Gifts
Gifts are never required to get my attention, but are always appreciated. If you need some ideas because you’d like to surprise me, here are some tips:
Flowers, roses in particular
White wines, mineral but not acidic
Milk chocolates, preferably with a cream or fruit center
A book you’ve read recently and want to chat about
A clothing item made of silk or linen
Golds and rose golds suit my skin tone
Preferred retailers include:
Please no: Sparkling wine (including champagne), fast fashion, fragrances or toiletries, unused leather products, or fur products
Petit Faits
Libations
Piquepoul blancs in summer, full-bodied chardonnay in winter, fruity kombucha on a warm afternoon, aromatic early grays and earthy green teas on the colder days.
Dining
I’m an excellent home-cook, so I usually make food for myself, but when I’m out, I’m a fan of the following locations:
Baltimore: Alma, Sotto Sopra, Clavel, The Charleston, Comptoir Du Vin, Ammoora
Washington, D.C.: Cranes, Albi, Maydan, Pisco y Nazca
Philadelphia: Parc, Kalaya, Bastia, Vetri Cucina
Bars
Baltimore: Bluebird, Dutch Courage, Rye, Loch Bar
Washington, D.C.: The Mirror, Red Derby, Officina
Philadelphia: Caletta, Bar Lesieur, Franklin Mortgage
Destinations
My favorite destinations have been: Barcelona and Zurich internationally, and Provincetown, Massachusetts and Yosemite Valley, California domestically.
Longing after a visit to Santorini, Greece.
Snacks
Artisanal (very fragrant) cheeses, fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, assorted nuts, and (always) french fries.
Where to stay?
I want to make sure that our time together is as comfortable and pleasurable as possible. For that reason, I prefer that we book a 4- or 5-star hotel, especially for our initial meetings. You may book the room for us or, alternatively, I can book the room on our behalf (with a small extra fee to cover the cost).
Baltimore
The Ulysses
The Ivy
The Four Seasons
The Sagamore Pendry
Washington D.C.
Pendry Washington DC on the Wharf.
The Dupont Circle Hotel
Intercontinental Washington DC
Philadelphia
The Westin Philadelphia
Sofitel Philadelphia
The Guild House Hotel
Anna & Bel
Funds and Donations
I am glad to personally accept unadulterated donations from the generous. You can contribute to my ongoing educational attainment here, but there are other causes that could also use your help.
As many of you know, I’m an unabashedly political person, with deeply leftist leanings rooted in my knowledge that there is little separation between the personal and political. My largest concerns and own volunteering have to do with fighting climate change that threatens the lives of millions around the globe, staunch opposition to creeping fascistic movements in the United States and beyond, protections for laborers both foreign and domestic, as well as more local-scale support for vulnerable members of my community.