Lemon Tree Grocer

Lemon Tree Grocer's Anniversary Fun!!

2011-08-05T10:57:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Anniversary to us...and most importantly; thanks to all of you who have contributed to this moment's existence! We have some pretty amazing contests, giveaways, and more starting August 13th at Lemon Tree Grocer and Zest!

Here go's: Starting August 13th, make sure your are checking Lemon Tree's Facebook & following us on Twitter to win the fabulous gifts we're going to give away..trust us; this is one anniversary you don't want to forget ;)

Would you like a sneak peak into our 1st Anniversary- how about the Kid's Drawing Contest where your children can win a GROCERY BAG filled with Lemon Tree treats!! Also, we're having a Scavenger Hunt throughout the store , and that is all we can say..(well besides the prizes are far from Lemons..haha)

So, make sure you have our Facebook & Twitter pages bookmarked starting August 13th...you won't regret it!

Lemon Tree Grocer & Zest's Gallery of Treasures!

2011-07-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

We thought it would be nice to share some of our new pictures with you from all the tastings, Beer Geek Tuesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, etc. So please peruse the photos, and let us know what you think? (You never know- you might actually be in them) How far have we come since Lemon Tree Grocer & Zest's opening days? You tell us! (A special thanks to Nancy Dunlop for the amazing photos)

Lemon Tree Grocer's Next Contest!!

2011-07-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

Have you ever considered how many grocery items may have the word "Lemon" in them? If you haven't then you should be ashamed of yourself...just kidding, but there's no better time to know than this upcoming week!

Ready for Lemon Tree Grocer's next contest everyone? Here goes: Starting this coming Monday (7/25) until Friday (7/29)- when you come into Lemon Tree Grocer you must find at least 4 items that have the word "Lemon" in them. (Clue: there are 11) When you do that, let Brittany or Rae know, and you will receive 10% off your entire grocery purchase...and....wait for it: a lemon ;)

There's 11 products with the word "Lemon" in them, and we only want you to find 4 of them to get 10% off your entire grocery purchase. So, give yourself a bit of extra time to have a glass of wine or a beer, bring a friend, and start hunting for the "Lemon" products! How many winners do you think we'll have? Only time will tell....See you next week!

Congrats to Lemon Tree Grocer's Local Business of the Month: Gabby's Gifts!

2011-07-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

So, each month we promote a different local business of the month, and we are proud to announce this months is Gabby's Gifts! Congrats!!

Gabby's Gifts is an amazing gift store that was voted Favorite Shop in the West Suburban Living Magazine 2010/11- Honorable Mention! Well, that must mean they have some really amazing gifts..let's take a peak!

They have everything from "limited" flexible Vapur Anti-Bottles to owl pillows. If you're looking for an Endless Fun Pocket Mirror, or even a Too-Late watch; Gabby's Gifts has it! If you aren't in the neighborhood, and you're really yearning for that owl pillow: you can even purchase it online!

So, now that we've given you a mini-tour of Gabby's Gifts, we'll leave it up to you to go back to the items that had your heart racing!

Lemon Tree Grocer's Newest Charity: American Cancer Society!

2011-07-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

So, Lemon Tree Grocer is welcoming the month of July in; which hopefully means a lot more sun annnnnnnnd a new charity we're giving our hard earned To-Go tips to: American Cancer Society!

As we bring in the American Cancer Society we would like to thank Evan's Life Foundation (which helps at-risk youth)! We raised $550 for them, and we hope to continuously raise more money for each charity as we venture forward on this amazing journey!

How do we pick our charities you ask? Well it's simple: Deanna came up with this fabulous idea, so she went first. Then we'll go through the entire Lemon Tree staff, Zest staff, etc. Who knows- maybe we'll even have a contest for our Lemon Tree fans to choose a charity in the long run!

Until then, just know every time you show appreciation at the To-Go counter this month American Cancer Society will benefit! We'll be sure to keep you posted on the charities to come at the Lemon Tree Grocer!

Lemon Tree Grocer has your Independence Day Weekend Needs!

2011-07-01T10:54:00.001-07:00

It's here, and we're ready: 4th of July Weekend people! We have so many of your favorite items on sale so you can have the perfect party, BBQ, or outing!

Niman Ranch strip steaks & boneless pork chops to satisfy the carniverous taste buds, along with Boars Head hot dogs & ham...booyah!

What about for you non-meat eaters: how about some Atlantic Salmon Fillets for ya? Also, we have a major produce sale in the house right now: pineapple, tomatoes, potatoes, seedless watermelon, strawberries! If you're curious of the pricing for animal or non-animal eaters: click here!

With all the samples & new products we have right now at Lemon Tree Grocer & Zest: you're sure to find some stand-out items for your party weekend!

On behalf of Lemon Tree Grocer & Zest- we want to wish you a happy & safe 4th of July Weekend! Please, don't forget Zest will be closed on Monday, the 4th & we will shut Lemon Tree's doors promptly at 3pm!

Lemon Tree Grocer is proud to be part of GroveFest 2011!

2011-06-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

GroveFest is here-will you be? Lemon Tree Grocer is super excited to take part in it this year, and we have so much to offer you; so please stop by and say hi!

We have Yuriy handing out some nice and tasty Boars Head beef franks along with sandwiches and more from our deli cart. If you're looking for a nice deli experience; stop by and say hello to Yuriy as he will feed the need.

Then we have Tim and Mike handing out some more of Lemon Tree Grocer's meat samples! If you taste something you like (rest assured we know you will); head on into Lemon Tree to purchase your meats galore!

Finally, we are having some really exciting tastings, and Brittany has made sure to get some amazing local products in just for you! Katherine Anne Confections Caramels, Ivy Upper Crust Granola Bars, Lark Cookies, Next Organic Chocolate Covered Fruits, and Jeni's Ice Cream.

So, as you see we have a lot going on this weekend at the Lemon Tree Grocer! After you get off the rides, work up an appetite from all that walking, or if you just want to say hello- we'll be here!

Happy Father's Day from Lemon Tree Grocer!

2011-06-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

Not sure about you, yet Father's Day is always a great holiday! Dads just want to grill, chill, and drink some brew (yeah sorry we couldn't keep up the rhyme) So, if you haven't set your grills in stone yet, then get over to Lemon Tree Grocer for our Father's Day Cookout!

Lemon Tree Grocer has an entire schedule filled with a bit of grilling education from Owner Tim Canning himself, a dunk tank to shut the trap of loud parents and children;), and best of all (think about those Monday night burgers that you all love so much) Niman Ranch will be not only supplying the grilled products...wait for it...Steve Heun the Niman Ranch Hog Farmer will be here to educate us as well!

This costs everyone a whopping nada, no reservations, and you get 10% off your spirits for the rest of the month!! (Who can argue with that) Aw yeah!

Last but not least, if you didn't have a moment (or you just plain forgot- we won't tell) to pick up a gift for pops; Lemon Tree Grocer has some great gift ideas you can sneak in and pick up while Dad is learning about open flame cooking!

Let's do this people; Sunday, Lemon Tree Grocer/Zest, starts at 10:15am, and don't forget: Happy Father's Day!!!!

Are you in the know at Lemon Tree Grocer?

2011-06-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

Who is happy that summer is here? Don't you like when it's 90 degrees then 50? Let's put it this way: It wouldn't be the Midwest without it!

