05 June,2009 10:25 AM IST | | Namita Gupta
On World Environment Day, What's On scouts for places where you can shop, eat and drink in ways that do not endanger the planet
Everyone wants to follow eco-friendly practices. From simple recycling methods to more thoughful ones like installing solar-energy panels and rainwater harvesting systems in their homes and offices, people want to do their bit for the environment. Have we finally come to understand the profound truth in the saying, 'We have not inherited this earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children?' Being environmentfriendly is not about hugging trees or signing petitions; it is about making sensible choices for you, your family and the planet, even when you eat, drink and shop.
Mother Earth, on Inner Ring Road, is positioned as a 'complete green store' with a wide range of carefully selected merchandise that helps build environment and social sustainability. Don't blame us for loading our shopping bags with organic lentils and broken wheat from the Organic Foods section, and funky bags from the Organic Fashion section of the store.u00a0u00a0
Giving craftspeople and artisans their due
Showcasing Indian handloom textiles while providing equitable employment to traditional artisans, Fabindia stocks Indian textiles in a variety of natural fibres. They also have home products including furniture, lights and lamps, stationery, home accessories, pottery and cutlery. The store's bodycare products like soaps and shower gels are a big hit with customers
Green living
The Good Earth store at UB City mall stocks a great range of bamboo products like candle holders and furniture. While at the store, check out the signature bedlinen and cushions. The latter are made of cotton and natural fibres like hemp and rafia. The tableware is created from ceramic and handmade stoneware as also traditional metals such as kansa. True luxury, according to Simran Lal, Good Earth director, is when you surround yourself with pure and natural materials. We couldn't agree more.
From farm to fork
Babettes at Aspasia, the boutique hotel in Koramangala, has initiated 'Farm to Fork', a venture tou00a0 bring their organic products to the table. The restaurant's signature cuisine has been created by food experts Sanjay Bahn, Paneesh and Satish Bangalore. We recommend the red rice khichdi, vegetable sagoo and organic and puris.
Where: Babettes, 423, 8th Main, 4th Block Koramangala
Wallet factor: Rs 1,000 for a meal for two (without alcohol)Ph: 99725 72309, 2552 1674.
Simple yet sophisticated
With three Little Italy restaurants (Indiranagar, Koramangala and Whitefield), the chain has clearly won the discerning foodie's vote of confidence. We love their bruschettas, pizzas, pasta, salads and risottos.
Where: Indiranagar, Koramangala and Whitefield
Wallet factor: Rs 1,000 for a meal for two (without alcohol)
Ph: 2528 9126/ 2529 7482
Some of my favourite vegetarian restaurants in the city are Little Italy in Indiranagar for its authentic Italian cuisine, South Indies in Indiranagar for its great tasting South Indian traditional fare with a twist, Mint Masala in Sadashivnagar for its sumptuous salads and Italian cuisine, Rajdhani at UB City mall for its wholesome Rajasthani thalis, and Gramin in Raheja Arcade, Koramangala for great tastingh dhaba food
Meghna Kochar (32), Pediatrician
