Chef Dan Marquis, General Manager Dina Rotolo, and owner Carla Westcott
Bank Lane Bites
One of Lake Forest’s hottest new additions to the dining scene opened in June to rave reviews. MH Kitchen (MHK)—a fast-casual concept cafe on Market Square adjacent to its flagship Market House restaurant—offers fresh, quality foods that can be enjoyed on-site or to go. “Inspired by our guests asking for healthy, nutritious choices in a casual quick-serve manner, MHK offers protein bowls made with delicious grains, greens, proteins, and vegetable-forward sides,” says General Manager Dina Rotolo. “We also have unique beverages, wine by the glass, and mindful bites, which are thoughtfully portioned sweets to round out your meal.” Bottles of wine are also available for takeout with summer picnics and Ravinia in mind. See for yourself by stopping by 670 Bank Lane in Lake Forest, 847-234-8800, themarkethouse.com.
Pitch Perfect
Early June is usually a time when most high school juniors are busy with finals, AP exams, sports, and college applications. But for several students enrolled in Lake Forest High School’s (LFHS) honors level Business Incubator course, it was all about crafting the perfect pitch to investors. This year’s Pitch Night saw four groups compete for $10,000 in funding from the LFHS Foundation and $15,000 more from private investors in the Shark Tank-style competition. Three groups won funding from investors during the June 3 competition. Dignified Designs, founded by Leonardo Castaneda, Connor Milliman, Sabrina Siegel, and Margo Thornberry, came out on top—winning a total of $13,500 from the foundation and outside investors (as well as the Foundation Cup). Their business aimed to alter the clothing of senior citizens with impaired mobility or dementia to ease daily dressing and enable GPS tracking by family members. PureGear founders Sarah Borland, Josh Cha, Hunter Dee, Luke Paschke, and Henry Ridgway were awarded $7,000 from the foundation and two outside investors for a device that eliminates disease and odor-causing bacteria on sporting equipment. Solis, a company founded by Dylan Cofer, Jeremy Hughes, Ally Page, and Chase Rupprecht, would produce water bottles that use a UVC LED system to eliminate microorganisms and viruses within a few minutes. That group’s presentation was voted best pitch by the judges and they received $4,500 in funding from three outside investors. The fourth group to compete, Heaven N’ Heels, did not receive funding but you can read more about their idea in this month’s F&B Teen. Congratulations to all!
Open House
Maybe you’ve heard the name around town but if you have yet to visit Howard Van Doren Shaw’s fabled summer house for yourself, you’re in for a treat. In the span of two hours, you can experience an impressive mix of history, architecture, nature, and art right here in our own backyard. Ragdale is opening its doors for two rare “behind the scenes” tours of its historic five-acre site on August 17 and September 7. The tours feature the 122-year-old Ragdale House and the Barn House (both recognized on the National Register of Historic Places) with exquisite gardens and beautiful views of 50 acres of untouched prairie. The tours also include an introduction to the Arts and Crafts architect’s family history as well as Ragdale’s unique artists’ residency program. It’s the perfect opportunity for a charming and informative summer Saturday morning. If you can’t make it to one of their remaining public tours, consider arranging a private tour for August 16 or September 6. Admission is $10 per person. Sign up in advance online at ragdale.org/programs/tours. To schedule a private tour contact Marita Seaberg at [email protected]
Lake Forest Reads
What do 1980s Chicago and 1920s Paris have in common? Well, for starters, they serve as the electric backdrops for Lake Bluff native Rebecca Makkai’s newest novel, The Great Believers. Beyond that, you’ll have to read to find out. Join your friends and neighbors in exploring the lifelong impact of the AIDS epidemic, the Parisian art scene, and the allure of cults through “Lake Forest Reads: Ragdale,” presented by the Lake Forest Library in partnership with the Ragdale Foundation, Lake Forest College, and the Friends of Lake Forest Library. Now in its seventh year, the program aims to foster literacy, a culture of reading, and a sense of community by selecting a novel by an author affiliated with Ragdale and encouraging everyone to read it. After enjoying her critically acclaimed (it’s a 2019 Pulitzer Prize in fiction finalist) novel, you’ll have the opportunity to meet Makkai and hear more about her work and her inspiration at free public events on October 10 and 11. Find details and register online at lakeforestreadsragdale.org/events.
