Sweet Perfections

From Sweet Perfections' Facebook Page

Last week, I was the proud winner of a Door County Cherry Tart from Sweet Perfections in Waukesha. How did I win this you ask? I simply liked their Win-It-Wednesday post Facebook and that gained me an entry to the contest. I then saw on Thursday that they had selected me as the winner and I had all day Friday to claim my prize 6 am - 6 pm (their hours).

From Sweet Perfections' Facebook Page

The store had been located on Barstow Ave in downtown Waukesha for many years, but it needed to expand and I am so glad the company chose to stay in Waukesha. Now located off Main Street and the 164 bypass on Paramount Drive, it's a much larger space with parking, more traffic and great visibility.

Living solo, I decided to bring the tart into work and share with my coworkers.

I arrived at Sweet Perfections before work and walked into the very warm and inviting new location. The place looks so posh and fun. They have a lot more space to let the creative juices flow in this location. There is a coffee area, many display cases full of scrumptious treats and some tables to sit and enjoy or hold a consultation if you needed treats for a party, wedding, etc.

I was greeted by the friendly workers and when I told them I won, they were happy to see me. They took my photo for their Facebook page and presented me the tart. I couldn't resist looking at the other goodies in the case and ended up buying a lemon bar and brownie to share with my coworkers too.

The lemon bar was heavenly. Just a small slice off of it was enough to satisfy my sweet tooth and others agreed. The brownie was almost like fudge it was so ooey-gooey and delicious. Again, just a small amount will satisfy so plan to share your treats!

The cherry tart was definitely tart but Door County cherries are. Just the right amount of sugar was used to bring the tartness down and make it another very satisfying treat.

I will definitely be back for more of those lemon bars and other treats.

Because I "Like" Sweet Perfections on Facebook, I see that they are very active with their fans and love doing promotions and specials for their fans. Currently they are running a #MorningHappyHour promotion and if your last name starts with that days chosen letters, you get a free cup of coffee with a $5 purchase from 6 - 8 am. And it looks like the Win-It-Wednesdays are continuing.

They also have a Newsletter Sign-Up on their website where they will periodically send out information, specials and more.

From Sweet Perfections' Facebook Page

So far the only thing that I miss about the old location is the breads are missing. I was a huge fan of the garlic herb loaves of breads they had.  Hopefully they bring the breads back or I will have to seek out bread elsewhere. It made the best garlic bread with pasta dishes.

I see big things coming from this place and I love that they are so active on social media. It's a very inexpensive method of interacting with customers. And you know they want to hear from you because they chose to "like" you. 

Wauk Wednesday: Le Caffe Bistro

When I used to attend Cardinal Fitness (now Experience Fitness), I would get a light breakfast with my mom after our workout at Le Caffe Bistro. However, when I moved south of Waukesha, I cancelled my membership last Spring and now I forget the cafe is there. I need to get it back into rotation.

Le Caffe Bistro is a small coffee shop that features Alterra coffee drinks, wraps, soups, quiche, bakery items and a few other specialty treats. It's located on Sunset between Prairie & Sentry Dr. The cafe is decorated with a large wall mural and a canopy over the order counter.

Many teas to choose from at the counter

Alterra products

There are comfy chairs, tables, window seats and a very large table for a group to meet at. It also has a faux fireplace to add to the comfort of the place.

Comfy chairs facing the fireplace

Table for 8!

beautiful mural

I stopped in over my lunch to grab something to eat and drink. I always have a hard time deciding because everything sounds so good. The wraps are really loaded with filling, so I went with a wrap and some soup to warm me up. 

I chose the Turkey Swiss on a wheat wrap with broccoli cheddar soup and a caramel apple cider (as a treat).

The drink was ready right away. I was taking it all to go so I didn't pop the lid open on the cider and risk a mess in my car. It was pretty hot and I used the cup as a hand warmer as I waited for my lunch.

The wrap and soup came up shortly after. I took my items and headed back to the office.

I knew the wrap was going to be big, but I forgot just how big they are. There is so much flavor in each bite. The honey mustard complimented the turkey and Swiss perfectly with really crisp lettuce.

The soup was still piping hot when I dug in after having some of the wrap. It had large pieces of broccoli in it and was the right amount of cheesy. I was very full after this so I saved the other half of my wrap for dinner.

The caramel apple cider (tho not good for me) was delicious. I had to wait until after my meal to enjoy it due to my Vitamin C issue. With the soup and wrap as a base, I literally guzzled down the cider, which also stayed very warm while I ate. This is the perfect beverage for me, a non-coffee drinker - warms me up and tastes great.

Come by on a Saturday afternoon and enjoy some coffee or a wrap in this cozy cafe. It's worth the drive if you aren't from the area.

