I just recently returned to the green-friendly Hearst building to find a new green-friendly restaurant next door, Otarian. Last week was the first time I actually stopped inside the whimsically decorated restaurant — it’s outfitted in bright woven baskets hanging on the wall and sleek furniture — and looks so clean it makes you feel like you can eat off the floor. I found out later the restaurant, owned by Radhika Oswal, grew out of its London outpost and prides itself on being the world’s first low-carbon restaurant with a vegetarian/fusion menu.

Radhika Oswal (Photo Credit: Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times)

Designed to create the smallest carbon footprint possible, all the packaging is compostable and furniture, all recycled. You’ll also be surrounded with enviro-conscious messages (check your napkin, it might read: “Forest area equivalent to the size of Greater New York City is lost every two days due to livestock production”).

Otarian fries and pro-veggie napkin

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