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Food trends come and go, but if there’s one trend I’m sure (I hope) will stay, it’s the farm-to-table concept. I first encountered this trend in New York, when my friend brought me to the popular restaurant Friend of a Farmer. I have since experienced that same concept in Tagaytay, and most recently, in Earth Kitchen, which is much closer to home, in Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

Whether you’re health-conscious, need to watch your diet, or just want a good new restaurant to try in Fort, this place is for you.

Do good while you indulge guiltlessly

This is actually the second branch of Earth Kitchen, the first of which opened in White Plains, Katipunan Ave. in July 2013 and became a favorite neighborhood spot in no time. Two years later, they decided to open in BGC, where they hope to reach more of us foodies who want delicious dishes without the guilt because they’re prepared healthier and with mostly organic ingredients, but also because there’s actually a great cause behind them that supports the community.

Earth Kitchen is primarily founded to support the local natural farmers and indigenous communities and help them create a more sustainable livelihood. It’s a partnership among Hizon’s Catering, Got Heart Foundation, Chef David Hizon, and Chef JR Trani. Got Heart has a shop that sells local and all-natural food and non-food products, including organic vegetables from the Got Heart Farms in Tarlac. Earth Kitchen was established as a healthy, local, and organic restaurant to complement and support this venture by crafting and serving dishes that showcase the produce of local farmers of Got Heart Farms and partner communities from Luzon to Mindanao.

Meat-lovers like me, relax: Earth Kitchen is not a complete vegetarian restaurant. While it has several items on the menu for vegans to get their fix, and they certainly use a lot of vegetables in their dishes, they also serve a wide selection of delectable dishes for non-vegetarians. Did I tell you my favorite dishes here are a huge slab of bacon and Beef Bulgogi Soft Taco?

Must-try dishes

The menu is the same for both the BGC and White Plains branches, and their bestsellers include the Beef Kebab, Shrimp Spring Rolls, Watermelon and Rocket Salad, and Beef Bulgogi Soft Taco—now my favorite! The Mushroom Ravioli, Risotto Uni Negra, and Goat Cheese Ice Cream also reportedly have a big following.

I tried the Beef Bulgogi Soft Taco (above) and the Mushroom Ravioli, but I opted to try other dishes that caught my fancy as I was poring over their extensive menu. View the gallery for my mini reviews of each dish I tried, to know what to order when you visit. Click the first thumbnail to enlarge the image, read the caption, and launch the rest of the slideshow.

Ingredients used in Earth Kitchen’s dishes are made from scratch, none are ready made. The menu may change due to supplies in and out of season. It’s not cuisine-specific, as they had to work with what the farmers could provide, but there is something for everyone. The chefs approach the local ingredients in a way that’s not expected, but dishes are prepared in such a way that they do not cover up the taste of the ingredients, but instead enhance them to make everything extremely appetizing.

After dining in Earth Kitchen, I felt good because my palate and tummy are satisfied with what I ate without feeling bloated or grossed out by grease and artificial flavoring, and because my indulgence helped not just the environment with the use of sustainable ingredients, but also the community of farmers who supply most of the ingredients for the dishes. I feel I’ve eaten a healthy meal made of everything delicious, yet I’m not left disgustingly full.

Cozy ambiance for laid-back lunches and intimate events

I get a lot of inquiries these days for places where they can hold personal events, like christening, baby shower, etc. Here’s one place I can definitely recommend. I haven’t been to the branch in White Plains (below), which is bigger, and can accommodate 80 persons in the restaurant and 100 pax in the function room. But the BGC restaurant, with a seating capacity of 40 persons and an enclosed area that can fit 15 persons for private functions, is great for intimate events and casual get-togethers with family and friends.

The concept of the interiors is to give diners a sense of having a picnic, where they can feel refreshed. You instantly feel at home the moment you walk through the doors. There’s an ice cream bar to your right, with new and repurposed wood pallets. There are several customised picnic table sets for you to choose to settle in; you’re even encouraged to lay down blankets if you prefer the real deal!

Most of the wood used on the walls and ceilings are repurposed wood, from old houses, while the picnic tables and chairs are made of wood from trees better chopped—so everything is in keeping with the sustainable lifestyle they promote. Most of the elements found in Earth Kitchen are natural, down-to-earth, and almost robust and rough. The whole space is surrounded by trees and hanging plants mixed with quirky antiques and lit by hanging globe lights.

It’s not one of the most affordable restaurants in the area, that’s for sure, as an average meal will set you back around P600 per person, but rest assured it’s for a good cause. Besides buying from farmers, a percentage of the profit from Earth Kitchen also goes to the community, to teach them organic farming. There’s also a Got Heart Shelf in the restaurant where organic products from local producers are sold, like teas, jams, rice, sugar, and coffee, some of which are actually used in Earth Kitchen’s dishes. You can get them to use at home or give away as gift items, especially this holiday season. Most of the products they use are available in Got Heart shops; check out their website for more info.

Earth Kitchen is located at UG/F, Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Avenue Corner 29th Street South, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It’s open from 10AM to 10PM daily. You may reach them at (+63) 925 6888951. Their first branch is located at Lot 10-B-10 White Plains, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, open from 11AM to 10PM daily. You may contact them at (+632) 5779138 and (+63) 917 5843278. Visit the Earth Kitchen website  for more information.

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