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A Southern Lakes Newspapers publication

Dine In. Dine Out. Winter-Spring 2022

Your guide to restaurants in the Southern Lakes area

W4098 S. Shore Drive Lake Geneva, Wis. OPEN DAILY AT 11:00 A.M.

STOP IN DURING THE ICE CASTLES FOR FOOD and DRINKS CHECK OUT OUR IGLOOS

Enjoy a special evening dining with friends and family in your private igloo on our Fire and Ice Deck.

BIG GAME C A R RYO U T Call Ahead

View Our Igloo Platter Menu And Regular Menu At: www.mars-resort.com

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

CALL TODAY TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS 262-245-5689

388367

383390

Top 2022 food trends EVERYONE IS BUZZING ABOUT

Spice is nice

Bring on the heat in 2022. People’s love of spice is soaring, from interest in growing hot peppers at home to visiting new restaurants known for their spicy dishes. People are searching for new recipes such as those from India, Jamaica, and Thailand and making them at home. When you open pantries and spice cabinets, you can find an array of heatenhancing items, from hot sauces to pepper blends and beyond. Adding spice to foods

for flavor is a healthier alternative to salt and butter, plus hot foods may stimulate your metabolism, so this hot trend is also a healthy one.

Powdered nut butters

Nut butter lovers rejoice - you can get satisfying protein and enjoy your favorite flavors without all the fat and unnecessary ingredients. PB2 Foods is the original creator of powdered peanut butter, now offering a variety of plant-based products such as almond and cocoa butter that are certified gluten-free, kosher, vegan, and non-GMO project verified. Some of their newest innovations are cashew powder and PB2 Pre+Probiotic formula for digestive health. From a healthful addition to your morning smoothie to an ingredient you can feel good about when baking and cooking your favorite recipes, powdered nut butters have many uses in your kitchen.

Spicy foods like green curry are all the rage right now. From Thai to Korean to Indian, global cuisines are gracing tables locally and across the country. STOCK PHOTO Dine In. Dine Out.

Super premium beer

When it’s time to enjoy a cold one, more people are putting extra thought into what’s in their glass. Island Brands USA is one example of a company that’s churning out better brews, using only all-natural ingredients, no GMOs, and zero fillers or • CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Dine In. Dine Out. Published by Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC - Winter 2022 1102 Ann St., Delavan, WI 53115 (262) 728-3411 Editor ......................................... Tracy Ouellette Page Designer........................Jennifer DeGroot Creative Director........................Heather Ruenz Advertising Director .............. Vicki Vanderwerff For advertising opportunities, call (262) 728-3411

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

As people continue to put renewed focus on their wellness, their eating and drinking habits are transforming. Many people are seeking out delicious foods and beverages that are also wholesome. This has directly influenced the top food trends for 2022. Better-for-you foods and flavors can be found throughout these trends that are gaining rapid popularity. Which will you be adding to your must-try list?

Breathing NEW LIFE into a

VISIBLE CORNER

by Mike Ramczyk

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

CORRESPONDENT

Yoani Mendoza goes on and on about his father’s cooking. Juan Camillo, or dad, ran a Caribbean restaurant in Brooklyn, and it didn’t matter if it was the most complex dish or something simple like rice and beans, dad made it with unrivaled flavor. “We got the love of cooking through my father,” said Yoani, 38, in front of his Burlington restaurant, JC’s Mexican American Grill, which opened Nov. 1. “JC is Juan Camillo, in honor of my father,” he continued. “We just remember how good his food was. What

made it more special is he could cook something so simple as white rice, and it would taste phenomenal. I don’t know what he did to it, but sometimes it’s in the simple things where you demonstrate your skill. “My philosophy is that it has to taste good. I want it to taste good. I like seeing people enjoying my food. It’s something that fills me, that makes me happy, that drives me.” Juan passed away in 2015 at the age of 69. But the Mendozas are thrilled to honor dad’s legacy by opening their first business, and they are keeping it in the family.

JC’s Mexican American Grill replaces Bomb Burger Yoani and brother Hector will cook, Yoani’s son Zeus will work the register and his niece helps out on the weekends. The Mendozas are leasing from Bomb Burger owners John and Angela Olofson, who own the building. These days Yoani is touting daily and weekly specials, including burritos, tacos, tortas and all of the traditional hits, including Mexican rice and a taste budbending burrito with chorizo, steak and bacon.

