A truly un*fork*gettable experience!…read more To kick off our foodie adventure, we boarded a school bus for a short shuttle ride to McDonald Farm. Already giddy with anticipation, I was like a kid en route to a field trip -- practically dancing in my seat with excitement! Upon arrival, we were welcomed with a delightful puff pastry topped with a flavor-packed tomato jam and filled with a surprising fresh cow cheese "quark" (akin to cottage cheese). And amused my bouche was after just a taste - especially when paired with Chateau Chantal's "Tonight" (a light, sparkling wine). We hadn't even begun the tour, and already I was marveling at the farm's beauty - a perfect marriage of elegance and casual simplicity. From the repurposed wood barrels (posing as cocktail tables!) and dozens of glowing tea-lights...to the charming paper-bag-lantern pathway...and the acres and acres of picturesque land - it was an amazing backdrop for the beautiful evening ahead. The tour opened with some insight into the farm's history and their partnership with The Conservation Foundation (dedicated to preserving open space) and Green Earth institute (committed to promoting healthy eats and sustainable farming), before leading us onto the field for (drumroll) - picking our own cherry tomatoes! It was quite awe-inspiring to harvest my own little tomato and enjoy it in its most fresh state - right off the vine! Sweeter and less acidic than their store-bought counterparts - these were truly the best tasting tomatoes I've had the pleasure of enjoying! Though I could have easily spent hours sitting in the field, popping cherry tomatoes like candy - we were ushered into one of the dining tents. With the candlelit tables (via tea-lights in mason jars!) and romantic string-lighting - it could just as easily double as a wedding reception venue. A couple did actually exchange vows on-site today, and enjoyed the meal as their wedding dinner (genius!). And now...the meal! Everything down to the honey topping the dessert was locally sourced - which is sure to be appreciated by your taste buds! We kicked off the feast with an apple-onion soup (served as an apple-sauce-y puree) topped with gruyere croutons and crispy bacon pieces. A truly inventive and delicious dish! I opted for the wine pairing (as opposed to the beer) - and the Pinot Blanc complemented the soup wonderfully. We were then treated to a gorgeous mix of arugula, pickled cucumber and radishes - topped with shaved goat cheese and a sprinkling of pepitas. No exaggeration - THE BEST salad ever! Non-existent was the slight bitterness that I've come to know with store-bought arugula - these greens were delightful! The pickled cucumber had all the flavor of a good 'ol dill, but with a freshness that you'd be hard-pressed to find in a jar. Though I was skeptical about the radishes - these were unlike any I've ever had. Perfectly crunchy, with a clean (and slightly spicy) taste - I was surprised at how much I liked them. Another testament to the powers of fresh, organic, sustainably-farmed produce I'm sure! And as my wine accompaniment, the Proprietor's Reserve Trio - a full-bodied blend of merlot, cabernet franc and pinot noir (a must-try for red wine enthusiasts). Now, when reading the description for the next menu item - I was doubtful that I would be a fan: "Roasted Beet, Eggplant and Fennel with Mixed Pears and Creamed Tatsoi." Another pleasant surprise! Though on its own, the beet, eggplant, and pear mixture was a bit overpowering - the addition of the creamed tatsoi (a cross between spinach and bok choy) was the magic ingredient which brought the entire dish together. And the Malbec (a deep red wine) was so visually pleasing alongside this dish! For our main course we were served a heaping plate of honey roasted pork, thin-sliced and cooked to a juicy perfection. As a pop of flavor amongst the pile of pork - a cheery yellow candied jalapeno squash. Loved this - it was like sweet yellow pepper flavor meets the snappiness of a fresh zucchini. And as a nice contrast to the heaviness of a meat dish - the lighter Proprietor's Reserve Pinot Gris. And finally, the piece de resistance - the dessert! When the "Brown Butter Berry Tart" finally arrived - I knew it had been worth the wait. Made with unbelievably fresh berries - and with a tartness that rivals even the most sour-face-inducing desserts I'd had in the past - this was a happy way to end the meal. Topped with a honey-basil yogurt and a balsamic-infused caramel - it was simply divine. And as my final wine pairing, a pleasantly sweet Riesling to complement the berry tart -- a fabulous closing toast to an excellent night! A sincere THANK YOU to Candice G. and Yelp for honoring me with the chance to partake in the Farm to Fork experience! As a result, I've decided that I now want to either (1) own a farm; (2) live on a farm; or at the very least, (3) continue to support such initiatives (probably the most feasible :)

