FoxFire's Menu Rivals Some of the World's Finest Steak Houses With Style and Grace

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Geneva Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Overview

 FoxFire has all the qualities of a classic Chicago-style steak house but uses its menu to modernize the meat-and-potatoes concept.

Even though their signage clearly cites steaks, chops, and seafood, Foxfire's food talents reach far beyond what would be expected. Their downtown Geneva location makes them an accessible restaurant for a weekday lunch or dinner, and their ambiance is perfect for a special night out. 

Decor

From the outside, you wouldn't guess that the interior soars with vaulted ceilings, showing off original wooden beams dating from the early 1900s. Exposed brick walls, also original to the building, give FoxFire's atmosphere an elegant, yet urban feeling.

The outdoor patio provides a comfortable space for guests to enjoy meals during warmer months. 

The Drinks

FoxFire has a full bar for beer and cocktails, and an extensive wine list. Wines are available by the bottle or glass, and pair well with most menu items. Guests can find bottles of Merlot for around $29 and a house Chardonnay for $24.

Special events can be celebrated with a $180 bottle of high class champagne or a $7 more commonly known Brut. To try a taste before purchasing a bottle, wine flights range from $10 to $14. 

Appetizers

• The classic steak house appetizers are available with items such as shrimp cocktail ($10) and stuffed mushrooms ($7).
• The Asian Calamari ($9) is a fresh twist to the favorite fried appetizer, and comes served with a sweet chili red sauce and Hoisin drizzle.
• The mussels ($10) are imported from the East Coast, sauteed with lemon butter, then accented with French herbs and served with toast points.

Entrees

• Steaks and chops are an obvious choice in this restaurant environment. FoxFire wet-ages all their steaks for at least 25 days, allowing them to achieve full flavor and tenderness. Steaks are sold at market price.
• The prime-rib lover will indulge in the herb-rubbed beef, which is then roasted and served with horseradish cream. Prime rib comes in three sizes; a 12 ounce regular cut ($22), 16 ounce large cut ($26), and the 22 ounce Geneva cut ($33).
• If chicken is more to your liking, the Blackberry and Artichoke Chicken ($25) comes grilled, served over bleu cheese mashed potatoes, and surrounded by artichokes and blackberries. The dish is then finished off with a blackberry reduction sauce.
• For the seafood enthusiast, the Ruby Red Trout ($25) is stuffed with an apricot rice pilaf, pan seared, and then finished with a blood orange reduction. Foxfire also has a nice list of entree sized salads. The Mediterranean Salad ($8) has a delicious flavor combination of Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and hearts of palm. 

Service

FoxFire's service is top notch, with a waitstaff knowledgeable in the menu's wine parings. If the dining room is full you can receive full service sitting at the bar or a table in the lounge area.

Reservations are accepted, but not necessary. Free parking is available in the front or rear of the building. 

Signature Dish

Stuffed Peppers ($18) come two to order and are filled with portabella mushrooms, sweet corn, asparagus, braised spinach, Parmesan, and goat cheese.

• Address: 17 W. State St.
• Chef: Kevin Gillespie
• Cost: $$$