Help Please? Lisle/Geneva/Naperville Options

Hi, any suggestions for me to give to family visiting this area this week?
I suggested old standbys I recalled from a hundred years ago in st. charles/geneva. I don't imagine they're extremely adventurous, but in talking I was told "please-NO applebees, or chains", so I consider that a good sign that they want something local. Apparently, there is also a 40th b'day occurring during their visit, so something romantic might be good as well.
I suggested salernos, erik & me, armands & said francescas or ginos would probably all be o.k. Anything else with general details would be really appreciated.
Anything else 1/2 way between there & here(nw side) would be wonderful as well.

Isabella's, Niche, and Wildwood are all excellent restaurants in Geneva.

There is an outpost of Riva at the rt59 exit of I-88. It's expensive, but it's better than any of the Chicago outposts in downtown Naperville (eg, Catch 35, Hugo's, Rosebud).

Thank You!
I will pass the links along. I have been to Riva, & agree. $$, but good.
Anyone else want to chime in? I would like them to be able to say they had some really good food while visiting.

I agree with 's suggestions in Geneva. I also like Walter Payton's Roundhouse in Aurora, there is something there for everyone. Good food, micro brewery, Walter Payton Museum and really neat historic building but don't go during the Bears game on Sunday, likely to be a madhouse!

http://www.walterpaytonsroundhouse.com/content/2.html

With everything in downtown Geneva these days (minus the congestion of downtown Naperville), I'd say their best bet may be checking out one of the places mentioned -- these are some of the best in the western burbs right now.

If they're interested in checking out downtown Naperville, I personally think that Hugo's, Catch 35, La Sorella (a "Francesca" restaurant), and Tango all are pretty solid. Rizzo's is a nice place to grab a drink (downstairs bar), but, while friends like it, I'm not sold on their food. A bit off the beaten path is Adelle's in Wheaton -- a nice, romantic spot, and worth checking out, IMO.

Finally, a good 1/2 way point right off of I88 may be Sequel in Lombard (formerly Bistro Banlieue). I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I haven't yet been there, but it's the re-vamped Bistro Banlieue, which was one of our longtime favorites.

Emilio's in Wheaton is a great Tapas restaurant, I had a very romantic date there a few months ago

Here's what I got

Mexican - El Tesoro on Roosevelt Rd in West Chicago
Seafood - Catch 35 or Hugos in Downtown Naperville
Wings & Beer - Mullen's at the intersection of Naperville Rd and Warrenville Rd. in Lisle
Steak - I have to second Tango, and recommend their World's longest Steak

Flip

I've been to Sequel once and it may be a while before I return. Nothing was really wrong, but nothing I tried warranted the significant price increases from the old Banlieue menu. Perhaps I just need to get over being spoiled by Banlieue, which was my "go-to" place in the area...

Since you included Lisle in your list, you should include Fabulous Noodles.

MLS wrote:Since you included Lisle in your list, you should include Fabulous Noodles.

I concur -- Fabulous Noodles is worth going out of your way for. Also, Chef Paul on Ogden Avenue in Lisle has a lot of fans (including my parents), but I'm not a big fan of German food so I don't really go there. The Mexican restaurant in downtown Lisle (Yerbabuena) is good, but not really worth going out of your way for, IMO.

Thanks everyone, I have passed the info. along! Hopefully I will get a report back from them that they had some good meals & avoided the Olive Garden.

I've been to Sequel once and it may be a while before I return.

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"Great Expectations."
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