Business & Tech

At Your Service: La Grange Kicks Off Restaurant Week

Village Board President Elizabeth Asperger and La Grange Business Association President Ryan Williamson wore a Palmer Place uniform and served guests to kick off La Grange's first Restaurant Week.

With  kicking off this Friday, Village Board President Elizabeth Asperger and La Grange Business Association President Ryan Williamson got a crash course in the restaurant world on Monday.

The two presidents donned  uniforms and worked for tips during lunch from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday to promote La Grange's first Restaurant Week and raise money for the St. Francis Xavier Food Pantry. 

Without even a day of serving experience between them, they set out to take orders, run food and work their hustle.

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"We're delighted to do it for our fabulous restaurant community," Asperger said rather eloquently. 

"Liz made me do it," Williamson laughed.

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"I was going to say the same thing about you," Asperger replied.

The two learned a number of important restaurant lessons like how to balance a tray and how to call out when entering or exiting the kitchen.

"It was hard," Williamson said. "There's a lot to do, and you have to keep moving."

Restaurant Week runs from Feb. 17-26 in downtown La Grange. Throughout Restaurant Week, patrons can enjoy specials, demonstrations tastings and other fun events at some of their favorite downtown eateries. If La Grange wasn't known for good food already, it certainly will be after this.

All month long diners can pick up a "passport" at or at Village Hall. Passports get stamped for each meal you order over $20, and if you get your passport stamped at four places and you're eligible to win a trip for two to a culinary destination in the U.S. or overnight accommodations in Chicago. Get your passport stamped at least twice and you could win a dining certificate to a favorite La Grange eatery.

That's a good excuse to get downtown and an opportunity to try something new—just don't forget to tip your server.

Note: a lot of credit goes to the amazing serving staff at Palmer Place for putting up with these two and letting an annoying photographer take their picture and get in the way. 


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