Capital view: Keisha M. Gilchrist marches on Washington D.C.Distinguished for being the nation's capital and the platform for a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, Washington, D.C., is also home to a network of progressive black professionals and entrepreneurs Realtor Keisha Gilchrist, principal of the Gilchrist Group (www.gilchrist-group.com), a RE/MAX RE/MAX Real Estate Maximums (Canada) Allegiance affiliate, is one of them. With clients that include Carlos Rogers Carlos Rogers may refer to:
In the district, median home values are upward of $300,000. On the job front, management analysts, auditors, physicians, and surgeons, are in great demand. Aside from the government and government contractors such as Lockheed Martin, the biotech, financial services, and telecommunications industries most influence the city's economy. Freddie Mac Freddie Mac: see Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. , Capital One, and Marriott are among the major corporations based in the area. "D.C. isn't a festival town," Gilchrist admits. "It's a port for powerbrokers who seal deals over a meal." But there is fun to be had. When hosting guests, the 29-year-old enjoys the guided Segway tour, named for the electric scooter, which motors past historic districts and prominent landmarks (www.washingtondc.com/attractions), and the International Spy Museum The International Spy Museum is a privately owned museum dedicated to the field of espionage located in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and one block west of the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station. (www.spymuseum.org). The annual September Black Family Reunion, hosted by the National Council of Negro Women The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) was founded in 1935 by Mary McLeod Bethune, child of slave parents, distinguished educator and government consultant. Mary McLeod Bethune saw the need for harnessing the power and extending the leadership of African American women through (www.ncnw.org/events/reunion.htm) at the Washington National Mall draws 500,000 attendees, which helps fuel the $5 Billion generated annually by the city's tourism sector. Here Gilchrist describes how she deals in the district. AROUND TOWN: WASHINGTON D.C. ACCOMMODATIONS "D.C. is not very decorative and flavorful," concedes Gilchrist, That's one reason Hotel Rouge (1315 16th St. N.W.; 202-232-8000; www.rougehotel.com) stands out as a stylish, tech-savvy, boutique hotel. "Everything's red, from the leather front door to the bar decor. It's also where you go to be seen." [1] The stately Willard InterContinental Washington The Willard InterContinental Washington is a historic luxury hotel located two blocks east of the White House in Washington, D.C. Among its facilities are numerous luxurious guest rooms, several restaurants, the famed Round Robin Bar, and voluminous function rooms. (1401 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.; 202-628-9100; www.washington.inter Continental.com) offers luxurious quarters and impeccable service. The historic landmark has hosted every U.S. president since Franklin Pierce in 1851. DINING [2] Not open for lunch, the black-owned Jin Asian Caribbean Soul Lounge (2017 14th St. N.W.; 202-332-2104; www.jindc.com) is a sophisticated, comfortable setting for private meetings and parties or dinner. Hearty, tasty appetizers include jerked shrimp sushi roll Sushi Roll A candlestick pattern consisting of 10 bars where the first five (inside bars) are confined within a narrow range of highs and lows and the second five (outside bars) engulf the first with both a higher high and lower low. and Malaysian free-range chicken satay sa·tay also sa·té or sa·te n. A dish of southeast Asia consisting of strips of marinated meat, poultry, or seafood grilled on skewers and dipped in peanut sauce. expressly created to accommodate the well-heeled networking crowd. To make an unparalleled impression with clients, Gilchrist nets a table at The Oceanaire Seafood Room (1201 F St. N.W.; www.theoceanaire.com/dc), whose decor and ambiance am·bi·ance also am·bi·ence n. The special atmosphere or mood created by a particular environment: "The noir ambience is dominated by low-key lighting . . . resemble that of a classic 1930s ocean liner. No cost is spared to reel in the best catch--seafood is flown in daily from around the world and carefully prepared to your liking. Oya (777 9th St. N.W.; 202-393-1400; www.oyadc.com) is the "hot spot after a Wizards game," points out Gilchrist. Exciting offerings like the Chilean sea bass or Atlantic salmon Atlantic salmon Oceanic trout species (Salmo salar), a highly prized game fish. It averages about 12 lbs (5.5 kg) and is marked with round or cross-shaped spots. Found on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, it enters streams in the fall to spawn. , enjoyed amidst "white leather fittings and avant-garde wall treatments," deliver an experience for all your senses. SHOPPING [3] If you're not the department store type, check out Pink November Boutique (1231 U St. N.W.; 202-232-3113). "They carry only three or four of each item. It feels like a high-end closet." Cocktail dress prices range from $110 to $320. Reincarnations Furnishings (1401 14th St. N.W.; 202-319-1606; www.reincarnationsfurnishings.com) offers furniture and accessories with a high-end look. |
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