After seeing a clever ad on TV for this cafe/wine bar concept in the Third Ward, I zipped down to Kafevino at 330 E. Menomonee St. Owned by Lee Barczak, the shop smoothly projects a sort of minimalist Euro look, replete with cute tables inside and out as well as a display case of edibles and a fetchingly festooned wine section in back.

 

I was pleasantly greeted by both an energetic and capable Brian and Eileen, the latter of whom was thoroughly conversant with the shop’s reasonable and varied wine offerings. The menu features a nice, upbeat selection of breakfast tidbits along with a dandy variety of light luncheon selections, including pairing plates, salads and sandwiches (paninis included). Daily coffees featured are either small artisan batches from Valentine Coffee in Wauwatosa or Alterra in Milwaukee. Additionally, the cafe offers a “Pour and Explore” sampling of 1 oz., 3 oz., 6 oz. and whole bottles of sundry wines from Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Oregon and California. One can sample or create an interesting tasting “flight” of wines. (Note: the only other shop in the area that offers this, to my recollection, is Grapes and Tastes in Cedarburg.)

 

We settled for a breakfast panini (ham, sliced egg, aged Wisconsin Cheddar and a whisper of orange marmalade) and a Belgium waffle (I decadently enjoyed it Eileen’s Way, with a gentle slathering of strawberries, slivered almonds and whipped cream – most memorable). Because I’m a diehard foodie, I couldn’t resist ordering Smoked Salmon Carpaccio as a first course. Naturally, in step with the shop’s mission, I felt compelled to order a taste of Kim Crawford Australian Pinot Noir for $4.50, mainly as an interesting counterpoint to the smoked salmon. I enjoyed this pleasant Pinot, but found it just a tad awkward with the fruity waffle.

 

As I was about to leave, Eileen and I walked the wine shelves, and I found both the assortment and pricing to be fascinating. I couldn’t resist gently prying her for her personal ratings of many of the wines, and I found her to be quite impressive. I settled on snagging a Riscal Tempranillo from Spain for $10.25. Eileen rated it an eight on a scale of 10, and when I tried it later, I had to concur, giving it a solid “B.” I enjoyed its fruity intensity and its moderate-to-heavy tannin.

 

Kafevino is a nice cafe, and a terrific, gentle jolt to Milwaukee’s improving Downtown retail landscape.

 

Cheers, gang!