Restaurants and "sustainable" foods

[myra]

For a Significant Birthday, my friend would like to eat at a restaurant that tries to buy local, "sustainable" (i.e., with an eye towards environmentalism, not over-fished, etc.) foods. I know about the White Dog Cafe, but the consensus on the board is the food is not great. Can you offer other suggestions? I was thinking Horizons, but we need more ideas. A place with the good taste to buy local, and cooking that tastes good. Thanks.

[xtian]

My suggestions-- Fork, Farmicia, Rx

For those generally interested in this topic, I'd suggest checking out the Fair Food Project, which is run through the White Dog's Foundation. They have done a great job of connecting local restaurants with local purveryors and as one result, have produced a great free guide that lists those restaurants, etc. that buy local.

To request the guide, you can can go to: http://www.whitedogcafefoundation.org... and click on publications.

[Bigley9]

and they provide those of us who cook with local/organic/sustainable meats (Jamison Farm lamb, for example) and produce at the Fair Food Farmstand in the Reading Terminal MArket Wed to Sun across from Foster's Gourmet Cookware!

[bluehensfan]

If you hike to Kennett Square, the ex-Django duo opened a gourmet take out and market that would fit your needs too. Here's the website: http://www.talulastable.com/

[myra]

Thank you for the great information. Now I want to try all these places.

[lauracohenromano]

I loved Horizons, and I also have been told that Bistro 7, Django, and Pif are all committed to using as many locally grown ingredients as possible. For future reference on a less special occasion, Honey's Sit 'n' Eat in Northern Liberties shares this commitment. I haven't gotten there yet, but it gets rave reviews (but long lines) for weekend brunch.

[Susan H]

Bistro 7, and Django.

[gina]

Bistro 7, excellent BYO in Old City, buys local and organic. The chef/owner, Michael O'Halloran, used to be the executive chef at White Dog Cafe a while ago. I have never been to White Dog, but from what I've read here, it was great back then, but went downhill after Chef O'Halloran left.

[Bigley9]

Haven't been, but Farmacia in Old City was also trying to go that route

[bluehensfan]

I knew it would be a matter of time before someone mentioned Farmacia. I'd pass on it, since the food there is grossly underseasoned, the service is relatively poor, and the chef is a "graduate" of the White Dog.

Haven't been but hear very good things about Horizons though!

[Bigley9]

good to know. As I said, I hadn't been and I have heard mixed reviews

[urbanfabric]

What about James? I haven't been, but I've heard that's what they're going after:
http://www.jameson8th.com/

[Bride of the Juggler]

What about Rx in West Philly? When I was there for lunch on a Thursday once, we watched all their local purveyors come in - the baker, the Lancaster chicken guy. It was cool. Thank you.