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Eating Green in Chicago

March 18, 2008 at 12:00 PM | 3 Comments

We're not talking about Patty's Day or the city's curiously-colored river, we're talking about Uncommon Ground. This Chicago cafe/restaurant/bar is about as eco-friendly as it gets.

The tables here are made from trees that fell in nearby Jackson Park. The recycled paper menus were produced with hydroelectric energy. Even the drinks are environmentally friendly: Order a "tree-tini" and a local organization will plant another sapling in the Windy City.

UG does go a bit over the top with some of its food for the sake of appearing "green." The "organic himalayan goji berry syrup" that comes with the whole wheat pancakes doesn't seem any more natural to us than, say, plain old maple--and it certainly doesn't match up in taste.

But by and large the food here is quality, and it's a great spot for brunch. Try the french toast duo with seasonal fruit and wash it down with a strong cup of locally-roasted Metropolis coffee. Oh, and expect to pay a little more for sustainability: Even simple dishes cost around $10.

Related Stories:
· Uncommon Ground [Official Site]
· Chicago Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Restaurants coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Matt Stratton]