Avalon Bistro
There are lots and lots of bars on the Main Line, but it’s surprising how few serve a proper cocktail. That’s not the case at Avalon. Whether you’re in the mood for a boulevardier, an old-fashioned, or a Hendrick’s three-to-one martini, extra-cold, served up with three olives and made with Dolin vermouth (one of our staffers is very particular), they always seem to come out perfect here, and both the stemware and the vibe are impeccable. 818 Lancaster Avenue , Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, avalonrestaurant.net.
Edwin’s Glorious Gardens Etc.
Twenty-plus years ago, Edwin Peake gave his college side hustle–landscaping on the Main Line–a real go. Today, his team of experts designs, installs and maintains the stunning green spaces at fancy private schools and modest homes alike. Services Philadelphia, Delaware, Bucks and Montgomery counties. edwinsgloriousgardens.com.
Skirt Stone Harbor
The satellite location of this Main Line fashion mainstay brims with coffee-table books on seaside living, beachy Jonathan Adler home accessories, shelf upon shelf of colorful jewelry, and enough Calypso, Pink Pineapple and Alice and Trixie for you to stylishly out-prep anyone at the yacht club. 272 96th Street, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247, shop-skirt.com.
Jace Florescio
Jace Florescio’s balloon art. Photograph by Daniel Zampogna The stay-at-home order issued in March was a shock to the system for many Philadelphians, and children responded through art, posting homemade rainbows in their front windows. Inspired by this show of solidarity and expression of optimism, Florescio — whose couture balloon installations deliver excitement and wonder to intimate gatherings and corporate fetes alike — used her talents to craft a rainbow garland on her home’s front stoop and those of others in her Fairmount neighborhood. For everyone feeling unsteady or alone, Florescio’s doing her part to make sure hopefulness stays afloat. thatballoongirl.com.
Le Virtù
It's hard to believe that any single bite can pack as much pleasure as one crisply fried olive at Le Virt. Each fruity green specimen is crammed with a potent mixture of three types of slow-braised meat (beef, pork and chicken), then breaded and fried for the ideal amount of crunch. The tangy-meaty-briny babies are a specialty in Marche, the Italian region that chef Luciana Spurio calls home, and theres no better place to taste them stateside. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.com.
Carlino's
We would pretty much shop anywhere that houses something called a "brie bar." But add the ocean of olive oils (not to mention the mountains of olives), the deli, the handmade pastas and ricotta cheesecakes and sausages and a lasagna menu as long as your arm, and Carlino's is a lock. 128 West Market Street, West Chester, PA 19382, carlinosmarket.com.
Raw Brussels Sprout Salad at Pure Fare
EXPERT PICK: "This organic salad includes brussels sprouts, carrots, raw cashews and orange slices, and is mixed with a spicy mustard dressing. The good-quality oils they use in dressings here are a restaurant rarity. And the mix of textures helps stave off salad boredom." —Ali Shapiro, health counselor, alishapiro.com. 119 South 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, purefare.com.
Spring Garden Wash & Lube
There’s a reason this spot has won multiple Best Ofs—owners of Beamers and clunkers alike clap their hands in delight when they see their shiny wheels. 1111 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, facebook.com/sgwnl.
Victory Summer Love Ale
Available in bottles and on tap, this extremely drinkable beer satisfies craft-brew newbies and serious hopheads alike. 00000, victorybeer.com/beers/summerlove.
Neuf
Best thing about Neuf: sitting at the bar and snacking on the kitchen's house-baked bread. It's crumbly, crisp-crusted and perfect, served with only parsley pesto and a few olives, because nothing else could improve it. 943 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, neufphilly.com.
Haverford Nature Trail
Think of this flat, unpaved 2.2-mile loop around the perimeter of Haverford College (a go-to for newbies and seasoned runners alike) as the prettiest track you've ever set foot on. 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, haverford.edu/arboretum/files/Haverford-Trails-Brochure.pdf.
Calumet Photographic
If Amazon's camera section had a storefront, it'd look something like this South Philly store, where pro photogs and amateurs alike pluck serious gear from a jaw-dropping inventory. 1400 South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19147, calumetphoto.com.
Momo's Tree House
Every lawn game, art kit and ride-on the kids unearth here is handpicked, totally wholesome and -- most importantly -- fun. Plus, parents and babes alike really dig the free play area and craft table. 205 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, momostreehouse.com.
Home
You can spend hours searching for home-decor inspiration on HGTV or just 15 minutes in this adorable South Philly b-outique. Owned by husband-and-wife (and architect-and-interior-designer) duo Eric Heidel and Sary Em, it houses feminine accent pieces patterned geometric pillows, gilded ceramics, glossy Sputnik lights that give a ho-hum home a real OMG factor. Which, of course, is exactly what youre looking for. 1815 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, homephilly.wordpress.com.
Le Virtu
Pastry chef Angela Ranalli's seasonal, Italian-leaning desserts are both rustic (blueberry olive oil cake) and polished (topped with mascarpone thyme cream) but never cloying or expected. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.com.