Lemon Tree Grocer has sooo much going on this summer; that you won't want to miss out! If you check the June Newsletter it will keep you up-to-date, and don't forget our Facebook and Twitter Pages will always let you know the latest and greatest about everything!

The Produce Sale we are having right now at Lemon Tree is pretty amazing we'd like to think, and we know we keep teasing you with our scrumptious & delicious freshly baked pastries!

The point is; if you want to be in the know- you must be a fan or follower of the Lemon Tree Grocer pages! It is the only way you will get in on our contests, giveways, and last minute surprises!

Thanks for all the fans & followers out there for supporting Lemon Tree Grocer! We'll say it a million times: we wouldn't be the establishment we are without every one of you! (Now take a look at some of these yummy pics)

Would You Like Some Extra Money to Spend at Lemon Tree?

2011-06-03T09:19:00.000-07:00

So, we're really excited for every single one of our fans, and we want to thank you for all the support you have given Lemon Tree since we've opened. You are the reason why Lemon Tree was chosen by the Downers Grove Junior Women's Club as the Local Business of the Year!!!!

How does winning some extra cash for Lemon Tree Grocer sound as a thank you? We thought you'd like that, so here's the deal: we really would like to reach 2500 Facebook Fans, and we'd appreciate your help;)

All we're asking is that you share Lemon Tree with your local friends, family, neighbors, etc that aren't already fans of the Lemon Tree Grocer Facebook Page! This way they can be as informed as you are about contests, tastings, special events, giveaways, and more! We know our fans like to share, and so do we! So, lets continue to make Downers Grove the place to be!

We want to thank everyone in advance, and can't wait to give out some extra Lemon Tree cash to help you purchase whatever your heart desires!

P.S. We hope you like some of the pictures from our "Swine, Wine, and Hops Dinner" with Ari Weinzweig!

Memorial Day Goodies at Lemon Tree Grocer!

2011-05-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

What are your plans for this Memorial Day weekend? Let's hope that this summer weather finally shines through and we can do all the fun outdoorsy activities we've been planning for the past month ;p

Whether you're heading to a friend's cabin, throwing a big bbq, sitting out by the pool, or just having a social gathering with some friends: you're going to need tasty food & beverages! What better place than Lemon Tree Grocer to fulfill these needs?

Make sure you stop by the deli and see Yuriy for the amazing deals we have on Boars Head meat, and you can even ask for your favorite sandwich prepared right then and there! Plus, we have super sales on grocery items (only this weekend) that Brittney would love to direct you to.

If you're doing any kind of barbecuing- you must see Meat Mike for the best meat in town to slap on that grill, and then you should definitely feed the sweet tooth by picking up some pastries from Anne (we know those pictures have you drooling).

Finally, who can have a fiesta without the booze? Don't forget to see Ryan if beer is on the brain, and Melissa if you want to stick your pinky in the air while swirling some tasteful wine around those gums!

If this sounds like too much for you- just cater the darn thing! Let Stephanie know you want us to do all the work while you sit back and relax.

See; we have unlimited options for you to enjoy that extra day of fun...See you this weekend!

"Swine, Wine, & Hops" with Best Selling Author, Ari Weinzweig

2011-05-19T10:43:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard yet, or can't tell by the Blog title: Ari Weinzweig of the famous Zingerman's of Ann Arbor, Michigan will be entering the Downers Grove area next Tuesday, May 24th for the awaited "Swine, Wine, & Hops" Event! He'll be at Lemon Tree Grocer/Zest allowing you to dine on 5-course bacon inspired meal comprised of recipes featured in Ari’s acclaimed “Zingerman's Guide to Better Bacon” and creations by Head Chef and Restaurateur Tim Canning.

What more can you ask for from this James Beard Award winning man? He's going to sign autographs, let us pick his brain, and more importantly- we get to eat BACON!

If you hurry- you can still get tickets to this exquisite event for only $42 and the optional beer pairing for just $18! The information is all right here at "Bacon Lovers Unite"

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so you better get on the Zingerman bus, or you just might regret that you missed "Swine, Wine, & Hops" To get your tickets before they're all gone; please, make sure you call 630.969.9869 ASAP & talk to anyone at Zest!

Gotta run; time to prepare for Baconmania!

Downtown Downers Grove Farmers Market

2011-05-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

Who stopped by the opening of the Downtown Downers Grove Farmers Market last Saturday? We're hoping it will be a bit nicer this weekend than last, yet who's to stop you from purchasing items from your local amazing stores..

The Downers Grove Farmers Market is described as: "Open air seasonal community market offering more than 15 vendors selling fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, perennials, cheese, vinegars, bath/body oils, organic bread/baked goods, spices, crafts and many other items. This market is open annually from mid-June to mid-October."

Make sure to stop by the Lemon Tree Grocer tent, and say hello. We will have different items each weekend for you to purchase, so you will always be surprised! Also, keep us posted on the items you love, like, and want to see more of. We're always looking to keep you happy with the selections we have available at the Farmers Market & in our store!

See you this Saturday, May 14th for Round 2 of the Downers Grove Farmers Market! Oh, and thanks to @MayorTully for the great photo-op!

Win Mother's Day Brunch at Zest...

2011-05-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

Who believes their mother, sister, wife, aunt, girlfriend, grandma, (whatever she is to you as long as she's a mom) deserves some extra attention and pampering this Mother's Day?

We at Zest certainly do; which is why we're giving away BRUNCH FOR TWO! The contest is really simple, yet you only have until tomorrow to get your entry in. Write a post on our Lemon Tree Grocer Facebook wall of why you think your mother deserves to Win. It can be anything your little heart desires, and the winner will be chosen by our fans with the most "likes"

So, if you can't think of exactly what you should give to your mother this Mother's Day; at least give her a compliment on our wall. Then, you may even come out with the Grand Prize! If not, at least you took the time to write how amazing your mother is for all of Lemon Tree's fans to see!

We can't forget......Happy Mother's Day!

What Shakes your Lemon Tree?

2011-04-28T10:11:00.000-07:00

This blog is dedicated to the reason why Lemon Tree Grocer exists: Our neighbors, fans, guests, Zest lovers..whatever you'd like to call your selves. We want to reach out to you all, and see what Lemon Tree is doing right, wrong, what we can do better, and most of all: what you want more of!

We feel that it's always necessary for us to adapt to your wants and needs for us to grow as a business! For this, we need your help.

Do you want more tastings, and LIVE music? Maybe you're excited about our Beer Geek Tuesday, or the great selection of mustard we have? Also, what if you don't prefer salmon, and you want more sushi rolls made with tuna; or out of the bajillion types of cheese we still don't carry your personal favorite.

Here at Lemon Tree, we want to make sure your needs are well taken care of. So, if we can go that extra mile to put a smile on your face, and hopefully some amazing food, drinks, and produce in your bellies: we've done our job!

So, feel free to comment below, write on our Facebook wall, Tweet us, or you can always just come in the store to tell us as well. ( This way while you're here we'll fill you with wine, beer, food, and more so you'll forget the entire reason you came in ;)

As always, thanks for all your wonderful support fans! Lemon Tree Grocer only works because everyone of you help facilitate that!

Huge Produce Sale at Lemon Tree Grocer Now!

