La Sirena Grill is one of our favorite restaurants. Recently, we caught up La Sirena Grill owner Scott Cortellessa to get the lowdown on their relationship to Earth Day, today and everyday.
TEC: Tell us a bit about what La Sirena Grill stands for?
Since the beginning LSG has been about “our” version of unique, great tasting California Mexican eats. And over the years we have evolved into a “Mexeco” eatery, where we focus on offering more sustainable food options…from our grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, natural pork, and organic products, to our latest evolution…the love of craft beers. A perfect “pairing” of quality…craft beer and LSG.
Where did your inspiration come from to create a group of industry leading “green” restaurants?
We don’t give ourselves that much credit for being a green leader. We believe there’s so much more to accomplish, and because it’s ever changing. So, until we feel we’re closer to a finish line (not that we see it yet), we let our food and offerings speak for us. But our inspiration came from personal choices at home. Years before we made changes to the restaurants, we tried to “live local” – eat seasonally, buy local and organic. Started an amazing home garden with fruit trees and vegetable beds. We believed we could align our business with those choices.
Can you remember your first Earth Day experience?
Years ago our family celebrated our first Earth Day cleaning up the beach. Spent the morning picking up cigarette butts, pieces of plastic and styrofoam….good times. It’s amazing how many years pass and yet the beaches still have the same types of trash…kinda like goundhog day. We joined other family and enjoyed a great lunch at our home, celebrating something we grew together.
Any Earth Day resolutions or goals for 2012?
Our big goal for 2012 is to find at least one more product that is more sustainable. I know “1″ thing doesn’t seem like much, but it’s very challenging to find a product that is practical in our business. One product, our expeller pressed fry oil, took over 4 months to get into the restaurants ths year. We’d also like to finish our “gluten-free” menu. There have been a lot of requests from our LSG fans to explain their options to them.
Can you tell us about the Earth Day / The Ecology Center menu for April 14th?
Our menu is pretty simple. We want to offer great tasting eats that show off the seasonal items found at South Coast Farms and the Ecology Center. A “farm to Quesadilla” idea….tasty veggie quesadillas, spring salad and a little different version of our Vegetable Escabeche that we offer at the restaurants. Great pickled vegetables like Romanesco cauliflower, onions, jalapenos and carrots.
Earth Day Menu at The Ecology Center, tomorrow Saturday April 14th 10-4.
Grilled Veggie Quesadilla
Marinated Onion, Red Bell Peppers, Pasilla Chiles, Zucchini, Jack Cheese, Garlic Olive Tapenade
or
Black Bean and Smoked Corn Quesadilla
Smoked Corn and Onion, Black Beans, Jack Cheese, spicy Chipotle Paste
Spring Salad
Spring Greens, Candied Walnuts, Queso Fresco with Strawberry Vinaigrette
South Coast Farms Vegetable Escabeche
Carrot, Jalapenos, Red Onion, Cauliflower
