What are some of your favorite places for coffee in D.C. or outside of the city?
"Baked & Wired can do no wrong in my book. With so many creative minds running it, they’ve created such a cool vibe. It’s constantly changing and evolving, too, which I feel you need to do to keep your place fresh and relevant. I love Dolcezza, as well, for the vintage flair they throw into their design. That’s definitely my design philosophy: reclaim!"

What do you think about the D.C. dining/bar scene, and what are some of your favorite places for bites and sips?
"I think the D.C. restaurant scene is catching up with other major cities. We have so much culinary talent in this town, and because we’re not as competitive as say, New York or L.A., it gives people the chance to take a more relaxed approach to their menus. I’m a creature of habit, and I hit my favorite spots when I have a hankering for a specific dish: mussels at Bistro du Coin, pizza at Two Amy’s, pupusas at Judy’s. As for bars, I rarely go to a place where I don’t know the bartender. Must be that whole Cheers thing. It helps when you serve a large portion of the U Street bartenders coffee every day."