East Falls Glassworks
Getting creative in the kitchen not cutting it for you? Try a furnace and a blowtorch instead. Book a private lesson at East Falls Glassworks, learn the basics of glassblowing, and take home a self-made souvenir of your red-hot evening. 3510 Scotts Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, eastfallsglass.com.
Stone + Glidden
This three-decade-old home AV contractor can set you up with state-of-the-art sound systems, automated lighting and temperature, security and more, all controlled (if you want) through an app on your phone. 628 B Street, King of Prussia, PA 19406, stoneglidden.com.
Hello World
Amp up your home bar with ultra-modern wine carafes, sleek flutes and cheeky cocktail shakers at the recently relocated University City shop. It's like Mad Men, but more fun. 3610 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, shophelloworld.com.
Moko Beauty Studio
It's known for its dry cuts and customized two-hour ayurvedic facials, but we also love the take-home treats: mango shea butter, lime body polish, Max Green Alchemy shampoo. 55 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, mokobeauty.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.
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.
Terminal F
Flying JetBlue, Frontier or Southwest out of Terminal E? Walk five minutes to oft-forgotten Terminal F (home to only one airline, American Eagle) for shorter TSA lines.
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.
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.
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.
Isabella Sparrow
One glance at all the homespun textiles, ironstone pitchers, metal milk-bottle caddies, etc., and you'll have a sudden desire to flee the city for greener pastures. Instead, you'll just bring the greener pastures home with you. 8511 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, isabellasparrow.com.
Renee Hill
Sure, Hill wowed Karlie Kloss and Christian Siriano on this past season of Project Runway, but we’re happy the Moore College of Art and Design alum is back home, because her fierce-but-feminine designs (that genius five-way VersaCoat!) could only be dreamed up by a Philadelphian. harx4.com.
The Spicy Belly
Jamaican food and Korean food, two cuisines that have no business getting in bed together, somehow made it happen in Manayunk, where Korean-style double-fried wings look right at home next to a basket of smoky, spicy jerk chicken. 3847 Terrace Street, Philadelphia, PA 19128, thespicybelly.com.