I'm gonna keep it short, food was great, service was great, nothing super exceptional but still above average. Ambiance is pretty and cozy. I would've gave it 5 stars if it didn't take about an hour for the food to get here (this wasn't our first time and this was the only time this happened). The server was super nice and even told the manager who then offered desert on the house. Excellent customer service. If there was an option I'd give the place 4.5 stars. read more

Quick take: We stopped into The James for one round at the bar. The placed was pretty full on a Saturday afternoon but we were able to nestle ourselves at the end of the bar and partake. It's an upscale establishment with absolutely wonderful decor: an old house that harkens back to times of yesteryear. The ambiance is lively but not loud and it seems to host a slightly older (and more sophisticated?) demographic. We just had beers but did peruse the menu for fun and things looked very tempting. Although this visit was quick it left me wanting more on a return visit, of which there will be! read more

We had a reservation for a party of eight at 8:15 and were seated out on the patio. The inside of the restaurant is super cute, and they have very elegant bathrooms. I informed our server that I have celiac disease, and she was helpful in confirming that the cocktails were gluten-free. I ordered the Pineapple Express sangria, and it was absolutely delicious. When it comes to the food, most items on the menu can actually be made gluten-free, but they aren't marked on the menu and they do not offer a separate gluten-free menu. Our server did let us know right away that they were out of three of their entree items. For my meal, I started with the gluten-free soup which comes with gluten-free noodles, and it was really good. However, I didn't really like any of the remaining entrees they had left available, so I decided to order sides instead. The server mentioned that most of the sides are or can be made gluten-free. I chose the creamy mashed potatoes and the brussel sprouts, specifically requesting the sprouts without croutons. When the food arrived, the brussel sprouts unfortunately had croutons on them. I pointed it out to the server, and she immediately said she would have them remade for me. While I am very glad I caught the mistake before eating them, it is something to watch out for. Overall, the experience was mediocre. read more

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Had a great brunch at The James this weekend! They were able to accommodate a reservation for a larger group (10+) for Sunday brunch. We got the basement wine cellar to ourselves which was awesome and made for a fun and intimate dining experience. Our server was phenomenal and made navigating a large group of indecisive people look easy. The food and drinks were amazing. The beignets were a great starter! The Focaccia BLT was a big hit in our group. I got the Brie Frittata with a hash brown. The frittata was topped with balsamic cherry tomatoes which was perfection. They ran out of Bloody Mary mix, but the chef made some and let us try it before ordering to make sure we liked it. It was DELICIOUS! I'd highly recommend and would definitely visit again if in the area! read more

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Classy low lit bar. Restaurant staff was very polite. I started with Hefeweizen. The appetizers were delicious. Lobster roll bites and grilled shrimp cocktail were a hit. My dessert was packed up to go so when I got home, I was able to dig into my banana cream pie. So dang good! Would recommend. read more

The James - Grilled Shrimp Cocktail - Wine Bars Near Me - Geneva, Illinois

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Got the pork chops and they forgot to give me the side sauce very disappointed but my wife got the salmon and it was very good

Colby (like the cheese!) bartender was so great! Offered plenty of food suggestions. Best lunch deal Ever is the 1:2 sandwich and pick two a soup or salad and a side for $18. Wow!!! Generous portions and the lobster bisque MMMMMMMM! Very rich but a hefty bowl. A really good, substantial lunch. The chef came out and we all clapped for him hahaha the food was that impressive. The interior is quaint. A cute fireplace in the main dining area is very cozy. Love the white roses and other decor. Overall a memorable vibe and looking forward to coming back during warmer weather when the patio is opened. read more

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We were very excited to go The James as it has been on our list for a long time. When we arrived the atmosphere of the restaurant was beautiful, comfy-upscale spaces and beautiful decor. It was a Saturday night so we made reservations and they were busy. The energy was very chaotic. It took a little bit of time but were were shown to our table and like the rest of the space, it was beautiful. Unfortunately the largest issue of the night for us was service. While our server was very friendly, we waited 10 minutes before they told us they would be right with us and almost another 10 to give our drink orders. The bar must have been backed up because we did not get our wine for another 15. We then ordered our food. We were not initially phased by the wait but upon reflection it contributed to our experience. We started with some apps and they were delicious. As for entrees, the chicken vesuvio was amazing and the prime rib (only on weekends) was delicious. Unfortunately, we ordered a soup and a side of brussels but neither came with our food as they were not put in. When the brussels did come they were not hot so we chose to not have them refired as we were almost done eating and already waiting on an entree already that was being refired. The soup did not make it until we were done eating. I ordered the crab cakes and they came burned. I was told that is how they cook them but as they were black it had a burned taste so I requested a new one. This took over 25 minutes so everyone was done eating. They were delicious and that sauce was amazing. The manager came at the end of our dinner and mentioned the brussels so we let them know all our issues. They took off 1/2 the crab entree and one of our appetizers. I struggle because the food was delicious, but service did not match the experience. Food makes it worth a try. read more

