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"I'm excited that a hit New York City bakery, café and restaurant is opening in Griffintown: Maman will take over the former Licence IV space on Notre-Dame near Guy and opens Monday August 5 at 1524 Notre-Dame W. Founded by Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte (joined by Montrealer Sabrina Taddei), the concept blends southern French culinary culture with North American influences and takes a homey, mom-inspired approach — many menu items are named for the mothers who contributed recipes. Expect lunch-friendly sandwiches like the Croque Maman, part-healthy, part-hearty waffle-iron hash browns with smoked salmon, avocado, greens, lemon, dill and egg, and a stronger lean toward restaurant service in Montreal with a 5 à 7 French-style apéro and small plates; the spot holds a full liquor license with French wines, Quebec beers and cocktails such as the Ouest Side (gin, St-Germain, cucumber, mint, lime and elderflower). The bakery will showcase the famed nutty chocolate chip cookie (one of Oprah Winfrey’s favourite things in 2017) and an Oprah-endorsed s’mores cookie, plus items like a white chocolate lavender blueberry cake and a pistachio chocolate croissant, supported by a solid coffee program using beans from Brooklyn roaster Parlor. The renovated space, designed largely by Marshall with purchases from the south of France, will be light, airy and Provençal with greenery and a cozy streetside terrasse, and will also serve as an event space for private and semi-private gatherings; hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday." - Tim Forster