Blog at Port Washington Inn – Milwaukee-Area B&B

Breakfast takes on new meaning when you are served a delectable breakfast in a beautiful dining room!

First, though, you will enjoy your early morning cup of rich coffee or your choice of teas or hot chocolate in the privacy of your guestroom. That is certain to get your day off to a good start!

Then, at the time you’ve designated, you come down to the inn’s dining room to indulge……….in whatever you choose from the breakfast buffet. Eat as much as you please or as little as you want. This is your getaway and it’s all about you feeling pampered and well cared for.

I have to admit to ‘living under a rock’ sometimes, oblivious to ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly’ of popular culture. Sometimes friends give me a gentle shove in the right direction and I realize belatedly the good things I’ve been missing!

Such was the case when my friend Linda handed me a copy of Julie and Julia the other night. Watching it was pure joy! Meryl Streep brought Julia Child back to life for us and Amy Adams’ portrayal of Julie Powell reminded me of our daughter whose savoring of food has had a similar impact on her life.

Food is so basic to our existence, yet we hunger for it to be satisfying as well as enriching. Julia Child recognized that the cuisine she was enjoying in Paris was a satisfying as well as an enriching feast and she wanted everyone in America to experience their daily sustenance as a feast.

Countering the male bias of the Cordon Bleu, her joyful determination won the day. More of us will identify with Julie’s immersing herself in cooking to escape the stresses of her job. Our kitchens are, afterall, the places where we reign supreme, making decisions about the food we will prepare, and how it will be served. Ultimately, food is more enjoyable when shared, as Julie quickly realizes when her husband leaves. Food lovingly prepared is food lovingly enjoyed as it brings people together.

Our little granddaughter brings smiles to our faces as she delights in her exploration of new foods and in pretending to prepare food. At fifteen months, she was absolutely thrilled to receive a miniature kitchen complete with pots, pans, and utensils. When she visits our kitchen, she wants to see what is being prepared and she wants to taste it. Her earliest memories of being at Grandpa and Grandma’s house are of being in the kitchen. She was a very observant infant as she watched food being prepared both at her house and here. We can’t help wondering where her love of food will take her!

Port Washington Bed and Breakfast  guests often enjoy a visit to historic Cedarburg during their stay.  While Port Washington is located along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, Cedarburg’s setting is on the banks of Cedar Creek.   Both towns are favored for their picturesque qualities, their walkable environments, and their distinctive historic architecture. 

The  Cedar Creek Winery is located in a lovely 1860’s building (originally a woolen mill) on the banks of Cedar Creek.  Guided tours are offered daily at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm and are a favorite of guests staying at our Cedarburg area bed and breakfast.   The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and concludes with a complimentary wine tasting. 

Grapes used for Cedar Creek wines are grown in Wisconsin, Washington, California, and New York; they result in a variety of wines suited to any palate:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Hillside Red, Old Mill Red, Waterfall Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Vidal, Cranberry or Strawberry Blush, Hillside Blossoms, Settlement Gold, Cedarburg Spice, and Beaujolais Uncle Pierre.  Two Christmas wines are available in season. 

Enjoy a nice Chardonnay or Pinot at Cedarburg Winery

  Make the Cedarburg Winery a ‘must see’ as you visit our Milwaukee area Bed Breakfast!

For 58 years the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post 82  has geared up for their all-you-can-eat Smelt Dinner.  This weekend is the time and the American Legion Hall is the place (Friday 4:30-9:00,  Saturday 5:30-9:30).

Adults feast for $10, kids for $4.  Carry Out is available by calling 262-284-4690.

A little known fact:  the Memorial Building where the smelt are served was once the Port Brewing Company owned by George Blessing, who built a lovely home on Sweetcake Hill that is now the Port Washington Inn Bed and  Breakfast.

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There are a variety of farm market opportunities in our area. Port Washington’s Farmer’s Market is held on Saturday mornings and our guests often report having found treasures there. Cedarburg (Fridays), Grafton (Thursdays), and Thiensville (Tuesdays) have markets throughout the week and we also rely upon farms that market their produce on site and often allow customers to pick their own vegetables, berries, apples, and grapes.

The map pinpoints the location of these on site farm markets which we so appreciate!
Click the blue markers to access names, addresses, and contact information for each location.