Soft French music, painted teacups, plastic greenery, and rustic tables—every little detail at Maman makes you feel as if you are immersed in the French countryside.

Maman is a small French café that opened in City Place on Aug. 12. It boasts a cute, rustic aesthetic with vintage tables and faux flowers. To see if it could be the new go-to study spot, The Muse visited Maman, tasted items on its menu, and rated the café out of five stars.

When I arrived at around 4:00 PM on a Friday, there were only a few other people in the café, all of whom were working on their laptops. I ordered a hot latte, a pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant), and a buttermilk biscuit. The food came out quickly, arriving almost immediately after I sat down at my table.

The latte did not disappoint. The coffee was rich in flavor but not overpowering, and the drink was very creamy. I prefer my coffee on the sweeter side, so I added some sugar to it, but it was an excellent drink that I would recommend for lovers of strong coffee.

The pain au chocolate looked impressive, sprinkled with powdered sugar and topped with chopped nuts. It was really flaky and incredibly sweet. While I enjoyed it, those who prefer more savory foods or a richer chocolate flavor might not be big fans of how sweet it is.

The buttermilk biscuit had a golden crust and reminded me of a scone due to its crumbly texture and light flavor. It was slightly dry but was very buttery, and I even decided to drizzle a little honey on it. Although it wasn’t a mind-blowing treat, it was definitely worth trying.

Maman had small handheld menus at the order counter, showcasing its vast array of pastries, coffees, teas, and a variety of other food and drinks. The dine-in dishes were beautiful and boasted intricate designs with blue flowers and countryside scenery painted on the cups, plates, and saucers. The quiet atmosphere and cozy environment make it a great place to study and snack, whether you’re indoors or outdoors.

In terms of the service, the staff was helpful, checking in regularly to make sure everything was satisfactory and taking dishes that needed to be cleared.

Overall, I would give Maman a rating of four and a half stars out of five based on the environment, food, and service. The cost for the latte, croissant, and biscuit came out to around $17. The latte and chocolate croissant were more expensive than Starbucks; however, the drinks came out quicker at Maman and the overall ambiance of the café with the French music, quiet atmosphere, and helpful service was worth the extra few dollars, and I will be sure to visit again.