Elawa Farm Foundation

This majestic 16-acre property was originally developed in 1917 for the A. Watson Armour family, a distinguished family in Chicago society. We were very excited to discover it, and this is our first visit. Upon arrival, Elawa Farm looks like a very fancy place, with impressive, brick-faced manor buildings, green lawns and groomed hedges populated by cherubic garden sculptures. But don’t be fooled. This is a real working place, a historic farm and garden whose fields produce a plethora of organic goodness and also serves as a unique center for hands-on learning and food access programs for the local community. Guest chefs Rob Martino, Frankie Vazquez, Spencer Koppi and Angelyne Canicosa are the chef team behind Vie and Vistro Prime, two celebrated restaurants in the Chicago suburbs from Paul Virant. Vie has collected a long list of awards over the years for its ever-changing prix fixe menu featuring local ingredients from area farms. Virant’s other popular spot Vistro re-opened last year as Vistro Prime, a neighborhood steak house specializing in wood-fired steaks and sides. They’ll love cooking over fire in the field kitchen.