2011-04-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

So, normally we blog about things that are really exciting like beer, live music, or strange fish! We give you Lemon Tree Grocer's most boring blog post yet: Huge Produce Sale that starts today and goes until April 24th.

The reason we just had to write about our Huge Produce Sale (like that advertisement we snuck in there;) is because it's kind-of a big deal right now. Plus, we always want to make sure our neighbors are saving as much money as you can!

So, just pay attention for the next 10 seconds while we tell you what fabulous deals we have going on right now at Lemon Tree Grocer, and then I promise you are dismissed. Plus, you probably will even want to come by and take part in this Huge Produce Sale!

Lemon Tree Grocer has asparagus, watermelon, cantaloupe, celery, green onions, tomatoes, and pineapple! Tell me you're not excited about any of those, and you would be a big liar!

Thanks for your attention to this matter, and we hope to see your fresh face soon with some produce in your baskets ;)

Fish at the Lemon Tree Grocer...or, Have You Ever Tried Escolar?

2011-04-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

This next blog is taken from Chuck and Karen Keenley's gracious email they sent to us. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this; it truly means a lot not only to the people mentioned, yet the entire Lemon Tree staff.

Shoppers: next time you are in the store, go back to the meat/fish counter and ask for "escolar". Proving I am no know-it-all, the first time I heard the word I thought Mike and John, the 2 resident butchers, were mistaken...they must mean "escarole", a form of lettuce I do know something about having worked in a produce department about a 100 years ago.

No, they assured me, not "escarole" but "escolar", a variety of fish caught in the Pacific near Hawaii. Mike, who has been "right on" with his recommendations, told me to keep it simple (he graciously omitted the last word of that saying)- coat it with olive oil and grill it for 10 minutes. Hmm...I don't think I can mess that up!

Forward to 5:30 Saturday afternoon. I am sitting on my patio for the 1st time in who-knows-how-long, downing a couple of my favorite micro-brews, enjoying Karen's inspiration, collard greens with bacon, onion and a dash of vinegar, and savoring this wonderful fish that is moist and has a buttery flavor!

What to try next- it is a tossup between the marlin, the mahi mahi, and the escarole! We are not big meat eaters, but I can only imagine how good the steaks and chops are!

Shaun and Tim- thanks for bringing such great quality to Downers Grove!

Chuck and Karen Keenley

Win Easter Brunch for Two at Zest....

2011-04-07T11:48:00.000-07:00

You know you want it..Easter Brunch at Zest where you can feast on French Toast, omelets that make your mouth water, mimosas which will make you smile, and more..

There's just one simple task we ask of you to be the winner of Easter Brunch for Two at Zest...Since Easter is all about the Easter Bunny, and we love to paint eggs all different sorts of crazy pastel colors: let's do a contest based on the those bright colored little suckers.

We want you to post on Lemon Tree Grocer's fan page wall: the best egg dish you have ever eaten! You can post a picture, recipe, or even a video of making your egg based dish. Whatever your heart desires!

The winner of Easter Brunch for Two at Zest will have the most "likes" by the picture, video, or recipe at the end of the contest! (We will prepare you for this, so you can get any last minute votes in) Make sure to tell your friends, frienemies, enemies, cousins, uncles; whomever they need to like your entry!

So, hurry up and get to it. What's the best, yummiest, most scrumptious way you've ever eaten eggs? It could just win you some free eggs at brunch!

Lemon Tree Grocer brings the Official Thirsty Thursday to Downers Grove..

2011-03-31T13:57:00.000-07:00

So, I'm sure you've got wind of this special thing we're trying to do here at Lemon Tree Grocer called Thirsty Thursday! Now we're doing wine tastings every Thursday for the winos and the last Thursday is dedicated to you beer drinkers!

We've got samples from Goose Island, Lagunitas, Windy City and more today. We also started off this week right with a Three Floyd's Gumballhead keg we tapped on Tuesday for Beer Geek Week! (2 year wait to get your hands on a keg of Gumballhead, can we say...Lemon Tree feels the love) Beyond the nice warm weather we hope is coming, this nonsense is only getting started! Lemon Tree also has Beer Club of the Month for those of you who have excellent taste in the beer you choose to consume.

Stop in and say hello to James the Beer man who has your BEER interests at heart..hehe Finally, here's to the first beer dedicated Thirsty Thursday; if you miss it you'll have to wait until next month...and by then you might be a little parched!

Lemon Tree attends the Family Farmed Expo..

2011-03-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

Well, as some of you may know there was an amazing Food Expo called: Family Farmed that happens every year. If you haven't been, and you're a true foodie, lover of food, chef, supporter of local food vendors: you need to get your act together and attend this Expo!

People; this is exactly what Lemon Tree Grocer stands for: supporting local companies, organizations, vendors, and more! We would like to give a shout out to Square Organics who we had a nice chat with, and took the lovely picture above with as well....

So, have you ever been? There's something for all ages with cooking demos, workshops, local restaurants, tastings: it truly is a food lover's dream!

Our big adventure was learning how to work with local sustainable growers while sourcing new products for the shop..Stay tuned to find out more, and as always: thanks for being a fan of Lemon Tree Grocer!

Feel free to tweet us @LemonTreeGrocer if you have comments, or just want to say hello!

Zest...The New Lemon Tree Grocer Cafe!

2011-03-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

So, who attended the lovely festivities and unveiling of Lemon Tree Grocer's new cafe: Zest on Saturday? Well, if you weren't there for all of the excitement you must be sure to visit sometime soon. The cafe expansion, new menu, fabulous entertainment, and a long list of specialty beeers you must try are on the horizon.

With over 700 entries to choose from we definitely had our hands full, yet Zest stood out among all. We then had 26 people who chose Zest as a name, so we had a drawing to pick the winner and....:Scott Collis was the winner winner chicken dinner!

We do want to thank everyone who participated, and obviously great minds think alike (reason why there were so many Zest entries). We couldn't have chosen the name without all of you, and are so excited for the many more events, LIVE performances, and fun evenings Zest will have!

So, who wants to see some pictures of this event? Say Zest!!!!

Sean Minor Event is a Success!

2011-03-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

So, I'm betting you're wondering what this blog is about? Of course it's covering the wonderful Sean Minor event we had last night at the Lemon Tree. We can't say it enough; thank you to everyone that came out, and for whomever missed it; we want to do more events like this one.

The most important factor about this event, as always, is bringing great people together to eat delectable food, and drink even more amazing wine. I know we go on about this all the time, yet we couldn't do any of this without you, our fabulous staff, and a bit of sanity ( yes just a bit).

Sean Minor was an excellent host and educated us all (thank gosh) on how to appreciate wine. Next, we have the chefs who prepared the succulent six-course meal we undoubtedly feasted on. Finally, the servers that presented our wine and food did a fabulous job as well.

So, let's stop all the chatter, and take a look at the awesome pictures taken last night by Nancy Dunlop. We want to thank you Nancy. The pictures truly capture the essence of the evening.

Ode to Lemon Tree Fans..

2011-02-18T11:23:00.000-08:00

Who loved the Chicago blizzard we literally had 2 weeks ago? Maybe you had a day off work to drink a few 10 beers, made an amazing snowman (whom is now a puddle), or had fun shoveling out your parking space (which you decorated with your child-hood rocking chair in order to claim your spot) Then, how cold was it last week...20 below zero? So why am I wearing ONLY a long-sleeved shirt out today? huh...Oh we live in the Midwest I forgot;) Well, let's hope this sunshine is here to stay, and that nobody pissed the groundhog off enough to lie to our loving faces!

