The 10 Places That Shaped Elisa Marshall’s Taste

If Frank Sinatra taught us anything, it was that “If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere; it’s up to you, New York, New York.”

It’s no question that NYC is one of the most competitive, notoriously prolific culinary markets in the world, which means making a name for yourself as a restaurateur requires grit, hustle, but most importantly…a really, really, really good menu.

Elisa Marshall, Co-Founder and Owner of Maman NYC, has managed to do all of those things, and then some.

With 50+ locations across the US and Canada (20 of which reside in NYC + Brooklyn), Maman has maintained its homey essence, high-quality fare (literally one of the best gluten-free avocado toasts with a smoked salmon add I’ve ever had), French technique, local energy, and creative ethos throughout its expansion.

We asked Elisa about what shaped her taste (and passion) in her chosen city (that dreams are made of).

ABC Carpet & Home, Gramercy

“Though it has been scaled back, and today feels much more modern and edited, ABC Carpet & Home will always hold the #1 spot in my heart. I was always drawn to this shop because it never felt like just a store to me, it felt like stepping into a world where every corner told a story and everything was layered and curated with intention, warmth, and history. It created such a sense of discovery, where you could wander and find things you didn’t know you needed (or could afford). 

That experience, and my many visits there deeply shaped maman—the idea that it should be more than a café, and instead, a place where food, design, and retail come together to create a feeling. It inspired me to design maman as a place where vintage pieces and imperfect details feel collected over time, where guests can take a piece of that experience, and feel at home with them.” 

ABC Kitchen, Gramercy

“Like the above, ABC Kitchen is my FAVORITE restaurant in the city, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten is also my favorite chef! He can elevate the simplest dish using the most amazing seasonal ingredients that feels both refined and deeply comforting. Not to mention the breathtaking decor and vibe. 

The space itself is layered with the most beautiful natural and vintage details that make it feel so warm and lived-in, rather than overly designed, which you see in so many places in the city. And then there are the dishes I always come back to—the roasted carrot & avocado salad, which is my go-to, and the burger of course is also a must have, which somehow manages to feel both indulgent and perfectly balanced!”

Elizabeth Street Garden, SoHo

I’ve always loved Elizabeth Street Garden because it feels like a hidden escape in the middle of the city—unexpected, imperfect, and deeply soulful, with its mix of greenery, sculpture, and quiet moments of beauty. Whether it was for a walk with my dog or a peaceful moment with coffee, I always felt transported without ever leaving the neighborhood. It felt like a hidden escape and it showed me the power of creating a space that feels discovered rather than designed—where people can pause, connect, and feel transported without ever leaving their neighborhood. So much of that spirit inspired me as I built maman to create that ‘feeling’ that Elizabeth Street has!” 

Brooklyn Flea, DUMBO

“I’ve always loved getting lost at the Brooklyn Flea—it’s honestly all about the thrill of the hunt for me. That’s where I found some of the original vintage pieces that ended up in our first location in SoHo, NYC, along with some of our blue and white plates (which I’m sure are long gone by now). I’m obsessed with garage and estate sales (like, could spend hours digging), but in NYC they’re so hard to come by, which makes Brooklyn Flea feel like a little goldmine. You never know what you’re going to find, and that’s the best part: it’s how everything at maman ended up feeling collected, not just decorated.”

All Good Things, Tribeca

“Though it closed shortly before we opened maman, All Good Things was one of our favorite local spots! Located in the heart of Tribeca, this artisan marketplace-meets-high-end-food-hall was not only beautiful down to every detail, but also curated some of our favorite foodie finds and was a big inspiration to our 2017 opening of Marché Maman. Le Restaurant, by co-owner & executive chef Ryan Tate, served an incredible tasting menu, which was a favorite splurge of ours, and we later followed him many times to visit his upstate restaurant at Deer Mountain Inn.” 

Peasant, Nolita

“I loved the original Peasant because it just felt real—nothing about it was trying too hard, but everything was so right. The wood fire, the dim lighting, the worn-in textures. It’s cozy in that effortless way you can’t fake. The food was simple but so good, and it’s more about how it tastes and feels than how it looks. It’s the kind of place where you can actually relax and just enjoy being there, and that’s what always brings me back.” 

Duane Street Greenmarket, Tribeca

“Duane Street in Tribeca is home to so many memories of ours as it was our first NYC home where we lived for 6 years. Every Sunday, as soon as we got up, we would walk down to the Duane Street farmers market, a small quaint neighborhood-style greenmarket in Tribeca where they had some amazing local farmers supplying some of the best local produce, florals, and more. Shopping like this weekly really shaped my taste in the simplest, most lasting way. It taught me to fall in love with ingredients first. It wasn’t about trends or overcomplicated dishes, it was about what was fresh, what was in season, what looked beautiful that morning.”

Maman SoHo, SoHo

“Maman SoHo really shaped everything for me—often referred to as our first born, it was where I figured out what I naturally love and what people connect to. It wasn’t overly planned, it just came together between my husband Ben and me—selfishly in a way that felt warm, personal, and a little imperfect. Mixing vintage pieces, soft colors, and cozy textures became the foundation, and I realized that’s what makes a space feel special—when it feels like somewhere you actually want to stay, not just pass through. Every location since then has grown from that feeling. They’re all different, but they carry that same comfort and ease that started in SoHo.”

Painted Swan, Carroll Gardens 

“Anytime we are in Brooklyn, I must always make a stop at the Painted Swan, which feels less like a store and more like stepping into someone’s beautifully lived-in home.  It’s the kind of place where you walk in for one thing and inevitably leave with something beautiful you absolutely didn’t need, but suddenly can’t live without. There’s this sense of discovery in every corner, like each object has been quietly waiting to be found. Some of my favorite holiday pieces have come from there—from a tabletop Christmas tree made of birch branches to a vintage Easter bunny cake mold that feels like it carries decades of celebrations with it. A must-visit while in Brooklyn!”

Caffe Panna, Gramercy 

“I’ve always loved Caffè Panna because, at its core, it celebrates my actual favorite dessert—ice cream, and they do it in such a thoughtful, elevated way!  You can really taste the difference in the quality of the ingredients—everything feels real, rich, and intentionally made. Their affogato is an absolute must and what makes it even more special to me is that we once collaborated on an ice cream together using our chocolate chip cookie dough, which felt like such a natural pairing between our two worlds.”