After much hoopla these past few months, Boris & Horton, the dog-friendly cafe, opens this morning at 7 on Avenue A and 12th Street ... (H/T Greg Masters for the photos!)
As previously reported, with the approval of the Department of Health, daughter-father co-owners Logan Mikhly and Coppy Holzman created three separate areas in the cafe, including an indoor seating area where dogs can go but food cannot be ordered, and a cafe separated by plexiglass where dogs are forbidden.
The cafe, named after the owners' dogs, is serving City of Saints coffee and Balthazar pastries, among other items. (They were OK'd for a beer-wine license.) The space will also host the occasional dog-adoption events.
Boris & Horton's hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Find their website here with more details.
Meanwhile, let us know in the comments if you stopped by the space...
Previously on EV Grieve:
On tonight's CB3-SLA docket: Boris & Horton, New York's first dog friendly coffee shop
37 comments:
Sorry but this is fucking stupid. Have fun consumers.
Don't be offended by my opinion, just think of that squirrel again.
What about this is stupid? It's a novel retail concept in a world where retailers are under intense pressure to survive. Not to mention it's serving a market niche that clearly exists.
My cat just barfed.
Can't wait! Coffee and dogs, two of my favorites.
I really don't understand the ongoing animus against this place, given all of the deeply problematic human establishments in the neighborhood. If you don't like the idea, avoid this corner, it's a simple as that. It's not like they'll be supporting Santacon this December...
I walked by the other day to check this place out and I think a lot of (dog owning) customers will be disappointed with the tiny area designated as dog friendly. Three average size dogs and their owners will fill that space up and I can guarentee people will bring their pets into to the dog restituted area all the time. None of this matters to me since I don't see myself ever going here but it will be interesting to say the least see what happens here, I mean pet owners think of their dogs as their children, try telling them to go to the closet size space without an argument.
I have a dog, love dogs and cats, and agree that this is kind of stupid. Humans will sit on one side of a partition with coffee and pastries, dogs will be on the other side doing whatever (including staring at their people and barking, probably), and a small pet supply shop will be in a third space from what it looks like. But there will be patrons enough.
I remember when Ost opened thinking that they’d never survive. I was wrong about that and I actually grew to really enjoy going there over the years. Mostly to sit on one of the benches outside with my dog and cup of coffee. So, who knows. May wind up liking this place too. It’s better than a Starbucks of some chain masquerading as a local coffee shop.
I'm open-minded about this. Glad to see something other than a bar, bank, or CVS. I really don't understand why so many people discount ideas because they personally have no use for them. Can we root for someone to succeed for once? If not, how does this hurt you?
I can see a small dog-designated space as a potential problem though, as reported by someone above. Let's wait and see. I wish them well.
I went in this morning with my dog, and I was impressed. I don't know why people are complaining about the size. It is a cafe. It isn't huge, but it is a good size. If you have a dog, you go to the window on the 12th Street side and put in your order, then you go around to the entrance for dogs on Avenue A, and you can sit on that side with your dog. If you don't have a dog, you can sit in the area near the counter. It's easy.
@Gojira
We all assume they won't be part of Santa Con ... [ cue: ominous music and the sound of dogs barking in the distance ]
waiting on the day someone borrows the civet cat coffee idea. Someone will try to feed a dog coffee beans.
I walked be last weekend before this place opened and a group of people with their dogs where hanging out discussing this new cafe. A few seconds later 2 of the dogs started fighting, fur flying with barking and growling. That was on the sidewalk, can only imagine what inside a tight space will be like when something like this happens. Maybe people should just realize that dogs are their pets and pets are not substitutes for other humans. Pets don't need to be with you everywhere you go. That's why I leave my peacock at home when I take a commercial flight.
I get why animals and food/beverages don't mix and am glad that's the general rule. I don't want to deal with other people's pets and keeping them away from my food or leg anytime I go to a cafe.
