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Category: Wisconsin
The sky is the limit for romance at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
Fun heart-shaped opportunities and helicopter rides are all part of Grand Geneva Resort & Spa’s ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Love is in the air in Lake Geneva, WI. Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, a Marcus® Hotels & Resorts property, sets the stage for engagements, anniversaries, and weddings year-round with its beautiful 1,300 acre Wisconsin countryside campus and luxe amenities. While the AAA Four Diamond resort always offers guests several opportunities to make romantic gestures, Grand Geneva offers an even grander experience in celebration of Valentine’s Day.
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa has announced the return of and new addition to its annual whimsical Valentine’s Day offer. During the month of February, those looking for a big romantic gesture can once again book a private helicopter to fly over the resort’s famous heart-shaped pond. Taking this romantic offer to new heights this year, the resort’s special Valentine’s package now includes a dedicated 7-10 minute heart-shaped fireworks display.
These special over-the-top moments in the sky are available through the resort’s “The Sky’s the Limit: Fireworks and Flight Romance Experience at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa.” The package includes two nights of luxury accommodations in the award-winning resort’s largest suite, a helicopter ride for two over Grand Geneva’s famous heart-shaped pond and around beautiful Lake Geneva, a private chef-prepared brunch for two inside one of the resort’s igloos with unlimited Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s and a $200 resort credit to be used towards relaxing WELL Spa + Salon treatments or cozy apparel from White River Gifts. New this year, a personally planned 7-10 minute fireworks display featuring an array of colorful shells, peonies, and hearts. You can’t put a price on love, but the cost of this special offer for sweethearts begins at $8,199.
To make Valentine’s Day weekend even more special, couples and foodie friends who enjoy fun culinary concepts can take advantage of the resort’s new Valentine’s weekend cooking class and dining experiences. On Saturday, February 10, Grand Geneva is hosting a full day of culinary experiences with its special Valentine’s Cooking Class and Dinner Experience at its acclaimed Ristoranté Brissago. Guests will engage in an afternoon Italian cooking class from 1pm-3pm CT with the resort’s Executive Chef Jonathan Gutierrez where they will learn how to prepare dishes such as Strawberry and Tomato Bruschetta, Pistachio Pesto Pappardelle, and Chocolate Tiramisu or a Tiramisu-inspired Cocktail, followed by a special private cocktail hour from 5pm-5:45pm. The evening continues with an exclusive 6-course dinner from 6-8pm featuring dishes such as Roasted Petite Filet and Shrimp, Stuffed Japanese Eggplant and Roasted Mushrooms, and Maca and Avocado Marshmallow. The price of this day-long romantic dining adventure is $250 per person and includes a complimentary couple’s gift bag.
Grand Geneva’s ChopHouse restaurant is also offering a special romantic dinner featuring limited-time dishes. Available February 13 through February 16, this 3-course dinner includes dishes such as Lobster Bisque, Cacao and Porcini Crusted Filet and Shrimp, Pan-seared Halibut and Oysters for $220 per couple.
Valentines who prefer a more low-key celebration can enjoy the resort’s “Love is Grand” package which includes sparkling wine and a $100 resort credit for a one night stay, and $200 resort credit with a two night stay – perfect for enjoying the spa and culinary offerings that Grand Geneva is known for.
For more information on packages, weddings, dining and more, visit grandgeneva.com
Classic Del-Bar Supper Club Celebrates 80 Years with Special Recipes
For those who love supper clubs, then check out The Del-Bar, a supper club in the Wisconsin Dells celebrated their 80th anniversary on June 1st with the release of one of their most popular dishes, Shrimp de Jonghe. A Chicago classic created by the de Jonghe brothers in the late 1800s, Shrimp de Jonghe is one of the most classic of classic supper club dishes and interestingly, for as delicious as it is, is typically served only in the Chicagoland area.
Wisconsin is the epicenter of supper clubs, probably boasting the most in the nation.
Mary Bergin, author of Wisconsin Supper Club Cookbook – Iconic Fare and Nostalgia From Landmark Eateries explains what differentiates a supper club from a restaurant.
