Moby Dick is no Friend to the Plastic Dieter

I made the mistake of trying to eat at Moby Dick tonight. Moby Dick is a take-out falafel/pita place in Dupont Circle. I was excited, since I absolutely ADORE Mediterranean food. But, once inside, it became clear that Moby Dick is no friend to the Plastic Dieter.

It started out innocently enough. I walked in and perused the menu excitedly. When it became clear that the restaurant generally served its food on either plastic plates or in styrofoam containers, I started to get concerned. But, this is nothing I don't face often enough. Just last week I ate with some colleagues in the Botanical Gardens. We got take out from the Native American museum, which typically uses plastic for to-go containers, and I just asked the chef to kindly wrap my turkey sandwich in a paper towel. It worked just fine!

So, I asked if I could order a pita sandwich and have them wrap it in a paper towel. The employee stuttered a yes but his overbearing, rude manager shouted out a no. Not yet deterred, I asked if they could use foil. The manager reported that it was against the health code. Really? It's against the health code to serve a sandwich in paper or foil? Chipotle, Baja Fresh, Potbelly's, Cosi, even fast food like McDonald's and Burger King do it all the time. And I am 100% sure I've eaten foil-wrapped falafel in Adams Morgan. It looks like this wrapped up in foil:

Or like this in paper:


I'd be frankly shocked if there were any rule against using paper or foil packaging. I'd very much like to see it in writing. When it's not the middle of the night, I'll try to check into the DC Health Code.

Eventually, the employee brought over the hard plastic plate and the styrofoam container and said, "We have this or we have this." And I said, "Well, then I don't think I want anything." My friends still ate there, but I went to Baja Fresh. I will never eat at Moby Dick. Not until they at least try a biodegradeable plastic. There are so many other options that are at least marginally accomodating of their customers. My distress this evening really went beyond the plastic issue to the way I felt I was treated, with a complete lack of flexibility, creativity, or customer service.

At least my burrito was delicious.

Three Cheers for Un-plastic Toothpicks at Neisha

I went to dinner with my parents at Neisha last night. It's a lovely Thai place in Tenleytown. My father, a toothpick afficionado, showed me that they were using PAPER wrapping instead of plastic! Fabulous! I'm not a toothpick user myself, but I always grimace on my way in and out of restaurants whose toothpicks are wrapped in that vile stuff. Way to go Neisha.

Founding Farmers = My New Favorite Restaurant

On Monday evening, I had the very great pleasure of dining at Founding Farmers. I was instantly charmed when, upon requesting my beverage without a straw, the waiter informed me that they don't serve straws with any of their beverages. Seriously, I was in LOVE.

The food comes from nearby sustainable farmers. They make as many dishes and drinks in-house as possible (for example, the delicious home-made ginger beer!). They put milk bottles full of water (but without any tops!) on the table for you.

And, when you leave with extra food, they pack it up in a delightful paper container, as seen here. Yes, it is coated with something to keep it waterproof, but MUCH less non-paper gets used than in your average take-home container. PLUS it's recyclable. And they don't bring you a plastic bag with the take-home box.

Oh, and did I mention the food is yummy? Because it is. Very yummy.

Potbelly's

FYI: I'm done with grad school. This should result in a lot more blog posts. :)

Today, I had lunch at Potbelly's. It's one of my favorites. Now I ask myself (and you) to help me evaluate whether it's a good anti-plastic experience.

Here's what I've observed:
+
1. Use paper packaging instead of plastic.
2. Offer canned beverages (recyclable).
3. Make most stuff fresh, reducing the amount of "storage plastic" they use compared with placed that use lots of pre-packaged products.
4. Most have recycling bins next to the trash.

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1. Use plastic for sides. Including if you want extra hot peppers. Sigh. (I love their hot peppers!)
2. Beverage cups, like most, are plastic coated.
3. Chips are in plastic packaging.

Once I went to a location (the L Street Farragut North store) where there were no recycling bins. I was highly confused and distressed. But all the other ones have had them. Today I was thinking how great it would be if only we could compost restaurant waste.

I usually feel good about a trip to Potbelly's. Is there any reason I shouldn't?

