Geneva: A Dining Destination

Ask a Tri-City resident what their favorite restaurant is, and you will get a variety of answers. But, it is likely that many of their favorites will be in Geneva. It was not so long ago the answer to that question would be a “downtown” restaurant–meaning Chicago. It was assumed that for special occasions or good meals residents would have to travel. That is definitely not the case today. Geneva’s restaurant scene has never been more vibrant and alive. The variety of foods and restaurant styles makes Geneva a dining destination.

As you look around, you can enjoy casual places such as Old Towne Pub & Eatery or Claddagh Irish Pub, where friends get together–settings usually filled with laughter and a hometown feel. The reopening of Chianti’s, a long time Italian favorite, had been one of our city’s treasures for over a decade. Many former patrons applauded the reopening and enjoy their twist on classic Italian dishes.

In the fine dining category, towns would be happy to have one destination; Geneva has many. Isabella’s Estiatorio has received critical acclaim. Their bold Mediterranean flavors and sleek interior are all the rage in popular restaurants today. Niche is another excellent fine dining restaurant, contemporary in its approach with great plating and service. Niche would be among the best wherever it was. Wildwood has delivered with its wonderful setting and straightforward menus. “Bold American Cuisine” is often the way this upscale restaurant is described.

Villa Verone, with its wonderful sauces and delicious Italian food, combines a great setting and lively attitude. There is great attention to detail and guest experience. Foxfire is a classic steakhouse in a rustic setting. If a great steak and a good bottle of wine sound tempting, Foxfire delivers.

All our restaurants have reshaped dining in Geneva. We have a tremendous variety that enriches our community. So whether you are a frequent diner or it has been a while since you have visited some of these, try Geneva restaurants. They have much to offer.

Mike Riley is an Instructor at the Chicago Institute of Culinary Arts and the Cooking Hospitality Institute of Chicago. Mike and his wife, Barb, along with their family, are life-long Geneva residents.

This article first appeared in the December 2008 issue of eGeneva Magazine.

Restaurant Review: Villa Verone

People who spend a rare evening out dream of escaping to a restaurant tucked away on an out-of-the-way street, where waiters are friendly and prices reasonable. The dining room will be spacious, but intimate. The food will be varied and prepared to highlight its ethnic flavors. It’s the restaurant of my dreams.

Villa Verone is this kind of place. While the food and atmosphere alone are an attraction, it is Owner Pietro Verone’s presence and customer interaction that set Villa Verone apart. Dining should be an experience, an art; and he paints a beautiful picture. The quaint Italian restaurant occupies an historic home, with outdoor patio, fountain and statues that welcome you to a little bit of Italy. Upstairs is the Upper Club, a martini bar, where you’ll enjoy dancing and live entertainment while sipping your favorite libation.

We were pleasantly greeted on a busy Thursday and were soon benefiting from our server’s knowledge of the menu. We enjoyed a generous caprese, which was fresh and aromatic. Next we were treated to the Asparagi, fresh asparagus wrapped in bacon and grilled with a Gorgonzola cheese sauce. Pietro suggested the house signature entrée, Vitello alla Vincenzo Verone, a dish Pietro’s father made at home in Italy. Tender veal sat on a bed of fresh spinach with Portobello mushrooms and pearl onions, in a Marsala wine sauce. We also enjoyed my personal favorite, Mamma Carmela’s Rotolo, a tri colored pasta, filled with ricotta, spinach and prosciutto in a light cream sauce. House wine is by the glass with no specific label. You pick the grape; they pick the wine–a great concept and excellent quality. It was a romantic evening in an historic home where the staff would break into an Italian song without notice.

The Italian trattoria atmosphere has lent itself to many marriage proposals and date nights; and by the end of just your first visit, Pietro treats you like family. I know times are tough, but forget the stock market for a moment and declare it DATE NIGHT! You won’t be disappointed.

Maureen lives in Geneva with her husband and three children.

This article first appeared in the November 2008 issue of eGeneva Magazine.

Restaurant Review: Mill Race Inn

I was so excited when I was asked to do this review. Like so many others in Geneva, my job at the Mill Race Inn paid my way through school. To this day I still meet people who worked there as busboys, busgirls, wait staff or bartenders. It shouldn’t have surprised me when I learned from George Roumeliotis, the owner of the Mill Race Inn, that the children and even grandchildren of employees past have worked at the restaurant.

“When I walked in, I immediately was taken aback by the fabulous view.”

The Mill Race Inn’s menu is classic American fare with a distinct Mediterranean flair. We started our dinner visit with Grecian Calamari followed by Chicken Oscar and Pecan Encrusted Walleye Pike. The Grecian Calamari was unlike any other calamari I’ve ever had. I was tempted to order seconds! Both entrées, served with homemade sauces and sides of asparagus spears were everything you would expect and more. I’d tell you about their homemade desserts, but I can’t. Both of us were way to full to fit in another bite.

I could go on and on about the delicious food and the great service because that is what you expect at the Mill Race Inn, and it’s certainly what you get. But reviewing a restaurant is so much more than just the food. When I walked in, I immediately was taken aback by the fabulous view. Where have I been?!? My mind went back to all the change of seasons I experienced looking out over the magnificent Fox River from the Mill Race Inn. We spend thousands of dollars on vacations for a view that exists in our own backyard.

Within the next couple of months, we’ll be seeing the seasons change first from summer to fall and then to winter. This is truly the perfect time to visit, or in my case revisit the restaurant. No matter where you sit, you will be treated to the beauty of the Fox River and its shores. And each time you go, be sure to sit in a different location because the view is so expansive you’ll be able to enjoy a new perspective each time.

