Try this hidden gem in the Palatine Harris Bank building

Take one bite of Lisa Bellan's melt-in-your-mouth, positively sinful cheesecake offerings, and you'll know exactly why she dubbed her eatery the Feast of Eden.

Many Palatine residents aren't even aware the small cafe exists, given its tucked away location in the basement of the Harris Bank building, 800 E. Northwest Hwy. My advice? Go and indulge in the raspberry swirl, peanut butter cup and zebra latte cheesecakes, and the homemade baked goods, salads and sandwiches.

Bellan said one of the most popular menu items is Eve's Favorite Turkey Sandwich ($5.50), which features shaved roast turkey, bacon, red onion, baby lettuce and an apricot, horseradish and honey sauce. Another winner is the Creation Salad (5.75), with its cucumber, apple, red onion, dried cranberries, goat cheese, spiced pecans and croutons with house-made cranberry vinaigrette.

"Everything is made fresh and made to order," Bellan said. "We want this to feel like the kitchen table."

When Bellan began Feast of Eden in 2004 in South Bend, it was restricted to catering and farmers markets. She saw moving to Palatine last year with her husband, Barry, as an opportunity to expand.

Many of the 250 people or so who work in the Harris Bank building are regular customers, as are residents in nearby businesses and homes. But there's no signage on the outside, so Bellan has had to rely on word-of-mouth since opening over the summer. Having a booth at the Palatine farmers market proved invaluable advertising - especially when it came to attracting foodies.

Bellan, the fifth generation to grow up on her family's Central Indiana farm, had to grow, raise, butcher and process her own food. She honed her skills over the years and gets creative in the Feast of Eden kitchen, where she uses hot plates because grills and burners are forbidden.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. (847) or 991-EDEN.