Biography

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1 Friends

6 Firsts

2 Compliments

Allix

Allston, MA
Member since 06/02/2008
Last login: 06/27/2008

Knowledge

Food, Clothing, Food, Crafts

Interests

Recycling, Veganism, Recycling, Veganism, Slow Food, Food Coops

Confusions

Housing, City Life

reviews
posts
compliments

June 05, 2008

BOOMERANGS

716 Centre St , Jamaica Plain, MA, 617-524-5120

100% of the proceeds from Boomerangs' sales benefit the Aids Action Committee of Massachusetts. Boomerangs is more than the typical Boston-area thrift store. While the shop carries thrifted items they've also got a large selection of overstock and deadstock from major retailers such as Urban Outfitters and Brooks Brothers.

The staff are incredibly friendly - and, unlike Urban Renewals in Allston, they've got dressing rooms so that you can try before you buy.

June 03, 2008

Other Side Cafe

407 Newbury St , Boston, MA, 617-536-8437

With a substantial vegan and raw menu Otherside does a great job of catering to slow food enthusiasts or those looking to cut down on their carbon footprint. On the omnivorous side the menu utilizes local ingredients where possible. Kudos to them also for offering organic wine and beer selections.

In other areas of greeness, the management at Otherside is also very serious about waste reduction and management. They don't use to-go cups but offer discounts for those who bring their own travel mugs. Recycling is also done where possible.

June 11, 2008

OLEANA

134 Hampshire St , Cambridge, MA, 617-661-0505

Oleana is my new favorite restaurant. The emphasis is on Arabesque Middle Eastern cuisine punctuated by amazing, flavorful, spice blends.

For those who imbibe they offer an extensive menu of local and organic beers and wines. Also, Oleana's produce is sourced from the restaurant's own farm in nearby Sudbury MA. In addition their meats (which include rabbit and other varietals) are processed and procured locally.

If you've never been be sure to sit on the patio outside - the lighting is dim, there's live music playing, and the atmosphere is pure unadulterated luxury.

June 05, 2008

Veggie Planet Pizza

47 Palmer St , Cambridge, MA, 617-661-1513

I love love Veggie Planet. This all vegetarian restaurant in Harvard Square offers fantastic pizza, salad, and rice dishes made from local ingredients. All staff earn a living wage (this might mean you have to wait a bit longer for your food, but relax and enjoy your vegan, organic, sustainably produced pizza). Pizza Dough is provided by the folks at Haley House, a local shelter/job skills organization. It goes without saying that this place recycles.
Fair Trade coffees and teas are served at breakfast/brunch.

June 05, 2008

DEEP ELLUM BAR

263 N Beacon St , Brighton, MA, 617-787-2337

Deep Ellum is one of my favorite neighborhood hangouts. The menu is very heavy on the locally sourced-inspired eats and there are quite a few options for vegans and vegetarians.

They're also very green conscious - the lights are kept low, they've got low flow toilets and they recycle. Oh - and did I mention there's a patio for enjoying the great outdoors with a craft beer and a good seitan burger?

June 05, 2008

Redbones Barbecue

55 Chester St , Somerville, MA, 617-628-2200

I'm vegan so Redbones is not typically the type of joint I'd frequent. But I've got to give them props for being possibly one of the greenest businesses in all of the greater Boston area.

Seriously - what other restaurant or business in the area not only offers bike delivery but bike valet parking as well? How cool is that? Redbones also donates space/time to local cyclists' advocacy events like Bikes Not Bombs - they also host an annual bike benefit.

The menu is meat heavy (of course) but they recycle their cooking grease - selling it to a local company that converts it to biodiesel.

June 05, 2008

UPSTAIRS ON THE SQUARE

91 Winthrop St , Cambridge, MA, 617-864-1933

While most folks around the Boston/Cambridge area know of Upstairs on The Square as an upscale dining location perfect for impressing the parents or a date, very few are aware of the restaurant's strong commitment to local food and organic dining.

June 05, 2008

Harvest Coop Markets

581 Massachusetts Ave , Cambridge, MA, 617-661-1580

I love that Harvest is one of the few places in the area where I can easily identify local produce and products. Everything is clearly labeled, easy to identify as conventional or organic, and with origin listed whenever possible. The bulk grains and spices section is also a fantastic place to stock up on staples - you can even use your own containers (true for the salad bar as well).

What else? Be prepared to get a small discount (I believe $.10/bag) for being green and bringing your own carryout shopping bags.

June 05, 2008

B GOOD

131 Dartmouth St , Boston, MA, 617-424-5252

B. Good is founded on a philosophy of bringing real food, real ingredients to the fast food industry. They serve baked frieds, a variety of burgers including two veggie (but not vegan) burgers, as well as a new line of salads. The Harvard Square location didn't recycle for a long time which was slightly disappointing but John, the CEO, seems committed to continually bettering the business.

Staff are regularly briefed on the ingredients in each menu item so as to be able to properly address customers' concerns about ingredients and dietary restrictions.

June 05, 2008

CENTRE STREET CAFE

669 Centre St , Jamaica Plain, MA, 617-524-9217

You haven't properly had brunch in the Boston area until you've waited in the round-the-block line at Centre Street Cafe in JP. While the cafe does serve dinner and lunch, the weekend brunch is the reason to go. They're accomodating for vegans and will substitute or add tofu scramble to many of the breakfast dishes - you will be charged $2 for it, but it's worth the price.

Centre Street's menu is largely influenced by partnerships with local farmers. The restaurant's in season produce as well as some of the pork and beef are procured locally through some of the following:

2 Compliments

re: Redbones Barbecue June 25, 2008

Peter

Great review. I'm intrigued that a vegan would give such props to a joint that serves so much pork. Do you know if RB's sources their pork in a way that limits the impact of the swine industry, or if they use sources that humanely raise the piglets, etc? Just wondering if you've got any skinny on the swine... Thanks -Peter

re: Redbones Barbecue June 24, 2008