The Cafe at the Plaza

A hidden gem near Milwaukee's lakefront

I'm not sure if this really is a hidden gem or if it's just been hiding from me and Adam, but entering the patio at the Cafe at the Plaza feels like stepping into a secret garden. The walls are covered with lush, green ivy — so covered, it lends credence to something Adam has always said (and I've always disputed): "You can never have too much ivy." Usually I would argue that you can have too much ivy; I prefer a balance. But then this little cafe patio made me eat my words — and some other mighty delicious things.






But back to this spot's secret-ness for a moment: Am I alone in not even knowing there was a Plaza in Milwaukee, let alone this magical cafe? Okay, maybe I've heard whisperings of the Plaza, but only hardly. And the reality made me wonder how people haven't been shouting about this place. Not only is the patio utterly charming, but the food — oh the food! I don't often say "these pancakes are life changing," but this time I couldn't help myself.

Lemon poppyseed pancakes with blueberry syrup. The pancakes were thin with slightly crispy edges and flavor that can stand on its own. Add a morsel of melting butter to each cake and it's heavenly; pair the cakes with blueberry syrup and there's your "life changing." It's almost like my breakfasts up until now have been a sham. The rest of the menu looks scrumptious too, but I admit it will be hard to tear myself away from these lemon poppyseed dream cakes on future visits. Still, I'm determined to sample other deliciousness next time — and I hope that time is very, very soon.

July 2016 update: If you're with a group, spring for a couple of starters. The Polish Coffee Cake is heavenly. The Breakfast Poutine is my new favorite thing and I imagine it would cure even the most hellish of hangovers. What's in it? Waffle fries, chorizo sausage gravy, two poached eggs, WI cheese curds, and avocado cream. It's a gooey, cheesy, eggy, life-affirming mess of delicious. Like, that last-meal-on-earth kind of delicious. One final FYI: Maybe don't get the Breakfast Burrito. I have it on good authority that it will leave you wanting. But the poutine — always the poutine!