You all know what this means for Lemon Tree: closer to opening the patio up! Yes! Also, we have our newly opened cafe that everyone must experience. So, everyone wants to know when the winning name will be chosen: March 12th! You think it's going to be you who is $300 richer in Lemon Tree cash? Well, you will just have to wait until March 12th to find out!

This is a just the start to a great spring/summer/fall for Lemon Tree! You have all done a great job coming out of hibernation and supporting us all winter, and we truly do appreciate it. We'll continue to say it: we wouldn't be here without each an every one of you! We're lucky to have such a great town that continues to support us! Thank you Downers Grove!

Please, continue to share your opinions with us in the store, through Facebook, Twitter, and our blog! We want to know what YOU think we can do to improve YOUR experience. We also appreciate all the kind words, and have many more fun ideas for contests and giveaways coming in the near future.

On behalf of Lemon Tree; we hope the warmth is here to stay, and we hope to see you at the store soon!

Valentine's Day Special...

2011-02-09T11:54:00.000-08:00

Who's ready for Valentine's Day this year? If you haven't a clue, and you have someone special in your life: you better get on it! If you answered yes to having the perfect Valentine's Day planned- do tell: heart-shaped chocolates (old news), cute Teddy Bears (maybe for your infant), or even a heart-shaped balloon? (I think I just gagged a bit)

Valentine's Day is all about what you make of it; so be creative. Now, what's more inventive than some heart-shaped meat? Not just any meat: Lamb Loin Chops!!! Not from just any grocer either: Lemon Tree baby. Oh, and how can I even forget that it's not just any meatress that will prepare you and your snookums for a day filled with juicy meat, and some even juicier...well you fill in the blanks there: MEAT MOLLY ya'll!

So, if you want to really WOW you're sweetie: get off your tush, and do something that takes a little thought, and of course- a lot of HEART;)

Here's Molly....Love is in the air (for some of us at least). I’ll try to keep my Valentine’s Day bitterness at bay. For those of you who are feeling the love this weekend- I have good news. I rustled up a sweet deal on some lamb loin chops for your sweetheart meal. Normally these lil lovelies go for around $14.99 lb. here at Lemon Tree. I’m chopping off a few bucks to help you out with your Valentine’s gift purchases. I’ll have them on sale at $11.99 lb. This gives you a few more dollars to spend on that diamond you’ve been eying for your snookie! (not the one on Jersey Shore of course)

Lamb loin chops are super easy to prepare. I made it for a date too with huge success! Hey, I’m the Meatress, I’m here to help so, here’s a link to a recipe I tried and loved:

http://bbq.about.com/od/lambrecipes/r/bl10310b.htm

So, here's where I get corny- The shapes of the chops lend themselves well to looking like a heart shape, if you place them with the fat sides facing the outside. Since Valentine's Day is all about being a romantic cheese ball; this should help in accomplishing this goal. Feel free to use these tactics, yet remember where you learned them- and please let me know how the night turned out (at least the part about the lamb chops: the rest you can keep to yourself because you shouldn't kiss & tell)

Greetings from the Cheese Monger....

2011-02-03T05:52:00.000-08:00

So, it may be hard to talk about Cheese these days if you're a true Chicagoan and Bears fan. Yet, instead of boycotting it because we at no cost want to do the Cheese head's (dare I mention their name) any sort of favors than we already did; we should take this chance to demolish and devour all sorts of cheese. We need to show those Cheese head fans that we know there are more types of Cheese than Cheddar and American..(I know it's hard to believe, yet shockingly true)

Therefore, I'd like to introduce Stephanie Link from Lemon Tree; who is also known as: the Cheese Monger! Yep, that's right: she likes her name, and she's sticking to it. So, let Stephanie tell you about her cheese experience, and see if you can withhold yourself from falling in love with cheese all over again!

Here's Stephanie: I grew up in VERY southern Illinois, about 20 minutes from Paducah, KY. I graduated from high school there and briefly attended college at Murray State University. I then moved to St Louis, Mo. Then, in 2001 I moved to this area to be near family. I've worked in the food industry my entire life, I've been a roller skating carhop, a server, bartender, prep cook, hostess, manager pretty much everything.

About 5 years ago I decided to attend culinary school and after a bit of research I decided on the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago. After school, I started working at Sam's wines and Spirits in the Gourmet Market. While working there I learned a LOT about cheese. I studied all of the different kinds of cheeses, where they come from, what pairs best with wine or beer or food. How to cook with it, How to make the perfect cheese plate. In the meantime I had taken a management job at a restaurant and wasn't too excited about working there.I found the Lemon Tree ad on Craigslist and the rest is history. Here at the Lemon Tree I'm trying to create a place where people can come to buy REALLY good cheese. We do lots of sampling, cheese and wine pairing, beer pairing, cheese plates.

Now for the reasons on why I love cheese so much: First, the reason I love cheese...It's fascinating. Like most people in the US, I grew up thinking cheese came in "singles" and made great sandwiches.When I started to learn about all the cheeses that are available, I was hooked. I'm a bit of a dork and wanted to learn all I could, I read books, did online research, I learned all I could about the cheese making process. I learned how cheese is made, what it's made of, how long it takes to make. Cheese is a living organism, there are so many steps in the process that have to go just right or it doesn't work.

Now, I want to share what I've learned, I want everybody to love cheese too, and there is something for everyone. Nearly every country in the world produces some sort of cheese. Cheese tastes good, it's nutrient dense, it helps build strong bones and teeth. You can eat it at any stage of a meal, from appetizer to dessert. There are a million reasons to eat cheese. What are some of the reasons you love cheese?

This Week's Meat Treat...

2011-01-26T11:15:00.000-08:00

Meat Molly has a mouth watering special that you better take advantage of right now! After all, what can make you feel better than a succulent little piggy that falls off the bone after being cooked on fiery hot grill? (Yeah I didn't think you had an answer for that)

Ok, so I know its winter. Football season looks a little too yellow for my palate. The temperature hovers between -10 and +10, too cold for most grill enthusiasts. Boo hoo, boo hoo. So I started thinking… What can cheer me up?

All of a sudden, images popped into my brain. I saw juicy ribs roasting over an open fire, the flame hissing as heated fat hit the bright red coals… I saw pork. Baby back ribs. The Best! You don’t have to brave frigid temps to enjoy baby backs this time of year; and talk about a great way to get you thinking about summer.

What started all these porky dreams was a chance encounter with a slab of Niman Ranch ribs I had the other day. Joe Lessard, our fabulous chef here at Lemon Tree, asked me what I had for him to put on special that night. I had recently received some baby backs from a distributor, even though I was hesitant to buy them (it is winter after all). I told Joe about them and his eyes lit up. An hour and a half later I was shaking, literally shaking meat from the ribs!

This struck me as a bit odd. Usually when I cook ribs, it takes at least a few hours before I’m getting messy with some falling-off-the-bone goodness. After picking Joe’s brain for his secret, I found out there wasn’t any secret. These ribs are just that good. He braised them at low heat for an hour and a half and shazam! Perfection!

