DOSA, An Eco-Friendly Place

DOSA is the only Indian restaurant in the Bay Area that has a holistic commitment to primarily organic, bio-dynamic and sustainable ingredients and products.

In addition, with an entirely new build out for their second home, owners Emily and Anjan Mitra had an excellent opportunity to build DOSA using green practices from the ground up! They have made a significant commitment to eco-friendly materials, appliances and processes. Here's an overview of the some of the many green and sustainable design elements they are incorporated into DOSA on Fillmore.

Equipment

• Energy-star rated equipment was used where ever available
• All refrigeration equipment is on remote condensers located on the roof instead of self-contained units. The reduction in heat generated within the space reduces the cooling load and resultant energy usage.
• State of the art condensers have computerized monitoring systems and time clocks to limit cycling during non-peak use times.
• Where applicable, all equipment was also specified to operate at the higher voltage (hence fewer amps or actual flow of electricity) for greater efficiency and overall energy savings.

Mechanical

• Ultra-high efficient equipment for heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) of the space. Units are controlled by an "intelligent" computer system which links all three HVAC units together and monitors their demand, ensuring that they are working in tandem to be most efficient.
• Window tinting is applied to the existing windows to reduce heat gain during the day as well as reduce heat loss at night. The resultant energy savings allowed a reduction of nearly 20% or 4.6 TONS of HVAC requirements!
• The exhaust system for the hoods in the kitchen has an Energy Management System (EMS) that registers the heat load under each hood and adjusts the exhaust and make-up air fan speeds accordingly. EMS allows for maximized energy savings versus a fan running on high speed during the same period.

Electrical

• An integrated dimming system on all light fixtures ensures the appropriate level of lighting is maintained on a daily basis.
• Light fixtures throughout the space use florescent, CFL or LED lamps where applicable.
• The lay-out of equipment on the roof has been designed to allow for a future solar voltaic system to be installed. An inverter has been installed along with conduit from the main electrical service panel to the roof for the future solar installation).

Plumbing

• The water heating system utilizes a solar water heating system, feeding a 580 gallon holding tank.
• All faucets and flush valves are below the requirements for low-flow rates set by City and State ordinances.
• "Touchless" faucets are installed at all restroom lavatories. (Partially installed).
• A "water-less" system in the men's bathroom saves over 4,000 of gallons of water per year.

Furnishings

• Booths, banquettes and custom sofas are constructed with FSC certified wood for their framework.
• Non-PVC high performance "technology leathers" by Joseph Noble that contain no volatile organic compounds (VOC's) normally found in most vinyl-based products. They use environmentally friendly raw materials during production, and emit no toxic gas when burned or buried after use.
• With abrasion ratings exceeding 100,000 double rubs - more than 3 times the 30,000 double rubs required for a "heavy duty upholstery" rating - the materials specified will have an exceedingly long life span.
• Booth and banquette backs were specified to be upholstered in fabric by Carnegie Fabrics, which is part of their 6IX Again Recycle Program creating no water pollution in conventional dying and no additional energy consumed to achieve color. It also exceeds the "heavy duty" abrasion rating by 5 times with no wear visible after 150,000 double rubs.
• Additional custom sofa seating is upholstered in Innovations high-performance faux leather which is PVC-free, non-toxic and made from renewable or recyclable materials.
• Table tops as well as all custom cabinetry and millwork is fabricated locally, using Durapalm plywood made from plantation grown coconut palms which are no longer producing nuts with FSC certified cherry wood trim.
• Low-VOC finishes are used to provide clean and durable surfaces.
• The communal table is custom-made locally using reclaimed timbers.

Floors

• Porcelain tile flooring was specified throughout the dining/bar/lounge areas that are produced in a closed-loop process that recycles 100% of raw material and water wastes. Polishing factory reclaims residue from polishing process. Material is fired into a durable ingredient for highway paving. All water from polishing factory is recycled back to the production line.
• The porcelain contains no added VOC's. With the proper use and maintenance, these materials help reduce overall off-gassing in efforts to meet LEED interior air quality standards.
• No sealants or waxes are required are they could add harmful VOC's to a building. (Most quarried stones must be sealed and waxed to maintain appearance).
• Tile in the employee bathroom is Crossville EcoCycle made from 40% recycled ceramic.
• Plyboo Neopolitan Strand bamboo flooring is not only a beautiful, unique look, its durability is suited for high-traffic areas with hardness twice that of red oak it's the hardest bamboo flooring on the market. The bamboo flooring is 100% bamboo with no fillers and it is urea-formaldehyde-free (PlybooPure) containing no VOC's.
• Storage, office, and employee rooms have Tarkett xf Linoleum flooring throughout, made of renewable raw materials like linseed oil, resin, wood flour, cork flour and jute.
• Roppe Pinnacle Rubber Cove Base and Stair Treads are made from 100% renewable rubber and are PVC free.
• No-VOC epoxy flooring/wall coatings are used throughout back-of-house areas for a clean durable finish. Unlike typical epoxy coatings or fiberglass-reinforced panels (FRP), these eco-friendly epoxy formulas will not off-gas or contribute to VOC's in the interior environment.

Finishes & Coverings

• All paints are specified throughout the interior were low-VOC, low-odor formulas. Its washable finish in any sheen, quick dry-time, and seamless touch-up means a long-lasting paint finish.
• Innvironments Wallcoverings are specified because they are breathable and sustainable products that are PVC-free, non-toxic and made from renewable or recyclable materials.
• Cabinetry/Millwork was fabricated locally using Durapalm plywood and/or FSC certified cherry wood. Low-VOC finishes are used to provide clean and durable surfaces.
• All metalwork was fabricated locally, including water-jet cut panels at railings. Besides being extremely durable, they are 100% recyclable at the end of their lifetime. Other railing panels utilize 3-form ecoresin made standard from a minimum of 40% post-industrial recycled PETG.
• Bar counter tops are custom terrazzo made from recycled glass, mirrors, mother-of-pearl, and low-VOC resins.
• Other counter tops are made from Paperstone Certified, using 100% recycled content - paper and cement - to create hard, durable surfaces.
• Oceanside Glass Tile is used on the face of the service bar, and contains up to 86% recycled content from curbside recycling programs.
• The acoustic Ceiling, while contributing to a less stressful environment by reducing noise levels, Armstrong Ceiling tiles contain up to 82% recycled content and the suspension system contains 30% recycled content - the highest percentage of post consumer content in the industry.
• Stainless steel restroom accessories are used throughout - long lasting and recyclable - including super-efficient (and loud J) automatic hand dryers, saving paper and energy year round.

Demolition

• All materials removed from the space were recycled as permissible.

Construction

• Where possible, all new wood framing including plywood for shear walls is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.
• Non-structural wall and ceiling elements were framed using metal studs which use less material, has a very long-term lifecycle and is completely recyclable at the end of its useful life.

Menu Highlight

Kerala Aviyal and Coconut Rice

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Photo Highlight

Bar at Dosa Fillmore

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DOSA on VALENCIA
995 Valencia (@ 21 St)
415 642 3672

DOSA on FILLMORE
1700 Fillmore (@ Post)
415 441 3672

GROUP DINING
groupevents@dosasf.com
415 819 3672

CATERING
catering@dosasf.com
415 819 3672