You mean, STUFF actually grows during the winter?

I am a proponent of eating food that was grown or raised locally, when possible (clearly, I have a blog devoted to it).

I was thinking today: Most people may think that nothing grows in the winter, well, because it’s the winter.

In the spring, the flowers are blooming (for you sniffly nerds out there — like me — we call this “allergy season“), animals have babies (adds to that seeming abundance out there), and stuff is just generally moving all around in the nature.

Summertime is the biggest harvest time anywhere in the world (if you don’t know this, don’t feel dumb, just feel… less than perceptive?).

And, fall is that whole cornucopia thingie (think, Thanksgiving table with a horn and overflow of bountiful fruits and veg).

But, winter is kind of the black sheep.

Winter’s the red headed step-child of the seasons world.

But, really, it’s not!

Because many things that are awesome and popular grow, seasonally, in the wintertime.

And why do you want to buy seasonally and locally?

Well, most pragmatically, because it’s cheaper.

There are other more abstract, feel-good benefits that may motivate you, too, such as:

• Less carbon imprint from food traveling shorter distances
• Seasonal food is tastier
• Seasonal food tends to have 3 times as many nutrients as foods grown out of season
• Free-range, primarily grass-fed meat has more healthy fats and less bad for you fats (seriously — been reading some studies on this)
• Supporting local business
• Maintaining your area’s food traditions, because they’re your history, too, and they date back 100′s of years (pass it on to your children, man!)
• Keeping a closer connection to the earth (there’s just that thing about being closer to nature… it’s a connection that feels good, we’re not meant to lose that)
• Getting to know farmers, and the complex and fascinating way they choose what to plant and how to do it (it’s something I geek out on regularly)

I could go on and on and on (and, I kinda did) but let’s move on.

Stuff that is in season in the winter — so more likely to be locally grown:

• Halibut, lobster, mussels, scallops
• Goose, dove, pheasant and other fowl
• Beets, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, chestnuts, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, parsnips, potatoes, rutabaga, shallots, spinach, turnips

And, there you have it!

Go grill some halibut and pair it with leek and cauliflower soup. Google a recipe.

Or, do what I do: Call your mom.

Then, after 30 minutes of her talking — and she still hasn’t meandered her way during this verbal spillage to telling you what the recipe is that you asked for initially… regret calling your mom.*

*I love you, mom!

Yo, Atlanta! Nava & Chops might be closing. Sad.

While not particularly locally minded, Nava and Chops are Atlanta staples, and I hear that they are closing next week.

[side note: this is a TOTAL rumor, all speculation, unverified whatsoever. So, don't sue me -- I'm not pushing this as fact.]

I hear that they haven’t been paying their rent in MONTHS. After going to their land lord and explaining that they were struggling financially and couldn’t make the current rent price, and triying to negotiate the rent down, the land lord stood his ground. They gave him the finger by subsequently paying nada. Zilch. No rent at all.

Because, these restaurants are not turning many tables per night. The food seems to be consistently good — last night, my dining companions and I had lobstor taco, rib eye, pork two-ways, filet two ways all solidly prepared and fresh — there ain’t nobody going out in Buckhead. And it was a Thursday.

That’s the real problem.

Because, last week, at JCT Kitchen, the tables flipped at least 3 times. Meaning, each table housed 3 separate parties in the course of an evening. Restaurants of larger size typically need 3 turns on busy nights to stay afloat.

People are not that interested in spending $30 for an entre these days even in cool spots like the 1180 Howell Mill (White Star Provisions building) and that might be why theses restaurants have been hit so hard.

Whatever happens, you may want to enjoy an evening if Chops and/or Nava have been favorites of yours. It may be your last. [sheds tear]

Everywhere You Need to Eat in the U.S. RIGHT NOW

Where you want to Eat RIGHT NOW

(that is also local and seasonal — but, trust me, you want to eat there, regardless. That’s how good these spots are).

NYC:

Sorry, NYC — you’re kind of boring me lately. I’m not going to get into your food scene right now because I feel like, generally, winter is culinary dead season.

But, if you’ve never been to Babbo, it should be at the top of your list. It’s not under the radar, but it always knocks my socks off. Order the lobster pasta and the lamb chops. Go at 5:30 p.m. and sit at a table up, or at the bar, front with no reservation.

Besides that, you’re just going to have to email me (1) the occasion, (2) your preferences & budget and (3) part of town and I’ll hit you with some awesome spots. There’s just too many (and none of them are massive stand outs to me — but lots are very good).

ATLANTA:

• Miller Union for everything. Try the Evergreen cocktail.  Rabbit stew, I heart you.
• Abbatoir. Don’t let the name fool you (it means butcher in French)– it’s SO not a butcher-type place. It is, however, for the adventurous.
• Murphy’s for brunch.
• Highland Bakery for lunch and for stuffing your face with 14 types of cookies (all delicious). It can be a hassle because it’s popular, so don’t go if you’re in a hurry.
• The Mercantile for a quick, delicious sandwich and an extraordinarily well-edited selection of bread, cheese and other foods/wines/beers. Stuff is so thoughtfully chosen here, you literally cannot go wrong. The owners are almost always there and are happy to answer questions.
• Babbette’s for your special friend date night.
• St. Regis for slightly upscale cocktails and bites on grown-up night. Love! But don’t stay late unless you want to see DBs, young girls on the prowl trying WAY too hard to look pretty and older girls on the prowl trying WAY to hard to look young.
• JCT for cocktails and bites all other nights.
• Ormsby’s for general tomfoolery including ski ball and ping pong. Awesome beers on tap. Skip everything on the menu but sandwiches and bratwurst, though.
• Cakes and Ale for the most forward-thinking cocktails in Atlanta and consistently seasonal fair that is still well done. (Please, though, guys — re do your interior. It’s no different from that lame-o thai place that was there before. You’re better than that.)