Through the Yelp contest held by Candice G., and won by my lovely wife, I had the chance to partake…read morein a truly wonderful experience and dinner held at the McDonald Farm in Naperville. After parking in the nearby Kingsley Elementary school lot, we were whisked away via magic school bus a half mile away to the farm. Stepping off the bus steps, we were met with the familiar odor of campfire. We followed our noses to the crowd gathered around an outdoor lobby area where diners mingled and sipped on beer or champagne and nibbled on the amuse bouche, a Puff Pastry fill with Cow Cheese Quark topped with tomato jam. The Quark is very similar to cream cheese. Alcohol by Chateau Chantal and Two Brothers Brewing were Tonight Champagne and the specially made Pale Ale, just for Farm to Fork. Lucky us! After warming up a bit we were led into the fields where we learned about the Conservation Foundation and the Green Earth Institute from farmer Martin Lemos. We were allowed to pick some of the cherry tomatoes right off the vine and eat them! Careful not to overeat we were led into one of the greenhouses which were converted into dining areas. String lighting and white tablecloths, you couldn't have guessed that a dinner this elegant was happening here. We were shown to our seats and the parade of food started making it's way through. The food was lovingly made by Valerie Bolon, who has quite an impressive resume, having been through the kitchens of Emeril's, Gordon, and MK, one of my favorite restaurants! Our first course was an Apple Onion Soup, with Gruyere croutons and Bacon as garnish. I would never think to pair those two together as a soup base, but it works very well, neither flavor overpowering the other. The meaty bacon and salty croutons also helped to balance the sweet/salty profile. Since I went with the beer pairing, Cane and Ebel was the accompanying pour. Sweet, creamy, latte-like. this was one of my favorites. Salad course was Arugula, Pickled Cucumber, Radishes, Goat Cheese and Pepitas. The best salads I've ever had in my life contained arugula, and this was no exception! So many flavors on one plate, peppery, sweet, acidic, nutty, sweet, and explosion of taste. So good. Paired with this was Prairie Path, a blonde ale. Sweet and minorly bitter finish and sort of light, it was almost citrusy. Vegetable course was a Roasted Beet, Eggplant and Fennel with Mixed Pears and Creamed Tatsoi. At first when I saw this on the menu, I thought it said Roasted BEEF. Score! Bonus! Negative. It was Roasted Beet. With a T. But it was okay actually. I take it back, it was good, considering I'm not the biggest fan of beets. The fennel did surprise me though, I've never had fennel as crisp as this, since I usually eat it cooked. With a light licorice flavor, lighter than I expected. The creamed tatsoi also helped to add balance to the sweet flavored vegetables. Tatsoi is kind of a cross between bok choy and spinach. Domaine Dupage was served with this course. Smelled almost like iced tea, this beer did. Tart and caramel flavored. The meat course! And my favorite meat, PORK. Love pork. Honey Roasted Pork with Candied Jalapeno Squash? Thank you sir, may I have another? Perfectly roasted pork renders enough fat out that you don't feel like you're eating something too unhealthy, and still leaves enough fat to push the flavor. THIS WAS PERFECTLY ROASTED...The squash was good too, but it was the second fiddle to that pork GOOD GOD. I regret that I couldn't clean off my plate due to the shrinking capacity of my stomach during an epic meal as this was. Outlaw IPA was the beer, starting to get buzzed was I. Citrus and pine scented, medium to full body, I wasn't sure if it was this particular beer or just all the beer I drank that was getting me full. Oh yeah, and the food too. I don't know. AND THE BIG FINISH! Brown butter berry tart with Honey Basil Yogurt and Balsamic Caramel. Talk about everything in balance! I'm a libra, this must be why I'm obsessed with everything balancing. When I first looked at the dish, I saw the yogurt and thought someone accidentally put tzatziki sauce on my tart. And then I forked a bit of it and tasted it. HOLY MOTHER NATURE! You know when you're finished with dinner and you don't even finish your dinner, then you see dessert and think, "I don't have room" but you demolish your dessert with reckless abandon? That was me. Stuffed to capacity, I somehow found the space to fit this in, along with the beer, the Ebel's Weiss. Unfiltered and very strong banana flavor, at this point, I can't tell if I'm smelling or tasting it. I smashed it. The things I loved about going to this event/dinner was the fact that all components of the dinner were locally sourced within 125 miles and we shared a table with people from all walks of life, had great conversations with everyone and thoroughly enjoyed everyone's company. Farm to Fork is a great thing, support sustainable agriculture!

They used to be amazing! I loved their produce and friendly service. However, since the farm has…read morebeen sold to another management, it has gone downhill. Numerous times, I have caught them overcharging and quoting weights that were larger than what it was. I stopped going to their questionable integrity. Thankfully, there are many other farmers in the area that I prefer to support. One of them is certified organic.

I decided that today will be my last visit here. I live right down the road, and sometimes I walk…read morehere to get my "steps" in. I have gone here for over 20 years, and during most visits I have not been treated well. The ladies have been unhelpful, or closed-mouthed when answering my questions, and just simply unfriendly. Perhaps they are just over-worked or tired. At least that's how I justified their off-handed treatment of me, and my continued patronage over the years. So I put up with a fleeting moment of mistreatment. But today, that same old bad attitude appeared after I asked a simple question during my visit, that could've been answered more directly & easily. I questioned myself why do I even bother, especially when their produce isn't superior to other places I can go, to get farm fresh produce. There are more farmer's markets around, such as McDonald's Farm at Knoch Knolls Park in Naperville. Maybe my visits were wrapped in (wannabe) nostalgia, or due to convenience of location. Whatever, today I hit the top of my tolerance for their rude-ish treatment. This decision should have been made after an earlier visit this summer when a cashier looked at me crazy because I did not leave an electronically-produced request for a tip. For what?? Standing there just doing your job ringing up an order??? And lastly, their produce isn't the tastiest, and is really overpriced in comparison to other places around. I guess I kind of felt sorry & wanted to support the place. But no more. I am finally done. Fed up and moving on. Mayneland Farm is no longer an option for me.