Wauk Wednesday: Cafe de Arts

I have written about this place in the past, but its been awhile and now that I have eaten my way through the lunch menu, it's time for another post!

Cafe de Arts coffee counter

If you know Waukesha, you know the purple coffee shop by the bank in downtown. (As general as that comment sounds, people know it by that description.) Cafe de Arts is located on St. Paul Ave, just northeast of the Madison St. intersection.

Cafe de Arts comfy couches

Comfy chairs and beautiful tables at Cafe de Arts

It has been in business since 2009, but the purple house was another coffee shop before called Java Connection. That owner had amazing woodworking skills and made all the tables that are still used for diners today. When Cafe took over the business, the front room was converted into a coffee roasting room for their European-style coffee. The rest of the cafe is painted in warm hues with local artwork on the walls with comfy chairs and couches. 

Although I am just a newbie to the coffee world (and by newbie I think this might be my third coffee drink ever!), it always smells amazing when you are in or around the business. This place is really close to my job and so convenient for a chai in the morning, quick lunch, lunch meeting or just to grab a pastry from the great selection to get me through the afternoon.

The items that I am most fond of are found on the lunch menu, specifically the chicken Cesar salad and the prime rib panini. These are my go-to items, but I have had practically everything on the menu and it is all wonderful.

To-Go Lunch from Cafe de Arts

Today, I chose the Mediterranean turkey panini but asked for no peppercini's (spicy foods and my stomach aren't too big of fans of each other). This sandwich is another success for Cafe de Arts. The kalamata olives and feta cheese add a nice zip to the sandwich that I love. Nice crusty ciabatta bread with warm meat and cheese inside - does it get any better?

Mediterranean Turkey Panini

The panini's come with chips and a pickle and the different salads come with warm french bread and butter. I haven't ventured into breakfast too much but the yogurt and granola looked delicious. Other items include hot breakfast sandwiches, cold deli sandwiches, bulk coffee and pastries from the dessert case. The apple cookies are marvelous (more like a turnover)!

Dessert case at Cafe de Arts

I'm not sure what grabbed me to get a coffee beverage this time, maybe the cool breeze outside, maybe I was tired and needed a lift, but I chose to get a mochaccino. Ayhan, the owner, suggested I try Bacon Mocha. I passed as I reminded him that I'm a coffee newbie and new flavors could turn me off before I give it a chance. He told me I will have to try it next time as it just adds a hearty flavor to the coffee (website is currently stating Bacon Hot Cocoa is $1.00 off) The mochaccino hit the spot for me. Just enough chocolate and coffee to please the buds.

Cafe de Arts signature cups

Cafe de Arts is a great place to sit and relax with a cup of joe and surf the interwebs. I know that a reporter or two in the area frequent this place to get some work done :) The cafe is only open for breakfast and lunch regularly but for art crawls and such, the hours will vary.

Ayhan and his business are also big supporters of many different foundations and organizations in and around Waukesha. Two that come to mind first are United Way and the Waukesha Bike Alliance (also known as Bike Waukesha). This group does social rides through Waukesha that usually begin at Cafe de Arts and finish at Magellans. The group is currently working on some trails in Minooka, so if you are a biker and want to help out or participate, check out their blog for more details.

Waukesha Farmers' Market

Last weekend, my parents and I decided to get up early Saturday morning and head out to the Waukesha Farmers' Market. I had only been to it once before this season, so I was due for a trip. 

The farmers' market runs every Saturday from May to October, 8 am to noon on Riverfront Plaza. If you aren't familiar with the road, it is one block north of Main Street along the river. The road is now closed off completely on Saturdays due to the increased size of the market. If you can find the river in downtown, you found the market. 

We parked at my job because I had to drop off my bike for a bike/bar crawl later that night and just walked over. But if you park in the parking lots by the former antique malls, be ready to donate $1 to a great non-profit organization. Because the antique malls are no longer open, but the property is owned by a private company, they need to instill the parking codes still. Berg Management manages the lots and decided to offer up the lots to different organization to collect funds each weekend. High School activities and athletics have been fortunate to reap the benefits of this collection already. If you aren't willing to pay $1 to park, there is still plenty of free parking throughout downtown Waukesha, you may just have to walk a bit further. 

We started by visiting the two booths on the north side of the river. This leaves room for plenty of expansion for the market. One of these booths was the only booth at the market to have any fresh dill as we found out when my dad was asked by every person walking by where he got his dill. The other booth was a jewelry booth that makes really cool bracelets from license plates. You have to see them to understand but I hope to get one before the market is done this Fall.

