Chicago to Batavia recs?

We'll be driving to and from Batavia on an upcoming Sunday. We'll be coming from the north side of Chicago. Any food/drink suggestions of places out that way?

Thanks!

You can check out Erik and Me in St Charles

http://www.erikandme.com/

I live in Batavia and unfortunetly, most of the good indie retaurants in the area (Tribella, Fisherman's Inn, Isabella in Geneva) don't open until 4 or 5 on a Sunday or are closed on Sunday (Chez Francois in Geneva). For funky, hole in the wall Mexican, Taco Grande ( 6 N. River St. just south of Wilson off Rte. 25) fits the bill with a wide range of choices from individual tacos, enchiladas etc. to whole meals that are very good and some unusual. Their homemade salsa is killer. The same family operates Don Manuel on the west side off Randall Road. It is outrageously expensive for less than average food, no Bayless offspring for sure. Have not tried Rain (rte.25 & State Geneva) the latest upscale entry into the area, but they open at 11 or so as does Mill Race, across the street.

Rain has quickly gone downhill since opening and is now up for sale. Mill Race Inn is cafeteria food at upscale restaurant prices...but the view is nice!

The newest place is Wildwood, on 3rd Streeet in Geneva just north of the Metra station. Many of the people displaced by the sudden closing of 302 West are working there. It's been open for less than two weeks.

Swordfish in Batavia might be an option, and there's always the numerous Mexican places in West Chicago. Good luck!

Mark

Rain does not surprise me, all of the ventures of Chef Jim Ginger have turned downward shortly after his involvement. I believe he is now involved in the 302 West reincarnation which doesn't give me a lot of confidence in it's sucess. Wildwood, new on Third Street is owned by Anders Jensen of Erik and Me and can't remember the name of his coinvestor but his wife has the Thai place next to the BBQ Shack on Rte. 31 north of Rte. 64 in St. Charles. With Anders involvement, I know he will stick to it and make it succeed. Mill Race was bought out about a year and half ago by a family used to running Greek family type restaurants. Haven't been since the change but I sure do not see the cars like I used to on Sundays. Forgot to mention earlier about Al Capone's Hideaway, north of St. Charles off Rte. 25. Always pretty consistant on the steaks and chops, they are open at 11:30 on Sundays and worth the nice drive down by the Fox River, old 1920's speakeasy with a huge welcoming stone fireplace and Northwoods atmosphere.

After a couple of months (maybe years?) of having no chef at all in the kitchen, the Mill Race Inn recently hired a new chef, Eric Nielsen (I think). He had previously been chef du cuisine at Le Deux Gros, and also worked at La Cave in Des Plaines.

I know he's been changing the menu, and reorganizing staff. He seemed to perk up La Cave when he was there.

Maybe it will be good.