There are so many reasons to love GustOrganics as an organic food examiner! It makes the fantastic claims of being “the first and only certified organic restaurant in New York, the world’s first certified organic restaurant, one of the greenest restaurants in the world, the first and only USDA certified organic bar on the planet” and being open for business 365 days out of the year. The dining environment is clean, welcoming, and lower Manhattan sheik. They also have the very beautiful corporate values of respect, gratitude, and integrity - to name a few. Gratitude fills this examiner’s heart for a restaurant that is supporting successful organic food incorporation and high values in the restaurant industry. We need so much more of this in the American food culture. It gives “we the people” more healthy, responsible choices for dining.
While GustOrganics’ commitment and values are noble and important to the typical organic consumer, so are zest and flavor. Unfortunately, for at least two dishes at the restaurant, zest and flavor gave way to bland and ordinary. The Chicken Taco Salad and Quinoa balanced entrée did not wow the taste buds and make one beg for more like some other organic restaurants do. However, they were extraordinarily clean and loaded with great nutrients that left the eaters very satisfied. Living Maxwell agrees! Repeat trips will tell whether it was just these two dishes that needed a pinch of Himalayan pink salt, or the whole menu. Eli’s Shepherd Pie looked amazing, so returning to taste it is inevitable!
All of their great menus are online, so you can know what your options are before you arrive (this is very important to some). Prices here are a bit more expensive than most other mainstream restaurants ($14/sandwich). However, you will get the quality for which you are paying. One charming aspect of the restaurant is that the have a “Kids and Babies” menu, with lots of healthy options for the little ones. This isn’t something you see everywhere (well, maybe at iHOP, but certainly not at many of the typically higher price point restaurants that make organic claims). This shows a deeper commitment to the community as a whole that is very beautiful and worth supporting.
With respect to adherence to organic claims, GustOrganics really does live up to the task. This non-GMO establishment has a great website that educates the consumer about various concerns like “Why can the vegetables be so ugly? Are they still edible? Why don’t they look like the glossy veggie advertisements?” as well as lots of great reasons to eat organic Their vision of bringing “organics and sustainability into the mainstream and to promote positive change in Americas food system” is worth every American’s whole-hearted support. A dear friend of mine has a great saying. “Eat live food to live, and dead food to die”. You can certainly feel the life in the food and commitment to healthy eating at GustOrganics!
Stop by and decide for yourself if GustOrganics is hip or hype. Drop me a line and let me know what you think! GustOrganics 519 6th Ave, New York, NY (212) 242-5800
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