Great grocery store! Just became my favorite place to shop!…read more It's never crowded, insanely clean and organized. The staff is super friendly and professional. They also have a lot of great items you cannot find anywhere else! With Whole Foods going downhill and Trader Joe's always being slammed + limited on options, this is the best place for groceries in the area. I see the negative reviews are about the prices. It's in one of the wealthiest towns in one of the most taxed areas in the country. That should not be a surprise. Plus everything is expensive now. They say Mariano's and Jewel are better options, but those places are dirty, horrible service, moldy produce, smelly, and you don't really save that much. You get what you pay for though, so I understand why this place is on the pricier end, that's ok, and not a reason for a low review. Low reviews are for staff, cleanliness, product, perishables, meat, deli, smell, etc. I say this admitting I am very picky and OCD about grocery stores. Def give this place a try and see for yourself! I personally think it's a wonderful grocery store!

Me and my wife are very familiar with checking out the Heinen's Grocery Store in the Cleveland area…read moreand we've never been to the Naperville location which is the closest location from home. I see a lot of people complain with the prices prior to coming here from Yelp and Google reviews. Let me say, that this selection is pretty affordable and way better price than if you shopped at Jewels. In fact, this store is better than most of their Cleveland stores. It's beautiful and vibrant Once you walk in, the restrooms are outstanding. The hot food is incredible. The selection here is huge with items that I have not seen in any Chicagoland store are present. Staff here was friendly and helpful and we appreciated that there was free samples here. I will say that some of the everyday items are expensive but some of the harder to find Goods that we like to find like delicata squash are here and are at a cheap price where a lot of stores don't have them. I will also say that the hard cider selection is very small and I will say that the health food selection is a bit lacking in some areas. Overall, I'm very impressed with the store and we do plan on coming here more frequently. Hope to see more Heinen stores make their way throughout the Chicagoland suburbs

I'll keep it short. If you want top teir service. Experienced butchers that are happy to listen to…read moreyour requests and do everything they can to get the job done top that with great quality meats. This is the place for you

First time coming here. Medium sized grocery store with a fair selection of items. It definitely…read morereminds me of being in a 90s time machine. It's a local staple in the community. Overall prices on most items were pretty pricey and there wasn't much of a clearance section or really many of the healthy items I was looking for. I do enjoy that there are no self check out lanes!

Took our nieces here and had so much fun apple picking! We…read moreare from California and have never seen a farm with so many amazing apple selection and flavors!! The apples are so fresh too! It was a hot day so it helped to bring the nieces in a wagon. Entrance fee/1 bag of apples is $10. The apples are sublime!! Soo sweet and tasty! Would definitely recommend this place and come back for their other festivities when we are in town.

Spent a beautiful day apple picking here. The apples were abundant and fresh. It's $10 minimum per…read moreperson for everyone over the age of 5. We got to go on a fun little hayride which the kids loved. Lots of pumpkins and yummy apple cider + donuts too :)

Honestly, I love this store. I always find what I am looking for, especially when looking for more…read moreEuropean type foods! I went last weekend, and once again truly enjoyed the experience. And prices are fair, with weekly sales that are very amazing. The store is clean, but I have to admit, there was a weird smell all through the store. Not sure what that was, but that kept me from giving 5 stars. Service was great. Cashier was very friendly and efficient!

This is an Amazing store, you will find everything you need, the produce section is huge and all…read morefresh, you can even get a drink at their bar to walk around and shop with, it's a fun experience, the deli is one of the best, you will find lots of new products and all the ones that you grew up with, Paul helped me get everything I needed for our Easter Dinner, he was wonderful and even suggested a few things that I wanted to try, if you go shopping at Caputo's you will end up shopping here all the time, you will not regret going to Caputo's give them a try and have fun.

I always enjoy shopping at Trader Joe's. No matter which location I visit, the employees are…read moreconsistently friendly and helpful. The prices are reasonable, and the checkout lines move quickly, which makes the whole experience easy and efficient. My only "problem" is that I can never seem to leave without spending over $100, but that's more a testament to how many great options they have. I'm a fan and I'll definitely keep coming back.

I really loved Trader Joe's more than the average person - it's where I do majority of my grocery…read moreshopping every week and they've sucked me in, but happy to stay. :-) This location is laid out pretty similar to the Glen Ellyn location, which in my opinion, is not the best layout. It's quite different than other locations I visit, I don't think it flows very well. But the staff were friendly and they had everything I needed.