I’m running these Niman Ranch Baby Back Ribs on special (6.29/lb) for another week just so everyone can take advantage of the low price. Plus, these ribs are the perfect diversion from the winter blues. Trust me. Come summer, it’s going to cost you to take these babies home.

MEAT MOLLY...The New Face of Lemon Tree!

2011-01-18T11:42:00.000-08:00

Who's stopped into Lemon Tree lately? If you have; maybe you've seen a new face lurking behind the deli counter? (Sorry if she scared you, yet she really does mean well) This fresh face would be Meat Manager Molly!

Ladies and Gentlemen; this is your neighborhood's savior when it comes to knowledge about ANYTHING dealing with meat. She won't just throw your pound of bologna at you, and give you the evil eye because you won't get out of her sight fast enough.. Molly wants to get to know you, answer any particular questions you have (does that woman ordering honey turkey have a crush on you...ok maybe not that question), and be the person you can come to when you need specific recipe or cooking tips.

Either way, let Molly show you the meaty way! She wants to know your name, (yes like Cheers) hold your hand, ok let's not get ahead of ourselves..Anyway, enough blabbering from me..Let's MEAT MOLLY ( get it MEAT MOLLY hahha..)

So it's a new year and a new job for me. Hi folks, Molly here, your new meat manager at Lemon Tree Grocer. Sometimes, you gotta hit the road to find home again, and for the last ten years, that's been my story. My journey took me as far away as Alaska and as close as Indiana, with a lot of points in between. During the last decade, I picked up quite a few stories, and a plethora of skills; one being meat-cutting. Now, I'm back in sweet home Chicago, and I'm looking to share what I've learned with you.

I started out cutting meat in Anchorage, Alaska and have worked as a butcher in Wyoming and Illinois as well. All this traveling exposed me to many different types of people, all of which enjoy varying cuts of meat. As a result, I've seen multiple ways of cutting and naming steaks, chops, and sausage.

The Lemon Tree offers a unique opportunity for me to blend other skills I attained as well. I have a degree in Journalism from Columbia College where I also studied photography. After talking to Lemon Tree Grocer owners Tim and Shaun (we all agreed), the Lemon Tree is where I need to be. Look to me in the future for any and all of your meaty needs. In the coming weeks and months ahead, remember to check back here for any updates or meat specials at the Lemon Tree. I also hope to share cooking methods and tips for buying the perfect cut. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you!

Winner..Winner...

2010-12-30T10:26:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the Lemon Tree! We want to stop and thank every amazing customer that has walked through Lemon Tree's door's this past year! We would not be here without every single one of you, and we are so excited for what's to come in 2011!

This being said, we would like to showcase the winner's of Lemon Tree's contests in 2010: Jim Beyer is the most recent with his lovely photo of his Xmas Tree and his daughter Jamie! We loved that all the ornaments were her height or below! We hope you enjoyed your Holiday Gift Basket Jim, and hopefully 'tis the season to share:)

The next was from our Ugly Sweater Contest: Kethy Hebert! Thanks for your bravery in coming into the Lemon Tree with that eyesore of a sweater! We absolutely loved it, and hope you loved your Holiday Gift Basket as well.

We can't forget our Free XMas Tree winner either: Jean-Overstreet Schaefer! There were so many participants in our Xmas Carol Contest, and the winning carol was: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! So where did the Xmas Tree go Jean: home or store?

Then we have Wendy Carter who won a $20 Lemon Tree Gift Card for being such a great Facebook fan! Thank you Wendy, and we hope you used your gift card to get whatever your heart desired!

Also, we have the Weekend Ribeye Dinner giveaways: Peter Haber knew that Memorial Day is the single largest beef consumption day of the year, and Michelle Lansky: you knew that Venezuela eats the 2nd largest amount of pasta a year! (First being Italy with 61.7 lbs of course) Hope you both enjoyed those Ribeyes!

We can't forget the winners who have previously been mentioned in other blogs either: Kelly Kelly Henrikson won a Thanksgiving Turkey! (Thanks so much for blogging about us Kelly. We hope you win more items, and then you can post another lovely blog). We also hope you enjoyed your favorite: Green Bean Caserole on the Thanksgiving Table this year.

Finally, we have our first winner ever of any Facebook Contest: Joy Ruzic Meyers! Thanks for entering your lovely children in the Halloween Costume Contest. Just for that you received Dinner For Two on Lemon Tree! (Thanks for your kind words on Facebook as well)

Well, Lemon Tree sure did give some great things away this year! Think about this: Everything given away was in the past 3 months!!! Can you imagine what is coming next year? Well, you better stay tuned to find out! (Hint: Lemon Tree will be having a contest for our biggest fans starting in January)

If you weren't a winner then, or even if you were: you always have the chance to WIN a great prize from Lemon Tree in the future!

Happy New Year!

The BEST Things Come in 3's...

2010-12-16T09:51:00.000-08:00

Who attended the SOLD OUT event between Dream Interiors, Ballydoyle Irish Pub, and Lemon Tree Grocer? If you did; you know it was a magical snowy evening with these three Downers Grove hot spots aligned together?

First, we had to have Dream Interiors' Marta Cullen give us some tips on how to make your holiday table just a bit more festive (and less of a hassle, as table setting is normally saved until the last minute). What did we learn: well, setting the table early is a great idea, and there are easy ways to brighten up the table with simple decorations, centerpieces, and beautiful candles! Thanks Marta; now everyone in attendance should have the ability to throw a wonderful holiday party (which they must invite us to;)!

Next stop, was to see the Irish side of town at Ballydoyle! Here is where some amazingly great food and beverages started flowing! It was time to hit the buffet, and grab a pint of Guinness or an Irish coffee (whatever your poison of choice is). Just take a look at some of the pictures: it makes our mouth water! Phil Cullen was also an amazing story-teller; explaining where EVERYTHING in the pub came from, and his entire family history! (We're just kidding Phil, now we know how every item on your menu tastes just like Ireland)!

Final destination; for some more liquor, a bit of shopping, and of course dessert, was to the baby of the bunch: Lemon Tree! We welcomed Tony Alvarez back for some live entertainment, and saw that many people were really enjoying themselves as they swayed to the music! (The wine we donated throughout the event may have helped loosen people up a bit..just saying). It was a pleasure to have people shopping around to see what Lemon Tree is really made of. We had samples for guests to try, our lovely staff on hand to answer any questions, and of course: a plethora of wine and beer!

The moral of the blog is: this event was a really great time, and we hope for even more! So, stay tuned! (Also, thank you to everyone who came; there wouldn't have been an event without you all)!

P.S. Make sure you are checking out our and page for all of our contests! You will be sad if you miss them; we are giving away everything from Ribeye's to Holiday Gift Baskets! You could be the lucky Winner!

Don't forget either! We are basically handing out free bottles of wine right now, but only when you check-in to Lemon Tree!

Happy Holidays!!

It's the MOST Wonderful Time of the Year...

2010-12-02T14:06:00.000-08:00

..at the Lemon Tree! Holiday season is here, and we are more ready than Santa and his little reindeer to fulfill your EVERY need! Our decorations are extremely well done and tasteful (you have to come in to see them). Also, there is holiday music playing throughout the store 24/7. (Who doesn't enjoy grocery shopping and dining while getting into the spirit of things)?

