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

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...

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...

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...

..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!!!

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...

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...

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!