A Greener Way to Dine

It’s often said that the best way to start living a greener life is by making some small changes to everyday decisions.

Insert eco-friendly fine dining, where you can still indulge in succulent dishes, but have less of an impact on the environment.

Locally grown produce, seasonal ingredients, naturally raised meats, organic ingredients and environmentally sustainable farming and fishing practices all contribute to a restaurant being eco-friendly. It may seem out of reach, but this green restaurant trend has been growing for years.

Epic Restaurant, located at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, even has a rooftop garden with fresh herbs and also uses its rooftop hand-harvested honey in the desserts. Canoe Restaurant and Bar, also located in Toronto, is often described as “truly Canadian” with ingredients arriving from across the nation: Salmon from British Columbia, strip sirloin from Alberta, produce grown in Ontario, poultry from Quebec and caribou from the Yukon. These are just two examples of the many green restaurants available for your picking.

As more restaurants look to running environmentally friendly operations, various organizations are stepping in to help them make the transition. LEAF is a Calgary-based organization that provides green certification for Canadian restaurants, making it easier for clientele to go green.

So next time you’re itching to dine out, try choosing an eco-friendly restaurant that will please both your palette and the environment.

— Gurvinder Kaur