Table for Two

“I want my food to be sexy, like my wife who is sexy all the time.”

— Gordon Ramsay

Did you know that the quickest route to a companion’s bed is through her stomach? Well, it’s the quickest route to mine anyways! Allow me to provide a roadmap to the pleasure before (or after) the pleasure via a selection of both my favorite and most desired culinary experiences in Philadelphia.

salvatore’s corner

Seeking an express ticket to the top of my favorites list? Salvatore’s Corner is the Irwin’s version of a chef’s tasting menu. And if you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I’m a total sucker for both of those things.

Irwin's

royal izakaya

How many times will Jesse be nominated for a Beard Award before they hand it over! It’s safe to say that an omakase reservation is not going to get MORE accessible in the near future!

Royal Izakaya

at the table

A rookie on my list, At the Table in Wayne caught my attention when I heard about it three times in the course of three days this past weekend. What’s all the buzz about? I’ve gotta know.

At the Table

my loup

French inspired market cuisine with a focus on freshness - oui oui, je l’aime!

My Loup

brunch at lacroix

OH YESSSSSSS! Lacroix’s infamous open kitchen brunch buffet has returned. Need I say any more??

Lacroix

chef’s table at ambra

One of Eater’s 38 Essential Restaurants in Philadelphia, Ambra is perfect for those of us who love Italian food, thrive in the chaos of the kitchen, and find scoring a difficult reservation to be a near-orgasmic experience in and of itself. That’s definitely me — is it you too?

Ambra

enswell

Morning, noon, or night, I’m always happy to meet you at Enswell for a sip and a snack, be that a latte and a croissant or an extra dirty gin martini.

Enswell

river twice

Do you like surprises? I love them. River Twice changes their tasting menu daily, so let’s take a chance and be surprised.

River Twice

old city kitchen: cooking class

More of a hands on type? We can do that too - let’s take a class at Old City Kitchen together. Steak, sushi, cocktails — gentleman’s choice.

Old City Kitchen

barhopping in fishtown

Can’t sit still? Wanna go on an adventure? Let’s swing through Philadelphia’s historic Fishtown neighborhood (famously featured in Dispatches from Elsewhere) - I’ll show you all the good spots.

Where to Dine + Drink in Fishtown

Wow, now I’m hungry. When are we going out?

Destination Stelladelphia: Winter Edition

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back.”

— Terry Pratchett

Here we are again - closing out the current chapter and on the verge of a new one. Here are some ideas for us to be Merry & Bright together this holiday season.

the nutcracker

My favorite winter date idea: an evening at the ballet, followed by choreographing our own pas de deux.

The Philadelphia Ballet

winterfest

Let’s bundle up and embrace the enchantment of the season at Winterfest — we can glide on the ice under the sparkling lights of the city skyline, and warm up afterwards with hot cocoa around the fire pits.

Winterfest

76ers game

A Philly classic - need I say more?

76ers

fabrika

Let’s take a walk on the wild side and head to Fabrika — they have everything from fire breathers, to aerial acrobats, to burlesque performances.

Fabrika

BYOB holiday light tour

History, Christmas lights, AND we get to bring our own hooch? Perfect, full steam ahead Founding Footsteps!

Founding Footsteps

cooking class

You know where it’s always nice and toasty? In the kitchen.

La Cucina

night spa at the four seasons

Looking to slow down rather than speed up? The ultimate romantic evening, Night Spa is just you, me, and the 57th floor infinity pool (and two expertly trained masseurs, of course).

Night Spa

longwood gardens

A classic escape from the city - let’s hit the road for the day and head off to Longwood, share a bite at 1906, and take in the festive splendor.

Longwood Gardens

art after hours

What better way to bring out our inner art critic than with live music, local spirits, and small bites.

Philadelphia Art Museum

Let’s mark the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024 with special memories…

Destination Stelladelphia: Summer Edition

“I only believe in intoxication, in ecstasy, and when ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another.”

— Anaïs Nin

So you’ve decided: you’re ready to reach out and embark on our adventure together. And you’d like it to be special — a lasting memory between the two of us. To ignite your imagination, I’ve curated ten date ideas that delight and inspire me…

outstanding in the field

Perhaps my #1 dream date for summer 2023 - Outstanding in the Field is the ultimate dining experience. They believe in connecting diners to the origins of our food while celebrating the hardworking hands that feed us.

