Eat Here Now: Opus
Story and photos by Erin Scherer
In a town in which food options are rapidly expanding, Geneva’s Opus remains the premiere spot for brunch and lunch. With its gourmet meals and satisfying pastries, comfortable seating, and downtempo, “chillwave” music from Pandora always playing in the background, Opus manages to create a dining experience unique to downtown Geneva.
Opus began life in 2007 as The Coffee House. Three years later, current owners Heather Tompkins and Chelsey Madia bought the business, re-christened it, and added breakfast and lunch options. Although Tompkins and Madia are natives of the Geneva area, they introduced offerings featuring ingredients that at the time were still foreign to Genevan palates: basil, brie cheese and aioli. Alongside Red Dove Tavern, which also opened in 2007, Opus ushered in Geneva’s foodie renaissance in earnest. Satellite locations at Fox Run Vineyards in Penn Yan and in Seneca Falls have opened and closed, but its original location on Exchange Street in Geneva continues to thrive.
With a Love Geneva loyalty card, you can purchase a small cup of strong coffee (my usual) for as little as $1, as well as receive $2 off of a purchase of $10 or more. My personal favorites are the Breakfast Sandwich, the Breakfast Burrito, and the Bleu Cheese Macaroni and Cheese. They also run daily specials with their paninis and soups, and sell gourmet chocolates. Opus is wonderful if you are looking for a place to get work done (I have written a few EFL articles here), or if you want to meet a friend for a brief lunch.
Open Monday-Friday 7am-4pm, Saturday 8am-4pm, Sunday 9am-2pm
486 Exchange Street, Geneva, 315.759.5388, opusfingerlakes.com
Erin Scherer wrote about Red Newt winemaker (and Geneva resident) Kelby Russell in the current May/June issue of Edible Finger Lakes. She lives in Geneva.
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