Art And Poetry Are On The Menu At Forest Hills Vegan Cafe

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS - At first glance, Red Pipe might seem like an ordinary coffee shop, quietly tucked into the heart of Forest Hills' ever-expanding shopping and dining hub on Austin Street. But with a closer look, one discovers that there is more than meets the eye at Forest Hills' self-described art cafe — the only one of its kind in the neighborhood.

Red Pipe, owned by Rene Alkaly, is equals parts vegetarian coffee shop and a hub for the arts, connecting Forest Hills residents with each other and with local talent.

The shop hosts live music, comprising only local performers, open mic poetry sessions, jazz Fridays and quarterly art exhibitions. Patrons can sit down for a weekly show with an egg-and-cheese avocado sandwich — a menu favorite, according to Red Pipe barista Tal Schwerd.

Schwerd calls Red Pipe "the spot," a place where most of the clientele consists of regulars and everyone on staff, chiefly Forest Hills and other Queens natives, is as close as family.

"I love the atmosphere here," Schwerd told Patch. "It feels like you're hanging out in your living room."

"Rene envisioned this place as a sort of community center," said Ana Deluta, a barista at the shop and recent graduate at Forest Hills High School, whose brother had previously worked at Red Pipe.

Red Pipe is located at 71-60 Austin St., open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday as well as from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Images by Patch