The Brand New Restaurant In Illinois That Locals Can't Get Enough Of
By Linze Rice|Published November 27, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Food is a huge part of everyday life — not only for the obvious fact that it provides sustenance, but it’s also a way to express culture and learn about new flavors and traditions. Fortunately, the food in Illinois is pretty amazing — my town alone has everything from Czech cuisine to wood-fired pizza to succulent sushi. And while Illinoisans have varied tastes, I think we can all agree on one thing our state does extremely well: pizza. And if that’s your jam, then the best new restaurant in Geneva, Illinois is definitely a place you’ll want to check out.
Ella's Italian Pub, 407 S. 3rd St., opened in May 2023 right downtown in the charming suburb of Geneva. Located on a historic street and surrounded by lush, tall trees — plus a Chicago-bound Metra stop — Ella's Italian Pub has quickly embedded itself in the idyllic community.
Inside, its dining room is warm, simple, and elegant with small touches of luxury throughout. It's a great place for a date night, a friend gathering, or a meal with the family.
The restaurant specializes in Roman-style pizzas and has become known for its unique dough-making process. At Ella's Italian Pub, dough is made over three days before being finished with a double-bake method that results in an exceptionally fluffy, yet crispy, crust, perfect for a pizza.
The Roman-style pan pizzas come in an 8-inch by 12-inch pan with at least 13 signature options — including Wild Mushroom + Truffle, Prosciutto + Arugula + Burrata, Charred Pepperoni, and Ella's House Pie, which combines garlic, herbs, and olive oil with a house cheese blend, fresh mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, zucchini, mint, hot honey, and lemon oil.
Customers also rave about the diner's salad offerings. As a salad lover, I always appreciate a lighter option that's still packed with protein and flavor. The Salmon Quinoa salad, pictured here, has a base of greens with basil, mint, mango, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, quinoa, and a lemon basil vinaigrette.
Ella's Italian Pub has a dinner menu, lunch menu, limited lunch pizza specials, a weekday happy hour from 3-6 p.m., a late-night happy hour on Fridays and Saturdays, and family meals to-go. They're also a game-day watching destination, which pairs great with the restaurant's substantial bar snacks, pizzas, and bigger plates, like pasta and beef short rib.
If various combinations of bread, cheese, sauces, and spreads are your thing, you'll love the bar snacks here. From whipped feta and focaccia bread, to hummus and veggies, to onion dip and house chips, to delicious meatball sliders, there's more than enough here to keep you satisfied.
Of course, don't forget a delicious drink! Flowing with wine, beer, and cocktails (including non-alcoholic options), there's something here for every palette.
