Excellent service, fun atmosphere draws for Geneva's Rascals Tavern
Cozy is hardly the way to describe most sports bars, but it fits Rascals Tavern & Grill on Third Street in the heart of downtown Geneva. The lower-level sports bar exudes friendliness from the moment you walk in, and Rascals is one of those “Cheers”-type establishments where first-timers are welcomed like old friends.
The tavern has an ideal location, too, in between numerous restaurants and shops on the tree-lined street. You can't miss the red awning extending to the sidewalk. And the small sunken patio out front is perfect for people-watching while not feeling like you're on top of passers-by.
Motif: When you walk in, the first thing you notice is the dark wood bar spanning a good portion of the space. Even though we got there at around 6 p.m. on a recent Saturday, the seats at the bar were filled to capacity. Not to worry, on either side of the bar there were available wood high-back booths (perfect for couples and groups who want to hang out for awhile) and tables along the wall. Brick and stone walls, cool pendant lights, framed black-and-white photos (think “Little Rascals” and old-time boxing and sports) and white holiday lights hanging from the wood trusses add a festive air. Thirteen flat-screen TVs scattered throughout the space were showing all types of sports and even a movie, too.
Crowd: While the majority of the patrons skewed toward the 30s and 40s, there were older couples and families with kids having dinner earlier. Plus, there were groups of friends meeting at the bar for a drink and to watch sports.
Service: Top-notch and memorable. From the waitstaff to the servers, everyone we encountered was friendly and welcoming. Though the hostess was away from the front when we walked in, another staff member noticed us and promptly came over to seat us. Kudos to our server, who made us feel at home right away (a smile and sincerity go a long way in my book) and took time to explain some of the menu items and give his recommendations. The drinks, apps and entrees came to our table at an even pace. And our waiter checked back often but without being intrusive.
Food: We started off with the cheese curds and toasted ravioli, both of which satisfied. The cheese curds, encased in a light coating, came with a ranch dipping sauce that tasted homemade. The ravioli had a nice firm crunch, but beware the exploding cheese, which oozes everywhere once you take a bite. For entrees, I tried the server-recommended chefs meatloaf sandwich: a ground turkey meatloaf slice with red and yellow bell peppers covered in red gravy, sauteed onions and melted provolone served on French bread. My mouth dropped open at the gargantuan size of the sandwich. The flavors mixed well — this is definite comfort food. Fruit (watermelon, cantaloupe) made for a refreshing side.
Besides a long list of appetizers (the pot roast nachos tempted) and sandwiches, choose from a bevy of salads, burgers (black and blue, chicken cheesy bacon burger), dinners (jambalaya, pork tenderloin, Cajun salmon), pizzas and pastas. Unfortunately, the penne scarola — Italian sausage, tomatoes, spinach, onions and garlic tossed with penne — was a little too garlicky for my taste.
Liquid consumption: Beer dominates the drink menu, with wine and cocktails like specialty martinis mixed in. The rotating drafts include Warrenville-based Two Brothers (five options are available in bottles, too), Lagunitas Lil' Sumpin' Sumpin' and a “Surprise Me Tap.” Bottles (and cans) offer a larger selection, from many run-of-the-mill domestics to imports to local craft beers like Wauconda-based Not Your Father's Root Beer, Chicago's own Revolution, Lagunitas and Goose Island.
Music: We didn't notice any music on our visit. The din of people conversing and laughing was how a neighborhood tavern should be — enough that you notice it, but not enough that it intrudes on your conversation.
Parking: Street parking fills up quickly. But Third Street is quite pleasant, so we didn't mind parking farther away on a side street and walking a bit.
Overall: Quality service in a cozy, friendly atmosphere, with a wide selection of beer and sports. What more could you ask for?
Rascals Tavern & Grill
207 S. Third St., Geneva, (331) 248-8959 or <a href="http://rascalstavern.com/">rascalstavern.com</a>
<b>Hours:</b> Opens at 11 a.m. daily