Welcome to Tri-Cities Central, a weekly newsletter highlighting the area’s top stories, local happenings, live music performances and essential community updates in an entertaining, digestible format.
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Openings and closings in the Tri-Cities’ vibrant culinary scene
Thanks to dozens (hundreds?) of quality restaurants, bars, breweries and food trucks, getting a quality meal in St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia is never a struggle.
But a proliferation of recent coverage might suggest that the area has become….a dining destination? Do we deserve that designation?
Let’s review some food-related accolades from the last couple of weeks:
Pomodoro E. Mozzarella in St. Charles was named among the best pizza places in the nation for New York-style pizza by The Washington Post (based on data from Yelp, so you know it wasn’t pay-to-play).
Chris Curren, Chef at The Graceful Ordinary in St. Charles, was featured on WGN News as part of its coverage of Chicago Gourmet Hamburger Hop.
Fox Valley Magazine published a favorable writeup on B.A.S.H., Geneva’s new-ish hotspot for burgers, sushi and other eclectic dishes.
This comes on the heels of notable recent additions to Geneva’s dining scene, including The James and Ella’s, with the upscale Mandrake expected to soon join them on the Third Street strip in the former Chianti's Ristorante building.
It’s not all ribbon cuttings, though. In the highly competitive and cyclical restaurant world, departures inevitably accompany new arrivals — one of those being The Patten House in Geneva, which has announced that it will close.
The popular New Orleans-style restaurant recently made the announcement via its Facebook page, stating:
“After 10 years of proudly serving our community, the time has come to close this wonderful chapter of our lives. Reviving this beautiful, historic property and sharing our home with all of you has been a great honor and privilege. Thank you all for your unwavering support and patronage. We have celebrated so many special moments together, you are forever in our hearts. Good friends never say goodbye, they simply say ‘See you Soon’.”
So far, a closing date has yet to be determined (to my knowledge). With Sergio’s Cantina and Osteria Bigolaro recently closing up shop, expect the restaurant turnover in Geneva to continue — beginning with ZaZa Pizzeria sliding into the old Osteria location before the end of the year.
And the former Little Owl location across the street from Sergio’s? That’ll soon be Tapville Geneva.
🎸 Live music
*Below I’ve included “listed” start/end times — actual play times tend to vary. The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee.
Tuesday (9/26) ⬇️
✔️ Barley Priest: Preservation | Geneva | 6-9PM | Event info + video
Wednesday (9/27) ⬇️
✔️ Matt Green: 93 Octane Brewing | St. Charles | 6-9PM
✔️ Bobby K: Flagship on the Fox | St. Charles | 6-9PM
✔️ Afternoon Logic: Whiskey Bend | St. Charles | 6:30-9:30PM | Band info
🎟️ Songs Illuminated: Gerald Dowd: Moonlight Theatre | St. Charles | 7-9PM | Event info
Thursday (9/28) ⬇️
✔️ Riley Bros Duo: Flagship on the Fox | St. Charles | 4-7PM
✔️ Peter Miletic: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info
✔️ Jake Mack: Preservation | Geneva | 6-9PM | Event info + video
🎟️ Geoff Tate: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 7:00M | Event info
✔️ Ethan Larson: The Office | St. Charles | 6:30-9:30PM | Musician info
✔️ PBJ: EvenFlow | Geneva | 8PM
Friday (9/29) ⬇️
✔️ The Dog & Pony Show: Brother Chimp Brewing | Batavia | 6-9PM | Musician info
✔️ Jim Green: Art History Brewing | Geneva | 5-9PM | Musician info (Hint: Biker Dude Burgers will be there, too!)
