BROOKINGS – The Pheasant Restaurant & Lounge has been awarded the Brookings Mayor’s Sustainability Award in the Social/Quality of Life category.
This award acknowledges projects and programs that focus on sustainability and social benefits that help ensure that all Brookings residents gain from quality of life improvements.
The Pheasant will be honored along with three other Brookings Sustainability Award winners – 3M, Kool Beans Coffee and Roasterie, and SDSU’s Department of Architecture – at an Aug. 30 awards presentation.
Pheasant operators Michael Johnson and Trevor Clements consider sustainability in their menu choices and purchasing decisions, and strive to educate their clientele about sustainability, quality-of-life experiences and healthy food.
The Pheasant’s Wine Club features a monthly tasting, often with growers, vintners and distributors as well as guests from boutique wineries. They have dedicated a special room for tasting, comparing, learning about and purchasing specialty olive oils and vinegars.
The Pheasant hosts events featuring locally inspired and ethnic foods paired with wines and has recently added a weekend breakfast/brunch offering of Nordic-inspired foods. Johnson and Clements support their efforts with education through OLLI courses, teaching wine tasting to SDSU hospitality students, mentoring high school ProStart students, participating in local producers’ events, and through everyday conversation with guests at the restaurant.
Local foods, such as lamb, bison, pork, pheasant, artisan ice cream, desserts, produce, locally roasted coffee, private label jalapeño jelly from Foodtopia Farms and baked goods from Cottleston Bread, are featured in their menu. Local micro beers are served and on tap as well as whiskey and spirits from neighboring Minnesota.
The Pheasant supports local artists by donating their walls to the featuring of local art for display and purchase, taking no fee for the business. The restaurant also employs local musicians regularly, including during their weekly Monday night live music series, which starts each fall and goes through the spring.
The Brookings Mayor’s Sustainability Awards recognize excellence in sustainable practices demonstrated by local businesses, organizations and individuals, while promoting a culture of resiliency. Award winners contribute to a more sustainable city by embracing and promoting an approach to business and daily living that balances environmental responsibility, economic prosperity, and community equity.
The Mayor’s Sustainability Awards presentation will be held in conjunction with the Butler Human Rights Award, Human Rights Commission’s Youth Ally Awards, ABLE Awards, Mayor’s Awards for Historic Preservation and the Mayor’s Generational Leadership Award at McCrory Gardens Education & Visitors Center, 631 22nd Ave., from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 30, with the program beginning at 6 p.m.
The public is invited to attend. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.
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