Restaurants Participate in Earth Day

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, April 8th, 2010

April 22^nd is the 40^th Anniversary of Earth Day! It’s a day to reflect upon all the wonderful things Mother Earth has provided you and maybe change a few of your habits.  What better way to do that than to stuff your face with Earth’s edible treasures–food! Below is a list of some restaurants celebrating Earth Day.

Virginia:

American Flatbread  will have a special Earthy Day Dinner on Thursday, April 22nd. It’s $29/person; $4.99/children for personal size flatbread with unlimited Organic Valley Milk.  The menu includes Greek salads, spinach salad, Asparagus and Baby Spinach Flatbread, Lam Sausage Flatbread, and locally made desserts.

All three Busboys and Poets will host Green Hours during Earth Day from 5pm to midnight.  Special eco-cocktails, featuring sustainable spirits from VeeV and Leopold Bros will be served.  Organic Beer Happy Hours occur every Wednesday at 4.

Did you know VeeV donates $1 for every bottle sold to help protect the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest? VeeV is also the first alcohol brand to offset their carbon footprint; they do this through their partner Climate Clean.  Their distillery is the only one in the States to be powered by renewable wind energy.

Open Kitchen, the only restaurant in Falls Church to hold a Virginia Green Certification, will launch their Recipe For Green Discount on Earth Day. Each time you contribute to the restaurant’s efforts of being eco-conscious you get 5% off your lunch or dinner (not including alcohol) purchase.  For more information, email Holly at holly.camalier@openkitchen-dcmetro.com

1. You can contribute by:
2.             -bringing your own to-go bag or to-go container
3.             -providing your own coffee mug
4.             -walking, skateboarding, rollerblading, or biking to Open Kitchen

            -taking the metro, riding the bus, or diving a Hybrid to Open Kitchen

As of April 1^st, Open Kitchen plants its own herbs and edible flowers.  The restaurant also serves Southern Tier 422, which is packaged in over 80% recycled consumer products and is completely recyclable.

Tallula will offer a four-course dinner on Thursday, April 22nd showcasing locally grown, humanely raised, and sustainable products.  The dinner begins at 7pm and costs $85/person, including wine pairings with Virginia wines to reduce the carbon footprint and compliment Chef Barry Koslow’s menu.  The menu includes House Made Linguini with Virginia Clams and Red Apron Chorizo; Pan Roasted Striped Bass; and Eco Friendly Farms Pork Trio, Poached Loin with Flava Beans and Morels, and Confit Belly with Brussels Slaw.

Best of all, Bev Eggleston, founder of EcoFriendly Foods, and Drew Koslow, biologist and clean water advocate as well as Chef Koslow’s brother, will be in attendance to discuss ethical standards and benefits of grass-based farming, sustainable fishing practices, and the state of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Toscana Grill, an ecofriendly restaurant  in Clarendon will be going 100% vegan every weekend in April.  They will also have free Appetizer Saturdays, free dessert Sundays and a VegDC Dinner Package which includes two vegan entrees, one appetizer, and one dessert for $29.  The VegDC dinner will be available every Saturday and Sunday in April.  In addition, Compassion Over Killing will collaborate on three weekend events, including a Dancing & Drinks Night on April 10^th and Bring Your Dog to Brunch Day on April 25^th.

The 2^nd annual Earth Day at Loudoun County Festival will be held at Willow Creek Farm on Sunday, April 25^th from 11am-4pm.  The admission-free event is presented by the Broadlands Wildlife Habitat Committee and will feature over 75 exhibitors, a Green Marketplace offering eco-friendly products and services, and hands-on educational activities for all ages. 

DC:

Bread & Brew, a certified green restaurant, will go vegan for Earth Day.  All meals will be vegan and 10% of the day’s sales will be donated to Compassion Over Killing.  Bread & Brews will also launch their new Meatless Monday menu on April 26th.

Mocha Lounge (944 Florida Ave NW) will host a green hour on Wednesday, April 14th and Thursday, April 15^th from 5:30-8:30pm. 

Pitango Gelato on Tuesday, April 12 from 7-8pm. A portion of the profits will benefit the Earth Day Network.  Their authentic gelatos and sorbets are made from fresh organic fruits and nuts and grass-fed organic milk from a sustainable dairy farm in Lancaster County, PA.  The gelato uses no flavorings, colorings, or artificial ingredients.  Earth Day Network representatives will be at the store to distribute buttons and information about upcoming events. 

Restaurant Nora will host a green hour on Tuesday, April 20 & Wednesday, April 21 from 5:30-10pm.  Nora’s will have an Earth Day tasting menu that includes seasonal spring vegetables and seasonal cocktails.  On April 20^th and 21^st Nora’s will be donating $1 from each seasonal cocktail to the Earth Day Network.

If you’d like to get involved in other ways, visit The Nature Conservancy or EPA Earth Day.

Lastly, the Natural Food List provides free coupon newsletters for natural and organic products.  Sign up online and save on items varying from toothpaste to food and beverages.  You can also stay up to date by visiting their Facebook and Twitter.

 –Aisha Salazar

Tags: Aisha Salazar, American Flatbread, Bread and Brew, Busboys and Poets, Earth Day, Green Hour, Gut Check, Loudoun County Festival, Mocha Lounge, Natural Food List, Nature Conservancy, Northern Virginia Magazine, Open Kitchen, Pitango Gelato, Restaurant Nora, Tallula, Toscana Grill, Willow Creek Farm