Erica's Choice

Kafevino, the 3rd wine bar to establish itself in the Third Ward in the past 2 years welcomed Milwaukee with a big opening night bash October 23rd and since then hasn’t looked back. Tucked away on Menominee street Kafevino is like a Christmas present waiting to be unwrapped. The terracotta colored walls and dark contrasting wooden features create a balmy atmosphere that’s further accentuated by large paintings and welcoming happy and informative staff.  But the atmosphere is only half of the charm that Kafevino has to offer. The true present, hidden beneath the charming atmosphere, is a collection of great wine, coffee & teas and a sumptuous menu.

When I first arrived at Kafevino I was welcomed by friendly staff that immediately attended to my needs. I looked around noting that not only does the place lend itself to be a charming coffee shop during the day offering wireless Internet as well lunch or snacks but also, when the sun sets and the music livens up, it has the ability to transform into a cozy wine bar. I could imagine grabbing a glass of wine or a snack with a friend after work or over the weekend.

I had the opportunity to meet with Lee Barczac, owner of Kafevino and Kimberly Grasso, wine consultant. They’re both originally from Milwaukee and their inviting smiles and friendly manner reflected the  local Milwaukee charm that I have come to treasure over the past few years.  We immediately commenced talking about the wonderful world of wine, the joy of travel, good food and sharing these with those that we care for.  In addition I asked them a few specific questions.

Erica: What inspired Kafevino?

Lee: Three main reasons inspired my wife and I to open a wine bar, the first and foremost being travel. Both my wife and I love to travel and one of our favorite pass times during these trips is having a glass of wine or a grand cup of espresso in a cafe in countries over the globe. From these experiences we gathered what we liked and tried to incorporate these into one special wine bar & coffee shop, the result of which is Kafevino. Our second inspiration to open Kafevino is our love of wine and desire to share this love with friends and family. Finally, we wanted to bring a different flavor to the city. We see this as a great opportunity to expose the ethnically diverse community in Milwaukee to the wonders of wine.

Erica: Why Milwaukee?

Lee: This is where we were born and raised, Milwaukee is our home. In addition, Milwaukee still remains an untapped market. We want to change this and bring quality at a good price to locals.

Erica: What demographic do you target?

Lee: Our demographic includes anyone that shares the love of wine. In general we see this as upper 20s through upper 60s. In 2008 wine consumption exceeded beer consumption for the first time in the States. Our job is to bring wine to all wine enthusiasts at an affordable price.

Erica: How do you choose the wines? Do you have a specific focus?

Lee: The biggest driver is value. We serve a broad selection specifically focusing on wines in the $10-$30 range. All wines are tasted by staff and wine consultants before being purchased and only those that get the majority vote get stocked. Our wine staff cover a broad range of palates, so by no means is our selection one sided or subjective.  We do carry some relatively more expensive varieties for those looking for a special gift, however in general good QPR supports all purchases.

Erica: In your opinion, what makes Kafevino the best wine bar in the Third Ward?

Lee: Firstly, we offer the best service and most knowledgeable staff of any wine bar in the area. Each staff member is handpicked from over 150 applicants. They provide valuable suggestions on food & wine pairing as well as which wine may suit the occasion. Second, our food is better. We serve a variety of excellent small plates and entrees that excellently pair with the wines on the menu. Third, we offer a larger variety of ways to taste the wines. Visitors are allowed to create their own wine flight, or if they don’t know what they want they have the ability to taste various wines for a dollar a piece before deciding.

Final notes…

Overall I found the friendliness of the staff, honesty and openness of the owner Lee, and general knowledge of wine Kimberly shared during this first discussion inviting and exciting. I like Kafevino, especially given that the meals look good and I could see myself reading a book there or browsing the Internet over a cup of coffee during the day as well as find myself there later enjoying a glass of mulled wine on a cold evening or a flight of wines with friends. I briefly observed the wine selections as well and similar to the other wine bars in the area I was impressed. Kafevino is different though in that it offers meals, coffee, tea and snacks and may be just the addition we needed in the Third Ward. Give it a shot and let me know what you think.