Blacksmith has become the morning hub for sommeliers, bartenders, restaurant owners, chefs and, yes, food writers. It's like the taverns of old, but without the booze. Instead, its regular customers start coming in at 7 a.m. for caffeinated elixirs and conversation. The baristas use coffee beans roasted in small batches by Greenway Coffee, which is also run by Blacksmith co-owners David Buehrer and Ecky Prabanto. Buehrer and Prabanto personally select the beans, often traveling to the countries of origin to meet with the farmers. The selections range from acidic, fruity varieties to deep, chocolaty ones. Author Neil Gaiman famously said in a commencement speech, "Make good art." At Blacksmith, coffee is art — and it's good.
READERS' CHOICE: Boomtown Coffee