Red Geranium - LAKE GENEVA

Believe this restaurant is closed...saw notice in local paper and drove by...parking lot full of snow

We have only been to the Red Geranium in Lake Geneva a couple of times. Both times was for the Friday Fish Fry. When you walk into the place, the first thing you notice is how old the place looks. I read some of the other reviews and people knocking this place because of the decor. In my opinion the decor is part of the appeal of this restaurant. When the hostess brings you to your table, the first thing you notice is the old fashioned wall paper with all of the RED GERANIUMS on it. The other thing is the old fire place and the book shelves with some very old classic books on display. I thought it was a very warm and cozy atmosphere, not an old dingy, outdated place as other people mentioned. As for the food, all I can attest to is the Fish Fry. For $13 all you can eat fried fish with fries or potato pancakes and coleslaw, it's a great deal. The first order comes with 3 pieces of fried white fish and all the fixings, and when you're ready they ask how much more do you want. The second helping comes out just as fast and hot as the first serving. My wife usually gets the fries. They are always hot and crispy. I always get the potato pancakes. I like a little more onion in them but they are still very good. The service has always been very good. We will be back for the Fish Fry, but also to try some of the other offerings.

The service was pleasant, with a friendly waitress, but one member of our group had trouble with her eggs, which the cook couldn’t get right after three attempts. Eventually, we moved on and enjoyed our other meals. While I found the food to be flavorful, I did feel that the prices were a bit steep for such an aged restaurant with unattractive wallpaper. The orange juice tasted like it came from a frozen can with just added water, which was disappointing. The staff was very apologetic about the egg mishap and tried their best to rectify the situation, but it wasn’t enough to make us want to return. The exterior may look decent, but that’s where it ends. I would recommend heading into town for a better dining experience.

The waitress was friendly, but unfortunately, that was the only positive aspect of my experience. I ordered the turkey club for $15, expecting thick slices of carved turkey. Since I don’t eat bacon, I requested it without bacon. What I received was a very small amount of lunch meat-style turkey on overdone, hard toast. One slice was the heel of the bread. My part of the triple-decker had just a thin piece of tomato and a small amount of lettuce—it felt like I was mostly eating bread! They were also quite stingy with the lettuce. The turkey amounted to less than 3 ounces for sure. After expressing my disappointment, I was offered a complimentary dessert. Since I try to avoid unhealthy foods, I chose the sorbet, but that was a letdown too. It seemed freezer-burnt and had icicles in it. Overall, it felt like a rip-off: there were no healthy options, the prices were high, and the food was poorly made. I would have had a much better lunch with a Subway carver sandwich and saved $15!

The food is incredible, though it comes at a bit of a premium! The service is decent, and the restaurant has a lovely atmosphere, but the seating is somewhat creaky and uncomfortable. However, the highlight definitely is the food—absolutely fantastic! Their Fish Fry is also reasonably priced.