🎟️ Billy Joel & Elton John Nite with Chicago’s Own Piano Man Band: Club Arcada | St. Charles | 8:30PM | Event info
🎟️ Hotel California - An Eagles Salute: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 8:00PM | Event info
✔️ Sam Wyatt: Bar Evolution | Batavia | 8:30-11:30PM
✔️ Michael Rawls: The Wine Exchange | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Musician info
✔️ Frankie Smiles: Geneva Winery | Geneva | 6-9PM | Event info
✔️ Cheryl Rodey: Sturdy Shelter Brewing | Batavia | 7PM | Musician info
✔️ Fiddleface: Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 8-10PM | Event info | Band info
✔️ Steve Bores: Whiskey Bend | St. Charles | 4-6PM | Musician info
✔️ Chicago Mule: Preservation | Geneva | 6:30-10PM | Event info + video
✔️ Johnny Burnett: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info
🎟️ Reely Dan: A Tribute to Steely Dan: Moonlight Theatre | St. Charles | 7:30-9:30PM | Event info
✔️ Jacquelyn Vale: The James | Geneva | 7-10PM | Musician info
🎟️ Lounge Puppets: EvenFlow | Geneva | 9PM | Band info
Saturday (9/30) ⬇️
✔️ Matt Keen: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 2-5PM | Musician info
✔️ Daniel Izaaks: Geneva Winery | Geneva | 6-9PM | Event info
✔️ Nacho Cheese: Bar Evolution | Batavia | 8:30-11:30PM
✔️ Stephen Bores: Preservation | Geneva | 6:30-10PM | Event info + video
✔️ A Place for Us Musical Evening: Sturdy Shelter Brewing | Batavia | 5-7PM
✔️ Tom Linsk: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info
🎟️ Mock Star Band: EvenFlow | Geneva | 7PM | Band info
✔️ The Nite Hawks: The James | Geneva | 7-10PM | Band info
✔️ Eric Berglind: 93 Octane Brewing | St. Charles |1-4PM
✔️ Bob Oddo Live: Art History Brewing | Geneva | 3-8PM | Event info | + food truck
✔️ Jim Pedicone Band: The Wine Exchange | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Musician info
✔️ Nicole Devine: Riverlands Brewing | St. Charles | 5-8PM | Event info
✔️ Jim Green & Elgin Foster: D and G Brewing | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Event info
Sunday (10/1) ⬇️
✔️ Sam Wyatt: Art History Brewing | Geneva | 3-6PM (part of a Bears game “afterparty”…a chance to drink away the shame)
✔️ Blue Grass Sunday | Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 4-7PM | Event info
✔️ Willard Wilcox: Preservation | Geneva | 1-4PM | Event info + video
✔️ Andi Balloun: Geneva Winery | Geneva | 2-5PM | Event info
✔️ Harold Dawson: The James | Geneva | 11AM-2PM | Musician info
Other Notes
McNally’s Irish Pub in St. Charles will have live music from 4-7PM out on the patio every Sunday until the weather starts to suck. Performers TBD.
Confirmed with Pal Joey’s in Batavia that live music on the riverfront patio is done for the season.
📰 News to use
The 🔒 icon indicates a potential paywall.
🔒 Not your father’s farm: An interesting piece in the Daily Herald about how advancements in farming technology may be drawing Kane County families back into the industry.
☑️ Shot down: Geneva City Council members unanimously rejected an electric substation construction bid last week.
☑️ A worthwhile investment: The Batavia School Board adopted a $130 million tentative budget for the 2024 school (including new floors for the high school weight room 🏋️♀️)
☑️ Hitting the airwaves: On Thursday, WGN Radio will showcase St. Charles on “Your Hometown”, a daylong in-depth feature highlighting people, places, businesses and fun facts about a local town.
☑️ Choo-choo news: The outbound platform at the Geneva train station will be closed for rehabilitation starting Monday, October 9 through the end of 2024. Riders will need to use a temporary platform located east of Third Street during that time.
☑️ More choo-choo news: Steer clear of the Route 31 underpass in Geneva on September 30 (it’ll be closed as Union Pacific repairs the train bridge).
