Nectar
Yes, cheese on an Asian menu seems odd, until you learn that chef Patrick Feury is like a Chester County cheese ambassador. He works directly with farmers and ages some of the offerings himself. 1091 East Lancaster Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312, tastenectar.com.
Executive Maids
One elderly client we know credits these maids with making it possible for her to remain in her home and the rest of the clientele just raves over the cleaners' trustworthiness, courtesy, meticulousness and reasonable pricing. Call or see website for consultation, 00000, executivemaids.com.
Bons Reves
Step into this airy, sweet-smelling store and be instantly transported to Provence. Then buy the artisanal soaps, crisp linens, thick towels, and lavender by the sachet, to bring the feeling home. Way cheaper than a plane ticket. 18 North Union Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530, bonsreves.com.
Morimoto
It's pricey, preening, and seldom home to its eponymous chef-and still Philly's most complete Japanese restaurant, from the ramen to the mountain peach crowning the hamachi tartare. 723 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, morimotorestaurant.com.
Rustica
Some swear by the exotically topped brick-oven beauties at Frank Maimone's Rustica, in NoLibs (cheesesteak pizza?), but the classic red adorned with Claudio's mozzarella and a naturally sweet tomato sauce is hard to beat. 903 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, rusticaphilly.com.
Johnny Brenda’s
Though mostly known for its burgers and beer, Johnny Brenda’s is actually doing some of the best cheffy vegetables in the city–marinated snap peas on a bed of homemade ricotta, and grilled local asparagus with slivers of cured salmon 1201 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, johnnybrendas.com.
World Wide Stereo
Outdoor flat-screens, lights controlled from your master-bath mirror, and a home theater that will make Spike Lee jealous — you will not walk out of this newly renovated showroom empty-handed. 38 Greenfield Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003, worldwidestereo.com.
Paddle Pool Class at Main Line Health and Fitness
MLHF members tone backs, shoulders, cores and more with a splashy 60 minutes of dragon- boat-style paddling in a specially designed pool that's a lot warmer than the Schuylkill. 931 Haverford Road, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, mlhf.com.
Honey's Sit 'N Eat
Get to Honeys Sit N Eat before 9 a.m. and you can fill up on two eggs, a potato latke (or home fries), toast and coffee for $3.95 about the same price as a gallon of gas. 2101 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, honeyssitneat.com.
900 to 1100 North 2nd Street
What with local food and beers at longtime neighborhood anchor Standard Tap (901 North 2nd Street, 215-238-0630, standardtap.com), cupcakes, tapas and corsets at Bart Blatstein's Liberties Walk (1022 North 2nd Street), and dance parties, art galleries and alcoholic milkshakes at the surprisingly resilient Piazza at Schmidts (1001 North 2nd Street, atthepiazza.com), this is the city's new adult urban playground. 00000,
The Head & The Hand Buyouts
Dinner and a movie is so 2019. Instead, drop $65 to rent out this independent bookstore in Kensington for 90 minutes. They provide a playlist curated to your tastes, loads of books to browse through, a candlelit table, and even some beer or wine. You bring a picnic basket and the old amore. 2644 Coral Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, theheadandthehand.com.
Aunt Berta’s Kitchen
Whole fried chicken, Cajun-spiced wings, fish and grits, pig’s feet with collard greens and potato salad — any home-style soul food you’re craving can be found at Berta’s. Additional location in Berlin, N.J. 639 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, NJ 08107, auntbertaskitchen.com.
Townsend
Townsend is sophisticated and polished, but between the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., industry folk from all over Philly descend upon it for some post-service bonding time (a.k.a. partying). A fine-dining French restaurant with an unofficial nightly party? We’ll see you there. 1623 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, townsendrestaurant.com.
Museum of the American Revolution
Much to our surprise, the people in charge here figured out a way to make something that happened 250 years ago seem relevant, important, and perfectly worthy of an afternoon inside. Maybe they could give the Constitution Center some pointers. 101 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, amrevmuseum.org.
Wendy's Flowers and Garden Center
This place isn't at all fancy (be prepared for sweltering wet-concrete-floored greenhouses), but once you feast your eyes on the unusual annuals (torenia! Angelonia! Gomphrena!) perennials, succulents, pond plants and shrubs, you won't mind a bit. Never plant those ubiquitous Home Depot petunias again. 1116 East Philadelphia Avenue, Gilbertsville, PA 19525, wendys-flowers.com.