Name: Elawa Farm
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.7

Elawa Farm

Lake Forest, IL · $$

Outdoor seatingHidden gem

Today, our mission is to steward a historic farm that enriches greater Lake County as a center for experiential learning to broaden access to education, nutritious food, and our local food system. Through a public-private partnership, Elawa Farm Foundation and the City of Lake Forest work together to steward this historic campus. The City of Lake Forest owns the property and maintains the historic buildings. Elawa Farm Foundation provides community programming and educational interpretation of the campus and manages the farm grounds, market, kitchen, and educational initiatives.

Bookable experiences

What diners say

“I spent, years of my time taking from Elawa Farm in lieu of it. And I’ve had serenity in my visits throughout the years. But I never gave back. Pottering about one day, I paused at Elawa Farm, and I saw its volunteer info sheet. Initially I thought I never noticed because it was too minute of a sheet to see. Only by chance, in years, would a visitor see it. A year of reflection and I learned I was wrong. I had relegated my need to volunteer to the back of mind — as a social norm already satisfied. Elawa is not a social norm, it’s a natural norm. Seeing The difference reminded me of my foundation with nature. I believe your individual relationship with earth needs to grow as you do. I have lived with and without a garden. My need to walk through one or work on one is equal to water. I learned of the volunteer program when I did because I was looking to be in the garden more. My willingness to give my time was a way for me to feel good in my bonds with nature. Know how is powerful when you learn it from the Earth. It’s a teaching made possible through Elawa’s programs at a great energy expense of not many others. People work extremely hard to make it a rare place for the region. Work which is amplified in its market. At market, you see signs of the growing artisanal community in the Midwest. And it seems to be fostering a network of refined artisans whom practice intellect, in technique. An impeccable stand out for me was Jacqueline Lefeuvre, artist and artisan. Multi medium trained at Les Beaux Art in Paris, Jacquline has shown outstanding stain glass works. I found her ornaments of nature to demonstrate an unnatural control over her technique. So exacting to produce almost malleable and organic lines. If you allow yourself challenges in life, you should talk with the Elawa Farm Foundation. But keep to your word if you make a commitment. Everything here starts with the value of your word.”

5.0 · Google — M X

“What a beautiful place. They have the farm to walk around, a cafe, a market and beautiful dinners throughout the year. We were lucky enough to have a Cinco de mayo dinner there and the family who hosted were delightful. We had amazing cocktails, authentic Mexican food and wonderful conversation with nee friends. We can't wait to go back.”

5.0 · Google — nicole Quaranta

“Charming, quiet, and romantic gardens are so inviting. Farmers market has delicious and fresh offerings every Friday during season. Simply don’t miss out on starting your weekend right.”

5.0 · Google — Marlena Karwowski

“While trying to find the parking lot for Middlefork Savanna (GPS took me to Halas Hall), I found this little gem. Loved reading about this history of this farm and walking around the property. Great place to take kids before or after a nature walk. I would love to come back for the farmers market one day.”

5.0 · Google — Crystal Abbate

“So disappointed. I'll start with the positive. Lovely staff. Great butternut squash soup. My chicken salad sandwich which claimed to have tarragon and raisins contained neither. They nicely took it back to remake and it came back with more raisins but still no taste of tarragon and very dry. Predominantly dark meat chicken did not compliment the sandwich at all. The sandwich bread was very nice.”

2.0 · Google — Sally Viator

The Gallery | Lucky Duck

Lake Forest · $$

4.7(133)

Elawa Farm

When to book

Bookable experiences

Hooves & Hugs

Demo Cooking Class: Italian Countryside Dinner with Chef Mickey Knutson

Demo Cooking Class: Late Summer Harvest Dinner with Chef Mickey Knutson

Mini Bagels and Schmears with Micah Siva

Kids Cooking Class: Tortilla Making with Chef Ernesto

EVENT - Community Dinners: Burger Night on August 5th

Little Yogis: Yoga & Craft with Marbear Yoga

EVENT - Community Dinners: Summer Grill Night on July 23rd

Northern Lights in Watercolor with Evelyn Phelps

Demo Cooking Class: High Summer Vegetarian Feast with Chef Mickey Knutson

Demo Cooking Class: High Summer Italian Vegetarian with Chef Mickey Knutson

Preserving Fruits With Emily Paster

Demo Cooking Class: Supreme Backyard Supper with Chef Mickey Knutson

EVENT - Community Dinners: Burger Night on July 22nd

Oaxacan Cheese-Making with Chef Ernesto of El Molcajete Sauces (Cooking Class)

Demo Cooking Class: Mediterranean Summer Supper with Chef Mickey Knutson

Pickling Three Ways With Emily Paster

EVENT - Community Dinners: Burger Night on July 29th

EVENT - Community Dinners: Summer Grill Night on July 30th

Feathery Friends

Goat Stroll

EVENT - Community Dinners: Summer Grill Night on August 6th

Demo Cooking Class: The Backyard Cookout with Chef Mickey Knutson

Agave: From Plant to Glass with María José Jaramillo

Flower Social

Yoga on the Farm

Seed to Plate (Summer crops)

Goat Yoga

Demo Cooking Class: Taste of the Mediterranean with Chef Mickey Knutson

Adventures at Elawa - August 19

EVENT - Community Dinners: Burger Night on August 19th

Demo Cooking Class: Heart-Healthy and Flavorful with Chef Mickey Knutson

Blooms to Bouquets + Brunch

Adventures at Elawa - August 26

EVENT - Community Dinners: Burger Night on August 26th

EVENT - Community Dinners: Summer Grill Night on August 27th

Public Farm Tours

What diners say

Good to know

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