June Restaurant

Meet Grindstone friend and client Evan Barry, farmer and owner of Down River Farm, where he grows some of the freshest and finest vegetables in Central Illinois.

Evan began his farming career on a 1.5 acre market garden in Asheville, NC, before exploring agriculture internationally, working for a year in South America on six different farms in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Argentina, farming sheep in Patagonia, cacao and coffee in Ecuador, then working on a vineyard in Argentina.

Discovering the people and places behind these plants we call commodities taught him the cultural implications of our actions from a very unique perspective.​

Upon his return, Evan sought a job as a farmhand near Chicago to be closer to his family and found his way to Henry’s Farm, where he truly learned to embody the dance that is farming.

Evan experienced firsthand how one crop weaves into another seamlessly — how spring lettuces make way for mulching tomatoes, which falls into the first summer squash harvest and the intensive weeding sessions, then the sweet corn harvest which makes way for the green bean harvest, leading back to lettuces in the fall, and finally clearing the field before the first frost.

Evan learned how to focus on each of his senses and movements to farm as effectively and efficiently as possible. He embraced and soon embodied how to live and breathe this profession, day in and day out, for the entirety of a season.

Learn more and experience it all at our monthly music and farm dinner series. The next dinner will be prepared on July 31 by Chef Josh Adams (former owner and executive chef at June Restaurant) in a live fire outdoor kitchen served at a communal table on the farm and accompanied by acoustic tunes from Nathan Taylor Music.

DM us to request an invite to book any of the few remaining reservations via our private link and password.

We’d love to see you at the table.

Fall Harvest Sale & Farm Tour
-
Saturday October 5 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Farm Tour at noon
-
Kira's Flowers/Down River Farm
3404 Springfield Rd. East Peoria (almost to Groveland)
-
Bouquets, fall decor, vegetables, herbs, teas, fruit, goat milk soaps, mushrooms, art, jewelry, pottery, beeswax wraps, gourd birdhouses, bread, and more!
-
Chef Cody Scogin of will be preparing lunch made from our tasty vegetables! 10-3 or until sold out!

Everyone should come out to Princeville Athletic Performance Center this Saturday between 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at 131 E. Main St. Princeville,IL for there Holiday Homecoming. I will be doing a smoked pork shoulder, black eyed pea, kale, and caramelized shallot soup. So if you been missing some June food here's your chance to get some. UFC fighter Kenny Robertson will also be there signing autographs and taking pictures from 11:15 am - 12:45 pm.

Food and Wine News The Case of the Vanishing Noodle http://ow.ly/2KgKFb

The Case of the Vanishing Noodle Watch your misperceptions disappear as whimsical new dishes redefine cruise ship cuisine.

Food and Wine News Host a Backyard BBQ With Gnarly Head http://ow.ly/2Kd1xp

Host a Backyard BBQ With Gnarly Head Enjoy an all-American summer tradition—the backyard barbecue—with great company and a bottle of Gnarly Head wine.

Food and Wine News The Gastropub Trend Hits the High Seas http://ow.ly/2IpWVw

The Gastropub Trend Hits the High Seas High-end pub fare and craft brews sets sail with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz.

Food and Wine News Stress-Free Grilling http://ow.ly/2Il5Hb

Stress-Free Grilling Learn how to grill the perfect medium rare strip steak

Food and Wine News Steak au Chard http://ow.ly/2I7VKn

Steak au Chard If you’ve never drawn a parallel between that medallion of herbed butter atop your frites-flanked rib eye steak and a buttery glass of Chardonnay, it’s time to rethink the old adage, white wine with white meats, red wines with red meats.

Food and Wine News What's in the Glass? Let's Guess the Chardonnay! http://ow.ly/2HB5vs

What's in the Glass? Let's Guess the Chardonnay! Chardonnay is one of the most famous white wine grapes on the planet, and yet its personality in any given bottle matters entirely on the winemaker’s whim, from austere, minimalist handling, to employing all the flavor bells and whistles available in modern winemaking.

Food and Wine News Celebrate Mother's Day With a Stylish Brunch http://ow.ly/2FYjVa

Celebrate Mother's Day With a Stylish Brunch Sidestep the long lines at your favorite brunch spot and skip the last-minute, cellophane-wrapped bouquets this Mother's Day. Host a stylish brunch instead for a celebration spent the way this special day was meant to be enjoyed—unrushed and cherished with friends and family.