Parliament Espresso & Coffee Bar Opens at New-York Historical Society
Starr Catering Group will open its first Parliament Coffee Espresso and Coffee Bar location at the New-York Historical Society on December 5th, 2016. The new flagship store will take Starr Catering Group’s food service experience into new territory by establishing its first brick-and-mortar espresso bar in Parliament Coffee with a fresh, contemporary design in a local, historic space.
Parliament Coffee Espresso and Coffee Bar will be located at the 77th Street and Central Park West entrance of the New-York Historical Society, the oldest museum in New York City and home to one of the most distinguished research libraries in the United States. The only coffee spot on Central Park West from 59th Street to 110th Street, this superb location in the heart of the Upper West Side will allow Parliament to share its unique and delicious blends directly with its sophisticated neighbors and millions of museum and park visitors from all over the city, the nation, and the world. In addition to its distinctive coffee, Parliament will serve daily house made pastries including Apple Pear Rye Muffins, Eccles Cakes, Bostock Brioche, Financiers, Bakery Style Layer Cakes, Palmiers, Cranberry Orange Scones, and a variety of “grab and go” sandwiches and salads on a seasonally rotating menu.
“Our first Parliament Coffee cafe brings to life our commitment to quality coffee and puts a central focus on the art and passion of our coffee making, distinctly different from corporate coffee shops and producers across the US,” said Guy Kellner, COO and president of Starr Catering Group. “Parliament Coffee has a more direct positive impact on local farming communities and, thanks to its direct sourcing, maintains the distinct and complementary flavors signature to the brand. We are thrilled to be able to offer this exceptional coffee to New Yorkers and tourists alike.” Stokes Architecture has designed the new Parliament Coffee location with a bright, airy aesthetic to complement New York Historical Society’s Beaux Arts edifice. Design elements include salvaged pendant lights, marble counters for the bar area, and a wooden stand-up bar. The space will seat 20. Adjacent to the coffee bar will be the newly redesigned NY History Store, New-York Historical’s museum shop offering artwork, books, and gifts celebrating 400 years of the city’s history.
“We are excited to serve Parliament Coffee to our museum and library visitors,” said Louise Mirrer, New York Historical Society’s president and CEO. “We are committed to offering to our public an exceptional experience, and the opening of Parliament will no doubt enhance the time they spend with us.”
Parliament Coffee’s philosophy is grounded in its commitment to sourcing 100% Arabica beans by maintaining a direct trade relationship with La Virgen Coffee Estates in Nicaragua, benefitting the farm by providing guaranteed pay for coffee before it’s produced and benefitting the roaster by offering more control over the finished product. Both roaster and farmer are committed to improving the quality of coffee and quality of life for those who grow and harvest it. Parliament Coffee’s farmer, Henry Hueck, provides housing and education for all of his workers and ensures that their families, in addition to the surrounding community, receive regular medical screenings and care. Parliament Coffee works closely with Henry by supporting surrounding farms with harvests ailing from La Roya or coffee rust, a disease that severely cripple’s coffee trees and output.
The Parliament Coffee concept will focus heavily on the role of the barista and employ truly passionate coffee enthusiasts in the role. This and future locations will use La Marzocca coffee machines imported from Florence, allowing the baristas to create the highest quality and purest expression of coffee. All coffee beans used in Parliament Coffee are sourced from Nicaragua, Brazilia, and Sumatra. The roast of these three beans yields a dynamic and rich flavor, with notes of caramel, dark chocolate, and apricot. This complex flavor, with its smooth finish, is the signature of the brand’s drip coffee—a bright blend with notes of spice, smoke, and nuts. The Parliament Espresso, also a proprietary blend, is composed of four beans: Nicaraguan, Sumatran, Brazilian, and Costa Rican.
Parliament Coffee will roll out additional locations in Miami and Philadelphia in 2017.
HOURS OF OPERATION: Parliament Coffee Espresso and Coffee Bar will be open to the public Monday – Saturday from 7:30am –5:30pm, and Sunday from 10 – 6pm.
