Maman

Bonjour, Virginia! Get ready to welcome a touch of charming, rustic South of France-meets-North American comfort to Old Town Alexandria. Maman, the New York City-born French-inspired café and bakery, is poised to open its doors at a prime location on King Street, bringing its nationally celebrated pastries, coffee, and all-day menu to the local community. This eagerly awaited opening marks a significant addition to the vibrant culinary scene in Northern Virginia, following the successful launch of its first Virginia location in the Mosaic District.

Maman, which means 'mother' in French, was founded with the vision of recreating the warm, comfortable, and delicious memories of childhood kitchens. Founders Benjamin Sormonte and Elisa Marshall draw inspiration from their mothers, blending traditional French techniques with wholesome, quality ingredients. This philosophy results in a menu that is both sophisticated and wonderfully familiar, making every visit feel like a homecoming. For residents of Old Town Alexandria and the greater Northern Virginia region, Maman promises to be more than just a bakery; it aims to be a gathering place, a respite, and a source of daily culinary delight. The community is already expressing excitement about the arrival of this beloved brand, with many local patrons eagerly anticipating the chance to experience Maman's unique blend of charming decor and delectable fare right in the heart of Alexandria. The combination of its established reputation and its commitment to a homey, inviting atmosphere makes Maman a highly anticipated local business that is expected to quickly become a fixture in the area.

The location on King Street, an address known for its historic significance and high foot traffic, places Maman squarely in the center of Old Town’s retail and dining corridor. While the café and bakery is not yet open to the public, the anticipation is building daily, suggesting that Maman will quickly become a cherished local gem once construction is complete and the final touches are added. This new establishment is set to further elevate the area’s reputation as a destination for exceptional food and unique, high-quality experiences.

Location and Accessibility

The upcoming Maman location is situated at a highly visible and central address in Old Town Alexandria:

701 King St

Alexandria, VA 22314

USA

This prominent spot is located at the corner of King Street and N. Washington Street, occupying the former location of the café and market, Foxtrot. The address places it right in the heart of Old Town, an area renowned for its accessibility and vibrant atmosphere. As construction work on the interior space is underway with hopes of completion by the end of the year, the community eagerly awaits an official opening date.

Accessibility is a key advantage of this location. King Street is the main thoroughfare of Old Town, and the café is conveniently near major historic sites and shopping areas. For those utilizing public transit, the location is a short walk from the King Street-Old Town Metro Station, making it easily reachable for residents across Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. Old Town also offers a mix of street parking and nearby parking garages, facilitating visits for those driving in. The central position ensures that Maman will be perfectly situated to serve both local Alexandria residents and tourists exploring the historic district.

Services Offered

Maman is planning to operate as a full café, bakery, and restaurant, with a comprehensive offering designed to satisfy everything from a quick morning coffee to a leisurely brunch. While the specific Alexandria menu may feature local specials, the general offerings are expected to align with Maman’s established, popular format at its other regional locations:

• Freshly Baked Pastries and Desserts: This includes a rotating selection of croissants, pain au chocolat, kouign maman (a classic caramelized Breton cake), scones, and seasonal pastries like pumpkin pie croissant cubes and spiced apple danishes.

• All-Day Breakfast and Brunch Items: The menu is expected to feature a variety of savory and sweet options such as the famous daily quiche, Anna's Belgian waffles, smashed avocado tartine, customizable omelettes, and hearty bowls like Elisa’s breakfast bowl (with marinated chickpeas and farro) and Papa's breakfast bowl (with roasted potatoes and bacon).

• Maman Classics: Signature dishes often include a range of sandwiches and wraps, such as the Katie Chicken Sandwich and Elvira’s Vegetarian Wrap, as well as seasonal soups and salads for lunch.

• Gourmet Coffee and Beverages: A full coffee bar service offering espresso drinks, brewed coffee, and specialty items like iced matcha lattes and house-made juices.

• Specialty Retail and Catering: Maman locations often offer their famous cookies and branded goods for shipping and in-store purchase. The new Alexandria location plans include a large space suitable for catering and private events.

• Restaurant Seating: Plans for the 3,900-square-foot venue include approximately 30 indoor seats, ensuring a comfortable space for dine-in guests to enjoy their meals.

Features / Highlights

The Maman brand is distinguished by more than just its exceptional menu. The Old Town Alexandria location is set to incorporate several features and highlights that have made the café a popular lifestyle brand across North America:

• The Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookie: Arguably the most famous offering, this crowd-pleasing cookie, containing walnuts, macadamia nuts, and pecans, gained national recognition when it was selected as one of Oprah Winfrey’s “Favorite Things” in 2017. It is known for its blend of crisp edges and a gooey, chewy center.

• French-Inspired Rustic Décor: Maman is celebrated for its "South of France meets North America" aesthetic. This is characterized by rustic wooden tables, crisp white walls, vintage floral fabrics, and a charming, warm, "home-like" atmosphere, making it one of the most Instagrammable cafés.

• Seasonal Menu Collaborations: Maman frequently partners with culinary icons, notably a year-long collaboration with Martha Stewart, resulting in special limited-edition menu items like the Caramel Cream Sugar Bun and Martha's Harvest Tart.

• Family-Inspired Recipes: The menu is deeply rooted in the childhood family traditions of the founders, offering authentic, high-quality dishes that emphasize seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The name Maman itself underscores this focus on maternal, comforting cooking.

• Dedicated Event Space: The spacious Old Town location is planned to include an accessory event space, allowing Maman to host intimate gatherings, parties, and perhaps even workshops, which will greatly benefit the local community seeking unique venue options.

• Expansion in Virginia: This Alexandria location will be Maman’s second in Virginia, following its opening in the Mosaic District, signaling the brand's commitment to serving the Northern Virginia community.

Contact Information

As the Old Town Alexandria location is currently undergoing construction and is not yet open, certain contact details may still be pending final activation. However, here is the principal address for the upcoming location:

Address: 701 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA

Phone: Information not yet publicly released for this new location.

Note: For the most immediate updates on the official opening date and operating hours, local residents are encouraged to monitor announcements from the business as construction wraps up toward the anticipated late 2025 opening timeline.

What is Worth Choosing

For those in Virginia, Maman represents an exciting opportunity to experience a globally recognized bakery and café right in Old Town Alexandria. What makes Maman worth choosing is its unwavering dedication to the concept of 'home'—a feeling that is palpable in both the menu and the atmosphere. You’re choosing more than just a croissant; you’re choosing a connection to a cozy, beautifully designed space where every detail, from the signature blue-and-white floral décor to the presentation of the food, is curated for comfort and joy.

The exceptional quality of the pastries, particularly the legendary Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookie, ensures that even a quick stop for a treat is a worthwhile indulgence. Beyond the sweets, Maman’s savory French-inspired breakfast and lunch fare offers substantial, high-quality options perfect for a casual business meeting, a weekend brunch with family, or a pleasant mid-day break from exploring Old Town. The unique inclusion of a large accessory event space in the new location means Maman will offer Virginia residents a distinct and aesthetically pleasing venue for private parties and special celebrations. By choosing Maman, residents and visitors are choosing a charming, high-quality, French-American culinary experience that is set to enrich the daily life and special occasions of the Alexandria community. The high anticipation from local patrons suggests Maman is poised to fill a niche for an elevated, yet comfortably familiar, neighborhood gathering spot.

Maman

701 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA