Crudo e Nudo is an Italian-focused raw and fresh seafood bar operated by Chef/Owner Brian Bornemann and partner Leena Culhane. They announced the opening of their first permanent location on Main Street in April 2021 after enrolling in the Green Business Program a few months prior. Beginning as a pandemic friendly sustainable seafood pop-up in mid-2020, Crudo e Nudo’s dishes are inspired by the strength of relationships the couple has directly with fishermen and farmers. Their menu features plates that rotate with the micro seasons of Southern California.
Crudo e Nudo procures shellfish, like mussels, using regenerative ocean farming meaning: it involves growing seaweed and several kinds of shellfish — not just to feed people but to heal the oceans and fight climate change. The aim of regenerative ocean farming is to go beyond sustainability and use crops to breathe life back into ecosystems. All seafood served is listed as Best, Certified or Good Alternative on the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch list. Crudo e Nudo sources organic produce and additional herbs from local farmers markets, and wine from local vineyards – many of which also use regenerative farming practices.
To reduce toxins resulting from cleaning products, Crudo e Nudo purchases non-toxic and green certified cleaners from Ecologic Solutions. Paper products: including paper towels, napkins, paper bags and toilet paper, are unbleached and made from 30-100% post-consumer recycled materials. To go above and beyond to conserve water, they purchased the CNSRV Water food defroster tool - reported to save restaurants up to $3,200 annually. Crudo e Nudo chose to purchase 100% renewable power from California’s Clean Power Alliance, Santa Monica’s local community choice aggregation (CCA) provider.
Photographer: Ashley Randall
