An Organic Progression | Finally, a real personal connection

Last night I brazenly stopped into Counter, the East Village organic/vegetarian restaurant that serves up the wraps and turnovers I've been devouring from the Greenmarket for months (and exclusively for the last week). Granted it was a slow Monday night, but I was shocked when I asked to speak to Deborah Gavito, the restaurant's founder, and she came out to talk to me a few minutes later. Deborah is an adorable woman with a contagious smile who obviously adores her restaurant and her work. After only a moment of explaining what I was about, she brought me to a table in the back and eagerly told me all about Counter, the farms on Long Island and Upstate New York where all of her greens and herbs come from, as well as her real love -- the vast array of organic wines (300 on the menu) and beers (30) she finds from all over the world. She graciously gave me a tour of the small but immaculate kitchen (I nearly squealed when she pointed out the bread press where the wraps and turnovers that Body & Soul sells are made), extensive dry storage and prep rooms, and wine vaults. I even got a taste of some amazing cocktails served up by her 'mixologist'.

It was truly a pleasure to meet her -- and so much fun to hear someone so enthused about their work. She offered to take me Satur Farms on Long Island on an upcoming weekend to meet a winemaker with her and see where the greens come from! I'm looking forward to many nights at Counter and getting to know Deborah and her team there.