5 Green Things You Might Not Know About Roberta’s Pizza

<a href="http://www.robertaspizza.com/">Roberta's</a> is well-known across the pizzosphere for its crusty, wood-fired pies topped with flavor-packed morsels like fresh cheese and savory-sweet tomatoes - but did you know that it's also one of the most <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/robertas-pizzeria-in-brooklyn-grows-its-own-produce-in-shipping-container-greenhouses/">environmentally-conscious restaurants </a>in New York City? If you still haven't checked out this pizza lover's paradise in East Williamsburg/Bushwick (or even if you already have), here are 5 green reasons to visit before summer ends. From <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/5-green-facts-you-might-not-know-about-robertas-pizza/robertas-pizza/">touring the shipping container gardens</a> to taking one of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/5-green-facts-you-might-not-know-about-robertas-pizza/robertas-pizza-harvest/">their workshops</a> on how to grow your own fresh greens, read on to see <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/5-green-facts-you-might-not-know-about-robertas-pizza/robertas-pizza/">everything Roberta's offers</a> up in addition to their tasty slices.

Looking at Roberta's concrete-heavy facade, you'd never imagine the wealth of tomatoes, eggplants, figs, peaches, berries and greens being grown inside. Made of two repurposed shipping containers, Roberta's elevated greenhouses grow fresh produce that is then used to adorn their pizzas, salads and other specialties. Patrons will see many fruits and veggies growing along the outdoor patio area in the warmer months, but the rooftop gardens are typically only open to visitors at certain times, so follow the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/robertasrestaurant">Roberta's Facebook page</a> in order to see when they will be offering their next garden tour.

With its charming, rustic dining room, covered backyard bar area and even its own green lawn, Roberta's is a verdant oasis in an otherwise very industrial area. In keeping with its mission of sustainability, the interior decor consists largely of reclaimed and recycled materials.

If you manage to get a seat inside the rear dining room at Roberta's, you might notice a large glass window that looks into one of the green shipping containers that flanks it. Peer inside and you'll see that the cozy space is actually the studio of the <a href="http://www.heritageradionetwork.com/">Heritage Radio Network</a>. If you think about it, it's only fitting that the membership-based radio station, which leads a 24/7 conversation about slow food, food culture and sustainable agriculture, broadcasts from a room that has all kinds of home-grown produce thriving right overhead.

The special room has a fun mix of both rustic and industrial elements.

Roberta's lawn.

The outdoor bar area.

The restaurant hosted backyard viewing events during the World Cup.

The covered picnic area.

Roberta's loves feeding you the fruits of its own labor, but they also want to help you achieve similar results in your own garden at home. In September, they'll be offering a <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/835771">workshop</a> and walking/tasting tour where you can learn about the garden and even begin growing your own baby salad greens. The tour, on Thursday, September 11th, will include a complimentary beer and a baby salad green pot. Click <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/835771">here</a> to buy tickets for $10.

And, of course, we can't forget the "pizza" de résistance. Fired in a wood-burning stove to achieve that oh-so-satisfyingly crisp membrane that gives way to a chewy dough, the delightful discs are well worth sitting in the heat of the energy-saving, non-air-conditioned space.

The pies are wonderful but the other menu items are worth a try too.

Roberta's pizza chefs hard at work.

Roberta's is located at 261 Moore St. about a block-and-a-half away from the Morgan Ave. stop on the L train.