Not All Chatter
Tastes & Tastemakers | Magpie’s Den & Pen
Whether you’re soaking in the ambiance or perusing the menu, there is something comfortably familiar yet uniquely different about Magpie’s Den & Pen, one of Lake Geneva’s newest gathering places. This, according to the managing partners, is by design. In the waning months of 2021, Managing Partners Anthony Silvestri and Tai Serna tied up the loose ends— including the all-important process of collaborating with an investor—and opened the doors to Magpie’s.
“We just sat down, and we started dreaming,” Serna said of the steps that led to developing Magpie’s.
The duo’s dream included meticulous care and attention to detail for what would become the establishment, down to the naming. The “den” portion of the Magpie’s moniker reflects the interior, while the “pen” is a nod to the outdoor accommodations. The lodge-themed establishment is nestled in a high-profile spot in Lake Geneva’s downtown area within a building that has roots stretching back to the early 1970s. Some of the site’s previous occupants include Carvetti’s and The Board Room.
In its relatively brief existence, Magpie’s has gained notoriety. Production crews from the web series, “America’s Best Restaurants”, recently stopped by to film an episode, for which inclusion is based on customer nominations. The episode will air in the Summer of 2024. Magpie’s menu runs the gamut, with a smattering of different options that Silvestri and Serna said are inspired by classic dishes intermingled with their own spin.
“The goal is to do things just a little bit differently,” Serna said. “That way, you’re not getting something you can go and find at five other places.”
The menu includes a number of shareables, such as the Wisconsin-centric garlic cheese curds and a mini meatball dish dressed in marinara sauce, topped with parmesan cheese. Silvestri pointed to the northwoods pickles, which have proven popular with a signature pepperjack cheese and wonton wrapping.
Handheld sandwiches and other fare for meat eaters and vegetarians alike are also a prominent component of the menu. A Smashburger with Magpie’s spin is a popular dish, as is the sausage pepper sandwich, caprese sandwich, and the assorted varieties of street tacos.
Magpie’s has also ventured into several menu items that are so unique they require a dictionary definition to satiate customers’ curiosity. More recently, Silvestri and Serna have been serving up pinsas—Roman-style flatbreads made with rice flour. Speaking of the pinsas, which are served with a pepperoni option and a vegetarian margherita offering, Serna said there was care put into perfecting the technique before it landed on the menu.
“If we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it right,” she said.
On the beverage portion of the menu, Magpie’s offers up a variety of draft and canned beers, with many names that are familiar and others that are newer to the scene. Sixteen beers are on tap at any given time in addition to a seasonal cocktail menu that rotates twice a year. Magpie’s property, noted for its extensive outdoor space, overlooks the White River—a notable attribute that Silvestri and Serna each said sold them on bringing their vision for a unique, comfortable gathering place to Lake Geneva.
“The outdoor space is just amazing,” Serna said. “Essentially, that’s why we fell in love with this place.”
Silvestri hails from Illinois, while Serna grew up nearby in Elkhorn. Together, they bring a full range of professional backgrounds that have been the driving force and key ingredients behind Magpie’s Den & Pen. Silvestri, for instance, has a background in carpentry, while Serna worked in hospitality. Once they acquired the building and property, Silvestri and Serna undertook their metamorphosis of the space, which turned into a complete overhaul. The goal, they said, was to replicate a fun, festive, rustic atmosphere that included a complete revamp of the bar area.
“We’ve had an idea and a vision behind this place,” Serna said. “It’s to become an adult summer camp.”
Magpie’s has become a popular draw for guests of all ages, as Silvestri and Serna said the goal is to offer something for everyone, regardless of their palate or phase in life. Kids are welcome and the outdoor area is deemed dog friendly. Silvestri and Serna said the mission at Magpie’s is to maximize the fun summer vibe throughout as much of the year as possible in the space behind the main indoor building. This is represented through the large multi-level outdoor patio, the pair of outdoor bars, and the firepits.
The flexibility of the outdoor space has also lent itself to a series of large-scale outdoor concerts. The Summer Cool Down Party held in early September, for instance, has been described by Silvestri and Serna as a thank-you to the local community for their unrelenting support and patronage during the busy warm-weathered tourist season.
“The locals love us,” Silvestri said with a smile as he recounts the crowds that have turned out for events.
Community has been an important cornerstone of the business. Serna and Silvestri said their aim to support Lake Geneva causes through Magpie’s whenever possible. In April, for instance, they hosted a local fundraiser to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
Magpie’s also hosts a number of special events, such as the ongoing Truth or Challenge Bingo nights that spotlight charitable causes in the community as well as the Walworth County Reading Project. No matter which space you are in throughout the restaurant, Silvestri and Serna strive to provide patrons with a memorable experience, which entails constant attention to detail and pivots, as necessary.
“It’s a complex system,” Silvestri said. “There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes.”
While Magpie’s represents a new era for a downtown spot that has been a part of Lake Geneva for more than half a century, Serna and Silvestri said they view their brainchild as a continuous work in progress.
“We try to keep it fresh and interesting,” Serna said. “It’s constantly evolving.”
Written by Dave Fidlin | Photography Courtesy of Magpie’s Den & Pen
