A recap of my visit to the elegant La Maison Maille boutique in the Flatiron District of NYC, featuring unique Dijon mustards, cornichons, oils, and vinegars.
UPDATE: As of Fall 2017, I’ve discovered that Maille has closed its New York boutiques. For travelers, international boutiques are listed on their website. Maille’s full line of products is still available for purchase online.
Earlier this fall, I visited one of La Maison Maille’s boutiques in Manhattan. The afternoon changed my conception of Dijon mustard in the most delicious way possible.
Maille sent me a sample of one of their limited edition mustards over the summer. (You might remember the Honey Mustard Grilled Pork Chops I made with it). I learned at that time that they had retail stores in the city. Shortly after, Pauline Ouchikh, one of Maille’s PR reps in New York, invited me to tour their Flatiron boutique.
One of my favorite parts of having a blog is sharing fun food experiences with my readers. I hope that you will enjoy reading about my visit as much as I enjoyed my afternoon shopping!
Maille’s Extensive Gourmet Mustards
My local markets stock three of Maille’s “classic” mustard recipes: Dijon Originale, Old-Style Whole Grain, and Honey Mustard. They’ve been favorites of mine for years. I had no idea that Maille’s luxurious product line extends past these varieties.
I wish I’d discovered this sooner!
Maille’s Mustard Advisor, Tevin, expertly guided me around the boutique. Breadstick in hand, I sampled recipes such as Blue Cheese and White Wine, Saffron and Crème Fraiche, and Beetroot-Honey.
I had to restrain myself from buying a jar of everything I tasted. Recipe ideas were spinning through my head!
The boutique really is a paradise for the gourmet mustard lover.
Mustard “From the Tap”
The most unique part of the boutique is Maille’s mustard “on-tap.” These classic and seasonal recipes are dispensed via porcelain pumps. Shoppers can refill the elegant stoneware jars at any boutique.
For autumn, Maille is offering two truffle mustards from the pumps: the new Black Truffle Cep and the bestselling Black Truffle and Chablis.
It was impossible to choose a favorite between the two. Both mustards are well-rounded and aromatic. The Black Truffle Cep is a bit less assertive on the palate.
Also available from the pump are Dijon Originale with White Wine, Sauternes, Wholegrain Chardonnay, and Chablis. The latter has become a fast favorite in our home.
Oils, Vinegars, and Cornichons
I was not familiar with Maille’s oils, vinegars, and expanded line of cornichons. The delicate hint of sweetness in the caramelized onion gherkins have made them my new “go-to” for remoulades and relishes.
I fell in love with their walnut oil and fruit vinegars. You can use the vinegars as you would a shrub to craft delicious cocktails. It will be fun to experiment with some of those during the holiday season!
Many and special thanks to Pauline Ouchikh, Diana Tedesco, Elisa Galassi, Tevin, and Nicole So, for their warm and gracious hospitality during my visit. I’m looking forward to visiting again soon!
Love mustard as much as I do? Don’t miss some of my favorite recipes from the archives utilizing Dijon:
Honey Mustard Grilled Pork Chops with Cherry Sauce (Sponsored)
Bacon Peach Jam
French Potato Salad with Baby Arugula
A Trio of Deviled Eggs
Beef Tenderloin with Cognac Cream Sauce
This sounds like an amazing event! I adore mustard so I definitely need to get my hands on Maille and I will LOVE being in a shop that’s so dedicated to Mustard! I’m definitely stopping by if I get to come to New York!
This sounds like an amazing store! I’ve never heard of Maille before, but I began salivating in my seat as you talked of the different mustards. I would be much like you, eager to take home the whole store, but I think I would be the biggest sucker for the pumped mustards. What a neat concept – especially with the seasonal rotation! I am hoping to be in NY in January (we should totally hang out!), so I know this will be one of my stops while I’m there! :)
I didn’t think I liked mustard but I realized it took the right flavor combination and pairing in the recipe for me to appreciate it. This looks like a mustard brand I would enjoy!
Oh my goodness! This sound like my kind of store! It all sounds so delicious and definitely worth checking out. I’ve never heard of the company but am heading over to their site now to learn more. :)
What an absolute beautiful shop! I have never heard of this before, but I think I must try!
You are so lucky to have a resource like this so close! My family is french and Maille is our mustard of choice for all of my cooking. I didn’t know they had so many varieties, either. Next time I’m up that way — I want to visit that locale! Fabulous!
Such a wonderful trip and culinary experience! Thank you for all of the foodie reports!!