3rd time going to get James and again it is always a pleasure. They refresh their menu consistently while maintaining their iconic items - their cheese Puffs are incredible. I got the Coq au vin which came with pommes aligot (fancy mashed potatoes) & it was honestly some of the best chicken I've had in a while it was both perfectly seasoned and had a light smokiness, while remaining tender. Their pesto gnocchi side was also quite good and light .. which means it goes fast. I know wine "connoisseurs" will come for me ... but my hot take is that french Riesling, or really most Rieslings that are more tart than sweet pair well with fish, chicken, pork, turkey! So it paired nicely with the Coq au vin. We also had the buffalo creamed corn - a bit too spicy for my taste but some in the rest of the party enjoyed. Overall an enjoyable evening, great service, and an enjoyable outdoor patio atmosphere. One of the best patios in the tri-cities & one of the best restaurants in the tri-cities read more

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A group of 4 of us went for a birthday and sat in the patio. It was Happy Hour and they were sold out of the only beer they have listed and the white wine. We were offered another beer at the happy hour price but only for the 1st drink. The food was ok but we are not planning a return trip. read more

The James - Prime rib dinner - Wine Bars Near Me - Geneva, Illinois

We sat outside on the patio. Music was way too loud, Bloody Mary was way too watery and foccaia with whipped eggplant was barely edible.

Stopped in for dinner on a Friday evening. Last minute, spontaneous decision. Found a nice spot in the bar - my favorite place to eat. Service was good; the place was hopping with staff. My dinner was outstanding. The pork chop was delicious. Cooked to perfection. I've never tried grits before, but thought it sounded good and it was. Creamy with a slight hint of cheddar. Overall, the restaurant is headed in the right direction- great food and great customer service. read more

The James - Outstanding dinner at The James. - Wine Bars Near Me - Geneva, Illinois

The service was OK considering the prices of the restaurant dinner for FOUR was $400. They expectations were definitely a lot higher. The lobster bisque was more like a fish soup. The steaks were super small as part of the $200 for two dinner. The lobster was extremely dry. The only highlight were the brussels sprouts and the Wego sushi. Everything else was definitely subpar. It was a late reservation so the restaurant definitely wasn't busy. The waiter was nice, but whoever was assisted the waitress. She was mixing plates and just dropping things on the table like she just didn't care like I said my expectations of this restaurant were a lot higher considering it was a birthday/Valentine's Day dinner at over $400 for four people definitely not going back. Definitely hard to recommend considering the quality and the food. read more

Phenomenal experience! From service to meal, everything was on point get the wagyu you will not regret it! The cheese puffs were amazing! read more

The James - Wine Bars Near Me - Geneva, Illinois

Pros-the patio is divine. Great location, noise was not noticeable, umbrellas to allow for plenty of shade. Service-Hi Fredy-was fantastic. He checked in, things came out at a great pace and he was on top of it! Cons-the food was just ok. Joan's rolls were dry and dense. Our entrees were on the bland side which was disappointing. read more

The James - Joan's Rolls - Wine Bars Near Me - Geneva, Illinois

I hosted a wedding shower in the Sunroom at The James, a restaurant that is quaint and full of charm in the heart of downtown Geneva. Everyone raved about the food & the portions were very generous. The ambience in the sunroom was bright and cheery with all the glass windows that overlook the patio and the service was superb. The bride to be and the 23 guests will always have fond memories of our afternoon at The James. I will definitely be back this summer to enjoy dining out on their patio. Chanelle, the assistant general manager, helped me plan the shower and I had complete confidence in her follow through with every detail and that's why the day went so smoothly. I truly appreciated all of her ideas, graciousness and professionalism. Thank you Chanelle! read more

Really cute place inside and the outdoor patio is lovely. Unfortunately the food portions/quality varies widely. The crab grilled cheese was a teaspoon of crab flakes with a thin slice of melted Brie. Some of these reviews are embarrassing. Clapping for the chef? Really? How drunk RU? read more

