Green & Tonic: Chef Anthony Rinaldi Takes the Helm at this Plant Based Eatery

April Guilbault November 30, 2021

I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all been here at some point: you go out to eat, thoroughly enjoy everything that passes your lips, and maybe (probably) eat a little too much because it’s so dang tasty and before you know it, you’re reaching for the Tums and the fat-pants, not necessarily in that order.

Well, I went out to eat the other night, thoroughly enjoyed everything that passed my lips, and did in fact, eat a bit too much but you know what? I left this establishment feeling….good, great, even healthy. “How can this be?” you ask. Three little words: Green and Tonic.

When I mentioned to my daughter that I was going here one evening to preview their autumn offerings, she responded with “the juice place?” And that’s where the surprise comes in. You might know Green and Tonic for their vibrant and nutrient-packed fresh juices and smoothies but they are so much more and they want you to know about it. In short, Green & Tonic aims to nourish your mind, body, and soul and make it easy for you and your family to eat well. And now, guests can eat even better, as Green & Tonic has a new chef at the helm, a name you might know…Chef Anthony Rinaldi.

Green and Tonic was established in 2012 in Darien and is completely plant-based, as well as peanut-free (not nut-free, peanut-free), organic and vegan. They work hard and smart to create foods and drinks that not only look appealing and taste delicious but offer something for your body in terms of real, rejuvenating, fortifying food. As mentioned, they have fresh juices and tonics for cleanses or for a daily blast of goodness and wellness. They also offer baked goods that are made with good grains, no refined sugar and will fabulously satisfy your sweet tooth, despite the prior two ingredient mentions. Their adorable donuts will win you over all by themselves. In-store, there is a good-sized refrigerator case with grab-and-go items such as soups, salads, wraps, breakfast bowls, Chia puddings, granola, all of which make for easy and healthy snacks and quick meals. It will also make you happy to know that their items are prepared daily so that you are guaranteed food items that are not only super fresh but full of nutrients as well.

Here’s a new perspective, however. Take their new Pad Thai Salad, for instance, which is a beautiful tangle of rice noodles, crisp Napa cabbage, Edamame, scallions, and tender kale that is all swirled and twirled in a decant almond sauce. A little note: If you are familiar with Pad Thai, peanut sauce is the usual dressing, but in this peanut-free zone, Chef Anthony has created a creamy and rich sauce made entirely from almonds, and it tastes just like the classic sauce. Kitchen magic at its best. Well, you could grab a container of it for lunch but on a busy evening, the likes of which we all have, you could also take a few containers home, add your own protein like salmon, shrimp, or chicken, and feed your family a beautiful, healthy meal that is hot-damn quick to get on the table. Or how about filling some of their Lentil and Flaxseed Tortillas with their Roasted Eggplant Shawarma, Quinoa Tabbouleh with a drizzle of Avocado Tzatziki? A fun, build-it-yourself dinner that will appeal to kids as well.

And about those soups, packed up in reusable glass jars: Autumn favorites like Lentil, Butternut Squash, along with Turmeric Cauliflower Soup, and Collagen and Immune Boost Broth, which would be soothing to sip as is or mix with noodles and veggies. Are you seeing a trend here? Lots of healthful food to boost your immunity for the upcoming cold and flu season as well as giving you the ability to feed your family inventive and delicious dishes that depart from the usual take-out.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one particular bakery item which is sure to help you reconsider the need for refined sugar in your life: their Pumpkin Coffee Cake. If you grew up eating those little round Hostess coffee cakes as a kid, well, their pumpkin version will send you to the moon.

Eat up. Healthfully. Party healthfully too-they cater.