When I sat down to view the menu of Mosaic in the Princeton University Art Museum, I didn’t expect to see a list of shocking prices — the $13 matcha latte left me floored. For a restaurant in the middle of a college campus, the prices didn’t seem to reflect the spending abilities of the average students passing through.
The matcha latte came with a thick layer of deep green foam, hinting at hopes of richly concentrated, ceremonial matcha. However, the drink itself was disappointing: pale, milky green, and tasting similar to Starbucks matcha. Clumps of matcha remained at the bottom of the mug, suggesting poor blending, and the taste was overwhelmingly vegetal with no complexity. For an outrageous price of $13, the matcha latte was a huge let-down.
A matcha latte from Mosaics Restaurant.
Amy Jeon / The Daily Princetonian
The rest of the beverage selection — including soft drinks, teas, coffee drinks, and mocktails — was more impressive. In addition to the matcha, I ordered a mocktail called “Fruit From The Tropics” and a regular latte.
The Fruit From The Tropics mocktail stole the show in its refreshing flavor profile. Presented in a glass topped with a slice of lime, the mocktail consisted of passionfruit, citrus and coconut. Passionfruit was the main note, but the citrus zest added a sour tinge that complemented the beverage’s fruity sweetness. The coconut took a backseat, only appearing as a slight hint. At $12, the drink was a delicious investment.
The “Fruit from the Tropics” mocktail from Mosaic.
Amy Jeon / The Daily Princetonian
The latte arrived with a teaspoon and sweetener on the side. Both the latte and matcha latte came in distinctive ceramic mugs, underscoring the restaurant’s implicit artistic eccentricity. The warm latte was unsweetened, with a silky layer of foam on top. The coffee itself was extremely deep in flavor with a strong aftertaste. The restaurant uses a locally-sourced blend from Small World Coffee. For a price point of $7, the latte was extremely worthwhile.
The pastry menu featured an impressive variety. I ordered a cinnamon bun, pumpkin oatmeal cookie, chocolate croissant, and crepe cake. Every pastry arrived on a colorful ceramic plate, turning the dining table into a visual palette.
The cinnamon bun was warm and comforting with roasted apples — a spin on a classic dessert. The glaze, slightly caramelized, held notes of chai and autumnal spices. Meanwhile, the bread itself was a delicious dichotomy of textures. It was slightly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. A quintessential autumn staple, the cinnamon bun was well worth its $12 price point.
The Mosaics Restaurant’s take on a cinnamon roll.
Amy Jeon / The Daily Princetonian
On the other hand, the pumpkin oatmeal cookie came slightly stale, with a hardened glaze and a sprinkle of crumble toppings. The cookie’s texture was a distinct combination of chewy, crunchy, and grainy. The flavor profile featured a deep nuttiness, while the pumpkin was barely detectable. Although the cookie wasn’t entirely unenjoyable, it was quite unremarkable. For $3, it felt appropriately priced.
The chocolate croissant was on par with those from most cafes. The croissant was flaky on the outside, and the inside was soft and spongy. There was very little chocolate in the pastry itself, despite its name. For $4, the croissant was worth its price.
A croissant from Mosaic.
Amy Jeon / The Daily Princetonian
Ultimately, the crepe cake took the cake, literally, with its deliciously absurd combination of orange mascarpone and cranberry curd. While many of the restaurant’s other desserts were classics, the crepe cake was daring. Its main flavors of orange and cranberry took turns taking charge, creating a curious but pleasant tasting experience. The cake was visually appealing in its alternating layers of white and pink with the mascarpone and curd. Priced at $12, the crepe cake was my favorite pastry and one that I highly recommend.
The Crepe Cake at Mosaic.
Amy Jeon / The Daily Princetonian
Generally, the restaurant’s item prices were on the higher end, and the beverages in particular felt overpriced. A trip to Small World or Maman would offer beverages with the same quality at far lower prices.
However, many of the pastries and desserts were well-priced, especially given that the restaurant’s bakery prepares them. Although the restaurant is housed in a location central to students on campus, the menu suggests a target demographic of tourists and professors.
Amy Jeon is a contributing writer for The Prospect and a member of the Class of 2029. She can be reached at aj9410[at]princeton.edu.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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