It’s easy (and delicious) being green
Reduce, reuse, recycle… eat? Oh yeah, you read that right. Go ahead and spread some eco-friendliness on Earth Day this coming Sunday, April 22 by chowing down. Chicago has plenty of great options for sustainable, organic, earth-friendly eateries in which to do that. What a beautiful word it is after all.
If You’re Staying At City View at the Highlands in Lombard:
Borrowed Earth Café (970 Warren Ave.) in Downers Grove has been hailed the best raw vegan food in Chicagoland. The open kitchen lets you watch the chefs prepare your grub, as do the multiple TV screens around the place. Everything here is organic and eco-friendly, from the smoothies, food and teas to the paint and bamboo floor boards.
Get There: Drive north down Main St. and continue onto Highland Ave. Make a U-turn at Yorktown Mall Dr. Commute Time: 10 minutes
If You’re Staying At Elm Creek Apartments in Elmhurst:
There’s a reason this place is named after the Greek word for green. Prasino (93 S. LaGrange Rd., LaGrange) is all-around organic, sustainable and environmentally conscious. This place has organic juice/smoothie/espresso bars and food that supports local growers and artisan food producers. Not in LaGrange? As of last year, there’s a Wicker Park location too.
Get There: Turn right onto Arbor Dr./Elm Creek Ct. and then turn right into S. Prospect Ave. Turn left onto W. Brush Hill Rd. Take the first right onto S. York Rd. and take the ramp onto IL-38 E/E Roosevelt Rd. Commute Time: 15 minutes
If You’re Staying At 400 N. LaSalle:
Goodbye forever, Burger King. Hannah’s Bretzel (400 N. LaSalle) is the first USGBC-LEED certified fast casual food joint in Chicago. This place is your new go-to lunch spot for healthy sandwiches, whole grain organic pretzels, organic meat and everything that could possibly be biodegradable. Never any antibiotics, growth hormones, nitrites or sulfites, always a satisfied appetite.
Get There: You’re already in the building! Commute Time: 0 minutes
If You’re Staying At Columbus Plaza:
Don’t scratch eco-friendly off your plate when it comes to dinner time. Shaw’s Crab House (21 E. Hubbard) is not only classy, but also the first Chicago restaurant to gain Marine Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification. The Shaw’s menu has been reviewed by the Shedd Aquarium, and they even also offer a separate sustainable seafood list. Add education to the menu: Shaw’s also helps customers understand the environmental costs of certain fishing and farming methods.
Get There: Get on the 135 Bus headed toward Wilson/Clarendon at Upper Wacker and State. Get off at Upper Wacker and Columbus. Commute Time: 10 minutes
Of course, a commitment to the environment shouldn’t begin and end on Earth Day. Use this as a road map to kick start some eco-awareness. We think you’ll learn soon enough that being green about your diet doesn’t have to mean getting mean on your taste buds.