I wanted to write this review as both a compliment to the service we received and also to share some feedback about the meal/ drinks. The hosts were super friendly and excited to introduce us to the new space. Our server Jay was amazing and very personable. The bussers/ expos were also great when I asked for their recommendations. Management checked to see how everything was, which is always nice. Food we loved: -The filets with the blue cheese butter were cooked perfectly (the 8oz filet came in two pieces which was a little odd since we both ordered it and they both came like that?) -the cheese puffs were soooo yummy -the crab tostadas very good (not a good shareable though since it's literally a whole fried crab and not a lot for two) Food that we didn't care for: The sides were pretty mediocre sadly... -the shoe string fries were cold and super crunchy. I think normal sized fries would be better enjoyed by most people. -save the elote for the Mexican restaurants, this one tasted like frozen corn and was super soggy. It seems very out of place on the menu too. -berries and cream dessert. Very flavorful but the lemon pound cake was soooo dry. Didn't taste very fresh. -summer house cocktail (this needs to be called fall house cocktail nothing summery about it) wasn't a bad drink, but we both ordered and thought it needs to be a fall seasonal cocktail. This is still early into the restaurant being open so I'm sure things will continue to get better and better, but I think feedback from Geneva restaurant regulars will hopefully be helpful. Definitely worth trying out and supporting a new business! read more

The James - Crab tostadas and cheese puffs - Wine Bars Near Me - Geneva, Illinois

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Terrible service, entrees came out one at a time, mildly warm, took 25 minutes to get a drink, 20 minutes to get coffee, 20 more minutes for our bill. Mediocre a best on all accounts. read more

Had our first visit to The James during Restaurant Week in Geneva. The ambiance is very unique- it felt quite crowded with all of the tables and winter wear, but you could check your coat when you arrived. This restaurant is in an old house, so the floors are a bit uneven so be cautious if you have mobility concerns. We could tell the restaurant was relatively new because the staff was still fully learning the menu and they were out of a few items. However, overall we had a lovely experience and I would go back again in the future. I chose to eat from the restaurant week menu- I started with the potatoes and caviar amuse. I thought it was quite tasty, though I think I would pick something else if not on the Restaurant Week menu as it was quite pricey. I did the steak frites for my entree and I was very pleased. I would order it again- the fries were perfection and my steak was also very nicely done. For dessert, the included option was the maple bourbon banana cream pie which I thought was great also. Both of the cocktails I enjoyed were also lovely, though they were out of the syrups for the ones I originally wanted to try. I ended up getting the James Old Fashioned which was solid, and the Fruits of Winter Sangria which was large and a bit like a dessert. I do appreciate that they have several good 0-proof options as well. I will come back here again in the future- but might give them a bit of time to get everything sorted. read more

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I celebrated my mom's 80th something birthday over lunch. What a great choice to go to The James: a really nice ambiance and terrific food, but for me it was the great staff that made this an excellent experience! The general manager was very cordial who actually took the time to speak with us, and others at the tables, and really listened! The bus person was so polite and attentive with all the details: a summer job for her while attending college and her service was flawless. Most notably was Andrew the server who made the celebration 'perfect'!! Andrew provided exceptional service from the moment we arrived to the birthday cake dessert. His professionalism, attention to detail, impeccable timing, pacing the meal and warm hospitality made a lasting impression. His genuine enthusiasm radiated confidence that was so welcoming and appreciated. He made a great lunch, an excellent dining experience! Such a great staff, and certainly a place I will go to again and will recommend it to others. read more

This place is so incredibly beautiful, the service is great, and the food is outstanding. It's a nice local take on a classic steakhouse, but with a romantic Victorian feel. You've got to try the banana cream pie-- it is out of this world. read more

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Creative solution by Brent the mgr made the night lovely. Great food. Service incredible. Brent worthy of praise!

