One-on-One Skateboard Lessons With Skate the Foundry
For $70, Skate the Foundry’s expert skateboarders will spend an hour one-on-one with your budding Lizzie Armanto or Tony Hawk at a variety of skate parks throughout the region. For $80, they’ll even come to your driveway. Because the coolest kid on the block is always the one who knows how to ollie. 120 Yorktown Plaza, Elkins Park, PA 19027, skatethefoundry.com.
Juju Salon and Organics
Forget its holistic mission, earth-friendly product lines and semi-crunchy following. The styles coming out of this five-year-old salon are nothing short of sublime, which is why even the what-the-eff-are-Birkenstocks crowd is now booking here. 713 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, jujusalon.com/juju-salon.
Han Dynasty
This is where we go when we want the best. This is where we send our friends when they come to town asking about places they shouldn't miss. This is the place that, months later, those same friends are still thanking us for recommending. 260 North Pottstown Pike, Exton, PA 19341, handynasty.net.
Rob Peters, Ardmore Wine & Spirits
This a joke, right? Nope, not when it comes to Peters, who holds certifications from the Society of Wine Educators and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, among other organizations, and teaches at the Restaurant School. Main Line mavens swear by his recommendations for the best wine to pair with everything from boeuf bourguignon to tacos to pho. 62 Greenfield Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003, finewineandgoodspirits.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10051&catalogId=10051&langId=-1.
BDDW
This Port Richmond firm is responsible for the most gorgeous, refined furniture to come out of our area since Nakashima: grand live-edge walnut dining tables with cast-bronze wishbone bases, sculptural leather sling chairs, and the coolest ping-pong table we've ever seen. 3450 Salmon Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134, bddw.com.
Bona Cucina
At this 31-year-old cash-only BYOB, charming Frankie will take your order while her husband Pat cooks in the tiny kitchen — and never emerges. Come for ravioli, shrimp scampi, red-gravy dishes, and a homemade cannoli that we'll gladly put up against anything in the Italian Market. 66 Sherbrook Boulevard, Upper Darby, PA 19082, .
The Pub in Pennsauken
There's a time and place for fancy, clubby steakhouses. But when you want to go seriously retro, try the Pub, where the steaks all come off a charcoal-fired hearth, an expansive salad bar is included, and you do your feasting in a medieval dining hall on the outskirts of Camden. 7600 Kaighns Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 08109, thepubnj.com.
Trail Creek Outfitters
From hiking to trail running to yoga, the selection at TCO is vast. But what will keep you coming back are the friendly, knowledgeable staff, who are more than happy to chat about their own outdoor adventures and share insider know-how to make yours unforgettable. 487 Glen Eagle Square, Glen Mills, PA 19342, trailcreekoutfitters.com/site.
Wild Honey Salon
Over at mother/daughter-owned Wild Honey Salon you’ll find a come-as-you-are vibe, stylists who are excellent listeners, and a team that helps one another grow. Plus, they specialize in lived-in color, so your fresh ’do will not only look natural but also grow out with grace. 261 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, salonwildhoney.com.
Lamb neck gravy at the Industry
Pat Szoke first experimented with pork on the way to developing this memorable dish, but his pivot over to lamb necks which are even richer than the shoulder landed him an instant classic. Its simple: lamb necks braised in red wine and rosemary-accentedtomatoes, topped with creamy house-made ricotta and then served with grilled baguette rounds. Warning: When the bread is gone, you might find yourself licking the cast iron skillet the gravy comes in. 1401 East Moyamensing Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, theindustrybar.com.
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
You've never been to the 17th-century-style Japanese house and garden in Fairmount Park? What kind of Philadelphian are you? Come for the monthly traditional chado tea ceremonies, to see the just-restored Sakura Pavilion from the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, or simply to stroll the grounds and feed the koi. Psst: The summer camps for kids-taiko drumming, origami, calligraphy, kimono-dressing-are the chicest in town. Horticultural and Lansdowne Drives, Philadelphia, PA 19131, shofuso.com.
Bistrot La Minette
Vive la charming private back room big enough for you and 19 of your closest friends! The $45-per-person family-style French meal is perfect for those who've finally come to appreciate the classy charms of wine over Jager, leather over vinyl and gteau l'opra over Fudgie the Whale. 623 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bistrotlaminette.com.
Fork
When you see the private room so prettily set, when your guests get to make their choices from the three-course menu you handpicked, when the servers keep the wine a-flowing, when the Madagascar chocolate cake (with peanut nougatina) comes, and when you finally get the bill (just $20 a head?), you'll be so glad you threw that luncheon here. 306 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, forkrestaurant.com.
Lisa Korn, Saks Fifth Avenue
Sixteen years at Saks and eight before that at Nan Duskin and Lisa Korn is still as fashion-obsessed as ever. The secret to her coveted status as one of the 5th Avenue Club's top sellers? Could be her elite buying access to every designer out there (even ones the Bala Cynwyd Saks doesn't carry). Could be that when it comes to that Oscar ball gown you just have to have, she'll be absolutely relentless until you're in it. 2 Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, saksfifthavenue.com.
Ps and Qs
Guys can like candles when they come in Ps & Qss woodsy scents, with notes of oak moss and birch tar. Also on tap at this distinctly modern hip-dude outlet are Herschel Supply Co. bags, manly Juniper Ridge pine-scented soap, Penfield caps, and art and photography books. Bonus: Gift-wrapping is free. 820 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, psandqs.com.