PORTLAND, ME (Your heard me right — this happens to be my #1 food city IN THE WORLD and has been for the past 2 years.)\

• Duck Fat! You complete me. Get the fries made in Duck Fat and a t-shirt (so comfy). Everything is good.
• Hugo’s. You must go here. I went for my birthday two years ago, alone… kind of depressing. Except — IT WASN’T! It was amazing.
• Lobster Shack. Go for the lobster, stay for a second helping of lobster. And, the amazing view. But, really, the lobster.

CHICAGO

• Avec. Let the waitstaff recommend stuff to you and get it without hesitation. Do not leave without eating some sort of deliciousness cooked in a
• Blackbird — I know, I know. Same super-star, NON-up-and-comer chef (Paul Kahan) for both of my Chicago picks… but they are different spots, totally! And, both AMAZING.

PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE

• Cowboy Ciao for dinner. (Scottsdale). Everything here is great. I’m partial to the scallops with beet risotto but skip the signature mushroom with creme fraiche and chipotle in adobo sauce. Hang out with the staff — they’re educated, interesting and eclectic.
• Liberty Market for lunch and coffee. (Phoenix). It’s very popular with the locals. The guy who owns it is a Phoenix icon and I hear he’s a very cool guy. Get their chicken salad sammie.
• Olive & Ivy for Cocktails and people watching. It’s a chain, but it’s the only non-faux western fronted joint that is worth going to. (I wasn’t wildly impressed with the going out seen in Phoenix/Scottsdale).
• Kazimierz for vino and live music. Good luck finding it. Ask the people at Cowboy Ciao, they’ll know (same owners).

Those are just my favorites, I’ve got a LOT more to say about food in South Africa and places to eat in Brooklyn, but I’ll tell you another day.

Let me know how much you agree with my picks, how wrong I am, or what you must insist on adding to the list.

Taste-y. Green Market-ey.

What are you doing on Wednesday, October 28th?

Exactly – nothing that cool, which is why you will be attending a SUPER cool event happening in Chelsea in NYC (sorry to those not living in NYC – still doing nothing that cool that day. I’ll get on it) – Taste of Greenmarket.

Here’s why I think it’s worth going to, whether the farm-to-table is your thing or whether you’re just a foodaholic:

1. Meet your heros. 20 very high profile and talented chefs will be preparing the food (so the food will be interesting and fun) but also I hear that most also attend – really cool to meet 20 seriously amazing chefs.
2. The farmers go, too.  Just like the Gramercy Tavern chef is the superstar of your foodie world, the farmers are the superstars for the chefs.  Because local produce demand exceeds the current production, these days farmers can choose which chefs they wish to work with – and for a chef whose emphasis is fresh ingredients sourced sustainably and locally, you want that farmer to be your best friend.  Plus, it’s really neat to put a face to the food you eat. I’ve been invited to come out and visit when I’ve connected with farmers I support – and a visit is a must.
3. Make foodie friends – trade your tricks and tips (and blogs!). You will quadruple the foodie community of friends you currently have – and that kind of networking is not only fun, but great for whatever your business happens to be.  Wouldn’t you be interested in helping connect your fellow artisanal mushroom-obsessed friend with a good business consultant?

If that doesn’t convince you, just think: all-you-can-eat food, all-you-can-drink wine, PLUS it’s tax deductible??

I just sold myself on this. Hope to see you there!

Making Local Affordable

The biggest obstacle to eating local produce that we hear from people is that organic produce is too expensive.

For New Yorkers, the solution has arrived!  Basis Good Food Market, retail branch of Farm to Chef, a distributor that connects small producers to chefs, is opening in Manhattan soon!

Farm to Chef sources at local small farms for top restaurants like Gramercy Tavern, Convivio and Bklyn Larder – this constant, reliable business is how they will keep costs down at Basis Good Food Market.

The first Basis Good Food Market will open later this year at 324 W. 14th St. (with more, hopefully, to follow), but you can preview it – for free! – next Saturday at Basis’s pop-up farmers’ market, which is part of the NYC Wine & Food Festival (check that out here).

Eating Locally Made Easy

Welcome to Locavore Life!

• If you like food that tastes the BEST it possibly can, and more nutritious, then you’ll love this blog.

Here at Locavore Life, we make eating locally sourced food easier for you to find and enjoy:

1. We profile restaurants in your area that make using local food a priority.
2. We also show you farms near you that offer a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture – remember the term, it’s totally the “new black” in the foodie world) for you to join so you can pick up farm-fresh produce weekly, at its most affordable.
3. Finally, we keep you posted on foodie events in your area that are locavore compatible.

OUR MISSION: We promise to only post things (1) that are interesting, (2) that are tasty and/or fun, as the case may be, in addition to being sustainable and local and (3) that we feel okay about supporting.

We cannot be bought! So everything we say is from the heart. Or, technically, from the farm. Whatever – you get the drift.

HOW THIS CRAZY THING WORKS: Future posts will be listed under the appropriate city in “Categories” (so you can look for “New York City” or “Charleston” or “San Francisco”, etc., for news in your area) and also cross-listed in “Categories” as either a farm or restaurant.  That way you can see what’s happening nationwide at our good farms and best restaurants while staying abreast of your local farm-to-table news.

Stop by often!  And add your comments to let us know of good locavore news in your area.