Dear Mama's huge, atrium-like coffee bar in Manhattanville is up and running–but what you see here now is only the beginning.
Occupying the glassy southwest corner of Columbia's new Renzo Piano-designed science building, the sunny, plant-filled spot is the second outpost of this creative coffee shop that first debuted in East Harlem three years ago.
It's currently only open weekdays from 9am to 4pm, serving coffee and an abbreviated list of pastries, salads and other breakfast and lunch items. But expanded hours–with a menu to match–are coming soon, as is a long sit-down bar with cocktails and a second floor with more seating.
If you've been following Dear Mama's drool-worthy feed on Instagram–four-cheese mac & cheese and braised brisket wrap with caramelized onions and barbecue sauce, anyone?–but haven't made it over to East Harlem yet, this new location will make it even easier to hunt down the real-life versions of all those luscious-looking sandwiches, bowls and desserts.
And if that's not enough, Dear Mama chef Kevin Thai–his side hustle is running the massive Instagram account The Hungry Gentleman, where "Anthony Bourdain meets Kanye West"–is now also based out of Manhattanville. Watch him do his thing in the open kitchen behind the counter.
Chef Thai clearly believes food should look as great as it tastes–and this bright, airy space is the perfect stage for his way of thinking.
