Good morning, New York! If you’re anything like me then I’m sure you’re sitting here reading these incredibly well-written articles with your trusty cup of morning coffee. Coffee is synonymous with the so-called “city that never sleeps,” and the many cafes that dot the city’s landscape are like arteries that keep New York’s precious fuel flowing from one customer to the next.
Now, a specialty coffee shop in midtown is joining the fray and expanding with a brand new location and dining menu. The Purple Tongue is the latest project from javaphile Peter Cecere. As the founder of Red Eye Coffee Shop, Peter is dedicated to preserving the experience and culture of coffee.
Frequently behind the counter himself, Peter supervises every detail of his operation, selecting only the best equipment, roaster, dairy, and pastries that he can find. Focusing on quality, customer service, and consistency, Peter’s stewardship has earned Red Eye Coffee a fiercely loyal customer base that always returns to the shop as regulars. Offering both walk-in and catering services, Red Eye ensures the prestigious status of its coffee by retraining its baristas every four months, carefully highlighting alternative coffee products and rare flavor profiles often overlooked by lesser shops.
Moving in to a new space at 410 West 43rd Street, Red Eye Coffee is undertaking a massive expansion to reopen as The Purple Tongue. Transforming from a humble coffee shop to a full-service bar and restaurant, The Purple Tongue will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner alongside specialty coffees sourced exclusively from Red Eye. Serving everything from poached eggs and cheese platters to black bass and hangar steak, The Purple Tongue will refine Peter’s vision of establishing an all-day community hangout.
Open daily from7AM to 3AM, The Purple Tongue will be a welcome addition to the Theatre District’s assortment of specialty bars and restaurants. Replacing Adella which previously operated at the location, the space will be able to comfortably sit 50 guests at one time, with an additional 24 seats available for outdoor dining. Adella was a popular farm-to-table restaurant that highlighted small plates and boutique wines that sadly closed after seven years of successful operation due to complications from the pandemic. If you’d like to get a taste of Red Eye’s signature coffee profiles, you can either order catering on their website or visit in person at 423 9th Avenue.
