Red Pipe Undergoing Renovation

Putting the Artisanal in Coffee

So, I guess out with the tea, in with the art. Here's version 2 of the new Austin coffee spot's sign. An interesting change. The term "art" is quite broad, and could mean anything artistic I suppose. Thanks again to Joe for the pic, and for keeping an eye on the ever-changing Pink Forest coffee shop!

New Tea & Coffee Spot Opening on Austin St.

This is in the spot that used to be the candy store, and more recently was a jewelry place. Thanks to Joe for the photo!

Logos and Stuff

I know some of you have noticed we recently got a new logo. Well it just so happens I noticed over on Instagram and Facebook that Forest Hills' neighborhood coffee shop Red Pipe is also looking for a new logo and asking everyone to vote on their favorite. The choices are below and you can vote over on their Facebook Page.

Red Pipe's One-Year Anniversary

Forest Hills' only indie coffee shop is celebrating this week it's one-year anniversary. Yes, time flies. As a special gift to them, I am taking the liberty of posting their new menu, which I grabbed from their Facebook Page. I truly hope they don't mind.

Oh, and I see they give yours truly a little shout out down there in the corner. Thanks guys!

Red Pipe's June Events

The guys over at Red Pipe on Austin just tweeted their June events. I had been meaning to post this for May and forgot, so I'm making up for that right now!

Red Pipe Cafe Sign

It occurred to me I never posted photos of Red Pipe's new sign, a great addition to the look of Austin St.!

Red Pipe Cafe Review from eateryROW

Fellow local blogger eateryROW's review of Red Pipe

I especially love the way it starts...

I've lived in Forest Hills for the better part of ten years. But I'm from Manhattan and I do miss it. That said, these days, it's sometimes easy to forget that I'm not there. In the past few years, Forest Hills has gotten wine bars, cocktails and craft beer, enough taxis to make midtown blush, concerts, expensive restaurants with pedigree chefs, brand-new luxury buildings, bakeries, hotter girls...

Performing at Red Pipe Cafe This Wednesday

The French jazz duo Gavroche, who happen to be Forest Hills residents, will perform at our new coffee place, Red Pipe, on Austin St. Wednesday night at 8:30 (they will also be performing at La Boulangerie on Dec. 16 at 5 p.m.):

Here's a clip of them from Fête Paradiso, the Parisian festival of vintage carnival rides and carousels on Governors Island. Valentine Biollay on vocals and Coyote Anderson on guitar. http://www.valentinebiollay.com

Forest Hills Gets an Indie Coffee Shop

Yes, finally.

It's called Red Pipe, and it's now open in the space where the former Stoa Jewelry store used to be at 7160 Austin St.

And guess what? They make a mean cappuccino!

It's a great addition to our neighborhood, and a long time in coming.

I was very pleasantly surprised when I visited. When the sign said it was going to be an organic cafe, I was expecting another food place. So was thrilled to see it's a coffee-focused establishment, just the type of place to kick back and relax, or spend some time with friends. Just what we needed...

Hours are 7 am to 10 pm, and they also sell breakfast, sandwiches and desserts...

What's Up With? New Town Grocery

With Newtown Grocery (shown above a few years ago after an unfortunate mishap) apparently packing up shop, speculation has begun about what will be taking its place. The space is being marketed as "perfect for a corner cafe", with more than 1,000 square feet of space and, according to an ad I saw, would also include a couple of neighboring businesses. Some local folks believe it may be the up and coming coffee chain Caffe Bene that may move into the location. The chain has already opened a couple of locations in Astoria. And, as we all know, as the saying goes, "What's good for Astoria..."

Indie Coffee Shop Idea

I know a lot of readers would love someone to open an indie coffee shop in central Forest Hills. I recently checked out the former location of The Lite Choice (a.k.a. Tasty D-lite) in the "Mini Mall" on 71st Continental Ave. and it dawned on me that this space has some really good indie coffee shop potential. I mean, it's the right size, quiet, relaxing, laid back, out-of-the-way, has outdoor seating, and with a little imagination could be a really interesting place to hang out. Take a look at the photos I took below and can't you just see people chilling with their laptops and a cup of coffee? Imagine the space below transformed with some plants, nice lighting, nice tables and chairs. The space is even sheltered from the elements to some degree so with some outdoor heaters could even have outdoor seating through the chillier months. Anyway, just a thought. The only drawback is it is a little out of the way, since it doesn't front onto a major shopping street. But there are other businesses in there that have been around for a while, especially the barber shop, and more recently, Sun Cycle Studios.