Being a green restaurant is not only about following trends. There are a number of additional reasons that you should consider if you’re not entirely convinced whether it’s worth it. Apart from the publicity that green restaurants are increasingly receiving, the Green Restaurant Association (GRA) has pointed out five additional reasons for going green. These are: cutting costs, improving staff productivity and morale, attracting new customers and increasing customer loyalty, staying ahead of legislation and, finally, creating a healthier environment.
The GRA was founded in 1990 and has been working ever since to help restaurants achieve these goals, has estimated their results, given them feedback and certified them according to its 4-star certification standard. Points are awarded according to a list of 7 Environmental Categories, such as: water efficiency, waste reduction and recycling, sustainable furnishings and building materials, sustainable food, energy, disposables and chemical and pollution reduction. Thus, a green certificate includes a variety of criteria, of which ‘organic’ or ‘locally grown food’ are only one among many.
GRA’s site features extensive lists of restaurants across the country which have been certified and each restaurant has its personal profile with detailed info about its performance. Out of these, we have picked 8 restaurants in NY which are exemplary in the practices and have at least 3 stars. These are as follows:
GustoOrganics
GustoOrganics is currently the only 4 star certified restaurant in New York, according to GRA’s certification standard. Its website claims that it is also, additionally, the world’s first certified restaurant using all organic ingredients, as well as the first and only USDA certified organic bar on the planet. This certainly makes GustoOrganics something like the Mecca of green and organic dining. The restaurant serves Latin-inspired cuisine and its menu changes on a daily basis, depending on the fresh produce that is available. Its philosophy is entirely focused on organic food, sustainable practices, respect for the environment, communities and other cultures.
Anfora
Anfora will be turning 3 years in May but has already earned 3 GRA stars, with a total of 178 points. The restaurant is named after the clay vessels that were used in ancient Greece and Rome for the storage of wine – so-called Amphorae. Anfora thus offers a great selection of fine wines, some of which have actually aged in anforas (a resurgent trend among winemakers) and most of which are from organic and sustainable vineyards. There are also other quality drinks such as a beers and cocktails and many tasty and healthy snacks.
OTTO
Enoteca Otto Pizzeria, as the full name goes, is another charming 3-star green restaurant. The word enoteca comes from Italian and literally means a “wine repository” or, more specifically, a type of wine shop found in Italy. Furthermore, the restaurant is situated in the One Fifth Avenue building that used to house the legendary One Fifth restaurant. Last but not least, OTTO is modeled to look like an Italian train station. It is also worth noting that apart from its 3 stars, the restaurant is actually the result of the partnership between top-chef and restaurateur Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, famous restaurateur and vineyard owner.
Rouge Tomate
Rouge Tomate, as many restaurants on GRA’s list, not only has 3 stars but was also featured in the 2012 Michelin Guide and is also recommended by Slow Food USA. This is all due to the Sanitas Per Escam (Health Through Food) philosophy which is a specific approach devised by chefs and dieticians. SPE® means that Rouge Tomate only uses local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients in its kitchen. Furthermore, it also means that foods are prepared in a way that aims to preserve their nutritional value and beneficial ingredients. Last but not least, the combination of foods is meant to not only appeal to the senses but also to offer a combination of products that go well together, so that our bodies make the most of them.
L’Artusi
L’Artusi is actually a sister restaurant to Anfora. It predates the latter by 2 years and the people behind Anfora are the same ones as those behind L’Artusi. Those are, most notably, Execute Chef Gabe Thompson and Executive Beverage Director Joe Campanale. The restaurant has a 3-star GRA rating and is noted for its modern take on traditional Italian cuisine which it presents by utilizing seasonal and fresh produce. The wine list is also extensive and features different wines by region. Desserts are created by Pastry Chef Katherine Lahr who is noted for her expertise.
Candle 79
Candle 79, another 3-start GRA restaurant, has the most points in the food category of the GRA assessment and this is not by chance. The restaurant claims to be NYC’s vegan oasis which offers Food Fresh From Farm to Table™. Candle 79 is entirely dedicated to vegan, organic, seasonal and sustainable foods and has made it its mission to promote an environmental-conscious approach to food. It has also been rated as Zagat’s #1 vegetarian restaurant twice. The restaurant’s drinks are also in line with its general philosophy which means many different types of organic wines, spirits and beers.
Del Posto
Del Posto is another restaurant by Joe and Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali. It, too, is Italian, though not simply Italian. As the website claims the approach at Del Posto is best described as “trans-generational: an expression of the evolution of cuisines, menus, service and ambiance that have characterized the history of the Italian dining experience in this country”. The restaurant offers a warm and comfortable atmosphere, serves fresh and seasonal food and, naturally, has a great array of fine Italian wines. Del Posto has been certified as a 3 GRA stars restaurant.
Pisticci
Pisticci’s name comes from a town in the province of Matera, situated in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata. Just like the town, small and welcoming, so is the restaurant. The food at the restaurant is offered in the same spirit as it is at home in Matera – each day from scratch, fresh and served with an attitude of enjoyment. Furthermore, some of the products at Pisticci are specially flown in from Naples every Wednesday – like their mozzarella di bufala. The menu at Pisticci does not only offer dishes from the region but tries to encompass cuisine from all over Italy – northern as well as southern. Pisticci is also 100% Carbon neutral and has also received 3 stars from the GRA.
Of course, these aren’t the only restaurants in NYC that have GRA certificates but they are, certainly, one of the best with regards to an environmental outlook, organic food and sustainable practices. As the ‘green’ industry continues to grow and new legislation that is in favor of green practices is passed regularly, such restaurants are currently leading the way and will, in the end, probably also become the norm.
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