Earth Day is approaching which means there is no better time to celebrate green and environmentally friendly businesses. San Diego is home to many green businesses that strive to help the environment and keep the planet’s health in mind. Specifically, our Little Italy community is dedicated to supporting the environmental movement and growing their care for sustainable and ethical practices. That’s why, if you’re looking for something to do this Earth Day, come support the clean and green businesses in San Diego’s premier neighborhood, Little Italy.
Known for its food, the Little Italy neighborhood offers many vegan and vegetarian dining options. Although some can’t imagine a world without meat, going vegetarian slows down deforestation and limits greenhouse gas emissions associated with meat production. Plus, it can save millions of gallons of water that would otherwise be used in this process. Luckily, Little Italy is home to a wide array of restaurants that are dedicated to improving our environment’s well-being by serving vegan and vegetarian options as well as farm fresh locally sourced produce. Not only is this better for the planet, but the meals are delizioso!
Stop by Civico 1845 for a delightful vegan menu that focuses on locally grown and seasonal ingredients. Owner and Executive Chef, Pietro Gallo, has always has a passion for vegetarianism in addition to his deeply rooted love for Italian cuisine which inspired him to create an entirely vegan and gluten-free menu in 2015. Thanks to Gallo’s dedication, diners can come by to enjoy delectable dishes like Ragu di Funghi made with homemade fettuccini, wild mushroom Italian ragu, walnuts and vegan parmigiano. The restaurant features a total of ten menu items on their vegan menu making it the first business in the US to have a vegan Italian menu. It doesn’t matter if you’re a vegan or a meat-loving carnivore—these dishes will hit the spot!
For those looking for a different style of cuisine, try The Yasai, a vegan Japanese experience in Little Italy. Owner and Executive Chef, Junya Watanabe wanted to try something new and now brings a new plant-based experience to the neighborhood. Serving up Japanese favorites like jumbo crispy gyoza, bao buns, karaage, and a flavorful ramen menu, each dish on the menu is entirely vegan. What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with all-natural plants and fix-ins on the menu. Limit your carbon footprint for the day and take a trip over to either of these tasty restaurants.
If you’re always on the go and are craving something a little bit smaller, look no further than Parakeet Café. Located in the heart of Little Italy, Parakeet serves up fresh berry and nutrition packed bowls and drinks like the Healthy Breakfast Bowl prepared with oatmeal, quinoa, fresh fruit, cinnamon and walnuts which are vegan friendly. Plus, if you’re unsure, all their menu items are pre-marked as vegan, vegetarian, gluten free or otherwise.
Although sometimes overlooked, the vegan dining options in Little Italy are endless. But it doesn’t stop there. Every day out of the year, the Little Italy neighborhood is dedicated to green practices. A variety of programs throughout the neighborhood help take care of the natural trees planted along the streets. Not only do these trees bring green and light to the area but they also help to support natural drainage. Many of the beautiful trees that line the streets are jacarandas. While they are not native to San Diego, horticulturist Kate Sessions brought the trees into the area in the beginning of the 20th century and they thrive in San Diego’s Mediterranean climate. Their acclimation to the San Diego region only helps to create a functional and more successful landscape design, imperative to the earth’s wellbeing.
So, when you’re looking for something to do this Earth Day, look no further than the environmentally aware and ecofriendly businesses, parks and landscape design in the Little Italy neighborhood. This month and every month, we invite you to go green in Little Italy!
For more information, please visit us at LittleItalySD.com or follow us on Instagram @LittleItalySD, Twitter @LittleItalySD and Facebook @LittleItalySD.
