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Organic eating (sans dogma)


For all the health warnings floating about in these supposedly consumer-aware times, unless you're stuck in a waiting room with only a copy of New Scientist, it's pretty easy to ignore the mix of legitimate health warnings and pseudo-scientific scare-mongering. However, when one of these scary facts does accidentally pass through the willful ignorance barrier, it's enough to put you off your Big Mac.

Is going organic the answer? Before you snigger that organic food is solely the domain of frizzy-armpit-haired, pot-smoking hippies who can't sell you a manky-looking apple without reading your aura, listen up. Organic dining has come a long way, with some of the hottest names on the celeb-chef scene jumping on the bandwagon. You might have to swallow a little dogma with your meal, but you're not going to choke on it.

1
 
Awganix
Mclaren Vale
The cutesy name says it all, but it's not all faux-meat and lentils. Co-owner and chef Adam Byford creates a gourmet feast from local organic produce. His conscientious DIY philosophy even extends to house-made organic breads and pates.

2
 
B.Coz
Hawthorn East
The menu at this fine diner reads like a list of health-conscious buzz words: organic sweet potato bumps shoulders with free-range chicken and biodynamic wine, while gluten- and lactose-intolerant people get their own separate menu.

3
 
Lentil As Anything
Abbotsford
If none of these places are quite bohemian enough for you, try Lentil as Anything. The emphasis is on organic food, but also sticks to mainly vegan ingredients. If you want to feel self-righteous about your food, this is really the place to cut loose, with all profits going to aid the community mainly refugees.

4
 
Billy Kwong
Surry Hills
Keen followers of Kylie Kwong's on-screen escapades are probably familiar with her commitment to organic food. This extends to her Surry Hills restaurant, where organic ingredients are used to create Asian-inspired delicacies. Far from being a hippie haven, this tiny eatery is one of the most chic destinations in Sydney.

5
 
About Life
Rozelle
Attached to an organic produce store, this cafe specialises in guilt-free goodies. It's a great destination anytime for an organic burger or coffee, but the Sunday morning hangover crowd especially appreciates this place. The big breakfast offers grease without the guilt (it's all organic and preservative-free) and there's always something on the menu labeled 'detox'.

6
 
Mondo Restaurant
West End
Billed as Australia's oldest organic restaurant, the menu uses organic produce to create imaginative southern Italian dishes. For those who are really inspired by their cuisine, they run regular cooking classes so you can bypass the takeaway pizza and create your own virtuous food at home.

7
 
Ridge Restaurant
Farrer
Though the organic, largely gluten-free menu is skewed towards the meat-phobic diner, chef Peter Wiget doesn't leave the rest of us callous carnivores out. The crispy, spiced duck breast is his signature, and there's always big, fat (but utterly guilt-free) steak floating around.