It’s not just food and drink, she says. Supper clubs tend to be less about family than couples, lighting can be neon on the outside and dimly lit—or should we say atmospheric inside.
As far as I know there are no chain supper clubs, instead, according to Bergin who is a travel writer and author, they’re locally owned and often have been in the same family for generations. Sure, there are some in big cities, but often they’re in rural, even out-of-the-way places. And they don’t skimp on the food.
Of course, what makes a supper club in Wisconsin might differ in other states, but in the Midwest, it’s more the rule that they offer a friendly atmosphere, making you feel like you belong to—yes, you guessed it—the club.
“I think at a supper club, you immediately feel like you belong,” says Bergin, who is also authored xxx
Del-Bar checks many of the boxes. It was founded Jim and Alice Wimmer, the grandparents of third-generation owners– Amy Wimmer and Anne Stoken. In 1943 the Wimmers bought a roadside diner situated between Baraboo and the Wisconsin Dells (hence the name) that was in actuality a cabin with room enough for six tables.
Jim, a former quarterback for the University of Wisconsin who grew up in rural Wisconsin Dells, was all gung-ho about the buying the place. Alice less so. But he pointed out she had a degree in Domestic Science from the University of Wisconsin and also was a pretty good cook.
And so they took the plunge. Obviously the current restaurant is more than a converted cabin. Designed by James Dresser, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, he designed homes throughout the country but many can be found in Wisconsin including not only Del-Bar but also Fields at the Wilderness, also in the Wisconsin Dells.
Taliesin Preservation describes Dresser’s design of the Del-Bar as featuring {strong geometry in its design, with the triangle as a repeated element, including on the sign out front, which literally points diners into the restaurant. The building’s construction materials also reinforce its connection to nature and the prairie. Exterior stone walls continue inside, giving way to large expanses of glass. The warmth of another natural material, wood, harmonizes with the earth tones of the restaurant’s color palette, which can be found both inside and out. Another design principle James absorbed from Wright, the use of compression and release, is easy to see and feel at the Del-Bar: Intimate, low-ceilinged spaces open to larger, soaring expanses.”
To celebrate 80 years in business, Del-Bar is releasing two recipes including their hot bacon dressing that they serve with their spinach salad and has been on the menu since almost day one.
The Del-Bar’s Hot Bacon Dressing
Serves approximately 20
- 1 pound bacon – cut up and browned(grease drained off)
- 1/2 cup 0nion – chopped and sauteed
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustart
Combine first three ingredients and bring to a boil.
Lower heat to low and add sugar and simmer for a few more minutes.
Turn the heat off and add mayonnaise and mustard.
Stir until dissolved.
The Original Shrimp de Jonghe Recipe:
According to The Del-Bar’s website “As we continue our 80th year celebration, we are excited to reveal the history and recipe for The Del-Bar’s Shrimp de Jonghe recipe. Shrimp de Jonghe has been a staple among Chicago cuisine dating back to the late 1800’s and legend has it that this recipe was acquired at Binyon’s, a famous Chicago restaurant, which held the Original Henri De Jonghe recipe. Second generation Del-Bar owner Jeff Wimmer seized an opportunity to bring a Chicago specialty to the Dells area in the early 70’s and it has been a staple on our menu since then! Enjoy! Or continue to let us do the cooking!
This recipe yields one loaf of de Jonghe Bread which is plenty to cover up to two 9×13 casserole dishes or if you are doing individual ramekins as we do, you will have plenty to freeze and it will keep for a month.
Ingredients:
- 1 load bread- remove crusts, use dough hook in standing mixer to make into crumbs
- 2 1/2 sticks butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 teaspoon dry chives,
- 1 teaspoon dry tarragon
- 2 teaspoon chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon black pepper,
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco
- 1/3 cup garlic
- 1/3 cup shallots
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
Cream butter with the Worcestershire sauce, chives, parsley, black pepper, salt, and Tabasco.
Mince the garlic and shallots with a food processor or by hand.