I had a lovely meal here! I stopped by in the late afternoon and wanted something small to eat. I kept it light and had some soup and an app, which was all perfect. Everything was delightful! read more

The James has one of the best patios in the burbs. Excellent menu. Super attentive service. Great drinks. Live music. And kids eat free! The patio is first come first served but definitely make a dinner or lunch reservation then when you arrive see if you can get a patio spot. Highly recommend read more

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I went during lunch time (1pm ish) and got seated at the bar area. The food was delicious and reasonably priced, but what really stood out to me was the decor and atmosphere. Came here without looking at reviews so next time I come I'll definitely make a reservation because I have to try their dinner menu! read more

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Wow the place is so cute all in blue the drinks are amazing the food is divine and the service to come back too I loved it here best hamburger I ever Eaten it was cooked to perfection Our server was very amicable We Dine out next time I will Ear Inside read more

The James - Wine Bars Near Me - Geneva, Illinois

The lunch menu is delicious! We received fantastic service from Jannet. She recommended the French onion soup & lobster bisque. A fabulous French wine also recommended & perfect ! read more

I've been here a handful of times. I've alway had a great experience here. The ambiance is great, the drinks are good, and the staff is always kind. Just don't get the crab cake. $28 for a crab cake that is mostly filler and has stringy imitation crab in it. The description says "lump crab". There was zero lump crab and the crab I was able to find was the long stringy, super red, fake imitation crab. This was honestly one of the worst crab cakes I have ever had. This item is a scam. read more

Had cocktails in their outdoor patio in the summer, browsed the menu and knew I had to go back to try the food. The fam wanted to try a bit of everything. We ordered the shrimp appetizer, the "Italian beef bao buns, and the scotch egg. All AMAZING!! I got the crab cake Benedict! Scrumptious. Love the mini brick hash brown. We'll be back!! read more

The James - Bloody, soooo good!! - Wine Bars Near Me - Geneva, Illinois

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We had shopped all day in downtown and had went to 5 restaurants on third Ave before the James. James was the only one for room for 6. In we went Now I think I know why.... Honestly I won't go back based on the taste of the food. They sat us and we picked our wine. They did have a nice selection. Everything after that seemed so slow - food slow, checking on our table slow, check slow, picking up the credit cards slow..... I had the French onion. I love French onion soup and this was terrible. The soup was very very thick and brown with little flavor and very little onion. The bread in the soup was rock hard and I had to cut it with a knife to eat it. The soup was not soaked into the bread at all. Do not recommend. I also had the " cheese puffs". I can't describe the flavor exactly but the outside was coated w something powdered that was.... Odd and not pleasant . The inside did have cheese- not tons. It came with a tasty cheese sauce and I trued to get as much of that on each puff to cover the odd powder seasoning. Not recommended. I could see maybe stopping in for wine on patio in summer but definitely skipping the food. read more

Stopped in for my Birthday dinner. I wanted to try somewhere new and always thought the Patio area was lit up and so cute! Stopped in with my husband and kids and sat inside to eat. Service was phenomenal- just wish I had gotten refills on water as he never asked and I just drank my husband's. Other than that he was very nice and wonderful helping my kids. Went out of his way with customer service. I got Steak with blue cheese crust and it was delicious! My husband ordered a side of their Red potatoes which was delicious too! Very cute restaurant and we would definitely eat here again! My kids loved their Macaroni and Cheeseburgers and they are PICKY so that said a lot! read more

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After going to the Farmer's Market, we decided to stop by The James for lunch after checking their menu which has Gluten Free option. The outdoor dining area is always inviting. We were seated quickly, and greeted by friendly staff. We received the brunch menu, which was different than the lunch menu displayed. Upon clarification, the brunch menu has gluten-free options but not printed. They also have an interesting cocktail and mocktail menu. First of all, the lunch menu has more options. The brunch menu was a bit limited. We ordered Turkey Sandwich with chips (GFO) and Watermelon Salad with shrimps added. The watermelon salad was refreshing. With the feta cheese, it has a balanced of sweet and savory. The Turkey club sandwich was ok, nothing too special. Overall, a better than average experience, and I was expecting better food given the restaurant quality in Geneva. read more