Outstanding in the Field

lantern festival

Let’s get a little culture in with our romance. The Chinese Lantern Festival is a display of dozens of larger than life paper lanterns at Franklin Park, catch a performance, and enjoy themed drinks and bites.

Chinese Lantern Festival

sea philly cruise

Shall we get a whole new angle on the city together? Whether it’s on a sunset cruise on the Delware overlooking the Philadelphia skyline, or an all-day expedition to be introduced to local wildlife and swimming coves, Sea Philly offers options that can fit into any style of date we choose.

Sea Philly

phillies game

Take me out to the ball game! Catching a Phillies game is one of my favorite ways to spend a summer evening. Are you team crab fries, or team cheesesteak?

Phillies Tickets

oyster shucking class

Che Bello! Oysters have been considered an aphrodisiac since Roman times — let’s head to Oyster House some Tuesday afternoon and learn how to shuck like pros.

Oyster House

chef’s table at ambra

One of Eater’s 38 Essential Restaurants in Philadelphia, Ambra is perfect for those of us who love Italian food, thrive in the chaos of the kitchen, and find scoring a difficult reservation to be a near-orgasmic experience in and of itself. That’s definitely me — is it you too?

Ambra

night spa at the four seasons

Looking to slow down rather than speed up? The ultimate romantic evening, Night Spa is just you, me, and the 57th floor infinity pool (and two expertly trained masseurs, of course).

Night Spa

longwood gardens

A classic escape from the city - let’s hit the road for the day and head off to Longwood to take in the splendor, share a bite at 1906, and watch a fountain show under the stars.

Longwood Gardens

art in the age: cocktail class

Art in the Age began as an artists’ collective, rooted in traditions of American craftsmanship. Since their opening in 2008, they’ve become innovators in the world of spirits.

Let’s learn from the best, and take a cocktail workshop together!

Art in the Age

the barnes: private tour

After making his fortune in the pharmaceutical world, Dr. Barnes decided that he would build “the greatest modern art collection” of his time. Laid out exactly as it was in his home, the collection features deep holdings of Renoir, Matisse, and Picasso.

Let’s lose ourselves for an hour in the works of the impressionists, post-impressionists, and early modern paintings on a private tour.

The Barnes

I hope you’ll join me on an amazing adventure, this summer and beyond…

Into the Stellaverse

“for there
was no sight more beautiful on earth
than that of stars shining in the dark sky”

— sappho

I was thinking of you, thinking of me.

Perhaps you’re here looking for a connection, a reason to take the leap of faith and reach out. Or you’re already counting down the days, looking to plumb more of my depths before we lock eyes for the first time. Maybe we’ve even met before, and you’re just missing my presence.

I hope we have a proper introduction soon. But in the meantime, let me tell you just a little about myself, a small curation of futilités:

Aside from two brief periods living abroad, I have been an East Coaster all my life — first in New York, and now in Philadelphia.

It’s no secret, I am a bit of a nerd. I collect vintage watches, precious metals, and botanical Legos, I am a dedicated patron of several of my favorite audiodramas (check out my Wishtender if you’d like to support my habit), and I find it endlessly stimulating to listen to others speak about their passions.

I am a devoted explorer of the written realm. At present I am working my way through:

• Savage Beauty — Nancy Milford’s biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay, heroine of the Jazz Age and first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize

• Project Hail Mary — an interstellar thriller about discovery and survival by Andy Weir, author of The Martian

• The Asylum — Simon Doonan’s memoir-in-essays about the sometimes wacky, always hilarious, hidden side of the fashion industry

• Fractal Noise — the latest from Christopher Paolini, set in the same universe as one of my recent favorites To Sleep in A Sea of Stars

• 1Q84 — Murakami’s infamous novel (I suspect after 10 years of trying I will never finish this one)

With the heat of summer quickly approaching, I find myself especially drawn to dry or juicy red wines with notes of stone fruit, sakés with barnyard funk, and extra Añejo tequilas.

One of my greatest joys in life is movement. I love to dance, run, box, lift, do pilates and yoga. Connecting to my breath, to the beating of my heart, is a meditative experience.

A true Taurus, my favorite dates are 4-14 hours — sharing a meal together, going on an adventure, introducing you to the hidden gems of Philadelphia or discovering them with you somewhere else. I like to luxuriate in the experience, to feel unrushed and enriched as we take our time together.

Hopefully, this glimpse into who I am has emboldened you to crest a new horizon with me.

Until then…