The Lemon Tree is the perfect place to shop for all of your holiday dinners/parties. To start you off we have an EXCELLENT selection of great wines and beer! Plus, our wine director Jill would love to help you find the perfect libation for your festivity! Our cheese monger Stephanie can lead you to all of our awesome cheeses. We know Mike can pick you out the perfect cut of meat from the succulent selection we have. We also have homemade sweets that will knock your snowmen socks off (don't lie you still wear them)! Plus, we have fabulous breads to go with our great holiday Intelligentsia coffee. Then, we have pre-made gift baskets such as: chocolate baskets, coffee baskets, beer baskets, pasta baskets, and wine baskets that would make the perfect present for just about anyone!

Great news: since our Turkey menu was such a hit, we are also doing a holiday meal prepared in house as well. Finally...wait for it...almost ready: we are selling 6-8 foot Christmas trees for $25 a piece!! (Can't you just smell that lovely pine scent?) All those reasons really clarify we are basically the perfect holiday food store and more!!

Don't forget our Progressive Dinner, Thursday December 9th!!! Appetizers and a holiday table setting demo at Dream Interiors +Entrees and party workshop at Ballydoyle Irish Pub + dessert and live entertainment at the last stop: The Lemon Tree! (Get your tickets now though because they are going fast)

P.S. We thought maybe a few fun pictures of our last event would entice you to come out to this next one!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Happy TURKEY day!!!

2010-11-22T12:16:00.000-08:00

And the winner is: KELLY KELLY HENRIKSON!! Her choice to go with Green Bean Casserole as her favorite dish won the hearts (and "likes") of 21 people! Give a nice round of applause to the new home for a 10 lb Turkey from Lemon Tree! Kelly we are so excited to make your Thanksgiving just a little bit easier this year!

Lemon Tree will not forget, and does want to thank all of our participants: Emily Szopa with Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies drizzled with chocolate!! Can you say a tasty alternative to the lovely Pumpkin Pie.. which was actually entered into the contest by Danny Gray! Hey Danny have you tried the alcoholic whip cream yet? It's pretty yummy if you'd like to know!

Next up, we have Erika Wolgammot. She entered in Cheese and Mushroom Stuffed Burgers!!! Whether you use colby, jack, or blue cheese it's a phenomenal idea Erika that we just might have to steal:)

Then, we have the 2nd person who chose Green Been Casserole as her favorite dish: Deborah Stanciu! This shows it's a definite must have at Thanksgiving this year everyone, so make sure you've got the casserole covered!

Last but not least; Jennifer Spencer Segrest needs to let us feature this dish at the Lemon Tree! Blue Cheesecake on top of mixed greens with apples and walnuts...wait there's more: topped off with a blue cheese drizzle!!! Please, let us know when you are going to come by the store and make it for us Jennifer! We're always here!

Thanks again to all of our Turkey contest participants! Don't forget Lemon Tree is here to make your holidays easier on you! So, take a look at our Gourmet Catering Menu and let us know what we can help you with! Stay tuned for our giveaway in December....and

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!

Fall Festival of Flavors...

2010-11-12T10:45:00.000-08:00

Let's begin by....... Thanking Ballydoyle for the hospitality, and plethora of alcohol! Overall good times were had by all last night at the Fall Festival of Flavors! There were just so many great people along with great food, and of course some amazing Irish coffee to be had by all!

We started off the night with Scott Raiman of Ballydoyle to show us his preparation of: Roasted Beet Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette, and Seared Scallops with Roasted Red Pepper Coulis and a micro green salad! I'm not sure about you, but my mouth was watering in wondering when I was going to get to eat those scallops!

Next stop Mr. Tim Canning himself of, yes you guessed it: Lemon Tree! He brought: BBQ Braised Lamb Shank with Lentils and Fall Vegetables to the table. Wow.. was that a succulent lamb! From the sound of things, it was enjoyed by everyone! Thanks Tim!!

Then of course we had a coffee demonstration from our man Marco Torcasio of Intelligentsia coffee! This really gets even better when the IRISH is added :)

We then bring in one of the favorites of the evening: Lemon Tree's own So Young Shin to make you weak at the knees with his Warm Apple Crisp with Homeade Vanilla Ice Cream. Pretty sure the guests were telling the person next to them to look the other way, so they could steal the rest of their dessert!

Our final destination: IRISH COFFEE by Phil Cullen of Ballydoyle! This was definitely a great night cap, or night starter for some of the guests! It seemed to bring warmth and smiles to all the guests!

Between the great food, amazing demonstrations, prizes, and shots of Jameson; this event was really a success! Let me tell you this is only the beginning of events to come from Ballydoyle and Lemon Tree! Stay tuned for when we add Dream Interiors to the list for our Progressive Dinner in December! This one you will NOT want to miss!

Check out these videos from Fall Festival of Flavors:

Halloween Trifecta...

2010-11-03T12:08:00.000-07:00

Halloween Costume Contest for Lemon Tree was a success!
The three pictures from top to bottom took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place!

We have a Rockstar and Racecar Driver who took home the prize: Dinner for 2 for their mother JOY RUZIC MYERS!!

The baby caterpillar was definitely hard to beat, and was shy of just 1 vote..Thanks to Kelly Henrikson for sharing this adorable photo with all of us. Awe...

Lastly, we have the Queen of the Nile (who decided that was her name Halloween week in the household)! Thanks to Sarah Carpenter Schmidt for entering Emma her little Cleopatra into the contest, and showing off her lovely costume!

Thanks to all the participants (and their children) who showed off their Halloween costumes. It's always great to see what costumes are popular,inventive, and the great classics that will always be around.

Stay tuned for our 10 lb. Turkey giveaway for your next chance to be a Lemon Tree Winner....Gobble, Gobble!

Note from the Owners:

2010-10-27T11:06:00.000-07:00

The first full month of business has been completed and there is much to talk about here at The Lemon Tree. It has been a pleasure for Tim and me to meet so many of the wonderful residents of the community. There are so many great people who have shown such an incredible interest in ensuring the Lemon Tree is a success. We are making a point to try to meet each one of you as you continue to visit the store. Our goal of complete satisfaction will only be met through getting to know your likes and dislikes. As we tell every customer who we talk to, if you don't see one of your favorite products in the store please let us know, and we will do our best to source and carry it in the future. If for some reason you can't catch either Tim or me at the store (which is rare since we pretty much live here) please feel free to fill out a comment card and put it in the suggestion box just inside our front door.

We also think it is important to mention some of the exciting new changes coming to the store in the next few weeks. Many of you have allowed us to be your neighborhood kitchen and frequented our café as well as our outdoor patio. In fact our customers have enjoyed our chef prepared meals so much that we have decided to expand the indoor café allowing us to seat more people. We also have plans to "warm" up the café by moving the freezer, constructing built-in seating, adding window treatments and laying down area rugs. In doing so we hope to continue the dining-in success that has been enjoyed thus far. For all of you who frequent the freezer here at the store, don't be alarmed. A similar case with your favorite frozen items will be conveniently located near the kitchen. Tim and I have always said that we will never be afraid to change anything in the store if we feel we can make improvements for our customers. . Look for other changes coming in the near future. Well give you a hint-think sweet.