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Fabulous restaurant, whether dining inside or out, the food, ambience and service are excellent. The updated yet timeless converted house has a lovely bar and dining room offers a cozy fireplace in one section and full outdoor views in the other. Lovely every season of the year. The patio is especially wonderful with outdoor bar, live music quite often and serene but lively setting in the heart of Geneva's beautiful history 3rd Street area. A true gem. read more

I really wanted to love this place, but was sadly disappointed. I went to their website and made a reservation online. When we arrived, they couldn't find our reservation. And, yes, I know I did it correctly because I received a reminder text. It wasn't very busy inside so we were seated at a tiny two-top. Our server had a shadow as did two other servers that night. Our server was friendly and competent. He asked if we were celebrating anything. Told him it was our anniversary and we wanted to try The James. Took our drink order. The drinks took quite a while even though there were only about 5 or 6 tables. Drinks were good. Ordered the Crispy Baby Brie. It was okay. The fennel slaw added a good touch. The honey was a little too much. We both ordered the prime rib. It was tasteless. Adding a pour of au jus didn't help. Still bland and barely seasoned on the outside. I don't like cold food on the same plate as hot food, so the salad, prime rib, mashed potatoes, and asparagus all on the same tray was weird. My husband didn't mind. We both thought the meal was just mediocre. The server came by once after our meal was delivered. We finished our meal. We waited and waited. He and his shadow finally came by and asked if we would like dessert. We said we would take a look at the menu. He gave it to us. That was the last time he would bless us with his presence. We waited, waited, waited (about 15 minutes). Decided that we were not going to wait to order dessert any longer and just wanted to leave. Waited, waited, waited (another 15 minutes). The shadow passed by so we asked if he was able to get our check. He did. Then, we waited, waited, waited (another 20 minutes). Finally, asked another server if he could just run our card so we could leave. We never saw our server or his shadow again. Kidnapping, distraction, memory lapse. We will never know. The service started out a 4-star, dwindled slowly, and ended on a negative-star. Here's the kicker. As we left and walked down Third St., we saw our server and his shadow standing outside on the patio. Just standing and looking at the tables out there. Not sure if they just forgot we existed, didn't care, or what. Unfortunately, we will probably not be going back. read more

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Beautiful decor. Want to love, but... 1st visit seated right away then ignored for 20 minutes. Food was delicious. 2nd visit server was terrible. Brought wrong soup, instead of just apologizing and bringing the right one told us how funny it was that she wrote down our order wrong and talked about it forever. While my sandwich was mostly bread, others enjoyed their dishes. Ordered Baked Alaska for dessert. Server delivered saying it was on the house because something went wrong with merengue. What we received was a brownie hard in some places uncooked in others with pretty good ice cream, overdone chocolate sauce and whipped cream. We would have preferred server just tell us the dessert was unavailable so we could have ordered something else. Place is too expensive to have bad service, and open too long to still be working out the kinks. read more

They not honor our reservation. We showed up on time and could only be seated at the bar. They said they booked a large private event and was having a hard time seating their reservations. Another couple was leaving and had to stop by the hostess to get their check. We found another restaurant and let them know we'd leaving. No apologies, but we did get a "thank you" for leaving. That's fine, you likely won't see us again. read more

We were pleasantly surprised by The James. It was our first experience at this restaurant. We sat on the large patio on a Friday night listening to great music while we dined. Our server Michael was great - friendly, engaging and he provided attentive service. We started out with cocktails, an old-fashioned for hubby and a mezcal paloma for me. It was hard to decide what to order because everything on the menu was appealing. We started out sharing an amuse bouche called the deviled hashbrown. It was a crisp hashbrown topped with a creamy gribiche sauce and salmon roe. The creamy sauce was made with hard boiled egg yolks and mustard. It was perfect with the crispy hash brown. We then ordered Joan's Rolls, which I believe is the chef's grandmother's recipe. To die for! I had the tuna nicoise salad and the ricotta gnocchi side dish for dinner. The tuna nicoise was very good, fresh and tasty. The only negative thing I would say about the salad was that the tuna was cut in small cubes and got lost in all the other ingredients. I love gnocchi and especially when made with ricotta because they're soft and airy pillows. The James gnocchi was very full of flavor, but not soft pillows like I was expecting, but still delish. My husband had the grilled halibut with haricot verts . The fish was perfectly grilled, moist and tender and the chorizo hash went well with the fish. We'll definitely go back to The James as there's so much more on the menu to explore. I love a restaurant where the service is top notch (thanks Michael) to match the quality of food. I also enjoyed chatting with the general manager Heron and seeing him interact with the customers to make sure their experience was the best. I highly recommend The James. read more

