| Bella Vida Garden Café is owned and operated by the Monge family.
Chris (aka, the “Big Kahuna,” a surfer and athletic director of Cape
Christian Academy), his wife, Jeannie (former director of Seashore Children’s
Learning Center) Christina our eldest daughter is a Convention Services
Manager at Congress Hall and licensed physical therapist. (aka the hostess
with the mostest!) |
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Melissa is our middle child and is an in house marketing
executive for Seaview Marriott. She is occasionally spotted in the early
morning buzzing around and waiting tables! And Christopher, our youngest and
only son manages the kitchen and is a student at Palm Beach Atlantic University
in Florida. |
The seed for a “breakfast place” was planted
many years ago as Chris, Jeannie and Christina consumed the “best omelet’s
ever” at a place called Rocko’s in Encinitas, California. Since then they
felt the need for a place in Cape May that offered healthy choices for their
favorite meal of the day. Jeannie’s background in the fitness industry (former
owner of “Body Mechanix Arobix” and host of “Body Mechanix” a fitness
show on local CM cable) and Chris’s Costa Rican heritage inspired their menu.
Hence this “local café with a wholesome aroma”™
was born!
Chris and Jeannie both believe that God provided
the place and the staff and it is their continued prayer that God will use this
charming café as He chooses in West Cape May!
Bella is
Italian (Jeannie’s heritage) for “beautiful.” Vida is slang for “life”
in Costa Rica. Together, Bella Vida means “beautiful life.” A balanced life of exercise, nutrition, &
spiritual health are fundamental to maintain a healthy life. Our prayer for you
is that you will achieve this balance of physical and spiritual health and have
a “Bella Vida” not just in this
life but in your life to come.
Jesus said. . .
“I have come that you
may have life
and have it more
abundantly.”
John 10:10
Alan
2007
UPDATE!
Well Chris is still
in the kitchen flippin' but now it is Chris Sr! Now retired from driving
& his Athletic Director position, the Big Kahuna is now the chief cook and
bottle washer at Bella Vida! (When he isn't trying to sneak in a ski trip to VT
or Surfin' Safari to Costa Rica!)
Christopher Jr.
graduated from PBAU in 2003 and happily retired his Bella Vida manager position
to his dad last fall . He is now a weekend warrior and he and our dinner
Chef Alan, man the ship when his dad does manage to successfully sneak out of
town! During the week he can be found actually sitting behind a desk! He
works for our son in law, Jim, who is a banker and opened Oak Mortgages in Cape
May Court House! God couldn't have picked a more perfect partner for
Christina. Nor a better son in law for us!
YES, our oldest
daughter, Christina, did get married to the afore mentioned Jim and they now
have the most beautiful baby boy ever! ( Well I can't really say that cuz
Kayden and he have equal pull on my heart stings!) James Patrick Walls
III. We call him Trae (for the third!) He was born 7-7-07! She
is a stay at home mom and is loving every second of it!
Kayden is my most
precious, steady & enjoyable companion these days and is the son of our
youngest daughter, Melissa. WOW being a "Nonna" (Italian for
grandmother) is great! And yes that is why I am missing in action most
days at BV!
Melissa is steadily
moving up the ladder in the Marriott Corporation and works hard being a
mom! She can still be seen bustling around the dining room on occasion and
is always willing to help whenever she can!
Alan has been with us
in varying capacities since 2003. He could probably be credited somewhat
with teaching Christopher the ropes! While he worked at Uncle Bills since
he was 14 he has progressed into the dinner arena with ease and incredible
creativity! He is the BEST!
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