By Felicia Brower
Good food tastes even better when it is made with local and organic ingredients in a restaurant committed to sustainability. Sustainable practices in the food industry are beneficial to establishment owners, the environment, and patrons alike. Establishment owners can save a lot of money through upgrades and reductions in energy use, the amount of pollution from transportation and waste is reduced, and foods from restaurants that use local and organic food tend to be healthier. There is also an ever-growing customer base that wants to make responsible and eco-friendly choices when they decide to dine out. For those interested in supporting food establishments committed to sustainability and protecting the environment, we’ve compiled a list of five environmentally friendly bars and restaurants all over the country. Some of the establishments are 21+, so if you are underage, be sure to visit the website before you go.
Hopworks Urban Brewery
Portland, OR
Hopworks Urban Brewery is Portland, Oregon’s first eco-brewpub. According to their website, they offer “handcrafted organic beers and fresh, local ingredients, all served in a sustainably built and operated building with a relaxed, casual atmosphere.” Hopworks Urban Brewery has already implemented 48 practices* to earn the title of one of the country’s most sustainable and eco-friendly breweries. That list includes things like utilizing a biodiesel fired brew kettle that runs on fryer oil; running a waste recycling program that strives for zero waste; and using organic milk, field greens, and various other seasonal vegetables to prepare meals. In addition, most menu items (down to the dressings) are made from scratch, and any food waste is used for composting or animal feed. Hopworks Urban Brewery is a great place to take the family or to enjoy a night out with friends while being environmentally responsible at the same time.
(*48 Things Hopworks has done to go green: http://hopworksbeer.com/going_green.php)
Brooklyn Bowl
Brooklyn, NY
With a 16-lane bowling alley and a live music venue, Brooklyn Bowl is one of the hippest and most eco-friendly bars in Brooklyn, NY. Run on 100% wind-powered electricity, this bar/bowling alley/venue combo is ENERGY STAR certified wherever possible. Brooklyn Bowl has made a commitment to being sustainable and is the world’s first LEED certified bowling alley. There are no bottles or cans used at the bar, and the 10 draught beers are all brewed locally in Brooklyn. In addition, the stage floor is made from 100% recycled truck tires, and the floor in the bowler’s lounge is made from 100% reclaimed cork. While this sounds like a fun environment for everyone, those under 21 are only allowed in Brooklyn Bowl during the daytime on Saturdays and Sundays.
Pourtal Wine Bar
Santa Monica, CA
Pourtal Wine Bar is a Santa Monica Certified Green Business with a passion for vino. The building was constructed using FSC-certified wood, and the recycled glass countertops are great additions to the bar. The bar offers a wide variety of sulpher-free organic and local wines and other menu items made with ingredients from the local farmer’s market. In addition to serving organic and local wine, Pourtal Wine Bar is also known for hosting a happy hour where a percentage of the sales are donated to humanitarian and environmental charities.
Restaurant Nora
Washington, DC
Restaurant Nora was the nation’s first certified organic restaurant. The restaurant has since created a community of over ten farmer’s markets that provide local and organic food to several area restaurants in Washington DC. 95% of the food served at Restaurant Nora is from organic growers. Some well known restaurant specialties are local heirloom tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella, chanterelle and roasted red pepper tart, pan seared Norwegian sustainable salmon, and molten bittersweet chocolate cake. The restaurant also offers an opportunity for students to participate in an organic internship program each year.
Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns
New York, NY
Blue Hill restaurant in New York City’s West Village was opened in 2000 and showcases the best locally grown and raised food. All imported food is raised sustainably and is served with sides of local food. The restaurant specializes in dishes like pan-seared and roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet-potato-and-apple gratin, cannelloni with lobster, and poached duck.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns combines a working farm, restaurant, 22,000-foot-greenhouse, and educational center in the Hudson Valley. The food from the farm is produced without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides and is used at this establishment as well as Blue Hill in New York City. The education center offers cooking classes, tastings, how-to workshops and lectures, in-depth book discussions with noted authors, and more. The combination of farm and restaurant is a great example of a business with a dedication to sustainability and responsible food production.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Felicia, Katie and Lizzie, igsocal, Jane Bracher, Incredibly Green and others. Incredibly Green said: If you haven't read it yet, check out our newest article on eco bars & restaurants! http://bit.ly/gVsNHd [...]
[...] Green Drinks & Eco Eats [...]