This week's Green Passport Destination spotlight is Open City, Woodley Park's perennially popular (and particularly yummy) coffeehouse, diner, and bar.

Open City is one of forty-eight participating locations in Green Passport DC , a game that Clean Currents is hosting through the month of April that encourages anyone and everyone to visit some of DC's best wind-powered businesses.  There's no cost to play Green Passport - all you need is a mobile phone and the Facebook application.  Simply register for Green Passport DC by clicking THIS LINK and then visit any of the 48 locations throughout the city, check in, and earn CASH!     

Clean Currents staff member, Nicole Dvorak had a chance to sit with Heather K. (manager of Open City), and here's what the two covered over a cup of organic coffee:

Nicole: We love Open City (so much) - other than having absolutely amazing food and being an all around feast for the senses, what is one of your favorite things about Open City?  

Heather: Hands down my favorite thing about Open City is the staff. What an interesting, caring, hard working bunch of individuals. The care they show for great service should be able to be seen for miles. We really do want people to have a great time. We admit that we are not perfect, but darn it, the effort is genuine. I am really amazed at how I've seen this place REALLY turn into a "neighborhood joint," a hangout that people who live around here visit EVERY day. That's completely amazing and I feel so lucky. And it even extends to the travelers. I feel very sure that people who visit Woodley Park and dine at OC are getting an eagle eye view into what folks that live in DC are really like.

Nicole: What inspired Open City’s set of “eco” and social ethics?   Can you talk more about that and the things that you do?
Heather: I think our great ideas are all born from the owner--Constantine (Stavropoulos) is a boss that has set up a work environment that supports its employees, it generates the idea that things are not disposable. You must care for your product, for your equipment, for how much you use, how much you save. Anyone that understands ownership of your workplace (or any place) immediately gets the idea of what eco-friendly and sustainable is trying to convey. We don't over order, we recycle, use thoughtful to-go products, we raise funds for the Potomac River Watershed and Trash Free Initiative, we support sustainable farms and we use wind energy :-)

Nicole: What is coming up in the future for Open City?   Anything that we should look out for or pay attention to?
Heather: I think the menu at Open City is getting more and more exciting. Our Chef, Courtney Parks, has really started hitting his stride with thinking outside the box. He is very observant with our guests and food trends and using seasonal ingredients. Talk about saving product, time and energy?! People may have thought that not serving chips with every sandwich was CrAzY, but guess what? A lot of people don't want the chips all the time. We bought, stored, prepped ,served and then THREW away so much darn chips. That right there was a game changer. Now people either order the side they want, or just eat a big ol’ sandwich. Big news? We serve brunch every day, you don't have to wait for the weekend, spread the word. And, oh yeah... there's another restaurant coming soon....

Nicole: What do you like about Clean Currents?
Heather: Aside from the obvious great things Clean Currents does to protect our natural resources, supply clean energy alternatives, and educate the public on the renewable energy industry, I like how accessible CC is! The nicest, most informative reps that REALLY care and are interested in what they do. Informative newsletters and face time make being informed easier.

Nicole: I’d just like to extend my personal thanks, my sister and I have the best time whenever we are there (eating, chatting, you know).  It’s always nice to be there.
Heather: Holy heck, I'm blushing! Thank you. That makes me so happy to hear. I know we get so busy in here at times, but I truly care about all my guests’ experiences and hearing you have good ones makes me really, really happy. It's my pleasure to have you.

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