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Atmosphere was pretty, service was great. Went there for lunch and they had some nice options. Opted for a sandwich/salad combo. Both were delicious and portions were good. Definitely will be going back! read more

I can't rate the food because we were seated after the hostess couldn't find our reservation. That's ok, it was settled just fine. Seated promptly and that was it. No water. No waiter/waitress. Not even eye contact from anyone walking around. Nothing. 35 mins passes. Wife and I figured this was our life now. We got up and just left. It was sad. Never had that before. Won't be back, why bother. read more

I had a celebration of life dinner here tonight. I could not have asked for a more perfect evening. The food was outstanding. The room was ideal. we had Aaron as our server and he was extremely attentive. read more

I hardly ever post a restaurant review but I felt compelled to give this restaurant a whole hearted thumbs up. We have now eaten there 3 times - twice for lunch (one of which was to celebrate my birthday) and another time for dinner to celebrate my husband's birthday. All three times have been great. Now I know some reviews have knocked the staff's lack of punctuality. So if you are looking for a fast dinner - this is not your place. This is a very nice, warm, and inviting restaurant where you need to plan on dining leisurely and savoring all their good food and beverages. That said, all three times that we've been there, the wait staff have been wonderful and attentive; even fun to be around. Their lunch menu's half sandwich and salad options are reasonably priced and creative. Just the wedge salad alone is great. We had the Crispy Brie and the Rolls as appetizers and both drew raves from our guests. The prime rib is quite tender and at 16 oz, huge at least for me. But there are other interesting menu items to try. So try it out - at least for beverages and a few appetizers and see what you think. And if you do go, say hi to Mark the waiter, sometimes manager and/or Freddy our waiter for our birthday dinner. Nice when the wait staff is knowledgeable but also have a great attitude and sense of humor. Needless to say - we will be going back. read more

Happen to be in Geneva and we decided to have lunch. Stopped at James and we were seated outside.. hot day. The water person quickly gave us two glasses. He was very quick and helpful - more so than our server - and in fact I actually gave him a cash tip for his efforts. We waited for our server - nothing. Other folks were seated and server appeared... still nada for us. Finally got up and asked hostess - she went and found him. We eventually ordered, both having 1/2 sandwich and salad. Both were excellent. So - food was good - service not so much when you have to go looking for your server... read more

Went to this establishment for New Year's Eve. Food was excellent. Waiter was very knowledgeable of the wine menu. Very nice ambience- loved the decor. Can't wait to come back. read more

Stopped at The James after perusing the lunch menu. We were greeted by our host Avalon who was exceptional. Very warm, friendly and outgoing...she invited us in and made us feel welcome. Quickly seated and server met us in short order. The food was exceptional. Servers were pleasant and attentive. great atmosphere.. Great flavor and good sized portions...we will definitely go back again. Highly recommended read more

The James - Blue Crab Grilled Cheese and fries & Autumn Chicken Sandwich and garden salad - Wine Bars Near Me - Geneva, Illinois

The night began great with our gracious hostess, who brought us to our table in the enclosed patio. It is such a beautiful venue. We were greeted by James Brown, such a kind and warm person. Our serve server was Aaron - and wow- he was fantastic! He has such of a positive vibe and gave great recommendations. We had a couple of the specials of the night and also the Scotch egg and the Wagyu steak. Everything was delicious. We were also visited by Heron, the manager, who is also such a great host. Last, we went to the bar where Rachel served the best drinks and was so personable and all-around fantastic. Last, we do love our bourbon... And Brent recommended James E Pepper bourbon, which was delicious. Everybody here is just so kind and wanting to serve and we recommend The James 100%!!! read more

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Had a late lunch here on a hot day. Sat on the patio and it was quite pleasant. The hostess was wonderful helping us find a table that was outside but not too far away as my mom has trouble walking distances. Our server was also very helpful, allowing us to taste the wines before deciding on a bottle. Everything was quite nice except, sadly, the food...we had the smoky Gouda, the little latke patties, and shrimp and fries. Maybe it was our fault for ordering fried foods. It just wasn't very tasty. Too bad cuz we loved the service... read more

I'd heard mixed reviews about this place but I was pleasantly surprised. We came to celebrate an early Mother's Day and couldn't have had a better experience. We made reservations and were seated promptly when we arrived. The weather was gorgeous so we sat outside on the patio. Our waitress, Margo, was very helpful and attentive. The crispy baby brie was a great appetizer. The pick two was the favorite at the table but I just ordered the beet panzanella salad with shrimp. It was so pretty and flavorful! We finished things off with a slice of the banana cream pie which came with a very generous portion - definitely enough to share! read more

