by Nikki Metzgar - 206 Reviews - 77 List
There's a lot of talk these days about doing better by ol' planet Earth and a good place to start is our plates. As it turns out, it is pretty easy eating green. These eco-conscious restaurants and farmers' markets around Houston make an effort to use local or organic ingredients and recycled materials. Drop by, have lunch and let someone else do the dishes. We did say it was easy.
Updated: April 20, 2010
Hate to say it carnivores, but one of the best ways to reduce your carbon imprint is to eat vegan. This take-out veg spot in Montrose goes all the way with raw, organic, animal and gluten-free entrees like salmoon salad and sloppy moes.
After Brennan's was shuttered after Hurricane Ike, Chef Randy Evans seized the opportunity to open one of the city's first green-certified restaurants. That means that it has energy-efficient lighting, refurbished restaurant equipment and an on-site garden. The mostly local menu tends towards Southern comfort, with items like shrimp corn dogs and bacon spaetzle to tempt your eco-conscience.
This international vegan chain is all about peace and harmony--through a plant-based diet. You can show animals some compassion by opting for enthusiastically dubbed dishes that include Save-Planet Curry and the Go-Green Deluxe.
Going green extends to desserts at this EaDo-based hand-pie truck. All the smores, Salisbury steak and chicken pies are made with ingredients from mostly local vendors and served in recyclable and compostable or biodegradable containers.
If area chefs are picking up their local cheese, eggs and arugula from this farmers' market, why aren't you? Come Saturday morning and peruse the vast selection, including some bumper crops from home gardeners, while sipping coffee and eating a freshly-made crepe.
This local mini-chain became green-certified and is proud to be hippie, with menu items including "Hempanadas," hemp brownies and gluten-free quinoa spaghetti. Dishes feature local products like Hatterman eggs and Gundermann farms arugula that can be found at farmers' markets around town.
