love that location so much. However, I took the wrong bus and ended up here at the King Street location. The universe was just aligning me because my friend Gaby ended up being the Barista here. I was a regular at Double Dutch Espresso when I lived in the South Bronx (Mott Haven) back in 2019 where she was a manager. Since March 2020, I’ve moved and she moved on from there, so I hadn’t seen her since.
I’m someone who truly does not believe in coincidences and only in alignment, so when I walked into here and she yelled “KEYLA!” I knew I would have a good day. The Maman on King Street is now my place.
Maman: King Street
Between conversations with her catching up, the music played here, the Smashed Avocado Tartine, my oat latte, and the decor, I had an amazing mental reset.
I just think that their set up at this location is brilliant. There’s tons of outdoor seating, smaller table seating around the cafe, and then a long table in the center that is best for laptop users. There are pop up charging ports (as seen above hidden under the plant on the table) that is a silver disk on the table when not in use and a multi outlet port when extended. So useful.
Seriously, I was so productive while sitting here. Some coffee shops are too distracting with all the foot traffic and loud music, but this Maman has the perfect ambiance to relax, talk, and get work done. I know Maman is a super trendy and popular coffee shop and this isn’t news to anyone, but I don’t care. They have that rep with reason.
I’ll likely be back like tomorrow.
