COZY IN A CUP

Cozy

Cupin a

3 Kane County coffee shops offer unique fall favorites

By Kelley White Photos by Shaw Media, provided by Limestone Coffee & Tea (taken by April Duda Photography) and Cafe & Barr Sipping toasty lattes and steaming seasonal drinks is a staple of everyday life when fingertips need warming from the cool weather. It’s the best time of the year to try a dazzlingly delicious signature drink at one of these three coffee shops, voted the winners in Kane County’s Finest readers’ choice contest.

 FINEST: Graham’s 318 Coffee House 318 S. Third St., Geneva 630-845-3180 www.318coffeehouse.com Graham’s 318 switches up the menu each month while simultaneously keeping classic favorites. “Our pumpkin spice latte is handmade by us with real pumpkin so we’re completely different because it’s not just a syrup we get from somewhere,” general manager Jennifer Farley says. “It’s our recipe we’ve created here for years and it’s a trade secret!”

Aside from the famed pumpkin spice latte, Graham’s always serves a toasted marshmallow latte and apple cider for October and November. “In December, our big winter holiday drink is the peppermint mocha,” Farley says. “That is also our own recipe, and we try not to do what anyone else does along Third Street.”

 ONE OF THE FINEST: Cafe & Barr 407 S. Third St., Geneva 331-248-0440 www.cafebarr.com “This year we’ve decided to go back to basics,” says owner Jacqueline Barr. “We have a completely pumpkin spiced menu. We have a pumpkin spice latte, which is traditional pumpkin spice, and we have a pumpkin spice hot tea, and chai tea which we called the ‘Chumpkin’ and is definitely a favorite for the season. We also do a pumpkin spice mocha latte, and you’re able to add pumpkin spice cold foam or pumpkin spice drizzle to any of the drinks.” Also, don’t forget to try one of their unique cardamom rose lattes!

 ONE OF THE FINEST: Limestone Coffee & Tea 8 W. Wilson St., Batavia 630-454-4556 www.limestone.coffee “I would say one of our most popular fall drinks is our pumpkin chai,” says co-owner Joy Mason. “Year-round, we have our spiced and vanilla chai drinks, and they are probably one of our top five drinks and that combined with a fall twist is something people just absolutely love.” Another popular choice this time of year is Limestone’s unique brown sugar butter pecan latte, which evokes pecan pies and the sweet side of Thanksgiving. “In the wintertime for the last three or four years we’ve had ‘Not Yo Mama’s’ hot chocolate,” Mason says. “It is hot cocoa with peppermint syrup and espresso. I’d say it gets all the parents of littles through the holidays and is probably our No. 1 holiday drink.” If peppermint is not your taste, try Santa’s Cookies, which combine shortbread, marshmallow and white chocolate flavors. Limestone Coffee & Tea also serves hot cocoa and steamers if you’re out and about with your kiddos. Plan to grab a meal or dessert at these beloved spots, voted the best by readers in Kane County’s Finest!

 BAKERY FINEST: Cocoa Bean Fine Desserts 11 S. Seventh St., Geneva 630-845-2990 www.cocoabeangeneva.com ONE OF THE FINEST: Mad Batter Bakery and Confections ONE OF THE FINEST: Harner’s Bakery Restaurant

 BRUNCH FINEST: Stockholm’s Restaurant & Brewery 306 W. State St., Geneva 630-208-7070 www.stockholmsbrewpub.com ONE OF THE FINEST: Nosh ONE OF THE FINEST: Buttermilk

 CATERER FINEST: Enticing Cuisine & Banquets 1117 N. Washington Ave., Batavia 630-761-0399 www.enticingcuisine.com ONE OF THE FINEST: Josef’s Elegante Meat & Deli ONE OF THE FINEST: Sergio’s Cantina

 GOURMET SHOP FINEST: Chi-cuterie 321 Franklin St., Geneva 331-901-0474 www.chi-cuterie.com ONE OF THE FINEST: Vintage 53 ONE OF THE FINEST: Graham’s Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream

 MEAT MARKET FINEST: Ream’s Meat Market 250 S. Main St., Elburn 630-365-6461 www.reamsmeatmarket.com ONE OF THE FINEST: Josef’s Elegante Meat & Deli ONE OF THE FINEST: Country Village Meats – Geneva

Cheers! These Kane County’s Finest winners are the perfect spot to grab a drink with friends this fall.

 BLOODY MARY FINEST: Stockholm’s Restaurant & Brewery 306 W. State St., Geneva 630-208-7070 www.stockholmsbrewpub.com ONE OF THE FINEST: 1910 Bar ONE OF THE FINEST: Nobel House

 WINE BAR FINEST: Vintage 53 162 S. First St., St. Charles 630-549-0423 www.vintage53.com ONE OF THE FINEST: Geneva Wine Cellars and Tasting Room ONE OF THE FINEST: Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

 WINE SHOP FINEST: Geneva Wine Cellars and Tasting Room 227 S. Third St., Geneva 630-232-8888 www.genevawinecellars.com ONE OF THE FINEST: Vintage 53 ONE OF THE FINEST: Up North Wine Tasting Room

Need a housewarming present or hard-to-find culinary item? Head to one of these Kane County’s Finest award-winning shops!

 HEALTH FOOD/SUPPLEMENTS FINEST: Sage Healing Collective 525 S. Tyler Road, St. Charles 331-901-5672 www.sagehealingcollective.com ONE OF THE FINEST: Trader Joe’s ONE OF THE FINEST: Fresh Thyme Market  SPECIALTY ITEM SHOP FINEST: Hearth & Hammer General 319 Main St., Batavia 630-454-4279 www.hearthandhammer.co ONE OF THE FINEST: Grow Geneva ONE OF THE FINEST: Pretty Pages