4. blueHouse


At first glance, blueHouse, located near the Whole Foods in Fells Point, looks like an organic lifestyle store that just happens to have some tables, an espresso machine and a few baristas off to the side. On the contrary, after just a sip of the smooth organic and fair trade coffees supplied by Georgia-based roaster Café Campesino, you'll re-envision the place as a coffee shop that just happens to sell high-end clothing and furniture. Neatly lined-up tables and enough natural lighting to make artificial ones unnecessary during daylight hours creates an atmosphere that's perfect for working or meeting with friends. And the shop's emphasis on smoother roasts is a welcome change from the charred coffee of national brands. Although you may not notice the shop's hardline on how things are made -- even the mill and sugar is organic -- you'll definitely notice how much better blueHouse's coffee can be.--Martin Johnson

Caption: With a variety of high-end furniture, blueHouse might be the only café in town where you can drink one cup of coffee and spend a few hundred dollars. (Photo by Martin Johnson)

CITY CAFÉ DAILY GRIND