It’s been a few years since Vendetta Coffee Bar opened the doors to a new Italian-inspired cafe.
But, thanks to the vacancy created by the departure of Interval Coffee at 2268 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., partners Bill Haley and Tommy Orlando are bringing a third cafe to the Bay View neighborhood.
Haley, who confirmed that they signed a lease on the Bay View location on Tuesday, April 29, says their goal is to be open before the end of July.
“We’ve been looking in the Bay View area for a while. It’s always been in our hearts and minds to do something there. Tommy lives there and Bay View has a strong coffee culture. So, we’re looking forward to working with Scott and Dean from SG Property Development & Management to make this happen.”
What to expect
As far as the look and feel of the new space, it will depart somewhat from the look and feel of Vendetta’s other cafes, while still maintaining the vital elements of the brand.
“We’re not doing any major build-outs or construction,” he notes. “But we’ll change things up a bit with paint and decor. The decor is naturally a bit more modern, so we’re going to lean into that while maintaining the elegant vibes that have become a hallmark of our cafes. We’ll actually be modeling the look and feel after a newer cafe in Padua, Italy called 'Cafe V' that we visited last summer.”
He says the menu at the Bay View coffee bar will be similar to what Vendetta offers at their Walker’s Point location. That means not only a menu of Italian-inspired coffee drinks (including espresso, macchiatones, lattes and shakeratos), but also specialty cocktails (from Negronis to Espresso Martinis) and a food menu that includes panini, specialty Pinza pizzas and Pinza sandwiches.
Ultimately, it will give Bay View yet another spot to grab their morning coffee or lean into the Italian tradition of aperitivo, during which folks gather and socialize over drinks and lighter fare as a warm-up before dinner.
“We know people like to meet and socialize, work and study… and not just in the morning,” says Haley. “We also know that the coffee culture in Milwaukee is strong and people like supporting locally owned businesses. So, we’re looking forward to giving people a spot where they can stop in and grab an Aperol and a pizza at 7 or 8 p.m.”
Haley says that they’re also looking forward to activating the unique corner patio that flanks Kinnickinnic Avenue and South Allis Street.
“It’s a super cool corner right there and we’re excited to make the most of it,” he says. “I’d love to host live jazz there this summer so folks can grab a cup of coffee or a drink and enjoy a bit of live music.”
Overall, he says, they’re excited to become a part of the community and the Bay View neighborhood.
“In Italy, the mom and pop coffee shops are so simple, but they’re so good. And we really try to adhere to that philosophy," he says. "Combined with our emphasis on high-quality coffee, house-made syrups and great food, we’re looking forward to giving Bay View a new place to gather.”
In the meantime, follow Vendetta Coffee on Instagram and Facebook for news and updates.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
