Adobe Stock/ franz12
Harrison’s Laughing Horse Coffee & Tea Co. offers eye-openers, tasty treats, and comfy seats — and that’s no joke!
The recipe for a good cuppa in a comforting and inviting setting is simple: Take two music industry refugees, add a shot of global pandemic, stir or shake vigorously with a shared vision for a place to “sip local and be social,” and what you get is Laughing Horse Coffee & Tea Co. in Harrison.
Founded by the husband-and-wife team of Mike and Ali Nazzaro of Harrison, Laughing Horse opened its doors in April, serving all manner of coffee and tea, baked goods, breakfast and lunch-type eats (try the avocado toast on thick-cut bread and thank us later), and, more recently, beer and wine — which is just perfect on crowd-pleasing open mic nights, hosted here and there.
“A local hangout… you know, that central gathering space for the community… that was missing in Harrison,” says Mike. “Ali and I wanted to create a place where you could walk in and the person behind the counter would know your ‘usual.’ We envisioned a place for parents to grab a latte and a bite, and a spot where kids could congregate after school.”
On clement days, that communal spot is out on the broad patio in front; on any other day, it’s a café table, a stool at the hip, streamlined window bar, or a cushy, sophisticated spot on the leather sofa, centrally perched in the spacious, modern, and open, airy shop that is also brand-spanking new, top to bottom.
Every item on the menu — no matter where it’s enjoyed — is thoughtfully sourced and local whenever possible. Coffee is Fair Trade Certified and ethically sourced by NYC’s For Five Coffee, which offers signature blends and single origin beans roasted in its own facility in Maspeth, Queens. “We just really love good coffee,” says Ali, admitting that she and her husband/co-owner underwent extensive training to immerse themselves in the art of crafting the perfect cup.
As for the food that gives the brews something to wash down: Baked goods arrive daily from world-renowned Balthazar Bakery, and a local cookie baker provides oversized, Insta-worthy sweet treats.
Although the Nazarros hope to open additional locations in the not-too-distant future, “we aren’t a chain,” says Mike. “We just want to give people who live here what we wanted ourselves and what we know they must want, too — a place to hang out and just get your coffee and whatever else you need to get through your day. Hopefully, we’ll help make it a better day.”
And that’s no laughing matter.
Related: Red Horse by David Burke Brings Steakhouse Fare to Westchester
