Preservation — Restaurant in Geneva Township

Nestled in the heart of Geneva, Illinois, Reservations Restaurant offers a delightful culinary experience that pleasantly surprised me during my recent visit.

After indulging in a relaxing massage nearby, I stumbled upon this gem, intrigued by its popularity and stellar online reputation. Stepping inside, I was immediately captivated by the cool, open-air concept and the soulful tunes of a talented live singer, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening.

The menu, boasting an array of small plates, promised a culinary adventure, and it certainly delivered. We kicked off our meal with the lamb skewers and the intriguing combination of Asparagus and Lemon Whipped Ricotta on Apple Slices. While the latter bordered on dessert-like, its presentation was impeccable. The lamb skewers, however, stole the spotlight with their robust flavors and succulent texture, leaving us craving for more.

Eager to explore further, we dove into additional appetizers, opting for the Spanish Garlic Shrimp and the beef skewers. Although the beef skewers were slightly overshadowed by the potent mustard, they still offered a burst of flavor that tantalized the taste buds. However, it was the Spanish Garlic Shrimp that emerged as the undisputed star of the show, perfectly marrying garlic-infused goodness with tender shrimp, creating a symphony of flavors that lingered long after the last bite.

Overall, Reservations Restaurant proved to be a delightful culinary haven, blending inventive small plates with a vibrant ambiance and top-notch live entertainment. While there were minor hiccups along the way, the overall experience left a lasting impression, making it a destination worth revisiting. Whether you're seeking a casual night out or a special occasion celebration, Reservations Restaurant promises to satisfy your cravings and ignite...

The Geneva Christmas Walk brings hordes of people, and long lines and waits at the restaurants along 3rd St. A sign on the front window of Preservation said "see host down the alley for seating". Amazingly,our foursome was seated immediately. Our server was genial, knowledgeable, and extremely competent. Cocktails arrived quickly. I chose a mezcal reposado, smooth and delicious. The apple cider sangria was a hit with my wife and daughter. We began with the Spanish olive mix, the European cheese plate, and the charcuterie. All three disappeared quickly, along with a second round of cocktails. All four of us chose "small plates", from a menu that was eclectic, and tempting. But our server knew her menu well, and was able to answer every question we put to her. And our choices definitely met our expectations. My spinach and crispy duck breast salad was unique, and very good. My wife raved about her lamb sliders on housemade focaccia rounds. She described them as "perfectly grilled" lamb medallions with pepper jam and feta cheese. Our daughter described her wild mushroom tart as "soooo good!" Her boyfriend rounded out our choices with "really delicious" baguette smoked Cubano - smoked pork loin, and smoked pork shoulder, with Swiss cheese and homemade pickles on crispy baguette bread. We topped off this truly satisfying meal with apple bread pudding. A different take on bread pudding that was French toast like, with delicious cinnamon apples, caramel sauce, crispy-crunchy roasted pecans, and bathed in a bourbon creme fraiche. Geneva is flush with good restaurants. We've been to a lot them. But there is no doubt we'll return to...

It was a Friday night, perfect weather for sitting outside. I made a reservation for 2 for outside. We were marched to a table INSIDE right next to the front door. No thanks. I had to chase the hostess back to the alley and say, "I don't want to sit inside, I made the reservation for outside." Green tank top with a brunette ponytail snapped at me saying, "We don't have available tables outside!!" Well, then I'm not staying here. The nice girl standing next to her said, "Oh yes, we do have a table". Great! We were seated at a table for 6 which was weird since it was so busy. Green tank top stormed over right after the came, then chastised us because it was only 2 of us and the reservation was for 4. NO, again, I made a reservation for TWO OUTSIDE. So she made us move then said she was going to comp my friend's asparagus, which she didn't. Our server was also rude! Didn't refill water and was slow to get a second drink. She kept walking right past our table then standing at the bar. It was like we were bothering her. Then miraculously they could see us and were quick to try and clear our plates even though we were still eating. I work hard for my money. When I go out I want to relax and have a nice time, not be annoyed or angered. The food tasted good, but was not freshly prepared. The sauce on the plate had that sitting out film over the top. I've been here before COVID, but don't remember the service being this terrible. I was sorry I...