Readers' Favorite Green Restaurants: The Dogwood

The Dogwood Restaurant

Baltimore, Maryland

Submitted by:  Erin Mitchell, bluegreen accupuncture and bodywork, Baltimore, Maryland

Located in Baltimore's kitchy Hampden neighborhood which is home to other green businesses, The Dogwood is a restaurant I've known about for 6 years because whenever you ask somebody about a green restaurant in Baltimore, The Dogwood is always at, or near, the top of the list.  It was at the top of Erin's list of favorite green restaurants.  She says, "amazing food, amazing vibe, locally sourced, locally owned, staff are previously incarcerated or recovering addicts - amazing mission , amazing place".  Indeed.  

The amazing food is cooked with the seasons and features "...the finest local and natural ingredients, sourcing from sustainable, artisanal, and organic producers whenever possible."  In fact, their web site lists their local, artisanal and farmer partners, so you know where their food is coming from.  Let's just say it ain't mass produced, folks!  I LOVE restaurants that have relationships -- REAL RELATIONSHIPS -- with local farmers and The Dogwood is clearly one of those places.  

Now, about that social mission.  The Dogwood trains a small group of individuals who are working to transition to a better way of life and these folks serve as apprentices with real-word training in the culinary arts.  I love it.  Help out your fellow man (or woman).  How many places do this?  We are all one, we are all connected, so help out your fellow man.  The Dogwood gets it. 

When you dine here, you'll notice that the entrances and walls are adorned with colorful community art murals.  The images reflect themes of nurturing the spirit that drives the training program, the vibrant beauty of nature, and the beautiful seasonality of the dogwood tree.  Nice.  

They are open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday.  They have daily features and specials including Progressive Oyster Happy Hour Tuesdays through Fridays from 5 to 7.  Let the slurping begin... 

Readers' Favorite Green Restaurants: Le Pain Quotidien

Le Pain Quotidien

Worldwide locations

U.S. locations include New York, California, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC. 

Submitted by:  Reena Kazmann, Eco-Artware, Washington, DC

Even though this bakery/restaurant has world-wide locations, including my home of Washington, DC, I had never heard of it.  Reena says, "They use local veggies, bake nice bread (pricey but delicious, whole grain and it has a firm crust), and always have a vegan option." Their bread is made with organic stone-ground flour, salt, and water and is kneaded and shaped by hand and baked in a hearth.  Any leftover bread, which is of course baked daily, is shared with local schools, charities and nonprofit organizations. In addition to the fresh bread, the menu includes lots of pastries, organic yogurt and granola,soups and sides, quiche, tartines (open face Belgian sandwiches), and sharing platters with cheeses and Mediterranean dips.  Some locations also serve beer and wine.  Ahhhhh.  There is nothing better than some fresh bread, great cheese and a glass of wine...  I'm there already... 

When you visit them, you’ll notice the communal table where friends and strangers alike come together to break bread and linger for a while.  What better way to build community?!  Better yet, like all of their furniture, the communal table is made from reclaimed wood, which means no trees were sacrificed.  I LOVE places like this!  Their green-ness touches all apsects of their business!  

By the way, if you are perplexed about how to pronounce the name of this eco eatery, it is luh paN koh-ti-dyaN, which means "the daily bread."  It's a Belgian name and you'll get the hang of it soon enough.

Readers' Favorite Green Restaurants: Full of Life Flatbread Pizza

 

Full of Life Flatbread Pizza
Los Alamos, California
Submitted by:  Merryl Brown, Merryl Brown Events, Santa Barbara, California

According to Merryl, Full of Life Flatbread sources local and regional foods, supports local farmers, and is very philanthropic in the local community. They were voted best restaurant on the Central Coast of California for several years in a row. They are open Friday through Sunday but don't take reservations, so arrive early to get a seat!  

Why only Friday through Sunday?  Every weekend they convert their production bakery space in a restaurant.  Each week they shop at area farmers' markets so that they can offer guests the freshest ingredients possible.  The menu is based almost entirely on what is grown locally and in season.  Specifically, most of their ingredients originate within 300 miles of the restaurant and when possible, they purchase ingredients directly from family farms, growers, and producers to ensure integrity.  Folks, it's important to know where your food comes from, and Full of Life understands this!  Even more important, they strive to provide a living wage for their employees.  

In addition to their flatbread pizza, they also serve delicious salads made with organic greens and vegetables.  Their desserts, many of which feature chocolate (perfect for a post-pizza indulgence!) are baked in their stone hearth.  

Full of Life also caters special events.  Not going to be in Los Alamos any time soon?  You can purchase frozen versions of their flatbread pizzas at grocery stores nationwide. 

I think I need to plan a trip to the Central Coast...

Readers' Favorite Green Restaurants: Great Sage

This is the first in my series about favorite green restaurants anywhere in the world!  If you have one to share, please email me at lori@lorihillevents.com with the name of the restaurant, its website, what makes it green and why you like it so much!

Great Sage
Clarksville, Maryland
Submitted by:  Melissa Jones, Silver Spring, Maryland

Great Sage provides delicious organic, vegan, and vegetarian food Tuesday through Sunday.  Lunch is served Tuesday through Saturday with a brunch on Sunday.  Lite fare and dinner are served every day.  Food is sourced from local, organic farms and low impact practices are emphasized not just with the customers, but in the kitchen as well. 

Melissa says, "The food is AMAZING and they have weekly meal specials, jazz bands and more!" Indeed!  This restaurant is also a favorite of mine, so when Melissa submitted it as a favorite, I had to give her a virtual high five.  I've taken carnivores there who have learned about eating healthier and have enjoyed the food (there are faux versions traditional meat dishes).  Once I took my sister there for Sunday brunch and was a bit embarrassed when she asked for Sweet'N Low to sweeten her tea.  The non-judgemental server happily provided Stevia and I am delighted to say that my sister has now replaced her evil fake sweeteners with the natural stuff!  I am also a fan of beer, wine and hot tea, and Great Sage has an abundant supply of organic offerings for all of these beverages.  The decor is also pleasing and relaxing and when the weather is warm, you can sit outside.  Thursdays feature live music and half price wine bottles.

If you have to wait for a table, visit nest, the gift store next door, which sells organic, recycled, fair trade, eco-friendly and handmade items such as "...the cutest eco-wear, accessories, paper products and more!" according to Melissa.  On a personal note, I rarely leave nest empty handed.

Strawberry Shortcake Tower

Roots Market, a natural and organic food market, is within the same complex -- Conscious Corner -- along with Bark, a pet store offering pet food that is preservative free with no by-products.  Visitors from far and wide make an afternoon out of visiting Conscious Corner, and I completely understand why!  And this just in!  Boulder, a new, men's eco fashion store is coming this spring!