Big city meets small town The small-town atmosphere is a bit

Hector (left) and Yoani Mendoza stand in front of their Burlington restaurant, JC’s Mexican American Grill, at the corner of Market and McHenry streets. They are leasing the building from the owners of the former Bomb Burger restaurant. MIKE RAMCZYK Dine In. Dine Out.

Yoani and Cyndi were married. Each has three children. Family is definitely the most important thing for the Mendozas. “Cyndi has supported me a lot, she knows I have a passion for cooking,” Yoani said. “It’s been a good experience. This is a family-run business, and we have a lot of family. “We are excited, and we don’t see ourselves just quitting out on this. Family is the only way we made it here.”

Everyone loves bacon

With fresh ingredients, including Mexican rice made from scratch, tomatoes –“nothing from a can” – Yoani is working on specials. Right now, the Hugene Burrito is “very popular.” It’s the one with chorizo, steak and bacon. Apparently everyone does love bacon.

“It’s actually not spicy, but it’s really good,” Yoani said. “Our red salsa has been very popular. We have nachos. We have tortas. They are starting to get to know tortas. Tamales will be a weekly special we’re trying to develop.” Currently, JC’s is open Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 11 to 7, and closed Sundays. So what can you expect if you head on down to the old Triangle drive-in? “We want to give good food, that’s all,” Yoani added. “I enjoy cooking. I enjoy tasting my own food and making sure that it’s good. I know that if we keep doing that, customers are going to keep coming. I know a lot of people were excited about a new place opening up. “That’s pretty much it, just providing good food and good service.”

Yoani Mendoz grills chorizo moments before opening his restaurant last fall. JC’s Mexican American Grill is named after Mendoza’s late father, who had a restaurant in Brooklyn. MIKE RAMCZYK Dine In. Dine Out.

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

new to the Mendozas, and so far, Yoani is loving the friendly, down-to-earth people of Burlington. “We found this location, and we actually loved it,” Yoani said. “The feel of it, the location as well, we loved it. We’re leasing from the last owner. They’re very nice to us, and they’ve helped us out. “Our first couple days, it was crazy, so we’ve had our hiccups here and there. It’s a machine that needs some fine-tuning, and I think we’re coming along really good.” Born in New York City, Yoani moved to Chicago at age 18, and now he and Cyndi live in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, just south of Kenosha. The couple makes the 45-minuteplus drive every day to Burlington. There’s also a love story going on here. It was only three months ago that

FOOD TRENDS • CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 artificial flavors to create their beers. One of the brands’ clean options is Island Active, a light lager that has just 88 calories and 4.2 percent alcohol by volume, so you can enjoy each sip guiltfree. Cheers to the good life!

Reducitarian diets

Many people want to eat less meat and animal products but don’t want to go fully vegetarian or vegan. This is called reducitarian: making the active choice to reduce consumption of these types of foods. When reducitarians do purchase or consume meat or other animal products, they opt for higher-quality options, such as organic dairy and grass-fed meats. Interested in getting started? Adopt a few days a week to go meatless and try interesting new recipes, such as ones that feature mushrooms, beans, or eggplant instead of meat.

Alternative snacks

You crave the crunch of your favorite potato chips and salty snacks, but you know you could be making a healthier decision. HA! Snacks is your answer. Standing for Healthier Alternative, these snacks are non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan, with plenty of flavor and nutrition (and, yes, crunch!). Choose from Churro Loco, Cheddar Cheese, Spicy Chili Lime, BBQ Sauce, and Sour Cream and Onion. The flavor and clean ingredients of HA! Snacks will make you go ah-ha as they’re the rare combination of great taste and good-for-you nutrients.

The common thread that connects the top trends of 2022 are better-for-you foods that don’t sacrifice flavor or pleasure. That’s something everyone can smile about. STOCK PHOTO Dine In. Dine Out.

