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.
Main Line School Night
Because isn't it time you took up tai chi? Or finally got around to studying Russian literature? Or added some heirloom vegetable recipes to your kitchen repertoire? Here, you can do any of the above for as little as $15 a class. 60 Gulph Creek Road, Radnor, PA 19087, mainlineschoolnight.org.
Valerie Grant
Grant, a Pilates and Feldenkrais instructor (the latter discipline focuses on the relationship between movement and thought), will help you strengthen weak core and back muscles to reprogram the way your body naturally carries itself. Which means no more ugly rolled shoulders and bowed back. Bonus: You'll look skinnier, too. Club La Maison, 215 Sugartown Road, Wayne, PA 19087, clublamaison.com.
Settlement Music School
Sure, some of the schools grads go on to Juilliard and Curtis, but for instructors like Soviet-born Dolly Krasnopolsky, it doesnt matter if youre better at practicing Chopsticks than Chopin. The 24-year Settlement vet takes (and loves) all kinds. See website for locations, 00000, smsmusic.org.
Shuffleboard at the Ivy Inn
Yeah, we know what you're thinking: Philly Mag's endorsing shuffleboard?! But hey, it's harder than it looks. And you meet some of the nicest neighborhood people playing it. Get in a game at Ivy Inn, where the best players including the state champ hang out. 37 Brookline Boulevard, Havertown, PA 19083, ivyinn.org.
Exhumed Films
Bloodcurdling screams! Satanic slashers! Cellar-dwelling one-eyed torture beasts! It could only mean one thing: Exhumed Films' monthly double (sometimes triple) feature of some of the best and worst -horror films ever made. International House, 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, exhumedfilms.com.
Linen
If the name doesn't say it all (see what we did there?), the shelves of duvets, sheeting, pillows and throws from names like Dwell Studio, Pine Cone Hill and Area probably will: Linen is the place to make sure you-and your guests-snooze in style. 8133 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, lineninteriors.com.