As owners of a new business we understand that there is huge challenge facing us. We also realize that consumers are very conscious of where their hard-earned money is spent, especially in these tough economic times. All we can hope for is that you allow us to earn your business through great customer service, outstanding products and a superior value. We look forward to meeting all of your shopping needs at The Lemon Tree soon!

Sincerely,
Shaun and Tim

Tonight: we’re cooking for you…

2010-10-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

How would it feel to come home from a long hard day of work, and have someone cook for you? I’m sure the reaction is anywhere from great to amazing. Yet, that can usually cost a pretty penny depending on where you decide to dine at (monetary or physically)

Lemon Tree decided: we definitely don’t feel comfortable taking money you need to spend on gas to get to work the next day. Nor, do we want you to drive out of another restaurant looking for the nearest drugstore to pick up some antacid!!

Therefore, we’ve facilitated an inexpensive way for our neighbors to try out some delectable cuisines for next to nothing (and even pair them with a succulent wine for just a few more $$’s).

Long story short; you need to come in on a Tuesday night so we can have the pleasure of cooking for you. Whether you want one course, all three, or just dessert; you must come in, take a load off, and meet your neighbors.

So it’s a deal then? We’ll see you next Tuesday? The Neighborhood Menu will be posted via our FB, Twitter, and website every Tuesday morning! Below is a copy of our latest menu and the proper links to get you more familiar with Lemon Tree.

See you next week!

P.S. If you have already experienced our Neighborhood Menu; please be kind enough to let us know what you think!

This Weeks Neighborhood Menu

Starters - select one of the following:

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup w/ honshemiji mushrooms, sage oil Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, sauce Gribiche, fried capers, arugula
Main Course - select one of the following:

Duck Confit Papperdelli, melted onions, parm reggianno, thyme Morroccan Lamb Steak, sweet and sour eggplant, cous cous pearls, Veal jus, Greek yogurt, toasted almonds, and cilantro

Dessert

SoYoung's Famous Apple Pound Cake
$17.99

You can also add our wine pairing for $10 more per person!

Website: http://www.lemontreegrocer.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LemonTreeGrocer

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LemonTreeGrocer

Blog for a blog...

2010-04-19T18:34:00.000-07:00

READ THE DGREPORT BLOG HERE!

The Recipe contest was a huge success last weekend! Find out who won!

2010-04-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all of the participants of the Lemon Tree Grocer Recipe Contest! All of the dishes were absolutely delicious – You made it very difficult to choose the winners from each category. We enjoyed getting to know each of you and can’t wait to see you in the store on opening day or before!

A special thank you to Dream Interiors for hosting our event and to all of the supportive guests. We’re guessing some of the winning dishes may not have been entered without you.

Please visit our facebook page to comment on the event, see pictures, and share your thoughts about the store.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

Becky Rheintgen - Crispy Pancetta, Pear & Goat Cheese Sandwich

Soup Category:

#1 Winner/Chandra Venkat - Lemon Soup

#2 Denise Everson - Breath of Cream of Asparagus Soup

#3 Rhoda Pawlak - Anything Soup

Sandwich Category:

#1 Winner/ Elizabeth Walp - Salmon Sandwich

#2 Jan Valdez - Grilled Ham, Brie and Mango Chutney

#3 Becky Rheintgen - Crispy Pancetta, Pear & Goat Cheese Sandwich

Salad Category:

#1 Winner/Margie Cleveland - Gorgonzola, Roasted Pecan and Mixed Green Salad

#2 Becky Rheintgen - Creamy Celeriac, Fennel and Apple Salad

#3 Kathy Jensen - Red Leaf, Spinach and Kohlrabi Salad

Dessert:

#1 Winner/Anne Reilly - Lemon Cake with Lemon Frosting

#2 Karen Arnold - Luscious Lemon Cake Balls

#3 Stacey O’Brien - Lemon Petite Pies

Let the Building Begin!

2010-03-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

The Lemon Tree Grocer commenced building early last week. We are on schedule for a sixty day build-out. The spiral duct work is in place and the walls are going up. We can't wait to see it all come together!

Cheers!

LTG

Article

2010-03-14T06:33:00.000-07:00

http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/downersgrove/features/x2096606570/New-grocery-store-brings-unique-experiences

Check out this article about the Lemon Tree Grocer!

The Lemon Tree Grocer has building Permits!!

2010-03-01T16:53:00.000-08:00

The Lemon Tree Grocer is proud to say that we have been granted our official building permits today! A huge relief... Shaun and I have spent countless hours working with our architects, design team, equipment guys, village staff, and the DuPage County Health Department getting the Lemon Tree's plans all squared away. A special thanks to everyone involved! Now it is time to get our store built. We look forward to opening our doors to all of you soon.

Cheers!- LTG

2010-02-24T10:52:00.000-08:00

Downer Grove residents please come show your support for the Lemon Tree at tonight's Zoning Board of Appeals Hearing.

The Lemon Tree is trying to gain approval from the Village for it's sign package. The Lemon Tree is also asking for the use of copy on our awning valance.

We want people to easily identify what the Lemon Tree has to offer.

Please come show your support at Village Hall. Hearing begins at 7:30 pm tonight. Please come show your support and voice your opinion.

Thanks, LTG

Shaun and Tim your hosts at the Lemon Tree live on talk radio this Thursday at 11:30 a.m. TUNE IN!

2010-02-23T21:39:00.000-08:00

This Week: Viral Marketing, Concept Grocers & Fantastic Coffees! Click Here To Listen Live, Call In and Enjoy!

Finesse Cuisine continues to prove an industry thought leader and Chicagoland’s most exciting option for off premise dining and special events www.finessecuisine.com. The Finesse Cuisine Hour, produced by Sohobiztube, is one of Blog Talk Radio’s most popular shows. Our programming may be heard live each Thursday morning from 11:00am until Noon CST. The Finesse Cuisine Hour explores entrepreneurship surrounding the arts, entertainment, food, wine and more. Each cast features noted guests from the corporate, entertainment and luxury sectors. Tune In, Call In and Enjoy!

This Thursday, February 25, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Featured:

~Ola Ayeni, Social media and viral marketing expert of Mobile Dialog

~Tim Canning and Shaun Black, Entrepreneurs and founders of hot new concept Lemon Tree Grocers

~Carol Harris, Founder of award winning Casteel Coffee on their grand opening at Aqua

~Seasonal menu preparations taken to delicious heights in the Finesse Cuisine kitchens with Chef Guy Meikle

Click Here to listen live or to download and enjoy at a later time!

Recent Casts of TFH Include:

February 18, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented:

~Terrilee Ryan, Career coach and author of hit book Life Is One Big To Do List- A Woman’s Life After Forty

~Dave McLaughlin, Entrepreneur and founder of award winning coffee concept Safari Cup Coffee

Click Here to listen and enjoy!

February 4, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented:

~Rich Horwath, Founder of The Strategic Thinking Institute, best selling author of Deep Dive: The Proven Method for Building Strategy

Click Here to listen and enjoy!

January 28, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented:

~Bridget Brennan, Marketing expert from The Female Factor Corp and best selling author of ‘Why She Buys’

~Greg Fishman, Internationally renowned jazz saxophonist, teacher and recording artist of Two For Brazil

Click Here to listen and enjoy!

