Green in the City

The Green Table

What beautiful food - and a delightful atmosphere to enjoy it in! The Green Table by the Cleaver Company is a really fine example of exquisite, satisfying food based on local, organic resources.

While it is well known among the elite (think Alice Waters and the Dali Lama), it might be less well known among us regular folk. So here's the story: 30 years ago, Mary Cleaver started the Cleaver Company out of a belief that the best food is grown, tended and harvested within a day's drive. As a result, she started the catering business that produces amazing food using sustainable, locally grown and organic foods.

And for those of us without a need for catering, you can enjoy the same thoughtfulness by eating at The Green Table located in Chelsea Market. The prices are reasonable - far more reasonable than what you might expect.

It's worth checking out - and because it's located in the Chelsea Market, you can make a fun afternoon of it enjoying a fresh Italian coffee and cupcake afterward from neighboring shops.

The Spotted Pig

While enjoying a glass of wine this weekend at the Spotted Pig in Greenwich Village (314 W. 11th Street
@ Greenwich St.) I spotted a row of trashcans looking suspiciously like recycling bins for ALL recyclable materials (not just the customary glass that most restaurant/bars recycle).

As I eyed them, a server comes by and scrapes the food into one bin, throws the napkins into another and throws the trash into a third! In a flash of revelation, I realized that they were not only recycling but composting.

After pouncing on the said server and riddling them with questions, I learn that they indeed recycle everything they can - including food scraps, which are given to a program that has enlisted at least a dozen other city restaurants to do the same thing. How great is that?

So while I research what organization this is and what the other restaurants are that are progressively green, give your extra support to the Spotted Pig. It's a cool place with even cooler green practices.

Gustorganics - 100% certified organic restaurant

You haven't caught wind of Gustorganics (or Gusto Organics), the first 100% organic restaurant in our nation, only if you haven't lived in NYC in the last 6 months, or never read the New York Times/New Yorker/Time Out food sections, or just never get out as a New Yorker (shame!).

So, in case you haven't heard of it - for whatever reason - here some info for you:

• They are the nation's first (and New York's only) certified organic restaurant. They are also a green certified restaurant by Green Restaurant Association.
• They use NYC water, and then run it through a UV lamp that kills bacteria, then run itthrough a top-notch purification system that takes out metals and toxins, but retains the good minerals, THEN preserve the water in reusable glass bottles and serve it upon request, for FREE.
• They support small and local farmers by buying tons of local produce, meats and dairy from nearby.

Now, if you look at a review site like Yelp, you'll see mixed reviews. But for all you foodie-esque type people out there: it's organic and at times the owner seems to encourage us to enjoy the fundamental deliciousness of food as it is - no frills. So sometimes you order something and it isn't quite as frilly as you expected - well, return it and order something more complex.

I'm here to tell you the food is solidly good - but pricey, yes.

Here's more info for you:

Address:
519 Avenue of the America
For reservations, please call 212.242.5800

Hours:

BREAKFAST:
          MONDAY - SUNDAY: 8AM TO 11AM

       

BRUNCH:
          SATURDAY, SUNDAY & HOLIDAYS: 11AM TO 4PM

       

LUNCH:
          MONDAY - SUNDAY: 11AM TO 5PM

       

DINNER:
          MONDAY - THURSDAY: 5PM TO 11PM
          FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 5PM TO 12AM

Menu:
http://www.gustorganics.com/menu.php

Urban Organic

Urban Organic offers a great service for us New Yorkers who care about what we eat (ahem, remember the adage: you are what you eat?). I just learned about it and so very happy that I did.

The rundown
What they do: deliver boxes of fresh, organic produce to your door on a weekly basis.

What you get: varies week-to-week because they mostly follow seasonal cycles. In fact, according to their website "they bulk-buy our produce, groceries and dairy goods from organic farmers' cooperatives, distributors and individual farmers. Eighty percent of our products are from the local farmers market". So you're not only eating well - you're also supporting our local economy and reducing your carbon footprint all at the same time!

More on the boxes: a 'standard box' contains a variety of 15-18 different fruits and vegetables each week depending on seasonal availability. But they offer different sized boxes to meet your needs.

For more information, visit their website: www.urbanorganic.com

Elm Health - a meeting of the worlds

While scoping out the UES the other day I run across Elm Health on 88th and 1st. What a find!

It's a health food store, yes. And it's a juice bar. And a pharmacy and apothecary offering traditional and holistic health treatments. How cool is that? A one-stop-shop for the whole neighborhood.

We found herbal teas geared towards specific conditions (not just your average range of green teas and chamomile!), Advil and natural pain relievers, Crest, Tom's and Ayurvedic toothpaste sharing shelf space, crystal deodorant and Secret antiperspirant, Loreal hair products and Aubry Organics.

What's the big deal? Ricky's offers the same stuff - so what, you ask?
Well, the so what is that it's not just about beauty - it's a real pharmacy, juice bar, beauty and health food store all rolled into one.

They also offer an entire aisle of organic baby stuff (um, toxic Chinese baby milk anybody?). Pretty neat.

Also, don't pass up the website. It offers loads of information on traditional and natural approaches wellness and health, including a Wellness Center where you can look up a condition, find treatment options, learn more about herbs, supplements and the prescription drugs you take.

Don't be a tease

Tease is one of the latest eco-inspired spots in the Gramercy Park/Murray Hill area.

It offers an array of teas (mainly bubble tea) and coffees at pretty decent prices (um, organic, fair trade, strong coffee for $2?! Sign me up.)
plus yummy fresh baked goods made in-house.

I'd never tried bubble tea - the "bubble" part is either tapioca or jello balls. I was pretty suspicious of anything floating around in my tea - not to mention something with the name tapioca - but gave it a go. Actually, it was really darn delicious and I loved the tapioca (surprise of all surprises).

Then, a label on the disposable drink cup caught my eye. It said that the cup and straw were made of biodegradable materials. After asking Jenny, one of the owners about it, I learned that they created the entire business around eco-sensitive ethics!

This means that the cups, straws and other materials they use to serve their stuff is all made from biodegradable goods (corn and sugar mostly). They monitor their energy usage (the door was open and A/C was off when I visited) and water usage as well.

I walked in a skeptic, walked out a believer.

Check it out!
379 3rd Avenue (at 27th St, next to the infamous Rodeo Bar)

Counter

Located in East Village, Counter is an organic wine and martini bar/vegetarian bistro (http://www.counternyc.com/home.html). It really is as crunchy green as it sounds:
Organic and locally grown ingredients - check.
100% organic bar - check.
Rooftop garden - check.
Responsible recycling practices (including cooking oil!) - check.
Great food, hip atmosphere, good prices - check.

And the food and drinks are better than you might expect. In fact, it borders on really, really excellent. The bar boasts an all-organic range of wines, beers and alcohol - some even infused with herbs grown on their green rooftop.

It's the kind of place you could bring your parents visiting NYC or your college roommate looking for a distinctly cool night out. Brunch has a casually sleek feeling and a menu to match.

For the truly green eating experience, check it out.