Peco Energy
Yes, you read that right. For a modest fee, their experts will examine your at-home energy use, recommend ways you can reduce it, and even toss in free LED lights. If your income falls below their thresholds, you can get your checkup for free. peco.com/WaysToSave/ForYourHome/Pages/Assessment.aspx.
Thos. Moser
As indie boutiques continue to shutter along this vaunted shopping row, this newly opened handmade furniture haven gives us hope. Hit it up for subtly curvilinear bed frames, leather-wrapped seats, and writing desks so inviting, they’re sure to inspire productivity. 1605 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, thosmoser.com.
Wellington Square Bookshop
Wedged in a generic shopping center, Wellington ticks off all our literary essentials: a coffee bar; squishy wingbacks; sympatico shopkeeps; used, new and rare books. (A signed first edition isn't out of the question.) It also hosts book clubs and regular writing workshops. 549 Wellington Square, Exton, PA 19341, wellingtonsquarebooks.com.
Totem Brand Co.
This is where you'll find attire for the quietly stylish man: hard-wearing boots by Danner and Red Wing, limited-edition denim each signed and numbered by Raleigh, Patagonia outerwear, and the artisanal add-ons (Steven Alan sunglasses, Billykirk bike-frame pouches) to pair with it all. 535 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, totembrandco.com.
Ting Wong
This place might be best known for its roast duck, but that's not actually what they do best. Here, the noodle dishes rule-in particular the off-menu Shanghai-style noodle with pork, green onions and red wine vinegar, served to regulars who know enough to ask for it. 138 North 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, phillychinatown.com/tingwong.htm.
K9 Resorts
Dogs at K9 Resorts. Photograph courtesy K9 Resorts. At New Jersey-based K9 Resorts (which has locations in Cherry Hill, Horsham and Malvern), the luxury suites are eight-by-eight-foot sound-resistant rooms equipped with premium Kuranda dog beds, dog-themed artwork, and even televisions (tuned to Animal Planet or DogTV, obviously). k9resorts.com.
Lululemon
It's a chain, yes, but our Lululemons sure don't act like it, with free yoga classes led by local instructors. And the clothes? Well, let's just say we regularly drop as much here on running tanks and yoga pants as we do in the shoe departments at Neiman's and Saks See website for locations, 00000, lululemon.com.
Philly Geek Awards
There's a reason this event sells out every August. Geeks -- especially geeks in tuxes and gowns -- are totally cool. Stroll the red carpet (or pet a snake; the event is at the Academy of Natural Sciences) with the region's top scientists, game makers and hackers -- and expect some Weird Science moments throughout the evening. Phillygeekawards.com.
Hello World
When you bring along something really charming a quirky serving tray or a Philadelphia wine bag or an oak wine carafe it makes you seem really charming, even with your tendency to spill red wine on the couch. (On second thought, better grab two really charming things.) 257 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, shophelloworld.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, .
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.
Triangle Tavern
Your mama may be Italian, but her meatballs can't hold a candle to Triangle Tavern's veal-beef-and-pork version. That's shocking, we know -- but so is the fact that the best meatballs in South Philly aren't at some storied red-gravy joint, but inside this reborn hipster bar on East Passyunk. 1338 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, triangletavernphilly.com.
A.Kitchen
A document that packs twice as many Loire reds as bordeaux isn't just a wine list; it's a manifesto. From a 21-year-old vintage of Lebanon's Chteau Musar to the latest effort from Sicilian-based iconoclast Frank Cornelissen, this food-friendly compendium bristles with attitude and beguiles with its breadth. 135 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, akitchenandbar.com.
MPX
The new dispensary is the first at the southern Jersey Shore where you can buy recreational weed. Unlike the dispensaries in Pennsylvania, MPX (and the other NJ dispensaries) offers edibles, so you’ll want to stock up. Just know that bringing any of your bounty across state lines is technically illegal. 153 South New York Avenue, unit B, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, mpxnj.com.
Sarvida
Chicharron with crumbled kesong puti cheese goes best with a cold lager. Pancit is perfect with a crisp white, and the lechon pork belly pairs nicely with a fruity red. Good thing you can bring all three to this homey BYO in Fishtown, a spot that helped birth Philly’s Filipino food boom. 300 East Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, sarvidaphilly.com.