Bread & Brew: An Eco-Friendly Pizza Place/Bar

Welcome to the neighborhood to Bread & Brew, a new restaurant at 20th and N in South Dupont. This place is great! They use all organic everything, shop fresh and local, and even care about the evils of plastic! All of the products in the bar are biodegradeable! I'm so excited about not having to say, "No straw, please!" They have a Grand Opening on Tuesday (the 13th) but the doors are already open if you want to sneak a preview.

Weekend in Plastic World

So, it's been a rough few days.

On Friday I forgot my fork and had to use plastic to eat my lunch. I thought I had a real fork with me, but I must have taken it out to wash it and forgotten to put it back in my bag. I managed to get through a happy hour with no unnecessary plastic, although I did collect some dirty looks from the bewildered staff. Later, I went out to dinner with my parents. Before we'd even ordered, I went to the restroom and when I returned there was a glass of water with an unwelcome plastic straw in it. I guess I need a sign that says "NO PLASTIC, PLEASE" to leave behind when I step away from the table.

On Saturday I managed to get through dinner ok but I definitely acquired at least one straw later on when I went out with some friends. All in all it could have been worse, but it could also have been better.

Sunday went a little better. I even realized that you can still eat crap food and avoid plastic -- I had a great emergency meal (left the house, realized I'd forgotten to eat, had little time, wouldn't be home for hours) at McDonald's without the use of plastic. They've really come a long way in using paper products instead of plastic.

Being plastic-free is so much easier when I stay home. But that's no fun! I will just have to be more assertive. And possibly make that sign....

Yay for Potbelly's and Chipotle

Tonight I stopped for one of my favorite treats -- a Potbelly's Chicken Salad sandwich. I don't even have to cut this delight out of my life -- it comes wrapped in paper and placed in a paper bag. As long as I steer clear of the potato chips and cookies (which come in plastic bags), I'm safe! Yippee! Plus those "sides/desserts" aren't very good for me, so this is just one more reason to choose health.

As I was contemplating the beauty that is a sandwich wrapped in paper, I thought of Chipotle and it's burritos wrapped in foil. Also an excellent choice. Totally recycleable and plastic-free!

At least this Plastic Diet won't force me to give up on those delicious treats!

The Third Day is NOT a Charm

So, Friday was a little rough. It all started when I was at a breakfast meeting and ordered some coffee. Given that it was a regular restaurant with "dishwasher cups," and given that it was early in the morning when my brain works significantly less well, I didn't remember to ask for "no plastic, please!" They brought my coffee with a plastic stirrer in it! 8:30 and I already had acquired plastic.

Later, I went to a meeting with some of my new team members. They offered me coffee and I thought it only polite to accept. Sadly, accepting brought with it a styrofoam cup.

Later, I went to Good Stuff Eatery with my old team from work. By the way, that place is AMAZING! It's the restaurant that Spike from Top Chef opened in DC -- it's at 3rd and Penn. It really is great. Anyway, I think I avoided plastic, but not without giving up a delicious milkshake. Sad. I even chose a beverage in a glass bottle so as to avoid the plastic-coated fountain drink cups. I think the turkey burger was wrapped in waxed paper -- it didn't seem too plastic-y. Here's hoping.

All in all, a tough day. It's really all about eating out -- restaurants are dangerous!

A Yummy Burrito...No Plastic!

On my way home from class today, I stopped at Baja Fresh to quell a grilled veggie burrito craving. I managed to avoid plastic even while enjoying this tasty treat! I think this was good practice for next month when I dive full force into the Plastic Diet.

I poured salsa (lots of it! I like it spicy!) directly on the burrito, avoiding those little plastic cups and their evil companions, the little plastic lids. I almost picked up a plastic fork and knife, but fortunately I had my bag from lunch with me, complete with the real fork and spoon I'd taken to work. Mission accomplished! 1 yummy burrito, 0 pieces of plastic. I did need 4 napkins because I made such a mess pouring the salsa straight on the burrito, so if you have to weigh the paper vs. plastic thing...I don't have a complete analysis. But paper biodegrades and is renewable and, well, plastic just isn't. Yay for a successful plastic-free meal. This is giving me hope.