Meister's Barbershop
This handsome addition to East Passyunk is everything it needs to be and nothing it doesn't: a smartly designed space, a simple first-come, first-served system, and four chairs where owner Rob Baumiester and his team will deliver the finest fade you've ever received. 1810 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, meistersbarbershop.com.
Ting Wong
Its fast, its cheap, its small (so plan your visits accordingly), but it also has several dishes that are the best versions in Chinatown namely the shrimp dumplings (in any soup theyre served in), the roast duck (which, conveniently, also comes in a soup with the aforementioned dumplings), and the congee. 138 North 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, phillychinatown.com/tingwong.htm.
Robertson's
Proper flowers for life's major passages. Inimitable Robertson's, in Philly since 1927 and on the Main Line since 2001, has tasteful arrangements, simple bouquets and impeccable delivery that have made Philadelphians' lives elegantly easier for 80-some years. 8501 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, robertsonsflowers.com/.
Master Tailor and Cleaners
They'll shake their heads disapprovingly. They'll hem and haw and make no guarantees. And then you'll come back one week later and pick up your totally red wine/oil/makeup-free silk blouse or cashmere cardigan or white linen pants. 1620 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, facebook.com/pages/Master-Tailor-Cleaners/191404560944818.
Genesis Nail Salon
We have actually been known to get in a cab in order to lounge for nearly an hour-nearly an hour, we tell you!-at this low-key spot that delivers some of the most thorough nail maintenance and accompanying massages we've had. 729 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, genesisnailsalon.com/.
Gold Million Records
This nifty shop is an homage to vinyl, and a must-stop for diehard collectors, come-lately hipsters, and anyone looking for a present (bowls and clocks made from old albums) for a record fan. Or just a place to show the kids what the world was like before iTunes. 851 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, goldmillionrecords.com/.
Brauhaus Schmitz
This house-made ber-pretzel is served with salted radishes and mustard, but we recommend you ditch all that and dip it in Brauhaus's parsley-chive-and-dill-flecked butter (it comes with bread service, but if you ask for it with the pretzel, they'll accommodate you) instead. 718 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, brauhausschmitz.com.
Taqueria Los Taquitos de Puebla
Local gringos know Los Taquitos de Puebla from its farmers' market stands. But for the real thing, go to the 9th Street storefront any day of the week, show some guts, and try the tongue or beef-eye tacos. Yeah, we said beef-eye tacos. 1149 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, lostaquitosdepuebla.com/.
Styer's Garden Cafe
Now that Terrain's greenhouse cafe has expanded to a patio and dinner four nights a week, and Supper alum Keith Rudolf as executive chef we couldn't be more excited to put our fannies in the Fermob folding chairs, uncork the BYO riesling, and order one of everything (two, when it comes to the cheese plates). 914 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342, shopterrain.com/glen-mills-restaurant.
The Old Guard House Inn
The dark woods and crackling fireplaces may rightfully conjure up images of Colonial days, but it's playing "who's drinking with whom" at the bar that keeps this landmark the Main Line's answer to Peyton Place. If only Joe the bartender, who knows everybody's secrets, would spill some. 953 Youngsford Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035, guardhouseinn.com/.
Townsend
Townsend is sophisticated and polished, but between the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., industry folk from all over Philly descend upon it for some post-service bonding time (a.k.a. partying). A fine-dining French restaurant with an unofficial nightly party? We’ll see you there. 1623 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, townsendrestaurant.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/.
Kole Made
The stunning cabinetry, built-ins and shelving coming out of this design-build firm in Brewerytown aren’t just about good looks: Kole Made’s sleek, creative work milks every square inch of potential storage space for all its worth. 3060 West Jefferson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121, kolemade.com.
Philly Style Bagels
Just when you thought this bagel boutique couldn’t top that esteemed lox sandwich, they nonchalantly roll out this beaut, an amped-up tuna salad (it’s silky, but also hearty enough to hold up to their chewy rounds) that comes with just tomato and lettuce. Get it on an everything, please. 1451 East Columbia Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, phillystylebagels.com/.
Gruyere Popover and Foie Gras Soup at Sbraga
Okay, so they're not free, exactly ... but this luscious amuse-bouche combo that comes with every prix-fixe menu at Kevin Sbraga's eponymous flagship is the course we look forward to most. And given how amazing those prix-fixe menus are, that's saying a lot. 440 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, sbragadining.com/.