EcoLogic Landscaping provides ecological Landscape Architecture, Construction, and Maintenance Services for Marin and surrounding counties.

EcoLogic Landscaping provides Landscape Architecture, Construction, and Maintenance Services for Marin and surrounding counties.

 

With over 14 years in sustainable landscaping in Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area, Ecologic Landscaping has the knowledge and expertise to create your garden from concept to completion. 

 

Whether renovating an existing landscape or creating a new garden, the company is committed to excellence that show in every detail. 

 

Ecologic Landscaping primary goal is to facilitate a dynamic, meaningful relationship between people and the land. They create gardens that are not only beautiful, but also provide an abundance of fresh food. Lets not forget the use of all-organic materials and highly efficient low water use irrigation systems.

About Ecologic Landscaping                        

 

Leith Carstarphen is the landscape designer and project supervisor for Ecologic Landscaping. He holds degrees in Landscape Architecture and Horticulture. Leith has been working in the San Francisco Bay Area in the field of landscape architecture, construction, and maintenance since 1994. He regularly leads workshops and classes on sustainability issues and has a passionate commitment to edible and useful plants, and is an avid home gardener.

Quality, Commitment, Service

With more than a decade of experienced in landscaping, EcoLogic Landscaping has mastered the knowledge and expertise in creating a garden from concept to completion.

 

The crews have extensive skills in constructing gardens of exquisite craftsmanship and lasting beauty, using sustainable and organic materials and methods.

 

The services include all facets of landscape construction: patios and pathways, rock walls and retaining walls, waterfalls and fountains, decks, arbors, fences, drainage systems, irrigation and dramatic lighting.

Sustainability

 

Ecologic Landscaping believes that the best gardens grow naturally.  Using only the finest organic fertilizers to help your landscape grow and mature. They never use harsh pesticides or herbicides but instead rely on non-toxic alternatives that are safe for your family and pets. They support thriving ecosystems, and pests are controlled naturally, by beneficial insects such as ladybugs. Flowering plants will attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and songbirds to your yard. They also create thriving ecosystems for all the microclimates of Northern California, whether shady or arid, and we strategically design landscaping to optimize growth and conserve water.

Edible Gardens

 

Ecologic Landscaping creates gardens that are not only beautiful, but also provide an abundance of fresh food. Imagine strolling through your garden with your children and harvesting perfectly ripe berries, vegetables, and culinary herbs. Landscape Services:

Architecture - Creative landscape designs are the specialty of EcoLogic Landscaping

 

Stonework - Custom stonework improves the lay of the land while adding a timeless quality to any garden

 

Carpentry / Gates - Wood helps define the boundaries of the garden, while providing structure and shade

 

Gates - Gates create a definition of spaces.  They create a separation of private from public space

 

Planting - Plants are what bring gardens to life! Plants attract hummingbirds and butterflies

Tree Care - Provides care for trees of all ages to treat diseases such as 'Sudden Oak Death'

Outdoor Kitchen - Increase the usability of your garden, and take advantage of California's mild climate with an outdoor kitchen

 

Waterfalls - Water in the garden soothes the spirit and completes the garden experience.

 

For more information about green landscape architecture services call Ecologic Landscaping at 415-454-8903. 

Lotus Chaat & Spices serves Indian Street Food in San Rafael, Marin County

Lotus Chaat and Spices is the North Bay’s only destination for the delicious snack foods of India: dishes that will not only nourish you but also tingle your tongue and provoke your palate with a kaleidoscope of flavors, textures and spices.

What is Chaat?

Most chaat are based on dough made from a variety of flours. Depending on the type, they’re deep-fried, baked or steamed. They can be stuffed or topped with a variety of fillings that range from potatoes, beans and chick peas to assorted vegetables to cheese, even other grains.

About Lotus Chaat

Lotus Chaat & Spices, the only Indian chaat restaurant in the North Bay, debuted in San Rafael in April 2011.

The vibrant-colored café, which seats 80 indoors and 20 at sidewalk café-style outdoor tables, is located at 1559 4th St. on the West end of San Rafael’s burgeoning business district.

The new eatery also contains a small Indian grocery store which is imported from India’s most renowned food producers and is a center for Indian cooking classes.

“We’re delighted to be the first chaat house in the North Bay,” said owner Surinder Pal Sroa, who also owns the famous Lotus Cuisine of India in San Rafael, Anokha Cuisine of India and Golden Egg Omelet House in downtown Novato as well as Café Lotus in Fairfax.

Sroa was born in India and grew up in the grocery and spice business. According to him chaat, or small plates of savory foods, have become one of the most popular meals in the world — not just in India, where they originated, but throughout Southeast Asia.

Why Eat Chaat?

The popularity of Chaat is spreading because these types of dishes are made with healthy ingredients: whole grains, grain and bean flours, fresh potatoes, chickpeas and vegetables such as onion and cauliflower. In addition, chaat are typically vegan as well as low in fat or even fat-free and mostly gluten-free.

Most of the ingredients are organic, even locally made. For example, the popular Three Twins organic ice cream company crafted four ice cream flavors specifically for Lotus Chaat & Spices, including Alfonso mango and green cardamom.

Popular plates at the new restaurant include Chole Bhature, wafer-thin, puffy breads deep-fried to be greaseless, airy, crisp and soft all at the same time, served with a richly-spiced, savory stew of chick peas and red onions. Bhel puris, little shells of crunchy, ultra-thin pastry filled with chick peas, tamarind sauce and yogurt, are another hit. The menu also features some of India’s most popular sodas. It truly is a street food extravaganza, but with the comfort of seating in a colorful, Indian art-filled space.

The kitchen is headed by executive chef Hari Krishana Mehta, who owned the popular India Village in San Rafael for 24 years. His chef de cuisine is Parshotam Lal, a veteran of India Palace in Mill Valley and Raja Cuisine of India in Berkeley.

The space is also available to be booked for private parties and cooking classes, such as team-building culinary adventures.

COOKING CLASS

Lotus Chaat & Spices offers monthly Indian cooking classes, usually on the last Monday of every month. Sign up to learn how to cook the finest Indian dishes.

For the Lotus Chaat menu and updates about the Lotus Cooking Class visit http://www.lotuschaat.com/. Call (415) 454-6887 to enroll or for further information.