Boston Mayor Marty Walsh enjoys lunch Feb. 18 in Chinatown at Jade Garden, with Inspectional Services Department commissioner Dion Irish (left) and Health and Human Services chief Marty Martinez (right). (Image courtesy of Ling-Mei Wong.)

Over walnut shrimp and crab rangoon, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh enjoyed lunch Feb. 18 in Chinatown at Jade Garden. The visit highlighted his commitment to local businesses in Chinatown, which have undergone a steep drop in business since the Covid-19 outbreak.

“We want to make sure we support our businesses here in Chinatown,” Walsh said. “This is their bread and butter. They are losing business, they will have to shut their doors and can’t afford that.”

Jade Garden general manager Peter Cao said, “It’s been really hard for our employees. … It’s great to have support from the mayor. It means a lot to Chinatown.””

Walsh began his Chinatown tour at Jade Garden, before stopping for bao at Great Taste Bakery & Restaurant. He sampled egg puffs at the Avana food court, before making his last stop at Asian Garden.

The mayor’s entourage included Chinatown liaison Lisa Hy, Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement director Yusufi Vali, Boston Police Department Area A-1 Captain Kenneth Fong, Tufts Medical Center president and CEO Dr. Mike Apkon, Health and Human Services chief Marty Martinez, Inspectional Services Department commissioner Dion Irish, Fair Housing and Equity department engagement specialist Courtney Ho and Tufts MC director of community health improvement programs Sherry Dong.