This article first appeared in the October 2008 issue of eGeneva Magazine.

Restaurant Review: Citizen Kane

Meet me Under the Marquee! It used to mean you were meeting someone for a special movie. Now it means you’re meeting for an extraordinary dining experience.

Walk into Geneva restaurant Citizen Kane, and you’re immediately drawn to its fresh open look with a handful of high top tables mixed in with booths and low tops. In the background the bar is in plain site. The space is inviting with a friendly neighborhood atmosphere where you’ll feel at home by yourself, with a date or as a family.

But just when you think you have an understanding of what Citizen Kane is, you look at its unique menu created by Chef Richard Fields. Definitely not pub grub!

Start with an appetizer of Crab Cakes, Seared Ahi Tuna or Steamed Mussels. How about a salad? Does a Roasted Beet or a Quinoa Salad sound good? Adding soup? Try their signature Jalapeno Avocado Bisque.

Citizen Kane’s entrées are just as diverse as their starters, ranging from Creole Meatloaf with Andouille Sausage to Pan Roasted Tilapia. Don’t worry. For the less adventurous, there are plenty of selections like the Citizen Kane Burger, pasta or vegetable entrées. You might want to save room for dessert! Chef Richard offers Key Lime Pie (a recipe he created while living in the Florida Keys), Roasted Banana Cheesecake, Bread & Butter Pudding and Chocolate Knockout Tart.

Flavorful and friendly definitely describes Citizen Kane! If you want to make a night of it, dine Thursday or Saturday evening when they have late night entertainment.

Citizen Kane, 630-208-0500, is open for lunch and dinner and is located Under the Marquee at 319 West State Street.

“Flavorful and friendly definitely describes Citizen Kane!”

This article first appeared in the September 2008 issue of eGeneva Magazine.

Restaurant Review: Old Towne Pub and Eatery

Walking into Old Towne Pub, you immediately feel at home, as though when you walked through the door, you’d be pleasantly greeted with a “Hey, Norm!” The dress is casual – no ties required – which really sets the tone for the atmosphere. A wood and brick interior reminds you that you are in a real, old-fashioned pub.

As I took a seat at one of their high-top tables, the smell of popcorn from the back corner begged my nose to meet my stomach half-way. I was there for the menu food though, so the popcorn would have to wait. Within moments of my taking a seat, my friendly waitress greeted me and asked how I was, welcoming me and making me happy.

I ordered some appetizers – the combo if I remember correctly. I had always thought that appetizers were supposed to be a small warm-up, but be prepared: These appetizers mean business. When the meals arrived, I was, admittedly, intimidated (in a good way, trust me). The portions are fantastic; just make sure you’ve brought your appetite. I had their turkey Reuben, and I was reminded of what a sandwich is supposed to be: Plenty of meat, plenty of dressing and condiments. I also had their brat, and as a man who enjoys his brats, I was not disappointed at all. On the side, I tried some of their salsa with chips, both fresh and tasty, and, of course, French fries.

I paid my bill, which was more than reasonable, and took off. As I walked out, I thanked my friendly waitress, but truthfully, it was my stomach that was doing the real thanking.

Pat Ryan is a recent graduate of the University of Illinois, majoring in broadcasting. Pat enjoys music and film and can usually be seen reading or writing in a local coffee shop.

This article first appeared in the August 2008 issue of eGeneva Magazine.

Restaurant Review: Atwater’s

It is really fun to sit down to write a restaurant review when you have had a truly spectacular dinner.

That was our experience dining at Atwater’s, located in the Herrington Inn, 15 S. River Lane. We are really fortunate to have such a truly unique restaurant in Geneva.

I am not a food criti; I just love food! I love to cook and eat. I am the professed “meat man” by my kids. My wife, Lesley, and I love to try all foods and restaurants, from five-star restaurants to roadside shacks. A key part of vacations is trying to find all local restaurants. I think our kids were going to kill us after five stops for different BBQ in Tennessee… Enough on that, back to Atwater’s.

Atwater’s is a warm and inviting place. It is an intimate setting that provides a great view of the river. Our waitress, Renee, was excellent!

The wine list at Atwater’s was very good. The staff made a great recommendation of a pinot noir.

We started with two appetizers prepared by executive chef Thomas Hiestand. Our appetizers were the carpaccio and the ahi tuna. The carpaccio was sliced paper thin, and the ahi tuna was wok-seared. The carpaccio was out of this world!

For a salad, we had the kasseri spinach salad prepared with saganaki. We both marveled at how much flavor it had for a salad; it was a winner!

Our entrées were the horseradish bleu cheese rib eye and the Moroccan chicken. Being a hard-core steak guy, I was blown away by the great flavor of the rib eye. I usually like my steaks plain, as I love the flavor of the beef, but this was just awesome, and it was cooked perfectly.

The Moroccan chicken was a real treat–great flavor. What made the chicken was the fresh-baked nan it was served on top of. Nan, we learned, is fresh-baked bread that is just awesome; it provided a great buttery flavor that really complemented the chicken.

No great dinner is complete without dessert! We sampled the crème brûlée, molten chocolate cake and the hazelnut cream. The crème brûlée was to die for!

We loved the whole experience at Atwater’s. This is a great place to dine. Reservations are recommended.

This article first appeared in the July 2008 issue of eGeneva Magazine.

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