January 21, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented:

~Dr. Daniel McCole, Leisure industry expert, Professor of Tourism and Recreation at Michigan State University

~Nadine Warner, Noted creative director, former dramaturge; Steppenwolf Theatre, founder of The Bricolage Group,

Click Here to listen and enjoy!

January 14, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented:

~Stuart Rosenberg, Entrepreneur, musical impresario and radio personality extraordinaire!

~Stephen Hamilton, Award winning food photographer of Stephen Hamilton Photography

Click Here to listen and enjoy!

January 7, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented:

~Rand Richards Cooper, Author of The Last To Go and Big As Life and award winning travel correspondent of Bon Appétit

~Mathew Mandeltort, Noted restaurant researcher and food trend expert of Technomic Inc.

Click Here to listen and enjoy!

December 10, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented:

~Paul Virant, Award winning Chef/Owner of Vie Restaurant and star of television’s Top Chef

~Event Designers of Finesse Cuisine on the magic of December planning

Click here to listen and enjoy!

December 3, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented:

~Tony Fitzpatrick, Internationally renowned contemporary American artist, poet and playwright of The Wonder and Gallery No. 9

~Margarita Vern, Hospitality expert, Service Director of Finesse Cuisine

~Seasonal menu preparations taken to delicious heights in the Finesse Cuisine kitchens with Chef Guy Meikle

Click Here to listen and enjoy!

October 15, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented:

~Mark Phillips, host of the popular PBS-TV’s, “Enjoying Wine with Mark Phillips,” designer of the Finesse wine program

~Daniel Graeff, Entrepreneur and co-founder of award winning gourmet foods sensation, Lucini Italia Company

Click Here to enjoy!

October 8, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented:

~Caitlin Steininger and Kelly Trush, Entrepreneurs, hosts of Cincy’s popular radio hit The Cooking With Caitlin Show

~Jerald O’Kennard, Spirits expert, Chicago Tribune columnist and Executive Director of Beverage Testing Institute

Click Here to listen live or to download and enjoy at a later time!

October 1, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented:

~Dr. Chris Roberts, Hospitality expert, author, lecturer and Director of DePaul University’s School of Hospitality Leadership

~Jody Birnbaum, Noted events and restaurant management consultant, writer and President of JB Cater Consult Inc.

Click Here to listen and enjoy!

September 17, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented:

~Ellen S. Rogan, Financial expert and author of the popular book Great with Money: The Women’s Guide to Prosperity

~Steve Hater, Entrepreneur, CEO of Hater Enterprises, LLC, Membership Director, University of Cincinnati’s Goering Center

Click Here to listen and enjoy!

September 10, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented:

~Ron Hawking, Celebrated entertainer, vocal stylist, star of mega hit ‘The Men and Their Music’

~Joe Lucchese, Event producer extraordinaire, producer of U2 European Tour, founder of Event Joe.

Click here to listen and enjoy!

July 30, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented;

~John Regas, World renowned interior designer of J.P. Regas & Associates

~Lee Simons Zoldan, Business communications expert and founder of The Simons Group

Click to listen and enjoy!

July 2, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented;

~Ambassador Carol Mosley Braun discusses life after politics and her Ambassador Organics brand coffees and teas

~Attorney, Peter Burdi, on partnering with restaurant icon, Jerry Kleiner on a new Hinsdale concept Il Poggiolo

click to listen and enjoy!

June 4, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented;

~Bill Durkin, Internationally renowned speaker, consultant and coach of The Synergies Company, Inc

~Mary Kay Plantes, Ph.D. Economist from MIT, corporate strategist, author of popular Beyond Price.

Click Here to listen and enjoy!

April 30, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented;

~Brook Jay, Award winning experiential marketing expert, co founder of All Terrain Inc.

~Terry Weaver, Noted business advisor and CEO of Chief Executive Boards International

Click here to listen and enjoy!

March 12, The Finesse Cuisine Hour Presented;
~Pam Danziger, Luxury marketing expert, best selling author of books; Let Them Eat Cake: Marketing Luxury to the Masses ¾ as well as the Classes and Why People Buy Things They Don’t Need

~Stuart Rosenberg, Entrepreneur, musical treasure and radio personality

The Finesse Cuisine Hour

Previous Guests of The Finesse Cuisine Hour;
~Lidia Bastianich, James Beard Foundation Award winning Chef, Entrepreneur, Television Star of Lidia’s Kitchen and Felidia

~Jerry Kleiner, Restaurant Impresario, Creator of such hot spots Red Light, Marche, Opera, Carnivale, Room 21 and more
~Phil Vettel, food critic, Chicago Tribune Food Critic

~Rand Richards Cooper, Author and James Beard Foundation Award winning travel and food writer
~Steve Dolinsky, James Beard Foundation Award winning food journalist, host of ABC-TV’s The Hungry Hound

~Jim Lasko, founder of Chicago’s heralded Redmoon Theatre
~Michael Roberts, Vice Chair of Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid Committee, former World President/COO of McDonalds Corporation
~Jim Peterik, Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, founder of bands Survivor and Ides of March, writer of mega hits such as Eye of the Tiger
~Steven Hull, Hollywood composer, musician, artist and for eighteen years, the Music Supervisor of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
~Francois Kwaku Dongo, award winning Chef of L’escale Restaurant, Omanhene Chocolates, former Chef/Partner of Wolfgang Puck’s Spago
~Howard Tullman, Entrepreneurial expert, innovator, Chairman of Chicago’s Flashpoint Academy.
~Gary Vaynerchuck, Television wine personality (Oprah, Ellen and Conan) and host of The Wine Library
~Robert Brooks, former Federal Prosecutor opens Connecticut’s heralded Silver River Café and wins 4 stars from the New York Times
~Raman Chadha, Executive Director of DePaul University’s Coleman Center for Entrepreneurship

To Download Previous Casts, Please Click Here Or To www.finessecuisine.com ‘News’ section

Finesse Cuisine late winter/early spring events range from the ultra classic to the casual. We look forward to hosting an event with you this season.

Warmly,

Jon Wool
President/Owner
Finesse Cuisine
1332 N. Halsted Street, Suite 305
Chicago, IL 60622
312-280-9999

"...Finesse Cuisine has recently catered some of the most high-profile events in town, from the Renaissance Society gala to the Redmoon Theatre's Spectacle Lunatique.' Word of the company's inventive food presentation is spreading fast...." CHICAGO SOCIAL

"...Finesse Cuisine- This company brings together an all star lineup of culinary Ivy Leaguers from Le Francais, Carlos', Trio, Blackbird, and The French Laundry. Finesse Cuisine creates French, Asian, Mediterranean or American fare and satisfies each client's notion of the perfect event..." CHICAGO MAGAZINE

"...Finesse Cuisine creates memorable dishes that inspire, astound and pay homage to guests..." HINSDALE MAGAZINE

"...From an intimate dinner for two to a lavish gala for hundreds, enjoying a Finesse Cuisine event is the ultimate indulgence. The most recognizable institutions have called upon Finesse to ensure the total success of their events..." WINNETKA MAGAZINE

The Lemon Tree Grocer Blog is up and running! Welcome!

2010-02-22T07:35:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Lemon Tree Grocer's Blog! We are hard at work trying to bring Downtown Downers Grove the market that it deserves.

We want to hear from you! What do you expect from your neighborhood market?? Please share your suggestions. We are here for you.