Very cute ambiance, service was great, our server made great suggestions on the menu, for some reason he knew what we would like and what we wouldn't. Food was amazing!! I had the duck confit and boy was that delicious!! My daughter had the Beef Wellington burger and all you could hear from her is just wow, this is so good with the brioche bun and their fries. I'm not a cumin person, but she is and she loved it! Will be coming back to try more dishes!! read more

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Went here for my wife's birthday, with a large group. We requested to be sat in the wine cellar, which was nice and private, but I also feel like I would've enjoyed the outdoor patio just as much. Our service was fantastic, and our server was amazing. She was very attentive through multiple rounds of drinks appetizers and our entrees. While our evening was great, the table next to us had a server who wasn't so great. This caused them to only get one drink, and were sat before we were. This ended in a very displeased family getting up and leaving after an hour or so of nothing. The manager was very apologetic and admitted the servers mistake and offered to pay for the meal and have them back again. They declined to stay, and probably won't be back. A bit awkward for us since it's a small room and we couldn't help be part of the scene. Despite that, we will definitely be back again! read more

Server/bartender was extremely charismatic and helpful. Apps and sides were good, the crab in specific we'd order again! While we almost always do filet over strip, the strip was recommended and it DID NOT disappoint. Cocktails are strong but flavorful. They also made us feel so special as we were celebrating our anniversary. Will be returning! read more

I ate breakfast at The James recently. My food was delicious. I had to ask to get refills on my coffee. I was mostly taken by the lack of upkeep of the outside especially, but also the inside of the restaurant. Its a cute house, but when you get up close, the paint is peeling and chipped. There are tons of cobwebs and dirty windows in the sunroom. The doors in the sunroom are beat up and chipping paint. They need to keep up the building better. Also, the womens bathroom was dirty. read more

We chose this location for a birthday celebration. We had a group of five. Thanks to the nice weather, we sat outdoors. We started with 2 appetizers. Scallop and crab cakes. The group preferred the crab cakes. We found the scallop dish to be lacking in flavor. We also ordered the dinner rolls, they were delicious. For dinner 3 people ordered steaks and sides, one ordered the salmon dish and one person had soup and salad. The salad had no flavor, the dressing was bland and boring. The steaks were not cooked as they were ordered. The salmon was the highlight. For the price of the meal- we were extremely disappointed with the level of food we were served. The service also lacked for an "upscale" dinner. Rarely checked on us or filled our drinks. Wine was served warm. We have wanted to try this place for a while and we were very let down. read more

Don't order the pastrami sandwich or smoke turkey club!!! Hardly any meat and totally not worth the price charged. Pastrami was cooked like bacon and couldn't even find it on the bread. The turkey was terrible. Wishing we would have sent them both back. Patio is nice but we will find another place to have lunch next time. Service staff are very nice and attentive. read more

Highly recommend the James. Good was amazing. I'm still thinking about it the next day. Server was wonderful helped with wine selection and she was spot on! Had the cheese puffs and whipped eggplant appetizers! Apple salad and green goddess cod! Ate every bite! read more

Excellent small plates selection perfect for before a movie. Service is excellent and love the outdoor patio.

