What if saving the planet and living the good life could go hand in hand? Welcome to the world of Eco-eateries, the hybrid car of the restaurant industry – trendy for all the right reasons.

Like at Root Down, the latest eco-chic restaurant to pop up on a sleepy little street in the Lower Highlands neighborhood. Right on par with all the other eco-conscious trends these days, Root Down has eschewed all pre-recession glitz for a decidedly low key and retro-swank style that gives it a Corner Office meets Forest Room Five vibe. But the real story here isn’t the décor, or the fact that they are a 100% wind powered. Nope. It’s not even that 70% of the space is built using reclaimed and recycled materials or the private cell phone booths they’ve installed to combat the loud-cell-phone-talking boozers that pollute far too many bars. No, the real story is that Root Down serves some damn good food.

For instance, when you go, order the Braised Mountain Meadows Lamb with almond date couscous and braised chard and curried Crème Fraiche, or the Pan Seared duck with a bourbon cider reduction. Both are totally inventive and decadent. If that sounds too rich then opt for any combo of their eleven small plates including steamed mussels in Thai chili and lemongrass, or their smoked Portobello, leek and Mascarpone wontons.

And since no great meal is complete without copious amounts of alcohol, you’ll have to try all five of their award winning specialty cocktails. They range from The General’s Daughter shaken with egg-whites, the Pepper Blossom a sweet and spicy number, and our favorite, the Pink Elephant (go figure), an Absinthe and blackberry vodka concoction with basil, lemon and splash of cranberry.

All in all, Root Down is the eco-eatery that puts a little style into being Green. 

Root Down

1600 West 33rd Ave.

303.993.4200

www.rootdowndenver.com

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