(BPT)

W8896 County Hwy. A, Delavan, WI (608) 883-2100 • www.stallerestate.com • Special Packages

• Barrel Cellar Tastings

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

• Ultimate Wine Flights • Wine & Chocolate Pairings

• Delicious Picnic Platters/Wine Flights

OPEN: June - August; Daily 11am – 6pm; September - May; Wed. - Sun. 11am – 6pm

Bachelorette • Weddings • Engagements • Birthdays 388336

Seltzers, sparkling water, spicy cocktails and more top list of popular potables Association research indicates hard seltzers and spicy-rimmed cocktails will shine bright in the beverage category next year. Restaurant guests, accustomed now to living in a pandemic, are looking for more healthy beverages that are also fun and indulgent, National Restaurant Association research finds. At bars around the country – including ones serving non-alcohol drinks only – operators assumed alcohol-free beer would be their top seller, but it turns out cocktails made with zero-proof spirits are getting a lot of attention. In published reports, Billy Wynne, owner of sober bar AWAKE in Denver, notes those fancy cocktails, with spicy rims and flavorful garnishes, are his

most popular. In fact, the Association says, those are some of the drinks that will shine brightest in the beverage category next year. According to 350 professional chefs who participated in our What’s Hot 2022 Culinary Forecast, the most popular beverages will include: • Cashew and pistachio nut milks; • Flavored sparkling waters; • Hard seltzers; • Spicy-rimmed cocktails; • At-home cocktail kits; and • CBD-infused beverages

On trend – Simple, clean, fun Maggie Gentile, vice president of Food and Nutrition Policy for Food Directions LLC in Washington, D.C., says the choices reflect a desire for beverages made with simpler, cleaner ingredients that provide comfort and fun. “Demand for plant-based milks had increased over the last several years for

several reasons, but chiefly because of food allergies and intolerances,” Gentile says. “Now, however, more individuals are seeking them out due to concerns for different health outcomes, plus a desire to align with certain environmental and animal welfare principles.” Nevertheless, she notes, “It’s important to emphasize not all plant-based milks contain the same nutrient profile dairy milk does.” Gentile also says the popularity of seltzers and sparkling water is representative of more people cutting back on beverages with added sugar content, like soda, but still wanting to stay hydrated throughout the day. “Not everyone always wants to drink plain water, so seltzer, with some flavor and fizz, can be a good alternative,” she says. “This same thinking applies to hard seltzers, which do feature alcohol content, but are still somewhat lower in calories and sugar content, while a bit indulgent.” • CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Beverage trends for 2022 include non-alcoholic options, hard seltzers, flavored sparkling waters and at home cocktail kits. SUBMITTED PHOTO Dine In. Dine Out.

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

Raise a glass to beverage trends for 2022

DADDY MAXWELL’S

Check out our website: DaddyMaxwells.com/menu or call for our Daily Specials!

Featuring All Homemade • Daily Lunch Specials • Soup • Pies & Cakes IN ADDITION WE OFFER: • Daily Breakfast Specials • Friday Fish Fry Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday 6:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; Sunday 6:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

150 Elkhorn Road • Williams Bay, WI 53191 • 262-245-5757

405468

Fitzgerald’s Genoa Junction in the Historic Octagon House

A Unique Blend of History & Tradition! ~ “Home of Fitzgerald’s Famous Fish Boil”

Fish Boil - Honey BBQ Chicken - Barbecued Ribs Special Parties Available, Call for Information

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

FISH BOIL - HONEY BBQ CHICKEN - BBQ RIBS

RESTAURANT, CATERER & GIFT SHOP “Home of Fitzgerald’s Famous Fish Boil” 727 Main St. (Hwy B) Genoa City, WI - 2 miles NW of Richmond, IL

262-279-5200

DRIVE-THRU PICKUP IS AVAILABLE CALL AHEAD TO ORDER Thurs., Fri. & Sat. 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sun. 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.

OPEN ON WEDNESDAYS BEGINNING IN MAY

BIG GAME

DRIVE THRU & CARRYOUT CALL AHEAD

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388661

Got a thirst for adventure? THEN THE BEER AND WINE TRAIL IS FOR YOU

AEppelTreow Winery

An orchard-based cidery and distillery dedicated to showing off what an be done with the 200+ varieties that our partner, Brightonwoods Orchard, grows. Styles include: sparkling, draft, table, dessert and distilled. What’s included: free tasting flight.

international competition. What’s included: Half-price flight of wine.

