It’s about that time folks- the Annual Farmers Market begins this Saturday in Downers Grove. Are you ready to come out & enjoy the fruits of our town…(literally)?If you’re serious about adding the freshest fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cheeses and flowers to your dinner table, look no further than in your own backyard to Downers Grove Farmers Market.

This year we’re showcasing the best of the best. Every Saturday we’re having a $5 menu: -Breakfast Sandwiches: Eggs, Bacon, Cheese, Arugula on a grilled pretzel roll. -Brats & Italian Sausages: Grilled peppers, Onions and Local Folks Foods Mustard. -Niman Ranch BBQ Flank Steak Sliders: Caramelized Onions, Arugula, Horseradish Creme Frache on a grilled pretzel roll. Not only do we have delicious food we have local vendors, that we carry in our store, sampling their best of the best too. Come by our tent and taste what Lemon Tree has to offer the community.

If that doesn’t get your taste buds excited…then what does? We hope to see you soon!

So, we know you’re all excited to get your Margarita on this weekend for Cinco de Mayo, yet once Saturday is over; you need another event to look forward to! How about another beer dinner? Oh, and it’s not just another beer dinner: it’s a Firestone Walker Beer Dinner (serious business).

Come May 24th, Firestone’s own Rob Salitore will be here educating all of us on everything from pale ales to limited seasonal beers. So, all of you craft beer lovers- jump on this bandwagon & purchase your tickets. Even if you aren’t yet a beer connoisseur  per say; what better way to get sworn in? Plus, Zest will be pairing up some mouth watering courses you won’t want to miss.

It’s time to call (630) 969-9869 to reserve your spot today! At $35 per reservation, this event is sure to sell out. If you don’t believe us, just take a peek at the menu here.

Cheers!

What have you done for your Mom lately? It doesn’t really matter how you answer- because now is your chance to win some brownie points! So, put in that extra effort and take her to a worthy brunch this year. Yeah, you know what we’re talking about…Mother’s Day Brunch at Zest Bistro! 

We’re really rolling out the red carpet for this day, and giving thanks to the lovely women that brought us into this world. Melons in prosciutto, short rib hash, couscous salad, cheese plates, and caramelized brussel sprouts are just a few of the items on the lovely menu!

Click here for the full menu, and call (630) 969-9869 to reserve your spot today. After all- it’s never too early to start planning for you Mother

With Margarita, Corona, and Niman Ranch Taco specials. That’s right; we said Niman Ranch tacos fans, so anybody who enjoys their lovely $5 burger at Zest needs to come take down a few of these tacos for good measures. So, who’s ready to celebrate with us?

Last but definitely not least- Lemon Tree’s own Shaun Black will be on Fox News May 3rd, at 9am discussing the Cinco de Mayo Festivities in detail. Click here to learn more!

Let’s get really excited over here for our Neighborhood Business of the Month: Borrowed Earth Cafe! They are an organic, raw, and 99% gluten free cafe that all you health nuts will drool over! No, seriously if you’re vegan and find it difficult to shop- this is definitely a place you must see to believe.

The profound aspect about Borrowed Earth Cafe is their story. We’ll give you a few details, but you should really click on the link to learn more. Trying raw for just a cleanse, they felt great enough to actually continue on the raw road until…well they officially were eating raw for a year. They started by going to a raw potluck, then hosted the potclucks that exponentially started to grow! Now, Borrowed Earth Cafe exists because of such an interest in eating raw foods. The story is really much more touching than we have time to tell, so please check it out!

They also wrote the book “Borrowed Earth Cafe” that you should probably scope out if you have ever considered going raw, vegan, or already are. You also should check out their menu while you’re at it. They have everything from perogis to kale salads, earth burgers to truffles for dessert!

Stop by Borrowed Earth Cafe, say hi, and don’t forget to become a fan as well!

What are you doing on the evening of April 19th? Your answer should be “Coming to the Opolo Wine Dinner at Zest“  and if it’s not we’re about to change that.

Our Executive Chef/Owner Tim Canning is preparing a delicious four course meal for you that will be paired by none other than wines from Opolo Vineyards. Have you not heard of Opolo Vineyards before?

We can tell you that nearly all of the wines are made from grapes grown by the winery since 1999 in the Paso Robles wine appellation. These wines sell out every year, so we should be so lucky as to have Jeff come in and share the Opolo wines with us.

Click here to see the official menu for the evening, and don’t forget to call Mimi to book your reservation at (630)969-9869. The spots are filling up fast, and the wine will be gone before you know it!

Are you tying the knot anytime in the near future? Even if that proposal hasn’t been made a woman can still shop for her perfect future wedding dress…right Well, this Sunday is your day then ladies, and Downers Grove is the place to be for all your Wedding needs.

To get you a bit loosened up before the Wedding Walk, Lemon Tree Grocer has the perfect plan for you. Come have brunch here for 10% off along with your choice of the Bloody Mary Bar or $5 Mimosas to get the party planning started.

Do you have a caterer yet for this grandiose day? Well, rest assured we will have catering samples paired with wine and sparkling wine for you to indulge, and after you dive in; you won’t need to look any further for your catering needs.

Click here to see the full Wedding Walk menu for Sunday. Also, call (630) 969- 9869 to make your Brunch reservation! Hurry- we here Mimosas and Bloody Mary Bars keep you from turning into a Bridezilla!

What do you want the Easter Bunny to bring you this year? We have an idea: how about tickets to Easter Brunch at Zest? Trust us it will be much more fabulous than that Cadbury Egg you will put off eating for a year, or the Peeps that will be rock hard by the time you get to them.

Check out the brunch menu here. We have Chicago’s own Lovely Bake Shop bringing in chocolate truffles, mini cupcakes, and brownies for your sweet tooth. Also, you can take part in the bloody mary bar for only $8, or mimosas for $5.

Oh, hold on a second…we have a message from the Easter Bunny himself, “Be sure to buy tickets to Zest’s Easter Brunch today!” Wow, we’ll have to throw him some carrots later for  that shameless promotion. Seriously, you need to call (630) 969-9869 to reserve your spot now. Hoppy Easter!! 

Would you like to taste some amazing new libations, sample made-to-order sushi rolls, and have a girls night out? Well, then you better get to Zest on March 15th!

We have a special made sushi roll for the evening (you just pictured breaking out the chopsticks in your head…we know), our cocktail menu makes it’s debut, and LIVE music means you get to throw your hands up in the air while lip syncing to each and every word with no judgement.

What else will Zest have you ask? How about FREE chocolate tastings? If you want to see the exclusive menu & plans for the evening click here! Ladies- it’s time to give yourselves a nice treat, and this night will knock your socks off (perhaps your shoes too;)!

Whatever fabulous meal it is you had that you loved so much last time you were at Zest- it may just be the next recipe we divulge to you. Be sure to comment on the blog, and let us know if there are certain meals you MUST know how to make!

Click here: Recipes Tab, to find your way to delectable entree’s you, your significant other, friends and family will be very happy you finally know how to prepare. What are you waiting for? That’s right; it’s time to get cookin!