Our little dining group visited Fiona's, the previous tenant here, and had a grand time between dinner and the wonderful post-repast outdoor patio. Had to try the new place wot picked up the reins. The room has a nice ambiance, upscale, but not toffee-nosed. Perfect for a casual night out. Actually not too different from Fiona's. My pal has a good palate for wine, and I always drink what he suggests. (I do not drink a lot of wine, and don't pretend to know any more than the few things I DO know). My pal has never been wrong. He says the wine list here at the James is top-notch. The glass I had certainly was. "Joan's rolls" were tasty. The alarm bell usually rings when a resto attempts to personalize bread service. More than once, a "named" basket turned out to be expensive and not worth it. (I measure bread service by Chicago Greek Restaurants and Galatoire's in NOLA--it works for me.) Joanie must know what she's doing 'cos the rolls and butter were delicious-Every theory has a corollary, you know. I had "Tuna crudo" for Hors D'oeuvre, and it was great. If there's raw fish or flesh on the carte, I'm there. Far be it from my norm to order a burger at a posh joint like the James, but there was a glow around the "Lamb Smashburger" on the menu. It promised Greek highlights, and I had to obey. It was very very tasty! Yasou! Wife had a filet, which she reported to be just fine. My pal and I shared an order of elotes, which seemed foreign for the room and the remainder of the menu, but who am I to quibble in these days of expanded horizons. If you're going to make elotes, and charge what they do for it, you'd better show me something as good as the guy from the cart on the corner in Little Village makes it. That corner guy must have secured a spot in the James' kitchen, The elotes were perfect. Chocolate Peanut Butter Tres Lechés cake was my dessert choice, The same cook who did the elotes must have executed this Mexican treat. It was yummy! It wasn't cheap, and it didn't break the bank. Go there! James isn't a fool. The patio was just as pleasant as it was under the previous tenant. The band was great and so were the cocktails... read more

The wife and I went here for our 23rd wedding anniversary. We made reservations online and it was very easy to do. The downtown Geneva restaurant was perfect. The food was delicious and not overpriced. I had the 1950's prime rib plate. I requested an end cut and it was just perfect! We sat out on the 3 season room and had a great view of 3rd street. We will definitely be back soon! read more

Good and fresh with nice circuses. We will be back here soon. Thank you all so good here.

First off, I absolutely love downtown Geneva. I so much wanted to love The James...... Went for lunch on a Friday with my girlfriends. The place was not at all crowded. We were seated right away. And then we sat. And sat. No one even even acknowledged us or brought menus for almost 15 minutes. The menu? Just weird. Very odd. Didn't like the selections at all. It took nearly a half hour for our server to finally come back and take our orders. We ordered the Joan's rolls....overdone. Dry. The chive butter was hard. I ordered a simple burger and all I could taste was the weird fig jam and didn't see a trace of Gouda. My friends just ordered a simple chicken salad, and a chicken sandwich. Edible. I would have expected much better from such a bougie place. So in summary...service was painfully slow and the food was mediocre at best. Very disappointing. Also, it smelled weird in there. read more

The James - Wine Bars Near Me - Geneva, Illinois

Amazing service, atmosphere, wine and food! Best steaks we've ever had!! Highly recommend this beautiful restaurant located in historic downtown Geneva, in a renovated mansion. With the Christmas lights and lovely setting, it was perfect for our family gathering. read more

The James - Cheesecake with berry glaze - Wine Bars Near Me - Geneva, Illinois

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Lovely place to eat outdoors in downtown Geneva.Waitstaff was very solicitous. I ordered a fresh mixed green salad with pears and my friend had the Lamb hamburger. Both were spectacular . This location is stunning with a beautiful green lawn under a canopy of trees. I was catching up with an old friend and the staff let us linger while refilling our water glasses. Very hospitable. read more

My wife and I went here for our Saturday date night. The food was awesome! Our steaks were Cooked perfectly. The manager recommended an excellent wine to go with our meal. Our server was very attentive and was positive and engaging. read more

Why I didn't know about this place before! It is a WOW! The food is high quality and the menu catches your attention right away. Very friendly service. Last but not least, a great patio area but PLEASE check out the inside. It has this antique fancy style that you would love to take a pic or have dinner there. I'm coming back for sure! read more

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Had lunch on the patio for the first time 8/9/2024 on an absolutely beautiful day. Service was outstanding. Presentation of the food was excellent. I enjoyed Tuna Nicoise - my daughter chose the Apple/Pear salad. The appetizer of ahi tuna / avocado was delicious. What a wonderful way to celebrate my daughter's birthday. We will be back!! (They did not accept patio reservations. First come/ first serve) read more

