Pizzeria Beddia
If youre taking out, you cant beat Pizzeria Beddia: no phone, no chairs, no slices, weird hours, and pies from pizza savant Joe Beddia, who uses nothing but the best ingredients. 115 East Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, pizzeriabeddia.wordpress.com.
Petit Jardin en Ville
Claudia and Vincent Roux have re-created a little bit of Paris in their charming shop. Their arrangements are beautiful, and the attentive service is extraordinary, whether you’re planning a wedding or just need a hostess bouquet. 134 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, petitjardinenville.com.
Friday Saturday Sunday
Chad and Hanna Williams have brought this institution back to life: an elegant dining room, killer cocktails, and inspired takes on classic dishes (like this roasted asparagus) that leave us wanting more. 261 South 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, fridaysaturdaysunday.com.
Firecreek
A large porch serves up the perfect mix of sophisticated and serene: a polished crowd; stylish furniture and good drinks; situated next to a charming creek in a pretty park; and a view of Downingtown's picturesque downtown and soaring church steeple. 20 East Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335, firecreek-restaurant.com.
The Borgata’s Event Center
This intimate venue is relatively small–only 2,400 seats–but the acts that perform here are anything but. Last month, headliners included Britney Spears and Barry Manilow. This month: Stevie Wonder and Cher. Good luck getting tickets! 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, theborgata.com/shows/venues/event-center.
Dana DeMarco at LashBee
From your perch in what’s essentially the plushest director’s chair ever, DeMarco will wax, tint and fill your brows to perfection. Afterward, you’ll realize it’s actually your peepers that have never looked better. 1126 Walnut Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, lashbee.com.
Franklin Flea
Heavy on the vintage homewares (chairs, retro decor and antique table toppers), light on smelly "treasures." Expect a well-curated, easily maneuverable seasonal marketplace punctuated by gourmet food trucks and a smattering of handmade goods (like pastel ukuleles). Headhouse Plaza�on 2nd Street, franklinflea.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.
Lacquer Lounge
Dream up your wildest design (peachy ombr, metallic dots, neon chevrons), and the friendly techs at this pretty salon will turn your nails into tiny, perfectly manicured works of art. And for a song, too: Lacquer charges just $3 a nail. 501 Fitzwater Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, lacquerlounge.com.
County Theater
A consistently top-drawer slate of current art-house films, a charming concession stand, friendly ushers, and an intermittent "classic film series" that offers the opportunity to see the old movies your grandparents loved. Breakfast at Tiffany's is playing August 7th. 20 East State Street, Doylestown, PA 18901, countytheater.org.
Art Star Gallery and Boutique
Go because you love the non-brand-name charm, because shopping here gives you instant street-style cred, and because you want your friends to come here when it's time to buy gifts for you. 623 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, artstarphilly.com.
The Bike Stop
One of the last gay bars in Philly yet to be infiltrated by the straights, with gay porn images on the TVs, nearly nude bartenders in leather chaps, weekly underwear nights (exactly what they sound like), and open make-out sessions, well, everywhere. 204 South Quince Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, thebikestop.com.
Ryan Christopher
Charming enough to feel special but casual enough that you can bring the kids, with food everyone will ooh and ahh over: French toast stacked with sausage and egg, a Benedict topped with chili con carne, and a Thanksgiving-style sandwich available all year. 245 Woodbine Avenue, Narberth, PA 19072, ryanchristophersbyob.com.
Tonino Montella
With the patience of a saint and a charming Italian accent -Montella will teach you and yours to play the guitar, banjo, mandolin or electric bass (he plays 'em all, professionally) over a series of laid-back $35-an-hour lessons. It so beats Banjo for Dummies. 806 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, toninomontella.com.
Uniques & Antiques
Ceramic plates by Picasso, signed Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs and Murano glass pendant lights that were displayed at the Hotel Bristol in Italy — these are a few of the treasures you can snag at the regular auctions. (That is, if the city’s decorators and restaurant designers don’t get there first.) 2500 Market Street, Aston, PA 19014, uniquesandantiques.com.