Land of Happy at 312 Chicago
Tomorrow is Earth Day, and while that holiday doesn’t always make people think of food, we wanted to use the opportunity to highlight some of the healthier items on Chicago menus. You can always “go green” with a salad or wrap to eat light on Earth Day, but Windy City chefs have also created an array of lighter menu options, that will have you eating good and feeling great.
312 Chicago {136 North LaSalle Drive, Chicago; 312.696.2420}
This classic spot for Italian has you covered with options on both the food and drink menu. Executive Chef Luca Corazzina’s Salmone is prepared with roasted Faroe Island salmon, asparagus purée, asparagus tips, grape tomatoes, and oyster mushrooms. Pair that with either their Land of Happy cocktail (gin, honeydew-basil-white balsamic syrup, and a Prosecco float) or a mocktail version of the same drink called Magic.
True Food Kitchen {1 West Erie Street, Chicago; 312.204.6981}
Save the Earth, one drink at a time, at True Food Kitchen. In partnership with Ixá Organic tequila (Greenbar Craft Distillery), True Food Kitchen is committing to plant one tree in the Central American Rainforest for every Citrus Skinny Margarita sold on Earth Day. To make it easier to “go green” this Earth Day without spending lots of green, the Citrus Skinny Margarita is just $8 (regularly $11) all day long on April 22. Can’t make it in on Saturday? All year long—through their partnership with Greenbar Craft Distillery—True Food Kitchen will plant a tree for each bottle of Ixá Organic tequila used at the restaurant. These trees provide carbon sinks and shade for fair trade crops, like coffee and cacao, so local farmers can better feed their families. Cheers to that indeed!
Eat Purely
Since its launch in 2016, it has been Eat Purely’s mission to provide convenient, healthy meals to the Chicago area. The restaurant is now taking that one step further by introducing juices into their delivery menu. Made with nutrient-dense, organic fruit and vegetable juices founded on the principles of nutrigenomics, just one serving of juice equates to 3-4 servings of anti-inflammatory, high alkaline fruits and vegetables. Priced between $5-$10 per 16-ounce bottle, flavors include Harmony Green Juice (spinach, ginger, lemon hemp oil) and even a Hangover Remedy of ginger, turmeric, aronia berry, and marine water. Just like Eat Purely’s meals, the juices are available through the convenience of mobile app ordering either in advance or on demand.
Bernie’s Lunch & Supper {660 North Orleans Street, Chicago; 312.624.9892}
Just because you’re a brunch-lover, doesn’t mean you can’t eat clean! Head to Bernie’s Lunch & Supper for light starters like Pita & Lox with caper schmear, red onion, cucumber, parsley-sumac salad. Add on the Greens & Grains Salad as your main and you’ll be digging into a healthy dose of quinoa, kale, pickled onion, falafel croutons, and Parmesan. If the weather permits, enjoy these options in the sun on the restaurant’s rooftop patio.
Photo via Goddess and Grocer
Goddess and Grocer {various locations including 1649 North Damen Avenue, Chicago; 773.342.3200}
There are all kinds of health-forward options at Goddess and Grocer, from a make-your-own salad bar to a wide range of soups, salads, and wraps. We recommend the signature Goddess Chopped Veggie with goodies like spinach, avocado, garbanzo beans, roasted corn, and Goddess dressing. The Garden Goddess Wrap has similar ingredients for an on-the-go meal, and there is also the vegetarian Magic Mushroom sandwich with grilled marinated portobello mushrooms, provolone, spinach, and fire roasted red peppers on demi baguette herb vinaigrette. You really can’t go wrong with any choice from Goddess.
Italian Village {71 West Monroe, Chicago; 312.332.7005}
Who says Italian food can’t be a healthy? Italian Village’s Calamari All Griglia is made with citrus herb marinated grilled squid, arugula, orange segments, grilled lemon, and watermelon radish. It’s the perfect seafood Earth Day choice! Or you can really go green with their Risotto con Granchio e Pesto di Basilico Estate (crab risotto with basil pesto and toasted pine nuts). The slow-cooked carnaroli rice comes with jumbo lump crab meat, charred sweet corn, basil pesto, toasted pine nuts, and shallot chive Boursin cheese.
By Kaleigh Glaza, Online Editor
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