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News About The French Country Inn

Lake Geneva offers small-town sophistication

By ELIZABETH ANN HULICK
Special to the Journal Sentinel
Posted: June 24, 2006

About three miles west of Lake Geneva on Highway 50, slow down and look for West End Road, the discreet lane that leads you on down through a canopy of trees to the French Country Inn. The breakfast, included in the price of the room, is taken in the dining room of Kirsch's, and guests have their own table. The buffet is a full-bodied assortment of delicious breakfast foods with a tranquil prospect on Lake Como, and friendly, attentive servers bringing coffee, tea and juices.

Rooms at the inn are havens of tranquility and are set so close to Lake Como that you could skip a stone from your balcony. The décor offers muted tones of creamy colors. There are three buildings on site with progressively grander rooms and suites. Particularly notable were the two deluxe luxury suites and, in the L'Auberge Building, a whirlpool in a separate loft overlooking the lake.

The inn was once a 10-room drive-up style hotel where guests parked in front of their rooms, but since Tony Navilo took ownership some 20 years ago, he expanded the main building and built two others for a total of more than 30 rooms. The three buildings increase in grandeur, and the ensemble makes for a truly enchanting setting. The Danish Building from Chicago's 1893 World's Fair was moved here and now houses Kirsch's restaurant and the main lobby.
Divine place to dine

At Kirsch's, the energy and creativity of the chef stand out. There was the caramelized Maui onion soup with Kahlua pig that was just plain fabulous, as was the chili-seared Hawaiian ono (tuna) fillet with mango salsa and purple basil, the Parmesan-crusted calamari - my personal favorite - then the Shrimp Brianna - all topped off with a chocolate volcano cake.

The place was packed, so make reservations.

While eating on the patio, I was able to meet and chat with Bogan, the chef, who always comes out of the kitchen to greet the guests, many of whom are regulars. The sunset toast, glasses raised by everyone on the patio - at precisely sunset across Lake Como - gives everyone a moment of pause and togetherness during this nightly tradition.

source: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=440076

If you go ...

Published August 14, 2005 - Chicago Tribune

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONLY ONE MEAL

Kirsch's, in the French Country Inn (262-245-5756; www.kirschs.com). Exciting food—call it Hawaiian (already a cultural mix) edged in French—served with zero pretense in a lakeside atmosphere that feels like you're on vacation. Isn't that the idea?

source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-050814lakegenevago,1,3703387.story?coll=chi-900siteindex-fea

The Quick Getaway

By Sharyn Alden- Madison Magazine August 2006

The Lake Geneva you never knew

Everyone's familiar to some extent with the Geneva Lakes area. But you may not know one of my favorite getaways - The French Country Inn, a fine water's edge restaurant, lodge and former gangster getaway.

Back in the 1920s, dapper Chicago gangsters, including "Scarface" Capone, George "Bugs" Moran, Jack "Machine Gun" McGurn and John Dillinger, drove north for their rest and relaxation, away from the pressures of Prohibition. One of the hideaway retreats was the Lake Como Hotel, now The French Country Inn. Locals tell stories about an underground speakeasy called the Sewer, and the secret tunnels that connected to the building for fast getaways. That hideaway feeling is still evident. Practically invisible from the street, the only way in is via a narrow wooded road.

In 1986 the resort was purchased by the Navilio family, who completely revamped it and gave it an elegant European flavor. The main guesthouse was shipped from Denmark at the turn of the century and is a masterpiece of Danish craftsmanship. It originally was showcased at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. The 24-room inn has superb accommodations all in the name of pampering.

Kirsch's, the inn's smartly appointed restaurant, offers award-winning dinner entrees, including chateaubriand and Chilean sea bass. The restaurant also puts on a wonderful brunch. Reservations recommended. For more information, call The French Country Inn at (414) 245-5220.