Would you eat there
On a lunch break?
Would you eat there
For the earth’s sake?

I would surely eat there on a lunch break
I would surely eat there for the earth’s sake.
How could you resist—green walls and bam(boo)
When it comes to being earth friendly, Pizza by Certe says:
“Of course I am.”

Pizza by Certe, which recently received three stars from the Green Restaurant Association, is an inviting, environmentally friendly pizzeria, tucked into a nook and cranny that once was a Quiznos, on 56th street between Park and Lexington.

A generic passerby, who is in a rush, might miss this little gem, because all that marks it’s presence outside is a tiny circular sign that says “Pizza by Certe.” However, the strong smell of fresh tomato sauce and dough that is brewing from within is difficult to miss—especially, on an empty stomach. And if by chance you are in the area, and do catch a whiff of the wonderfulness that lies within, I suggest you follow your nose and step inside for not only the widest variety of food, and one of the single best slices of breakfast and regular pizza’s in town, but also for a peek at New York City’s first environmentally sustainable pizza place.

We are in a time when being green means recycling your plastics, cardboards and glasses; when being green means taking the subway instead of a car; when being green means drinking fresh tap water out of a reusable cup or mug—rather than a plastic bottle. For a certain chef, however, Chef Edward Sylvia, of Pizza by Certe, being green means much more—it means more than just trading out paper cups for decomposable ones; it means more than just putting out recycling bins; It instead means, greening the entire premise—and ultimately sustaining an environmental funhouse.

From walls that are literally growing greens (watered by freshly filtered rainwater) to boxes that have been produced entirely out recycled paper and from bamboo plates and decomposable cups to local ingredients: this place doesn’t environmentally falter—and digestively? It doesn’t falter either.

Upon first arriving in the establishment, you’ll not only be welcomed by green walls and bam(boo), but a menu that offers everything from egg white breakfast pizza to a slice topped with meatballs, spinach, grana padano, liono mozzarella and hot pepper called the “Italian Wedding Slice,” and from my friend’s face after taking a bite, it was simple to tell that it was indeed a marriage of one person to one pizza for the rest of their life. And if that slice or any other slice for an individual marks the wedding—then array of deserts which includes a chocolate pizza with gianduja (one of the most sweetest and delectable chocolates from Torino, Italy) must serve as the post-wedding honeymoon—irresistible to pass up.

And if you can’t finish all that—it’s no worry, especially for Chef Edward and his team as they have invested in not only making your ordering and eating experience green and sustainable, but in fact, your leftover experience as well, as they dish the food for take out in eco-friendly boxes (greenboxny.com) that can first be broken down into plates and then into storage compartments. And trust me—your eyes—and nose--will be so much bigger than that growling stomach of yours as you take a gander and see everything the pizzeria has to offer—that you may even have leftovers for a week (and if you don’t, then most definitely terribly, painful cravings to go back)!

So would you eat there on a lunch break?
Would you eat there for the earth’s sake?
If not, our world—and your taste buds may be at stake!

Pizza by Certe
Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am-9pm
Saturday 11am-8pm
132 East 56th Between Park and Lex
212-813-2020

Libby Segal is a recent graduate of the University of Rhode Island where she studied Communication Studies and Film Media, who currently lives in New York City.