Yummy mixes at the Waukesha Farmers' Market

 We crossed the river by Main Street Plaza and headed into the market. The market literally has everything - vegetables, fruit, plants, flowers, bread, meat, eggs, jewelry, soap, honey, clothing and more. And each week its a little different too.

Fresh produce at the Waukesha Farmer's Market

Jewelry at the Waukesha Farmers' Market

We stopped at Decatur Cheese first because I remember trying the cheese at the Fort Atkinson market and it was delicious. We bought some muenster and we found a cheese curd that my mom didn't mind - ranch flavored white cheddar curd. We didn't buy any but it went on the list.

Decatur Cheese at Waukesha Farmers' Market

I was on a mission to get some fresh local produce for a Greek dip (found via Pinterest) I was making for my MKEFoodies picnic the next day (more on that to come next week). I needed cucumbers, dill and red pepper. We found some gigantic cucumbers, mini peppers and of course the dill. My parents got tomatoes, the cheese, pickles, the dill and a mixed basket of onions. The pickles are currently sitting in a crock in the kitchen doing their pickle thing. I can hardly wait to have one!

Local produce at the Waukesha Farmers' Market

I also bought myself a spinach asiago mini bread and my mom got an oatmeal raisin cookie that we called breakfast. I got the bread after having a bite off my friend Carolyn's a few months prior at the market and it was heavenly. The cookie was gone after I was handed just one little piece so I'm guessing no complaints.

Beautiful quilt at the Waukesha Farmers' Market

Some of the local downtown restaurants and shops are setting up as part of the farmers' market as well and I find this a really smart idea. Montecito restaurant had plenty of ooey-gooey desserts that looked delicious, Oh What A Day Cupcakes had a small booth with some of their offerings, The Steaming Cup had tea and coffee available, the Record shop on Clinton brought out some of their CDs and DVDs to sell, Plowshare had a booth with baskets and Key Westconsin serves up breakfast seeing as they are on Riverview Plaza. There may have been others, I might have just missed them.

If you get a chance, I highly recommend checking out this market. On Sept. 8 is the annual Art Fest in Waukesha that closes down Main Street with local artisans on display. Come make a day of Waukesha, enjoy the farmer's market, some breakfast/brunch/lunch and then the Art Fest and come see what Waukesha is all about.

FirstWatch

 Image from FirstWatch.com

FirstWatch - The Daytime Cafe has been on my radar for a few months and an early morning shopping trip with my mom proved to be just the right time to try it. I had driven by a few times as I frequent TJ Maxx and Metro Market on a monthly basis, but I never got a good look inside.

When I suggested this place to my mom, she was fine with it, looking for something light, but filling enough to get us through our shopping trip without needing to refuel. (We can get ornery if we don't have food in us - ok I mainly do!)

We walked in and I realized that it wasn't at all what I thought. I was going with it being a Panera-type place where you order at a counter, but this was more like a breakfast cafe with very cheery colors and decor. You wait to be seated by the host and the servers wear khakis and bright colored polo shirts and everyone was smiling.

We were seated at a table right by the kitchen, but with all the cooking they were doing on a busy Saturday morning, I had no problem conversing with my mom or the server at all. You can see into the kitchen and it was very organized and very clean. I knew I had picked a great place.

A large chalkboard on the back wall lists the specials of the day. We read through the entire menu of breakfast and light lunch specials and both of us found something right away. My mom asked about the size of the pancakes and we were informed they are the size of a dinner plate. Luckily you can order just 1 and not have 3 huge pancakes that you can't finish staring at you. She chose 1 cranberry nut pancake and I went with the fresh fruit filled crepes with organic strawberry yogurt over the top. It also came with granola and a muffin.

We waited just about 10 minutes and our food came out. Presentation is definitely something they focus on. The butter was placed very delicately on top of my mom's pancake and she thought this would be a new pancake she might attempt at home sometime. My crepes were filled with large pieces of strawberries and bananas with the melon pieces on top of the yogurt. The crepes were light and airy. I have never had yogurt on crepes before and that is a much heathier option than the cream or ricotta that I have had before. That's granola in the cup and check out the size of that muffin.

We both agreed that this was a solid breakfast for both of us to shop on but yet neither of us felt stuffed. I saved the muffin for a late lunch snack and didn't eat all the granola. We were both extremely satisfied with the food and my mom wants to take my dad there very soon. They usually go to different little breakfast joints and this will be another one that my mom is sure my dad will like.

 Check out the fun details on the napkin wrappers! 

I signed up for their FirstWatch club and received a buy one, get one breakfast just for signing up. Then with my birthday just this week, I received an email for a free entree! I'll take that as a great club already. I wonder what else they will give out throughout the year!