Then sauté on low heat for five minutes with 1/2 cup butter.
Combine all ingredients into mixer with dough hook.
Form into loaf and refrigerate 24 hours. When ready to assemble, season shrimp with salt and pepper.
Slice de Jonghe bread thin, top shrimp (5 for ramekin size) or fill a casserole dish with shrimp and cover with thin slices of bread.
Brush bread with butter and bake at 450°F for 10 minutes and then broil until bread is browned.
Grand Geneva Resort: Fall fun, frights, and culinary delights
More than a year-round destination for adventure, fun, and relaxation, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin should also be on every serious foodies list as well. That’s because, under the direction of Food & Beverage Director, Nelly Buleje and new Executive Chef Dustin Urbanik, this popular resort is dishing up exceptional seasonal flavors on their new fall menus.
From the resort’s popular elevated Saturday brunch which are focusing on such autumn delights as pumpkin pancakes and fall flavored mimosas to in-house made desserts like apple crumble to seasonal soups and sides such as lobster bisque with Maine lobster sherry, tarragon, lobster brodo, sourdough crisp and caviar; truffle creamed spinach with black truffle, mornay, and farmstead cheese; and rainbow carrots and parsnips with bourbon and maple glaze, the resort and its collection of restaurants are bursting with fall flavors.
There’s also an impressive new fall cocktail menu with selections like Wisconsin Apple Old Fashioned; Smoked Maple Mile; a White Pumpkin cocktail; Espresso S’MORES-tini; and more (check out the fun visuals here). By popular demand, the resort’s seafood boil and Midwestern prime rib roasts will run every Friday and Saturday through November 12.
In addition to the new fall flavors, here are some new autumn offerings and programming guests and families can expect:
- Seasonal outdoor adventures including hiking, biking, an indoor pool and waterpark, horseback riding, championship golf, skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and more.
- One of the best ways to get around and explore the 1,300 acre-campus and beautiful Lake Geneva as well as Wisconsin’s scenic backroads is by the resort’s scooters and new this year, e-bikes. Rent one for a few hours or take a guided tour around the area with. The perfect way to spend an autumn afternoon with family or a group of friends (must be 18+, check out rules here).
- Hayrides and waterslides! The resort campus is also home to Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark. Both Grand Geneva and Timber Ridge offer guests on-site haunted hayrides, haunted barns, apple picking opportunities and seasonal packages. Check out Grand Geneva’s packages here; Timber Ridge packages can be found here.
- Families will also enjoy new programming such as pumpkin painting; DIY caramel apples; excursions to Pearce’s Farm (local farm with fresh produce, kid’s activities and corn maze); and a Grand Escape – the resort’s very own pop up escape room.
Keep an eye on the Wisconsin Fall Color Report for optimal leaf-looking opportunities.
Photos courtesy of Grand Geneva Resort.
Trip Stack Trend: Charming small Midwest towns make great summer destinations
With many eager to use those unused vacation days and ready to travel again, travelers are turning towards trip stacking: booking several trips and experiences over a set of vacation days. And one of the best ways to do this? With a classic American road trip, of course.
With major cities such as Indianapolis and Chicago topping the lists of places to visit in the Midwest, there are several other stop-worthy, under-the-radar cities and destinations that pack a full punch of culture, arts, outdoor experiences, and culinary offerings. Among them, Bloomington, Indiana (3.5 hours from Chicago & 1 hour from Indianapolis) and and Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI (1.5 hours from Chicago & 45 minutes from Milwaukee).
While the city of Bloomington and a stop at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI are perfect side trips on any Midwest trip, they also warrant their own getaway. But for those trip stacking and making stops, here are a few of the many reasons to add these destinations to your Midwest road trip itinerary:
WHY BLOOMINGTON?
That Lake Life.
For those looking for a lake vacation, Bloomington is home to the 10,750-acre Monroe Lake, Indiana’s largest land-bound body of water. Monroe Lake offers visitors everything from boating, beaching, biking, fishing, hiking, campgrounds, and more. It’s one of the Midwest’s best kept secrets for lake getaways.
