Lake Geneva\u2019s Restaurant Week Returns

Lake Geneva’s Restaurant Week Returns

By Lindsey Gapen, managing editor

When you imagine Wisconsin, you oftentimes picture beer, cheese and brats. But every year since 2015, Lake Geneva has hosted Restaurant Week to showcase the area’s expanded palette of unique, savory and creative cuisine.

From June 1-9, Restaurant Week features specially priced, multi-course menus at 23 participating restaurants in the Lake Geneva area. Fixed breakfast menus are $8; two-course lunches are $10; and three-course dinners are $25/$35. All 23 restaurants participate for the full nine days.

“If there’s ever been that restaurant that you wanted to try, but you didn’t know if it was affordable, or if it would be your kind of thing, this is the perfect week to try it out,” Klett says. “And, since you get two or three courses, if you try something that your palate finds unusual, you know there’s another course coming. It really is a win-win.”

Klett promises that visitors will feel full, after multiple delicious courses, during Restaurant Week. She encourages diners to stroll part of Geneva Lake’s 21-mile lakeshore path after finishing their meals.

“That’s really one of the things Lake Geneva is famous for – it’s so unique,” she says. “The path brings you all around Geneva Lake, where you’re literally walking past history.”

Sites on the path include the Morton Salt Mansion, the Wrigley Estate and the Maytag Mansion.

“All of these folks built these incredible mansions after the Chicago Fire, and you get to basically walk through their backyard,” Klett says. “So you’ll definitely be able to exercise off anything you’ve eaten.”

While Restaurant Week allows chefs to display their culinary prowess and creativity, the week also is about promoting local charities. Each year, Lake Geneva Country Meats donates $5,000 to the top nonprofit that diners voted for during Restaurant Week.

“Wherever you dine, when they bring you your check, there will also be a ballot you can fill out,” Klett explains. “So you can vote for the charity that you think should win the $5,000 prize.”

This year’s contending nonprofits include Alzheimer’s Association, Lake Geneva Fresh Air Association, Lake Geneva Food Pantry, MyTeam Triumph, and New Beginnings APFV.

“New Beginnings APFV supports services for victims of domestic violence,” Klett explains. “Lake Geneva Fresh Air Association sends at-risk or disadvantaged youths to camp – getting them outside. And MyTeam Triumph creates inclusive athletic teams for people with physical disabilities.

“They’re five really worthy charities. So not only do you get great food during Restaurant Week, but you’re helping one of these charities win $5,000.”

Last year’s winner was Kisses for Keegan and Friends – an organization that grants wishes and joyful experiences to local kids fighting cancer. In 2017, the winner was Lakeland Animal Shelter, which cares for more than 3,000 homeless animals annually in southeastern Wisconsin.

In 2016, Agape House for Girls took home the grand prize, furthering its mission of providing counseling, mentoring, education and a safe home to girls and their families.

“So every year it goes to a top-notch organization,” Klett says. “Lake Geneva Country Meats has been around since 1965, and [owners] Nick Vorpheel and his father started the donation because they just really wanted to help their neighbors. Lake Geneva really is a small town, so bottom line, it’s small-town America.”

For many Lake Geneva residents and visitors, Restaurant Week is the kickoff to summer, Klett says. She finds Restaurant Week an ideal way to welcome warmer weather and escape day-to-day routines.

“We work hard, so when we get a couple days off, we want to get to a place where we can relax, have fun – whatever it is we specifically desire. Lake Geneva is the perfect escape.”

This year’s list of restaurants includes 240° West at The Abbey Resort, Pier 290, Champs Sports Bar & Grill, Crafted Americana at The Ridge Hotel, Fiddlesticks, Sopra and many more. Find a full list of restaurants and information on related Restaurant Week events at visitlakegeneva.com/restaurant-week. ❚