Why “go green”? Who wouldn’t? It’s good for the environment and you, too. We are quickly depleting our resources, when we could be using renewable resources and eating in a sustainable manner.

With the recent oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, everyone should be trying to do their part to help save the environment and ecosystems.  That’s where New York and eating “green” comes in.  No, the world is not going to be miraculously cleaner in one day if everyone starts to eat green, but any little effort to be environmentally friendly will help get the ball rolling. The BP oil spill has massively effected ecosystems and marine life, some of which are becoming extinct. New York can help in the fight against environmental destruction just by being green-conscious and checking out one of the many delicious green restaurants in NYC.

Eating “green” is not just limited to veggies – although delicious and great for you – it means preparing foods and restaurants in a sustainable manner. Restaurants are jumping on the bandwagon and joining in on the green initiative frenzy.  Simple, but effective adjustments have been made by many of NYC’s finest restaurants, such as getting rid of all Styrofoam products, cracking down on the recycling, or purchasing sustainable foods that are organic and locally grown. Natural and locally grown foods are healthier, and reducing, reusing, and recycling is better for the environment. So in the end, everyone wins!  Listed below are just a few of NYC’s restaurants that are green and affordable!

1. The Cleaver Co.
The Cleaver Co. believes that “the best foods are grown, tended and harvested within a day’s drive your table”.  The “Green Table” has an ever-changing menu of organic foods as well as a variety of beverages such as wines, beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drink including a great selection of organic teas.  The food menu includes, but is not limited to, fresh salads, pizzas, burgers, and seafood.  Cleaver Co. also provides catering for special events such as social gatherings, corporate events, weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and not-for-profit events.  Be sure to check out their one-of-a-kind “Daily Infusion” seasonal house made beverage for only $2!
http://www.cleaverco.com/

2. GustOrganics Restaurant and Bar
“Changing the World One Meal at a Time” is their motto. If that doesn’t spark an interest to begin with, then maybe their easy online food ordering, online reservations, or online catering booking will catch your attention. Menu option include breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, natural fruit blend, cold and hot beverages, fresh organic baby meals, organic tapitos, and the world’s first USDA certified organic bar.  So many creative and organic options to choose from! $5 off your first online order!
http://www.gustorganics.com/index.php

3.  American Museum of Natural History
Want to tour beautiful museum exhibits and eat green at the same time? Well make sure to take advantage of the opportunity at the American Museum of Natural History! Lot’s of lip-smacking locally grown gourmet meals! Become enthralled in the race to the South Pole in Antarctica as you watch “the Race to the End of the Earth”, and then quench your thirst with a natural fruit smoothie. Or if the endless excitement of exhibit viewing worked up a giant appetite and a smoothie just won’t cut it, dig into a classic dish such as a “mouth-watering” panini!
http://www.amnh.org/museum/food/

4. French Roast
French Roast has two locations within NYC: 85th & Broadway on the Upper West Side, and 11th Street and Sixth Avenue in the West Village.  The restaurant has a “lively atmosphere of a Parisian bistro, both French Roasts pay homage to this most lively and cosmopolitan of cities”. They are certified green by the Green Association, implementing a variety of green business practices. Besides their wide range of menu options, they also have a 24 hour menu! Stop in after a night out on the town for a juicy burger, or to cater to that sweet tooth, try their pancakes!
http://www.frenchroastny.com/menu.php#

5. Babbo
Babbo is all about the, “great Italian tradition of hospitality and quality at the table and in the glass”. Their philosophy is to use the best local ingredients from the land, air, and sea as simply as possible and serve them with “flourish and joy”.  The aura of this elegant Italian restaurant may have you thinking that you are truly enjoying a tasty meal in the midst of Italy, so eat up and enjoy! Or as the Italians would say, “mangia e divertiti!”
http://www.babbonyc.com/vision.html

6.  Candle 79
“Elegant. Organic. Local. Seasonal. Compassionate. Green. Step inside, and discover a world of a sustainable beauty in food and drink”. Enough said – I’m there! You don’t need to be a vegan to enjoy the unique meals and drinks served at this classy restaurant – just come in with an open mind and you’ll be sure to find something you can’t get enough of.  They even have a gluten-free menu, how accommodating! Sit down and enjoy a brunch of berry crepes with coconut cream, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate drizzle, or one of the chef’s daily hand cut pasta. Candle 79 is sure to make even some of the most carnivorous of carnivores out there begin to have a new appreciation for vegan meals!
http://www.candle79.com/

7. NiceMatin
Certified Green by the Green association, this restaurant located in the Upper West Side has an extensive menu of anything from burgers and sandwiches, to pizzas and pastas. Check out their three-course dinner option full of different choices of appetizers, entrees, and desserts for only $35! And feel free to make a reservation ahead of time online!
http://www.nicematinnyc.com/menu.php#

8. Otto Pizzeria
Otto Pizzeria is another fabulous restaurant partaking in the green initiative.  What are they doing you may ask? Well, they recycle and use compost, as well as avoid all Styrofoam materials.  They also installed Xlerator hand dryers which use 80% less energy than traditional hand dryers and get the job done in 10-15 seconds, which has halved the restaurant’s paper towel usage! You will not find a single water bottle in the place as they are reducing their plastic usage, but you will find an abundance of energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs! Obviously this pizzeria goes through a whole lot of pizza boxes, so by switching to boxes made of 100% recycled cardboard, Otto Pizzeria is just adding to the improvement of their carbon footprint.  You won’t miss this restaurant on the side of the road – it’s shaped like an Italian train station! All aboard the Otto Pizzeria! Enjoy drinks, antipasti, griddle-cooked pizzas and homemade gelato, all the while listing to upbeat and lively music!
http://ottopizzeria.com/home.cfm

9. Rouge Tomate
Rouge Tomate is a Modern American Cuisine restaurant that actively works to address social and environmental issues. Food is provided by farmers who only produce local and seasonal foods to ensure that every meal is taken directly from the farm to the table. Innovative cooking techniques are used to “ignite the natural flavors while heightening the nutritional value of each meal”. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the warm octopus salad. If you’re feeling not-so adventurous, there is plenty to choose from such as a salad, pasta or chicken dish. Explore the endless possibilities of this Modern American cuisine with a twist located off the southeast corner of Central Park!
http://www.rougetomatenyc.com/

10. Habana Outpost
What is an “eco-eatery”? Habana Outpost is! And the only one in NYC! This means that only earth-friendly practices are used in the design, construction, and day-to-day activities. Not only is the food produced and consumed in a way to promote sustainable solutions, but there is an entire market to discover, full of a variety of local designers and vendors. Choose your location of which eco-eatery you would like to try: Café Habana in New York, New York, or Habana Outpost in Brooklyn, NY!
http://www.cafehabana.com/planet.htm

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 at 12:40 pm and is filed under Top 10 Lists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.