Milwaukee cafes

by Ed Possing

So you like coffee but are getting a little bored with Starbucks? As a Milwaukee resident and coffee drinker I think I can help you out. I’ve come up with a short list of close(ish) cafés that serve delicious food and hot drinks. You may have to travel a little bit, but all of these spots can be reached by bus.

My personal favorite is Sven’s European Café (2699 South Kinnickinnic Avenue). It’s about 4 miles away from the conference center in the neighborhood known as Bay View. They serve the best paninis I’ve ever had -- and I eat a lot of paninis. Try the Picasso. On display throughout the café is a variety of local artwork. Oh, and they have wireless if that’s your thing.

If you’re feeling dangerous, head over to the Fuel Café on 818 E. Center Street.  Milwaukee is all about motorcycles and the Fuel Café celebrates that. The coffee is strong and the people are friendly in this motorcycle-themed coffee shop.  It’s about 9 miles away so you might want to get there on your Harley.

Tips for People at AMWA 2010 in Milwaukee

by Faith Reidenbach

I know all you writers are wondering, “How much is the WiFi?” From the sleeping rooms in the Hilton, it’s $9.95. You can enter a credit card (not recommended on an unsecured network), or call down to the front desk for a password and the fee will be charged to your room. WiFi is free in the lobby of the Hilton and in the Starbucks that’s inside that hotel.

Need some bottled water or Band-Aids and don't want to pay gift shop prices? There’s a Walgreens inside The Shops at Grand Avenue, a 3-level shopping mall that’s a short walk from the hotel. There’s also a large food court there. The main entrance to the mall is at Wisconsin and Third but you can enter through the Boston Store, a department store that’s visible from the street that runs between the Hilton and the convention center.

Don’t forget that AMWA has posted a Milwaukee Dining Guide at
http://www.amwa.org/default/conference/2010/diningguidemilwaukee.pdf.

Fast place for fast food (and a trip around the rink)

For people who are onsite: The hotel has some nice casual restaurants, but they're not the only convenient places to eat. For Friday breakfast and Saturday lunch, check out the food court at the Plaza of the Americas building. You can get there via a skywalk, so you don't even have to grab your coat. To get there, consult the hotel map of the 2^nd floor -- look at the very top of the right-side page. The food isn't notable, but the food court surrounds an ice rink, and it's relaxing to watch skaters glide by. (Did you know? Today's girls can wear black skates or tan skates, not just white.)

--Faith Reidenbach