Café Sopra Mare: a community of its own.

A few weeks ago, four hundred or so of the good people of Milwaukee gathered at the Villa Terrace to welcome the first day of the Café Sopra Mare. Were we to have personally ordered the weather and atmosphere for the launching of summer 2011, we could not have done a more perfect job. With the sun shining and Lake Michigan showing off in all of her glory, the Villa Terrace was alive and ready for the summer. The Celtic inspired quartet, Meserk wooed the crowd with their music and aided Mother Nature in providing a truly perfect Sunday morning. As a new comer to the Café Sopra Mare experience, I was impressed by the community’s apparent love of the Villa Terrace. It was interesting to meet individuals that had been attending the café since the first season, nine years ago. Talking to them and hearing their experiences with the museum made my growing attraction for this place increase.

To my knowledge it is universally known that listening to outdoor music, with coffee and pastry in hand is one of Sunday’s greatest pastimes. Additionally, what’s not to love about sitting in the Italian inspired courtyard and possibly checking out the Villa’s interior and gorgeous gardens? Eh, eh? Take it from this girl who lived several months in the land of pizza, pasta, and Michelangelo, if you can’t swing the plane ticket this summer, this is the place to be!   

Though the last few days have been rainy, let’s all send out some sunshine requests and hope that this next Sunday’s café will be another beauty like the first. Whether you be a repeat visitor or a recent addition [like me] to the Villa, I strongly encourage you to join us this next Sunday morning and after your impending conversion, the rest of the summer.

For those interested in stepping up the experience, we offer a fantastic brunch for a fee that includes admission to the museum and the gardens. Call in advance for reservations as we do have a limited number of sitting. Litvin & Yanovskaya will be showcasing their guitar and mandolin skills at the next café on July 1 and fingers crossed the sky will have run out of rain by then! 

The Tropicals are Back!

One of my favorite things about summer at the Villa is the tropical plants and herbs that Gail brings in every year.  I'm told that they are often the same ones because they live in a greenhouse over the winter, and that makes their arrival back at the Villa that much more special.  It's like seeing an old friend again! I think the lemon trees are my favorite.  Last year, most looked like limes instead of yellow lemons so I'm glad to see this summer many are already bright yellow!

 Little lemon hiding in the leaves.

Love all the herbs! 

And of course the Pansies, all facing toward the sun, desperately soaking in as much sunlight as possible!

Before I sign off, I just wanted to briefly mention that I (K2) will be moving away for the summer.  Yes, I am a real person sending you all these posts!  I have passed on the blogging duties to a coworker and am confident that she will do an excellent job keeping you updated while I am away.  And perhaps I'll sneak in a post every now and again.  It's been my pleasure regaling you with stories of our Villa this spring, and I look forward to resuming it again.  Have a great summer! Katie H.