I work very near Dupont Circle, a central business and residential neighborhood in Washington, D.C., which also gets much tourist traffic. So I figured I could record my luck finding good food options for locals and visitors.
With this in mind, I asked some work colleagues today, “Lunch?”
My stipulation was (of course) no disposible plastic, my willing lunch mate wanted soup: we agreed on Zorba’s Cafe, at 1612 20th Street NW, two blocks north of Dupont Circle. Greek cuisine, and tasty. Since I also eat vegetarian food whenever possible, Greek food was a good option. Today, I had manestra (orzo pasta in a light tomato sauce; I think kids would like this too) and a large portion of tzatziki with pita. Last time it was bean soup and an olive roll, which my lunch mate had today.
My food was served in durable melamine bowls. Set lunches come on ceramic plates. I drank ice water, which I served myself from pitchers near the counter, using durable plastic cups. The flatware was metal, wrapped in a paper napkin. (Take out orders get plastic ware, though the soup comes in a paper cup with — I believe — a paper lid.) No disposable plastic.
Yes, the dishes were plastic, but I figure it this way. Common objections to plastic use include their high energy imputs, their ultimate unrecyclability and their very, very long life as refuse. Glass or ceramic dishes — considering glass dishes aren’t ordinarily recyclable — have the same liabilities.
Feel free to disagree with me, but also be sure to include Zorba’s on your list of green-lighted eateries in D.C.