But, there should be a way for people who like dogs enough to be ok with the hygenic issues to be able to open dog cafes and similar establishments. Freedom of choice, no?
I went this morning and had a great experience! The entire staff on the dog-friendly side was extremely helpful, excited to meet my dog and gave him a treat for coming by. On the cafe side, the staff was good and the coffee was great. I loved Ost as a cafe, but their coffee left something to be desired.
I'm thrilled to see a local, family-run space on this block! Would the detractors rather have another chain open up in this space? Boris and Horton has personality and charm, I'll gladly take it over another Starbucks...
Halloween Dog Parade is Santa Con.
Forget about SantaCon, the Dog Parade just found a new headquarters. Maybe thats good news, because the park was so overcrowded at the last Dog Parade they need somewhere else to go. Now Ricky’s needs a line of holiday-themed popper scoopers.
I used to sit at that bench outside Ost Cafe after ordering from the takeout window, they had great Hamentaschen too, and remember that plenty of dogs were always around. As long as people clean up after thier pets we should be able to survive.
Pro: Hopefully the benches will be back
Pro: The exterior is nice and fits the eye, the pop of blue will grow on you.
Pro: This is an admirable attempt to make rent in this pricing climate, anything is better than a bank/chain, or shuttered windows with real estate ads.
Pro: They will be serving coffee and are among the few few dog friendly establishments in the city.
Con: They have no coffee authenticity, and just serving someone else's.
Con: 1/3rd of the store is a gift shop, making it seem a bit mall kiosk-y.
Con: The signs verbiage referencing the DOH and squirrel thing is way too campy.
The Pro's have it... by a snout.
I don't get it. It's sad that Ost is gone, but would people prefer an empty storefront, or another Duane Reade? It may be a little gimmicky but at least it reflects something human beings might possibly want.
Coffee is very good, nice vibe inside. Not as comfortable and homey as sorely missed predecessor Cafe Ost, but I appreciate the fact that the owners invested a lot of money and energy into opening a local business. Fun to pet the dogs.
I can't imagine why anyone would not understand the negative comments here. Does anyone really believe that there are good negative comments and bad negative comments? No, there's only negative minded people no matter the impetus. It's partially a form of online bullying and 100% pure vanity.
I agree with 12:05 that the coffee at Ost was pretty bad. Way too strong in my opinion. And the quality of their pastries kind of went down a bit after they stopped carrying stuff from Balthazar. This new place appears to be getting their stuff from Balthazar so that’s a plus.
I also agree with 11:33 that there’s no way that dogs aren’t going to fight in that tiny space. I wonder what kind of insurance they have?
I just love the trolls who are talking about the "history" of progress. I believe they all took the workshops offered from their patrons to sound a bit more "real" to people. The comments as are naive and ahistorical as it gets. Comments about the eighties, etc and people getting angry then... Yikes. I just love developers!!! ;)))
I took my little Bouchon Conjo with me this morning and he LOVED it. We BOTH DID!
I think some concerns about this place is the normalizing of bringing dogs into places where should not be. I have noticed a dogs in the a few different supermarkets I shop at this past year. Health department laws were created for a reason and now people are going out of their way to get their pets listed as "service animals" just to skirt these laws. I know someone who did this and she admitted to me that it wasn't for medical reasons, she just wanted to bring her dog everywhere.
I don't dislike dogs but I believe they should not be in restaurants, subways and grocery stores just because it is fun for someone. Obviously service dogs for those that "really" need them is fine. The neighborhood is teaming with people that feel entitled to break or ignore rules that the rest of us follow. Bringing a dog into any restaurant of food market will soon become "okay" to more and more people this is just another step towards that.
So I used to go to Ost when I would go on long walks with my dog because it was one of the few coffee shops that had a out-of-the-way place I could tie her up but still see her when I was ordering, so I didn't have to worry about her getting stolen.