Pieper Porch Winery & Vineyard Located in the Town of Mukwonago, Pieper Porch Winery offers award-winning wines and beautiful views of the Vernon Marsh from its porch or patio. What’s included: BOGO wine tasting flight.

Walworth County Beer & Wine Trail

AEppelTreow Winery

Apple Barn Orchard & Winery Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company

East Troy Brewery

Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company Farmhouse Microbrewery set on a 150 year old fifth generation family farm. Offering a wide variety of microbrews all made on the farm. What’s included: Complimentary 5-ounce beer with purchase of 16-ounce beer.

East Troy Brewery East Troy Brewery is a brewery and restaurant which is located in a renovated

Second Salem Brewing Company is a two-barrel nano-brewpub located on Cravath Lake in downtown Whitewater. What’s included: 15% off appetizers and merchandise.

Staller Estate Winery Staller Estate Winery provides an outstanding experience exemplifying award-winning regional Wisconsin wines. What’s included: 10% off case purchase.

Studio Winery & Geneva Lake Distilling Lake Geneva’s only winery & distillery. It specializes in locally grown ingredients and craft products. What’s included: BOGO tasting.

The Hive Taproom

Apple Barn Orchard & Winery Apple Barn Orchard & Winery is a family farm offering homestead wines and when in season, strawberries, apples, and pumpkins. Experience the fruit of the season at our historical farm. What’s included: $1 off a wine bottle purchase.

Second Salem Brewing Company

bank that was orginally built in the 1890’s. It features a from-scratch kitchen, in-house craft beer, and specialty cocktails. What’s Included: BOGO ETB craft beer.

G5 Brewing Company Opened in 2019 G5 produces all its beer in house on Wisconsin-made equipment. Come in for an ever-changing tap list. What’s included: BOGO beer.

Low Daily Brewery Brewery, taproom, and beer garden in the heart of downtown Burlington. What’s included: $5 32-ounce crowler.

Northleaf Winery Northleaf Winery is a premier Wisconsin winery with locally esteemed wines; nearly all have also won multiple awards in

The Hive Taproom makes a naturally gluten-free product made from raw, local honey and locally-sourced ingredients– it’s technically a wine, brewed more like a beer, and better resembles a cider or champagne. What’s included: $5 off a flight.

The Runaway Micropub & Nanobrewery A single-room micropub and nanobrewery serving handcrafted, smallbatch beer both in a taproom and on an outdoor patio. What’s included: $2 off a Milwaukee pretzel with 16-ounce pour.

Topsy Turvy Brewery Offers a taproom and outdoor beer garden with ample seating and 20-plus beers on tap. What’s included: Free 5-ounce pour.

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

The Walworth County Visitors Bureau invites residents and visitors to sign up for the Walworth County Beer and Wine Trail Passport from their mobile devices. The mobile passport will send participants on a beverage journey through Walworth County’s craft breweries and wineries – one sip at a time. Participants may check in at each location with a pin code and unlock prizes along the way. Only visiting one location? Receive your Beer and Wine Trail weatherproof sticker on the first check in. Planning on hitting up more than one? Earn additional prizes including Beer and Wine Trail socks and a pint glass as you make your way along the trail. Participants also receive discounts on beer and wine at participating breweries and wineries. People may sign up for the mobile passport on the visitors bureau website at visitwalworthcounty.com. The website includes an interactive map with locations for each of the participating businesses. Here’s a closer look at the participants:

BEVERAGE TRENDS • CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 Health and wellness will continue to drive 2022’s trends, Gentile says. “Consumers are now more aware of the connection between COVID-19 and health risks, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Knowing the impact those diseases could have on COVID-19 – that they could lead to more severe outcomes – plus a continuing interest in climate change and sustainability, will keep driving consumption of healthier beverages, like plant-based milks and seltzers.”

