Stellaverse Dispatch 2501
“one cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well”
It’s been quite the year already, hasn’t it? I’ll skip the rehash of the obvious.
While winter is far from my favorite season - I love wearing boots, cashmere, leather, suede, I love the sound of snow crunching under my soles and the nip of the wind at my nose, I love eating stews and sipping on a dram of Hibiki.
And I’ve been productive - juggling consulting work, my company, my mentorship, finishing my certifications, preparing to launch a new business, and being your favorite Philly companion. In fact, just before posting this, I paid off one of my student loans IN FULL! (If you feel inclined to send me a little congratulations - here is my wishlist!)
As busy as I am, I’m so excited to spend 2025 with all of you - whether it’s our 1st, 11th, or 50th time together.
So, let’s dive into my first dispatch of the year. I intend to make this a monthly thing, so far so good. 100% success rate.
First thing’s first! Let’s get the business out of the way.
Travel: In addition to visiting Nashville February 8th-10th (get in touch to make plans), I’ll be back in New York in early March and mid April. Dates to follow!
Name update: I’m finally beginning the process of transferring all of my handles over to my new one. Realstellahart → VisitStelladelphia! Additionally, I will be reducing my activity on X given, well, everything, so going forward please follow me on BlueSky!
Short notice availability: Are we already acquainted? Finding yourself with a more immediate craving for my company? Tempt me with the right plans and I may be able to rearrange my schedule. Outcall only, understandably.
Minimums: You get a little, you give a little. Starting in March, certain suburban destinations will have a 2hr minimum. I do the math like this: the time we spend together should not be exceeded by the time I spend in transit. Details to come.
One of my favorite recent dates was a spontaneous overnight in New York. Usually, I don’t have last minute availability, but when an inquiry lands with a perfect itinerary and everything is booked in the space of 2 emails, how can I say no. I’m a sucker for both immersive theater performances and incredible food. Our evening experiencing Life and Trust and dining at Shikku (in Jean Georges Tin Building) was incredible. Recounting the details of our individual experiences (I managed to get a 1-on-1 with Dorian - played by the incredibly talented Robert Vail) running up and down through the many subterranean vaults of the Conwell Tower, I think we actually managed to order and devour every single item on the menu. And to cap it off, we stayed at one of my favorite under the radar properties 33 Seaport. I absolutely love the view of the Brooklyn Bridge from their balcony suites.
Another favorite of mine, which I am so belated on mentioning, was finally dining at Provenance - a meal I can easily say is one of the top 5 I’ve ever had the pleasure to experience. To begin, the atmosphere is nothing like other townhouse-to-restaurant conversions (no offense to Vetri or Friday Saturday Sunday which are immensely excellent meals). Stepping inside, I could not have told you the building used to be someone’s home. It was moody, intimate, and the acoustics were splendid. The service didn’t just feel like a high degree of professionalism, it felt like true hospitality. We began with a cocktail - mine was so fragrant I was transported back in time to plucking honeysuckle blossoms to get to the nectar. Each dish that was set in front of us was crafted with nuance, and tasted incredibly fresh. The wine pairings were immaculate! There were 4 desserts per person! Thinking about it brings a tear of joy to my eyes. If you’re thinking of booking, do it.
Naturally, since Philadelphia’s Center City District Restaurant Week has just kicked off, I have to offer my input.
If I was going out over the next couple weeks and wanted to take advantage, here’s where you’d find me:
Sampan
Sharing is sexy! Date night idea: play rock paper scissors for any dishes served in odd numbered portions.
aKitchen
A total gem - Ellen Yin’s aKitchen is the best worst kept secret in Rittenhouse. Go for the food, go for the wine, just GO Restaurant Week or no.
Forsythia
Restaurant week…brunch?? Yep. In addition to participating in the dinner menu, Chris Kearse is offering a brunch option this year. Escargot, anyone?
Prunella
Going family style? Go to Prunella! Plates, Pasta, Pizza. YUM. (I recommend the Zaweeg & Pepp)
What I’m reading, eating, watching, wishing for, and otherwise enjoying lately:
17776 - John Bois I’m not even going to tell you what this is. If you’re a true science fiction nerd, you already know what it is, maybe you’ve even attempted to read it yourself. This is my latest obsession. If you managed to finish Murakami’s 1Q84 or Gibbon’s History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, you’re probably ready to take this on.
Fope Earrings - these have been sitting on my TRR favorites list for like 3 months now. One of my goals for 2025 is to simplify my jewelry and watch collection and invest in nicer, classic pieces. These may be the first addition to that.
Jon Batiste’s Beethoven Blues album. Here’s his take on Für Elise. (There’s still time to book a trip to Miami to see him at the Montreux Jazz Festival!)
Pop's Bun Shop - enough said. Buns are requested.
I’ll leave you with this extremely relatable tweet. Keep on January-ing! Just a week left now!
