About Bella Vida in Wildwood Crest New Jersey

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!) 

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.