Excellent food. Our party of 4 had a wide selection and everything was good or excellent. The other comments about slower then you might expect service are accurate. It's not obnoxiously long...but more than you might expect/want. Save room for the dessert. read more

So impressed! The James has definitely hit its stride! The service, the experience, and THE FOOD! Our server perfectly paced our meal and we, at long last, enjoyed great steaks in our town, among other creations on the menu. Great quality, cooked perfectly, and reasonably priced! Was starting to think it couldn't be found in Geneva! Being very familiar with local establishments, we usually travel out of town for steak. But we are already planning our next visit! read more

Went last weekend and got the burger. Very good burger with curly fries. Gave plenty of ketchup upon request. Only thing that can be improved is they don't have fountain drinks, only juices and alcohol. Other than that, I will go back. read more

Do yourself a favor and visit this charming neighborhood gem of a restaurant. My friends and I were initially here to celebrate my birthday and from the moment we stepped inside, The James made us feel welcomed and gave us an amazing experience. The food was fabulous, the wine divine, and the service outstanding. You absolutely must try the Joan's rolls, baby brie and melt-in-your-mouth filet--you will enjoy every single bite. The James is now our go-to Geneva restaurant for all of our celebratory occasions--it definitely makes the aging process a lot less painful! read more

I'm not sure why this place has gotten such poor reviews. Our experience was exceptional... and I'm a very picky and particular eater in the sense of I notice details, presentation, textures etc. the service was great, the server was knowledgeable but didn't try to hard to stick around and over share or throw corny jokes. The food was approachable and well done. There was a lot of thought put into each dish we had. The ambiance was warm and romantic. Some areas felt a little cramped but their bar area was cozy feeling but not cozy in the sense that you were right up against the people next to you. read more

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We went here for an early Sunday dinner, celebrating our Anniversary. This place is a comfy , pretty vintage space. Was not too crowded. Service Was quick, knowledgeable, friendly. Some things on the menu of the day we're not available. While our entrees and drinks were good, nothing was omg, we will be back. Alcohol was very pricey and wine was a small pour. It was lovely seating and a view. Wasn't impressed with the menu offerings or the food itself. We have been to at least five better restaurants in similar price range in the Geneva, St Charles area. read more

UPDATE: We've been back 3 times since my first review and it keeps getting better. The hostess is cordial, friendly and sweet, what a nice change. Our latest visit we had Kyle as our server, super friendly, knowledgeable and spot on without being overwhelming. There were 6 in our party and he didn't miss a beat. Started out with Joan's Rolls, super soft, warm rolls with a chive butter, so good. 3 of us had the miso salmon, the other 3 had the apple & pear salad with a protein. Everything was delicious and done perfectly! We like how the chef changes the menu a little bit every so often. read more

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We were looking forward to trying out this new restaurant in Geneva, since it was one of the few new places we haven't tried in the area. They are always crowded, and reservations were even difficult to get on a weekend. We finally settled for an early dinner on a Friday to try the place out. Patio is fantastic. On a nice day I really think it can't be beat. Unfortunately, that was probably the best of our experience. The service was a little slow, but not terrible. Waiter was personable and seemed like he could be a great waiter elsewhere. That being said, the pace of food and drink was not good. All food took a long time to come out, and drinks took longer than they should also. It didn't look to be just us either, so I don't think our waiter was the problem. Everyone around seemed to be waiting for everything they ordered. As for the food, the menu sounded really interesting, and I was excited to try a bunch of the dishes. However, pretty much every dish that came out was just ok. The cheese puffs were fantastic, but sort of seemed like out of place bar food. The scallop tostada was probably the second best dish we had. Stay away from the torched salmon sashimi. It's not torched, it was fully cooked, and not good. It would have been better left raw. Overall, the food seemed like an attempt at interesting dishes, but none left me thinking I needed to come back again for more. So maybe come for the patio ambiance, some drinks, and appetizers when it's nice out. read more