☑️ Streets & sanitation: During the first week of October, the City of St. Charles is conducting a smoke testing program to identify locations where stormwater is entering the sanitary sewer system.
🏘️ In the community
☑️ Use your voice: Wanna help guide the future direction of Geneva? Complete the City’s Community Survey by October 1 — results will be used to update the City’s 2025 Strategic Plan.
☑️ Cycling forward: Batavia City Council moved to replace the town’s bicycle commission with the “Active Transportation Advisory Commission,” which now includes bicyclists, pedestrians and public transportation.
☑️ Geneva Chamber Challenge: Thursday marks your chance to give back to the community — simply visit this site on that day, choose a local non-profit to support, and make a donation. Bonus: some participants will win prizes.
☑️ Plant a tree (or two): With Batavia’s Parkway Tree Program, you can split the cost of planting and mulching a new tree 50/50 with the city. The program is now open.
🎈 Special events
🎟️ The Graceful Ordinary & Barr Hill Bee's Knees Dinner Collab
Monday, 9/25 | 5PM | Downtown Historic District | St. Charles
Bees — it’s easy to overlook their importance. But these little pollinators have a huge impact on local biodiversity, ecosystem health and even food production. Celebrate (and help save) our bees and chat with a professional beekeeper at this happy hour + appetizers + education event. More info
Covenant Living at the Holmstad Annual Bazaar
Saturday, 9/30 | 9AM-3PM | Covenant Living Holmstad | Batavia
Check out the 45th Holmstad Bazaar to discover handcrafted gifts and other unique items, all for a good cause — 75 percent of the proceeds will be donated. More info
Kane County Flea Market
Saturday 9/30 from 12-5PM & Sunday 10/1 from 7AM-4PM | Kane County Fairgrounds | St. Charles
You never know what you’ll find at “the mother of all flea markets.” Rare collectibles, one-of-a-kind antiques, great deals on furniture — it’s all yours for the perusing and picking. More info
Flag Day Monument Gala
Saturday, 9/30 | 6-11PM | Peg Bond Center | Batavia
Following a seven-year fundraising effort and a year of construction, be one of the first to see the Flag Day Monument. The event includes a catered dinner, a live auction and live music performances. More info
🏗️ Development projects
Batavia
Drivers take notice: Pretty soon, you’ll need to pay extra attention when navigating North River Street — it’ll be one-way between State and Wilson. The Wilson Street intersection is now closed for the final stages of construction.
Geneva
Historic landmark: On Tuesday, City Council will hear an appeal for the 4 E. State Street Demolition and De-Designation proposal, which will determine the fate of the much-debated 1843 limestone blacksmith shop.
EV charging: On Thursday, the Planning & Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on proposed text amendments related to electric vehicle charging stations.
The home stretch: City Council will consider the P & Z Commission's recommendation for approval of the Roosevelt - Great Western Flooring project a week from today.
St. Charles
Downtown project on track: According to city officials, the ongoing redevelopment of First Street Plaza should be completed by the end of the year as planned. Nevertheless, the city is hoping for donations from residents to bolster its efforts.
📲 Pro tip: If you want to save some of these links for later reading, try using Pocket, a free app that’ll save and organize articles across your devices.
☀️ Local weather snapshot
Today: High 76F | Low 61F | Warm n’ stormy
Tuesday: High 71F | Low 60F | Less warm, still stormy
Wednesday: High 67F | Low 58F | 3 straight days of rain!?
Thursday: High 70F | Low 56F | Ah, there’s some sun
Friday: High 76F | Low 55F | Beautiful autumn Friday
Saturday: High 80F | Low 60F | Idyllic with a few clouds
Sunday: High 81F | Low 59F | Summer in October
What’d you think of this issue?
🔥 Loved it, keep up the good work [this]
😐 Better than the Bears, at least [this]
🛑 3 minutes I’ll never get back [this]
📖 Thanks for reading
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