Fancy presentation, deeper flavors When it comes to more upscale beverages, Emily Wines, master sommelier and vice president of wine and beverage experience for Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, has noticed two things in particular: a new appreciation for fancy cocktails that are visually attractive, as well as a desire for drinks with bitters or bitter flavors. To answer that call, Cooper’s Hawk created what it calls its Nightjar Sangria, which is made with premium cognac and bitters. At the same time, spritzes containing little to no alcohol content are also quite popular. Newest additions to the menu include Meyer lemon and pear-flavored hard seltzers. “Spritzes are a strong part of the low ABV movement,” Wines says. “We love the spritz movement and plan to add more of them to our menu.” The chain also plans to continue selling non-alcohol cocktails with flavors going beyond basic juice mixes, she adds. Wines claims that the best thing to come out of the pandemic has been serving guests alcohol-to-go beverages. “Having the option of pairing one of our wines with takeout, or getting a great cocktail in a bottle, is something consumers have latched onto,” she says. For more information, visit restaurant.org.

GOING EAST...GOING WEST...

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DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

Just off Hwy. 50 ~ 12 miles east of Lake Geneva

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Call ahead on your way to or from Lake Geneva and We’ll Have it Hot & Ready!

www.luisaspizza.co Hwy. 50 & 317th Ave., Wheatland • 12 Miles East of Lake Geneva

262-537-4795

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A night out on the town offers the perfect chance to try a new cocktail or beverage. SUBMITTED PHOTO Dine In. Dine Out.

Rivalry Alehouse offers competing selections of German and Irish fare by Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT

top: Jerry Johnson, co-owner of the Rivalry Alehouse pauses on the stairway between the flags of Ireland and Germany. The rivalry of these two countries especially their unique food items, is the basis for the menu at the restaurant. above: A bartender pours samples of the four special beers made for the Rivalry Alehouse. The restaurant has a total of 16 different beers on tap. SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Dine In. Dine Out.

The Rivalry Alehouse is the newest restaurant in downtown Antioch. Located at 945 Main Street in the heart of downtown, the Rivalry brings a new place to gather and enjoy time with friends while sampling a variety of German and Irish foods and craft beers. The building that houses the Rivalry Alehouse has stood on Main Street for over 100 years and has served as a variety of businesses over the years. It has been a Ford dealership, a clothing store, and a hair salon, before being purchased in 2017 by the current

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

It’s a food fight and you’re the winner

DINE LOCAL

Support These Locally-Owned Restaurants

• DINE IN • CARRY OUT • DELIVERY • CURBSIDE PICKUP Call In Advance To See What Dining Options Are Available

The Baker House 327 Wrigley Drive Lake Geneva, WI

Lakeside dining in an elegant 1885 Queen Anne Victorian

FULL BAR • SUNDAY BRUNCH

215 N. Rochester St., Mukwonago (262) 363-7849 CARRYOUTS AVAILABLE

388753

Popular Friday Fish Fry

Join us Friday through Sunday FOR THE

BEST PRIME RIB IN TOWN! Sunday Breakfast is Back Feb. 7 • 7 ‘til 11 a.m.

Beer Battered or Baked Cod with your choice of 724 Milwaukee Ave. potato pancakes or french fries and coleslaw. Burlington Perch Dinner Available. 262-763-9968

Every Sunday

410659

25313 W. Loomis Road Wind Lake, WI 53185 (262) 895-1055

Organic grocery store with a deli. Serving sandwiches made with Boars Head meat and cheese, homemade soups, salads and pizza, wine, beer and cocktails.

Shelias ae’ M Est. 1952

116 N. Main Street, Burlington (262) 763-9940 www.sheliamaestownfryer.com

410663

(262) 878-5474

Corners of Hwys. 20 & 45 Union Grove, WI 53182 Tuesday-Saturday 6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. “CONVERSATION HEART COOKIES”

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Burlington, WI 262-539-3200 Open at 6:00 A.M. Every Morning!

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Serving Friday Fish Fry 410658

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

24 W. Geneva St., Williams Bay • 262-245-9077 www.greengrocergenevalake.com 410661

34414 Geneva Road, New Munster, WI

TOWN FRYER R E STAU R A N T

One of the oldest family owned restaurants in Burlington

Dine in, Carryout, or Delivery. Open 7 days a week.

