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10 February 2010
Posted in
5) Sustainable Celebrations
Do you engage in ‘Earthy Eating-Out’ practises when you go out for lunch or dinner? Are you eating ‘real’ food? in locally owned restaurants? and bringing your ‘green-tainers’ in case you have any left-overs? What about your outings and travel habbits? Are those ‘green’ and local?
If so, that’s wonderful. But for those who are not, here are some helpful hints, as well as a few new spots to further your ‘earthy’ eating-out and outings habits:
- Engage in “Earthy Eating Out & Outings” with some past pearls of wisdom, as well as past events. (from last year’s Winter Guide ’09) Some events, like Flamenco Valentine are back again this year by popular demand, so be sure to take them in.
- Follow 'greener' “Take-out & Travel Refuse” practices from last year’s Summer Guide ’09 to reduce your carbon footprint and eat 'slow food' instead of 'fast food'.
- Find ‘Green-tainers’ and other sustainable snack and lunch suggestions from our Fall Guide ’09.
- Take greener get-aways – Stay local! Try an eco-vacation at nearby Windhorse Farms. Or, see our Summer Guide ’09 suggestions to learn about:
- Be an “Everyday Environmentalist for Travel” (from our Summer Guide ’09)
- Attend local fundraisers. Local charity groups and not-for-profits (NFPs) usually work hard to create fun outings for their fundraising events. Visit the CRUSISIS Events listing section regularly for the latest fundraising event news.
- Eat in locally-owned restaurants that honor sustainability practises at the heart of their food and their overall ‘restauranteuring’ operation. Here are a couple newer ones about which you may not be aware, as well as an old favorite:
- The Coastal
- Chez Tess Creperie
- The Wooden Monkey
- Your Healthy, Local Restaurant Choices
1. The Coastal
It’s long been said that if you want to enjoy a meal out and you’re on a tight budget, breakfast or brunch is the meal to pick. But if you’re on a budget and don’t want to give up quality, taste, or dining experience, The Coastal is the place to go for your brunch!
Chef Mark Giffin is an artist for the eyes and the stomach! He knows his way around the kitchen with past roles including Chef at Bish on the waterfront. Mark is also the CRUSISIS Everyday Gourmet for Winter 2010 and has generously given us his recipe to Les Oeufs Hivers, a delicious wintery brunch treat for which you can purchase everything you need to make it from your local market.
The Coastal also does more than just brunch. They have a delicious and diverse lunch menu that includes Asian dishes and food ideas from around the world. And they have some special evening events as well. See their website for details (www.thecoastal.ca) or if you’re looking for a cost effective place to which to take your special someone drop in to 2731 Robie St, where The Coastal will be sure to “fit the bill” in terms of cost and quality!
2. Chez Tess Creperie
If you’re a cultural culinary ‘connaisseur’, or even just a lover of delicious food, no doubt you love a good crepe. If you’re a market go’er , you probably enjoy delicious ones there from time to time. However, the one thing missing is the ‘dining experience’. Now you can get both, divine crepe combinations (sweet or savory and made from fresh ingredients), and a charming place in which to eat them at Chez Tess in the North end of Halifax (Charles St., east of Agricola). They occasionally run specials too like their 3-course meal for two for approximately $60, including champagne flute, for Valentine’s Day.
When owner Liz Cunningham found out that the ground floor space in the Nile House was available, she says: “I jumped at the opportunity. I loved the building and the location from the instant I saw it. I have always wanted to create a comfortable, warm, inviting space that people would enjoy coming to with friends to enjoy a good meal and perhaps a glass of wine.” Liz’s wish for a cozy space went beyond the physical comforts a restaurant usually considers. She engaged Archnet (owned by ‘green’ designer Rod Malay) to help make the project inviting and environmentally friendly. The Nile House is a green building. However, according to Rod Malay, the intent of the Nile House was not simply to “go green”, it was and continues to be an architectural element with social value. Read more about the building project and owner Liz’s views of her new restaurant and location.
3. The Wooden Monkey
The Wooden Monkey would definitely fall into the ‘old favorites’ category by now for many. Although I am always surprised to hear people say often either: “What’s that restaurant like”, or, “I keep meaning to go there, but I haven’t had the chance yet.”
This is why we like to continue to promote them as a wonderful restaurant alternative that is locally owned and that serves ‘real’ food, that is organic and sourced locally as often as possible. And, the food is not only nutritious, it’s delicious… good for your taste buds, the earth and your community! Who could ask for more in a dining experience?
Visit them at their new beautifully renovated downtown Halifax location (1707 Grafton St), with more seating (2 floors now) to serve you better.
4. Your Healthy, Local Restaurant Choices
There are many other healthy, locally owned restaurants that serve organic and/or Fair Trade food and beverage items that are delicious. And it definitely does not always cost more to dine in more earth or social conscious restaurants when you consider the price of eating out anywhere these days and the added health benefits you get. So be sure to look for them in your neighbourhood. Find out what’s in the dishes people are serving and where the food comes from.
Try the handful of restaurants listed above if you haven’t yet. And if you have, be sure to check out the other links from above to a few more suggestions for ‘earthy eating-out’ instead of getting ‘take-out’, and to help further reduce your carbon footprint. (“Take-out & Travel Refuse” from last year’s Summer Guide ’09)
The choice is yours when you are eating out. And there is power in your choice. Why not make a sustainable one? The truth is, not all restaurants are created equal, nor the dishes they make.
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