I stopped by the new place today and it's so much better! I can go up to the coffee window with my dog and grab a cup to-go without as much anxiety. I actually took my cup inside and sat down in the dog area to see what it was like. It is a little on the smaller side, but there were 3 dogs in there and everything was under control. I can see how on the weekend it might be bonkers, but honestly everything in NYC is crowded and bonkers. The human-side was full of people hanging out and doing work.
Honestly, the to-go window alone makes it worth it for dog owners like me who just want to go on a walk with their dog and get themselves a quick treat. I see myself using that all the time.
At 11:31 AM, Anonymous said:
waiting on the day someone borrows the civet cat coffee idea. Someone will try to feed a dog coffee beans.
And the dog will die; end of story.
Dogs can't tolerate the caffeine in coffee; this is pretty much the reason you should never give a dog chocolate—the caffeine and theobromine combined will kill the dog. So there may or may not be signs posted to this effect at Boris & Horton.
The people running this place seem to be trying to follow every single law and do everything by the book. That's an act of good neighbors and business owners. Anyone who actually lives in the Upper East Village who (very reasonably) complains about bro bars and remedial biscuit/fondue/bacon sellers but who still has an issue with this place ... why? People drink coffee. Some of these coffee drinkers consider their dogs family and would like a place to sit with them for a while while they read the paper and let their pups do whatever it is pups do. This sounds pleasant and nice to me. If it's not your scene, cool—don't go.
It's a pretty decent set of humans this business seeks to serve—responsible animal parents not consuming alcohol—but yet some people must always be anti-everything. This is not a bro bar or some upscale yuppie nonsense, it's just a happy place for dog parents and the people who like dogs to sit and have coffee. And this non-coffee-drinking cat lady who lives a block away is really fucking OK with that and hope they succeed.
I (non dog owner) went and had a coffee/espresso drink and the hearty avocado toast and thought it was a fun and well executed idea! I am so thankful to not have another chain, and appreciate the thought and creativity that went into this cafe idea.
Some people will just always be naysayers *shrug*
To the commenters complaining about dogs in bars and restaurants, in europe they have places where people can bring their dogs; the places are called "bars" and "restaurants."
I am not a fan of pets in cafes. But I do appreciate the creative concept and the try at innovation. The menu looked very limited and expensive. $11 for tofu toast or avocado?? It looked sunny, cheerful and bright. Good for a coffee or tea. Hope this works, we need more places like this, esp after Cia For Now closed on Feb 1 after 17 yrs. You'd think w/ all the million $ condos being built within the adjacent block that most any place would succeed- esp if they deliver to the new swanky dwellers.
@Bayou
One can always compare how people live in near or far away places especially those with more homogeneous societies to our complex culture in NYC. The French don't pasteurize their cheese, healthcare is practically free in Western Europe, everyone young person must serve in the military in Israel.... These are choices the people in those cultures have decided upon however in NYC pets are not allowed in place which prepare, serve or sell food with the exception of service dogs. I rather not have stranger's animal around me as I eat a bagel so I will avoid this place, however if I go to Paris and see dogs at a cafe I will accept that as part of their social norm. I will not accept it here.
LOL I can't believe people have an issue with this. Who cares? It's nice for people with the type of dog that would enjoy the situation. Who fucking cares!!!! It's not a loud or disruptive place.
It's all good.
Upperwest side meet what was once the east village
I don't have a dog and I don't want to be around dogs when I go to buy my coffee. I don't have any children. If it were place for children I wouldn't want to be around them. I don't want to be around a bunch of yuppies. I especially don't want to be around a bunch of yuppies and their dogs. These people all want to be around each other, so it's nice that they have a place to be together. Good for them.
As I see it there are two basic kinds of people in the world. People who like dogs and those who don't.
Just be aware that your dog can spread the dog flu to each other, and they can also catch the flu from humans. And humans can spread the dog flu virus if they dont wash their hands and clothes frequently, If you have the flu, keep your distance from your pet, don't pet your dog, and don’t kiss your dog either.
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