Terrene

Though it's pronounced "tureen," like the soup bowl, Terrene's name is meant to evoke earthiness - and both the name and the restaurant do. Terrene wears its social and eco-consciousness on its sleeve, noting in many a menu sidebar how the cooking and drinking water is filtered, how the kitchen scraps are sent to local compost heaps, and how organic foodstuffs are brought in whenever possible. Terrene also just so happens to crank out very tasty, adventurous food at prices a notch or two below ridiculously posh. The salads are robust and exceptional, the "tofu on a stick" is neat, and believe it or not, the chicken breast entrée is a pan-seared knockout. Despite the high-concept food, the space itself is warm and inviting. A worthwhile establishment - from the ground up.