OPEN DAILY AT 11AM

388755

& deli

388754

Call for reservations 262-248-4700

Hours: Closed Mon. & Tues. Wed. & Thurs. 11-3 Fri. 11-7 Sat. & Sun. 11-3 WHISTLE STOP 100 Clark St., Elkhorn, WI • (262) 379-1577

410662 410563

owners. The Ford logo can still be seen on the brick wall inside the Alehouse from its days as a car dealership. Additionally, the wall now bears the flags of Germany and Ireland – the Rivalry. “It took us four years to remodel the building. We added the second floor for banquets and other gatherings and as an overflow space, when we are busy on the ground floor,” said Jerry Johnson, who along with partner Jim Donohoe, owns The Rivalry Alehouse. “Upstairs we are creating an open rooftop for guests to enjoy both their drinks and the outside view.” A problem occurred after their opening when an automobile coming from Lake Street failed to turn onto Main Street and proceeded straight ahead and through the wall of the Rivalry. Fortunately, it did not cause damage to the main dining room or bar and no one was injured in the restaurant. The restaurant remained open while work to repair the damage continued. The main dining room features an industrial look with high ceilings, and exposed beams and visible pipes along the ceiling. It is a very calming space with neutral walls, and metal chairs with clean lines. The tables are well spaced giving everyone plenty of room. The floor is also light wood giving a clean, relaxing and open look. The bar is centered along the back wall with its 16 beer taps and stools for those who wish to sit at the bar. “The Rivalry Alehouse offers a variety of foods both Irish and German, with a touch of American traditional pub foods and the occasional Italian fare. Many items are made with a unique touch by our executive chef,” Johnson said. An appetizer that combines a Chinese eggroll and Irish corned beef, created by Executive Chef Jorge Esparza has quickly become a favorite. Throughout the menu one can find “rival” foods items in the same category that make the guest choose between an Irish or German presentation. The menu allows food choices from either country’s cuisine in each category – appetizers, sandwiches, and dinner entrees. Many of the items are not strictly German, Irish or American but seem to have a special twist. The German nachos appetizer is a little different than the traditional nachos that are usually served. This one is covered with slow-roasted short ribs and topped with BBQ from far left: Located at 945 Main

St. in downtown Antioch, the Rivalry Alehouse welcomes visitors for lunch on weekends and dinner daily; Jorge Esparza is the Executive Chef at Rivalry Alehouse. His creativity produces the unique food items found at the new restaurant. SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Dine In. Dine Out.

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

An industrial look

left: The Octoberfest Burger has a unique twist on the traditional German Octoberfest Burger. This one is topped with Polish sausage. right: One of the unique appetizers on the menu is the Reuben eggrolls. They combine the traditional egg roll with the distinct flavor of corned beef and sour kraut for a special taste.

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Dine In. Dine Out.

Hoisin sauce, beer cheese sauce, sour cream, pico de gallo and green onions. The Berlin poutine is a combination of Rivalry fries topped with short ribs, and house-made beer gravy, Wisconsin cheddar cheese curds, pickled red onions and braised red cabbage.

Get your Irish on

Prefer to stick with the Irish vibe? Then it is the corned beef eggrolls or the corned beef sliders. Or choose an Irish and a German item and share with the table. The food rivalry is not only between German and Irish choices but as one peruses the menu, there is another wellknown rivalries represented there. If you choose between the Wrigley flatbread or the Comiskey Chicken, your Chicago baseball loyalty is known.

The full dinner menu offers a variety of foods, including some American foods among the German and Irish choices. The menu also has a few gluten-free or vegetarian options. These include an Impossible Burger served without a bun. The Impossible burger is a meatless burger. A grilled vegetable option is also available. Filet medallions and grilled salmon complete their gluten free options. Families are welcome to dine here and a special kid’s menu offers many of their favorite foods. These include cheeseburgers, mac and cheese, chicken fingers, grilled cheese and a flatbread pizza, all served with French fries or fruit.

