378700 Thu Mar 08 04:46:52 -0800 2007 12 15 Pennsylvania 0 2364567 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. Thu Mar 08 04:46:52 -0800 2007 16046 myra 1 2364592 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. Thu Mar 08 05:15:26 -0800 2007 2364567 12203 Bride of the Juggler 1 2365124 What about James? I haven't been, but I've heard that's what they're going after: http://www.jameson8th.com/ Thu Mar 08 08:26:25 -0800 2007 2364567 13076 urbanfabric 1 2365774 Haven't been, but Farmacia in Old City was also trying to go that route Thu Mar 08 10:40:59 -0800 2007 2364567 76938 Bigley9 2 2365824 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! Thu Mar 08 10:50:30 -0800 2007 2365774 12572 bluehensfan 3 2366155 good to know. As I said, I hadn't been and I have heard mixed reviews Thu Mar 08 11:55:49 -0800 2007 2365824 76938 Bigley9 1 2366222 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. Thu Mar 08 12:06:40 -0800 2007 2364567 14366 gina 1 2366375 Bistro 7, and Django. Thu Mar 08 12:35:23 -0800 2007 2364567 13820 Susan H 1 2367415 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. Thu Mar 08 16:46:47 -0800 2007 2364567 28978 lauracohenromano 1 2368887 Thank you for the great information. Now I want to try all these places. Fri Mar 09 07:09:25 -0800 2007 2364567 16046 myra 1 2369187 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/ Fri Mar 09 08:17:49 -0800 2007 2364567 12572 bluehensfan 1 2369886 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/fairfood.html and click on publications. Fri Mar 09 10:55:33 -0800 2007 2364567 14364 xtian 2 2369922 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! Fri Mar 09 11:03:49 -0800 2007 2369886 76938 Bigley9