Blacksmith

Rachel Ray Visits Blacksmith, Buys Everyone Coffee

October 22, 2014 By Michael Leave a Comment

It’s always nice when someone pays for your coffee, especially if they’re a famous television personality. Rachel Ray recently popped into our favorite Houston café Blacksmith and bought everyone in the store a cup of coffee. Co-owner David Buehrer was on hand to take the large amount of cash from the celebrity chef, and pass on the news to some rather incredulous customers. No word on what drink Ray ordered. Watch the video here, then check out our friends and sponsors Greenway Coffee, who supply Blacksmith’s coffee.

My Three Days at Blacksmith in Houston, TX

February 3, 2014 By Michael Leave a Comment

Forged in the Fires of Montrose

Arcade Fire front man William Butler wrote an entire album about how much he hated growing up in Houston, Texas. But if he ever stops trying to get away from the sprawl, Butler may be surprised to find a culinary renaissance is happening in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood, and at its heart is Blacksmith, a cutting edge cafe helmed by David Buehrer. I spent three days at Blacksmith training for the Big Eastern Barista Competition, and I left impressed with what’s happening in the Lone Star State’s largest city. …

Barista Interview: John Letoto of Blacksmith Coffee, Houston, TX

February 11, 2013 By Darren 6 Comments

After we got the chance to experience what Dave Buehrer is doing in Houston, we were anxious to get down to the newest Greenway Coffee store front, Blacksmith. John Letoto, one of Louisville’s most seasoned coffee veterans and a personal friend to Michael and I, moved down to join the Blacksmith team Jan 16, 2013 – five days before the shop’s soft opening. While we were happy John moved onto Greener pastures (pun intended), we had to get a Q&A with the man that left such a powerful wake in his Louisville coffee path. With all the hype that Blacksmith has been getting, we also wanted to get the low-down on an amazing new shop from the unique perspective John provides. Without further ado:

You relocated 958 miles to work for Blacksmith. Why?

958 miles, eh? Hello, Google Mapper. Hard as it may be to believe, that’s only a quarter of the distance — give or take a large body of water and several States — I covered when I moved to Louisville back in 2003. I spent ten years and two days as a Kentuckiana resident, and, in retrospect, I think it’s pretty easy for me to see some of the bigger reasons for leaving. First, I wanted to really explore what I could do in the coffee community. I’m extremely grateful for the time I spent as a barista and roaster at Quills Coffee, and I’m proud of what we accomplished during my two years there, but in the end I felt an almost overwhelming itch to get out and explore the coffee world beyond the borders of the Midwest. Second, I wanted to …

Greenway Coffee: Hospitality, Relationship, Craftsmanship

October 15, 2012 By Darren 5 Comments

I mentioned in my last post that I attended a pipeline conference in Houston, TX, where I sought the latest news on crude oil pipeline and rail expansions from giant oil magnates for my job. Around one hundred analysts, reporters, traders, businessmen etc. gathered in the city where most every company with an oil trading desk has an office. Five Greenway Plaza Houston, TX, has been seared in my mind through reading company filings, permits, environmental studies, and various literature since I began research in the oil industry a little over a year ago. The high security, sterile environ that houses offices for such giants as Oxy, Exxon, and Shell is also home to the storefront for a growing name in the coffee industry: Greenway Coffee Company. …