By Vivian Keller Monday at 8:47 p.m.
Along the quiet and pretty tree-lined street of Geneva, IL lies a cozy, and large white house – Fiora’s Restaurant.
I had passed by this place during the summer time, curious to what they had to offer and now I’m kicking myself for not having visited sooner! When I moved to the suburbs, I was deathly afraid that I’d become overwhelmed with the lack of restaurant choices out here. Would I be limited to Appleby’s and Olive Garden’s?
After discovering Isacco’s Kitchen in St. Charles, I was convinced that other local and talented chefs would be out here in the Fox Valley.
This brings me to a Thursday night date night on a chilly November evening – which I learned – happens to fall during the celebration of Beaujolais Nouveau – the day where millions of young wines derived from the Gamay grape is distributed worldwide. Upon being seated, we were immediately offered a tasting of their newest Beaujolais arrival – YES PLEASE!
What a great start to the evening already. Except I can’t even remember the wine they offered. I was just beside myself when we got free wine (hi, I’m also a wine whore!).
While admiring this young pour, we perused the menu and and asked our server on what she recommended. Despite not being a duck eater herself, she did suggest we order it as many people come back for it. Let’s put it this way. I’ll be back for it. Top 10 things I ate in 2010.
We both knew that we were going to order a red meat for our entrees so the sommelier recommended a Pinot Noir in our price range. ISABEL from New Zealand. It was so good that we purchased a bottle to take home with us! Yes, Fiora’s has a retail liquor license so you can take home a wine that you particularly enjoy.
But first, let’s begin sequentially:
ROASTED MUSSELS with a golden tomato coulis, fresh herbs and a touch of pernod
Now the mussels were good – but there definitely wasn’t enough broth. I have been spoiled by my travels to Belgium where mussels are considered a staple food there and you’ll always get plenty of broth and ample bread to have with these mullosks. The flavors were well balanced but I really, really wished there was more broth!!! There was barely enough for me to scoop up the soup with my empty shell….
Fiora’s also offers a fantastic cheese selection. Although I’m not as well versed in cheese as Michelle is, I still know what a good, smooth and well balanced cheese tastes like. Tonight’s choice was the Old Chatham “Ewe’s” Blue.
Presented with some toasted baguettes, pecans, dried apricots, prunes and fig preserves. A perfect entry to our main course. This blue cheese is perhaps some of the smoothest, creamiest and most beautiful bleu I’ve ever eaten. Now I’m going to have to try to find it at a cheese monger somewhere…if you know where I can find this cheese in a retail store, please inform me!
So earlier, I had mentioned the duck. THE DUCK! OMG – wow, when I tasted it – it nearly brought me to tears. Pan seared skin till crusty and cooked to medium rare – it would be my guess that this duck comes from Maple Leaf farms out of Indiana (who in my opinion carries the best duck).
PAN SEARED DUCK BREAST dry rubbed with fennel and coriander, pan seared, sliced and served over honey and coriander roasted carrots and parsnips, with creamy polenta.
My husband and I just “ooh’d and ahh’d” and closed our eyes as we licked the plate clean.
Disappointingly though was the rack of lamb – it was overcooked and our server did ask to take it back but I hate sending things back to the kitchen. In all honestly, I felt I could have done a better job at home for the price. Meanwhile, I did enjoy the accompanying wild rice.
Finally, now that I’ve gotten through my pregnancy and learned to appreciate sweets, no dinner is complete with a little dessert to share. Fresh hand made truffles and warm pot de creme to finish off the night and put me into my sweet dreams..
Dark chocolate cream flavored with espresso, served with chocolate truffles
The final bill came out to about $130 for the two of us including tax and tip. Definitely a great choice for a romantic evening out with your loved one. Normally Fiora’s is not open on Mondays but since Valentine’s Day lands on a Monday this year, they are having special hours offering their normal menu. (oh, the bottle of vino to go was $29).
Bon appetite! I’m happy to have found a new love in the Fox Valley.
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