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Honestly, the steak that I got medium was practically well done. The cheese puffs were good, stuffed portabella mushrooms left some to be desired but 4/5. The lavender mocktail was amazing, along with the painless strawberry too. They ran out of a lot of stuff even though it's a Tuesday night and the place was maybe 1/3 full. Wanted to try the sticky bun bread pudding, but that was also out of stock. However what she ended up getting, was the gaslighting that the Bomboloni wasn't raw in the middle, but that it was the mascarpone filling without being fully sure if that was what it was. Even though we all touched it and it felt like batter; Saying that to a table of bakers is crazy. When we were trying to order drinks, one of the girls at the table is deathly allergic to pineapple, she asked for the Passion Mule, was promised that it could be made without pineapple, then leaves for 15 minutes, only to come back after 2/3 drinks ordered arrived to say that the other drink wasn't able to be adjusted and she'd have to get something else. Usually, after the dessert arrives, a wait staff would check to see if it was alright, and refill water or let the table know you'll drop off the tab, but no rush. Waited on water for 20 minutes too, left after drink from my friend's cup since she never filled it. I wasted $60 honestly, not sure what the other girl's tabs were but also wasted our time here. Someone please retrain Denise - Sincerely, a former server of 4 years. read more

Sat outside in a nicely shaded area. Wonderful service and food. Will be coming back again. This is a must do if you want a taste of Geneva. read more

The James - French onion soup. - Wine Bars Near Me - Geneva, Illinois

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My husband and I made reservations for a Saturday evening and arrived a bit early but we were still able to be seated promptly. Our first table we were seated at was crowded by a large table and kind of in an awkward spot so we requested to be moved and our waitress was amazing about the whole thing! After we apologized no less than 5 times; she totally understood and gave us nothing less than phenomenal service our entire meal. The ambiance of our new table was perfect; we sat next to the bar at a high top table in a cozy library-like room. We ordered the hot lobster and shrimp for appetizers and they did not disappoint! They were so good! For our entrees, we both had steaks and they were cooked perfectly to our order. For sides, we ordered mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts and they both were prepared perfectly. Our experience at the James was amazing, and we will undoubtedly return for another meal in the near future. The only thing I regret is not getting our waitresses name so we could personally thank her for the wonderful service she provided throughout our entire experience! read more

We have loved this place since it was Fiora's. The patio is one of the best in the tri cities. The new summer menu is not awesome. I could live on the rolls. But the shrimp cocktail shrimp were overcooked and I ended up eating pieces of tail, the cocktail sauce was more salsa than cocktail. The crab fried rice were scorched crab cake balls on a pureed corn and my husband's medium NY strip was very well done and too much wasted fat and gristle. The service was lovely and the patio is still amazing. I would love to see more vegetarian options and some of the great dishes from last summer back on the menu. read more

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We love this place for its outdoor dining and very tasty food. Today, I asked our waiter about an older menu item that I was trying to replicate at home. He sent out a manager who said, "the chef is going to make the steak sandwiches for you"! "Yes, we said, oh please!" Mind you, on a Sunday, there is no lunch menu (brunch) so this was above and beyond "above and beyond". See what a treasure The James is? read more

Very good! In my culinary tour of Geneva, I'm trying out a bunch of places. Have tried the James twice and found it delightful. The inside appears to be an old home turned into a restaurant, decor is lovely and cozy. Has a fireplace which I would imagine is wonderful in the winter time. Has a patio as well for the summer months. Tried the pick two - the pear and prosciutto sandwich was very good - the one feedback I have is that it had too much oil and that took away from the taste. Otherwise very good, and the French baguette was lovely along with the pear and prosciutto combination. The French bisque was the soup that I picked and it was delicious - taste was just right. Have also tried the arancini which were excellent, as well as the cheese puffs which were ok. It comes with chips but not much of a chip person. The service was attentive. They also have wifi which is nice since I get some work done at lunch prior to heading back to work. Would definitely recommend a stop by the James and would definitely love to try out the patio in the summer! Parking is free on the street. read more

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I went here last night for dinner with a group of coworkers. We had a nice table setup at the front of the restaurant facing the street. It's a beautiful restaurant! I love the ambiance. Our waiter was nice, seemed a bit new, but he was attentive. The appetizers, drinks and entrees were very good! The cheese puffs and focaccia were fantastic. I had the chicken cacciatore and it was delicious. Everyone else had a steak and really enjoyed it. The desserts are massive!! Really the issue we encountered was it took 45-60 mins to get our entrees and the staff tried delivering other people's food to us on two occasions. Very awkward. I hope they speed up their process and staff learn the table numbers. read more