The color of APHA logo may be blue, but there is no doubt that the 2007 APHA Annual Meeting is tinged with green. The APHA Green Meeting Committee, made up of members of the Environmental and Food & Nutrition Sections, worked with APHA’s Anna Keller to implement several green initiatives. In addition to the green initiatives implemented by APHA at this year’s Annual Meeting, there are cultural culinary experiences suggested by John Steen.
- Healthy Restaurant Options at http://www.apha.org/meetings/highlights/environmental/SustainableRestaurants.htm highlights restaurants that employ food production methods that are healthy, do not harm the environment, respect workers, are humane to animals, provide fair wages to farmers, and support farming communities.
- Linen & Towel reuse programs (http://www.apha.org/meetings/highlights/environmental/LinenReuse.htm) provides information on hotels that participate in linen and towel reuse programs that help save water and energy as well as reduce waste water and use of chemicals. Even if a program is not established, guests can request that their bed sheets not be changed.
- Carbon Offsets (http://www.nativeenergy.com/Splash/apha/apha.html?APHA ) APHA has teamed up with Native Energy to offset the carbon dioxide we produce as a result of travel to the Annual Meeting. For a minimal fee registrants can compensate for the impact of their travel on the environment by supporting environmental programs aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
More information on APHA’s green initiatives are available at http://www.apha.org/meetings/highlights/environmental/. For more information, contact Anna Keller at anna.keller@apha.org, or Maureen O’Neill at oneill.maureen@epa.gov.
In addition, Washington, D.C., offers a cultural epicurean experience. Here are suggestions from CHPPD’s John Steen to please diverse palates and budgets.
If you want to try Chinese in Chinatown, try Full Kee (202-371-2233) at 509 H St (5th St.). Order from the house specialties, not the tourist menu; the meal-size soups garnished with roast meats are the best in Chinatown. Tried-and-true dishes include the Hong Kong style soups (try the shrimp-dumpling), steamed dumplings, crispy duck, eggplant with garlic sauce, fish dishes, and sautéed leek flower. Cash only.
The Matchbox (202-289-4441), at 713 H Street, just west of 7th Street, is good value. It has an eclectic lunch and dinner menu, including good personal pizzas in the true New York style. Sunday Brunch, 11-3; regular menu thereafter. Open until 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
On 7th Street:
Jaleo (202-628-7949), 480 7th Street - just south of E Street - is one of the best places anywhere for tapas (over 50 to choose from); also good wine and sangria.
Legal Sea Foods (202-347-0007), at 704 7th Street at G Street, for fine seafood.
Rosa Mexicano (202-783-5522), at 575 7th Street at F Street is a very upscale, beautiful, eclectic Mexican restaurant.
Clyde's of Gallery Place (202-349-3700) is an upscale American restaurant (same ownership as the Tower Oaks Lodge) at 707 7th Street at G Street, next to the Verizon Center.
Other options:
Zaytinya (202-638-0800) at 701 9th Street at G Street has Mediterranean food, including Greek tapas in a fine setting. As tasty as it is healthful!
Luigino (202-371-0595) at 1100 New York Avenue at 11th Street is the best nearby Italian option. No lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Tosca (202-367-1990) at 1112 F Street (11th – 12th Streets) is a more elegant Italian restaurant. No lunch on Saturday. Closed on Sunday. Expensive.
Rasika (202-637-1222) at 633 D Street (7th St.) has Indian food. Closed on Sunday.
Five Guys Chinatown (202-393-2900) at 808 H Street at 8th Street is the place for takeout burgers & fries from 11 a.m. on.
Full Kee and Five Guys can be considered inexpensive. Clyde’s, Rosa Mexicano, and Jaleo are a bit expensive. The rest are moderate.
By John Steen, Consultant in Health Planning, Health Regulation and Public Health, jwsteen@expedient.net & Priti Irani, CHPPD Chair-Elect, pri01@health.state.ny.us