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Manhattan Notes -
Restaurants
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Thursday, 12 February 2009 17:21 |
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 Gustorganics
519 Avenue of the Americas
212-242-5800
gustorganics.com
There is so much to say about this restaurant and most of it is not about the menu. Now this is not to say that the food is not delicious. In fact, the food offered at America’s first and only 100% certified organic restaurant is wonderful. It’s a full menu (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with a latin-flavor that ranges from grilled organic pizzas and empanadas to risotto and filet mignon. But really the most impressive part of the restaurant is its undeviating focus on “green” and sustainable.
Yes, we know these have become catch-all phrases used by many a marketers to pull at our ethical side in order to sell!, sell! sell! But Gustorganics may be what many of us imagine as (hopefully!) the future of restaurants. Founded in 2008 by Argentinean-born businessman, Alberto Gonzalez, who was struck by the lack of fresh food when he traveled to NYC, Gustorganics abides by a mission that consists of serving natural food to its customers, respecting our health and treading lightly upon the planet. Here are a few of the qualities reaching towards there prominently displayed mission on the restaurants windows : Truth, Integrity, Sharing, Respect, Sustainability, Fair Trade, Healthy:
1. Gustorganics is the first and only certified organic restaurant in New York.
2. America’s first restaurant to use 100% USDA certified organic ingredients.
3. One of the greenest restaurants in the world.
4. The first and only USDA certified organic bar on the planet.
5. Uses only wind energy.
6. Use of solar lighting.
7. Energy-efficient kitchen equipment.
8. Water conservation equipment.
9. 100% recycled paper, bags, and boxes.
10. Restaurant built with recycled woods and eco-friendly materials.
The list goes on and on and this I take is absolutely a good thing and a breath of fresh air. Whether you try the Buenos Aires style steak or the home-made turkey meatballs, you can rest assured that your meal will be chemical-free, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and GMO-free. Thank goodness the pizza I tried, layered lavishly with zucchini, tomato, eggplant, and squash wasn’t taste-free! Nor was the atmosphere. In the evening the modern-rustic space is dimly lit with tasteful orb-like hanging lights and the natural light coming in from the huge window that runs the entire length of the restaurant. It’s a warm, calm ambiance that makes it good for most dining occasions.
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