Ample beer selection

For many visitors, it is the beer on tap that draws them in. For the beer lovers

there are 16 different draft beers. Four of the taps are reserved for the Rivalry Alehouse special brews. These have been created specifically for the Rivalry Alehouse by Lakefront Brewery of Milwaukee. The four are always on tap and include a lager, red ale, dark lager, and an IPA. One of these may become your favorite but if not, there are 12 other on tap beers to choose from, along with a variety of bottled and canned beer. If beer is not your drink of choice, try one of their wine selections, or cocktails. They offer a special cocktail that changes monthly. The first floor is the open Alehouse where friends gather for a drink and appetizers, one of the special sandwiches or come for the evening to enjoy a full dinner. On Friday and Saturday evenings

visitors may come for a late dinner and stay to enjoy the entertainment. “The entertainment offered here includes more upscale music such as acoustic guitars and dueling pianos. We have had both Irish and German dancers here to entertain. The entertainment continues from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings,” Johnson said. “We have even had an Irish bagpiper on site.”

Banquet facilities

Another option

This is not the first bar and restaurant owned by Johnson and Donohoe. The partners also own The Lodge of Antioch, which has been a local favorite for many years and is also located on Main Street. According to Johnson, there is a difference in the two places. While both are in buildings more than 100 years old,

The Rivalry Alehouse features and industrial look with high ceilings and well-spaced tables for a clean and relaxing atmosphere. SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Dine In. Dine Out.

the Lodge has a log cabin motif with a Wisconsin Northwoods vibe. The menu features more pub fare while the Rivalry has a more modern look and some more upscale food items. While food styles may be different the quality remains the same. “The Lodge is the place local residents come for a beer and a sandwich. It is a place where local people enjoy a friendly get together. We see the Rivalry attracting out of town visitors along with local residents. It is more upscale,” Johnson said. “We look forward to serving both residents and visitors at both locations. “Both restaurants serve good quality foods made to order on site. The Lodge serves breakfast on Saturday and Sunday and serves lunch every day. The Rivalry

currently only serves lunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,” said Johnson. “We plan to open the Rivalry for brunch on weekends in the near future.” While the two restaurants are different, they do complement each other according to Johnson. When one is closed, customers will often make their way over to the other. The Rivalry Alehouse is at 945 Main St. To make a reservation call 847-603-1124 or visit them online at rivalryalehouse.com The Rivalry Alehouse bar is open Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. to close; Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday 11:30 am to close. The kitchen is open Monday through Thursday 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

The upstairs room, which is very similar to the first-floor space in furnishings and décor, is mainly used as a private rental space or as an overflow space when the ground floor is very full. With a white wood ceiling and elegant black iron light fixtures with clear light bulbs, the upstairs continues the industrial look of the downstairs. The upstairs banquet room holds as many as 200 people and has been the home of private dinners and gatherings often in conjunction with communitysponsored events. An outside rooftop bar is a special feature found at the Rivalry Alehouse. The upper level space is also a perfect place for wedding receptions. Various table arrangements with open space for dancing can easily be arranged to meet the needs of the party size. With its outside rooftop area, guests will enjoy taking their drink out on the rooftop and enjoying the view of downtown Antioch. In addition to the event room, there is a bride’s room for the bride to relax or touch up makeup as needed. Restrooms are available on the upper floor and an elevator provides easy access for all visitors. To arrange a special banquet or wedding reception contact Christine Larsen, the Rivalry Alehouse’s Event coordinator. She may be reached at 847-603-1124 or on her cell phone 847-356-9288. She can also be reached by email at events@ rivalryalehouse.com.

Enjoy Chicago’s Original Gino’s East Pizza in Downtown Lake Geneva

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Choose between our famous Deep Dish or Thin Crust Pizza

• Enjoy our variety of appetizers, salads and pasta entrees • Dine in with spectacular lake views or delivery to your room • Open for lunch at 11 am DELIVERY OR PICKUP

Catering

for all occasions

DINING GUIDE • WINTER/SPRING 2022

Rehearsal dinners Private space up to 60 people or up to 80 people in bar (if available)

Full off site catering to your home, Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn, The Riviera, Lake Geneva Cruise Line, Horticultural Hall and many other local venues. Late night pizza and wedding day lunch delivery

Incredible lake views

262 248-2525

GINOEASTLAKEGENEVA.COM

300 Wrigley Drive

100 yards east of Riviera Docks

Lake Geneva, WI 53147 365429