About five years ago, Blair Smith’s twice-a-day coffee pitstop at NYC’s Kaffe 1668 led to him striking up a friendship with barista Justin Rodriguez behind the counter. Smith then met mobile developer Aaron Sutula in a coffee seminar held by an espresso machine company. “I took a day off of work to go,” remembers Sutula. “And Blair was the only other person who also took …
Just an hour outside Portland lies Hood River, both a convenient getaway and an encapsulation of what makes this area of Oregon so great—fantastic beer and coffee, access to the Columbia River and the slopes of Mount Hood, and a vibrant outdoor scene. During summer, kiteboarders can be seen darting and swooping across the water; in winter, skis and snowboards top every car as outdoor …
During the cold, dark days of winter, coffee becomes even more necessary than usual. While you can find a passable cup of Joe on nearly every corner in NYC, we at CH HQ prefer to brew our own, taking the opportunity to try the latest beans from our favorite roasters across the country—and world, for that matter. In the grinder as of late is Counter …