Bloomington is a foodie-destination worth getting in the car for. This small Midwest city has a global dining scene and is home to over 350+ restaurants. Check out Bloomington’s most iconic restaurants here.
And during the summer, one of the best ways to experience Bloomington’s eclectic atmosphere is dining al fresco on the patio of a local restaurant. With over 100 eateries offering outdoor dining during the warmer months, there are an abundance of choices.
Some of the Midwest’s best art & cultural attractions can be found in Bloomington. From renowned museums, A-list comedy clubs, to historic artwork and artifacts, Bloomington is rich in culture. Check out some of the top attractions here.
For fireworks: Bloomington is one of the best Midwest spots for fireworks and Fourth of July festivities. The city offers several free, public firework displays.
Bloomington has a nightlife scene. The bars and restaurants stay open later in Bloomington than most Midwest cities! Check out underground vibes such as The Root Cellar Lounge, one of Bloomington’s best hidden gems, located in the basement of FARMbloomington.
Under the radar wine destination
In addition to being a cool foodie town it’s great for winos as well. It’s home to the award-winning Oliver Winery, Indiana’s largest and oldest winery, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Bloomington is also home to five breweries, all of which are located in the downtown area. Grab a beer at Function Brewing, The Tap, Switchyard Brewing, Upland Brewpub, or Bloomington Brewing Company (BBC) — for your own beer tasting experience, The Tap, Function, and BBC are all located within a five-block stretch of one-another.
WHY GRAND GENEVA?
Get Outside
Situated on 1,300 acres in the woodlands of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Grand Geneva is an award-winning AAA Four-Diamond resort located 90 minutes from Chicago and 50 minutes from Milwaukee. The hotel has been welcoming guests for more than 25 years, offering some of the finest facilities, accommodations, and dining experiences in the Midwest. The iconic resort has always offered dynamic recreation for guests looking for an escape (or the perfect pit stop), including outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and scooter excursions — in addition to the resort’s two championship 18-hole golf courses, tennis courts, and indoor and outdoor pools. Guests also enjoy the resort’s acclaimed restaurants, award-winning Well Spa + Salon, and expansive fitness center.
For fireworks.
Every Sunday through Labor Day weekend, resort guests enjoy a dazzling Sunday fireworks display. But for those looking to celebrate July 4, Grand Geneva also offers one of the grandest fireworks shows. Guests who stay in a Lake View room can enjoy the fireworks show from their private balcony or patio, while all resort guests can view the show from the resort’s hillside.
Get golfing
This Lake Geneva golf destination is especially known for its two championship golf courses. At over 7,000 yards featuring massive sand traps and prominent water features, the magnificent Brute course is one of the most challenging layouts in the Midwest is considered one of Wisconsin’s best golf courses.
The Highlands is a Scottish-inspired, links-style course, complete with a beautiful landscape of scenic hills, wide open fairways, trickling creeks and lush foliage. This Lake Geneva golf course was originally designed by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus and transformed in 1996 by Bob Cupp. Need to brush up on skills? The resort launched new weekly clinics this year.
Privacy with the perks of a hotel.
For guests seeking a more private getaway, The Villas at Grand Geneva offer luxury vacation rentals with spacious living areas, separate bedrooms, and kitchens. Guests have access to additional resort amenities, including a pool and an outdoor fire pit area reserved for the exclusive use of Villa guests.
A culinary hotspot
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa is home to several award-winning restaurants and cafes. Guests enjoy several different dining experiences including Wisconsin steak dinners, seafood boils, over the top brunches, and more.
And there’s a waterpark
Nestled within the sprawling resort campus, is Grand Geneva’s sister-property, Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark – an all-suite family resort featuring one of the Midwest’s top waterparks.
While in Lake Geneva
Grand Geneva’s concierge can help arrange some of the city’s best experiences such as Lake Geneva Cruise Line, Lake Geneva Balloon Company, Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures and more. The resort also offers discounts for guests on select local attractions.
