Main Line School Night
Instructor Karen Strauss walks seniors and the tech-phobic through iPhone and iPad setup, app education (what the hell is this Instagram?), and getting the most out of your tech toys. 260 Gulph Creek Road, Radnor, PA 19087, mainlineschoolnight.org/cms/home.
Zoe
You'd drive an hour to hit the Saks outlet. Zo isn't much further and is way better. The stalwart which has been keeping Princetonians fashionable for decades carries the brands that the hippest celebs are constantly photographed in (Proenza Schouler, Lanvin, 3.1 Phillip Lim) and has end-of-season sales where basically everything is wait for it up to 70 percent off. 11 Hulfish Street, Princeton, NJ 08542, shopzoeonline.com.
Le Virtu
Whether you want taccozzette as delicate as cashmere or a four-foot-long spaghetti tube with out-and-out bounce, Joe Cicala knows how to roll the dough. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.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.
The Good King Tavern
The kitchen at this Bella Vista bar is open until 1 a.m. every single night. That, coupled with elevated tavern fare get the chickpea pancakes, well-priced steak frites or, if available, steak tartare makes it the place for grown-ups to go post-tipple. 614 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, thegoodkingtavern.com.
Fashion Forward Designer Resale
Ayana Hamilton's boutique is the Ritz of resale. Color-organized racks brim with pristine picks from fashion's heavy hitters. There are major investment pieces (a barely used camel-colored Celine Phantom bag for $2,500) and pinch-yourself deals, like a $90 Herms scarf that, cough, may or may not still be there. 7906 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, .
Xi'an Sizzling Woks
The "Chinese hamburger" is subtly spiced pulled pork, tucked into crisp-edged pita bread with a still-steaming center, for $3.50: Now, that's Chinese er, American um, Shaanxi food! 902 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, xiansizzlingwoksphilly.com.
Vetri
What'll it take to knock Marc Vetri's flagship out of this top spot? We don't know maybe some sort of apocalyptic continental drift that rams Italy's boot halfway up the Schuylkill? His new second-floor dining space only makes an experience here that much more personal. 1312 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, vetriristorante.com.
Benjamin's Desk
If you're in the tech-biz game and need a vibe that's cool but still more collared-shirt than hoodie, you'll love the membership options, admin support and La Colombe coffee at Benjamin's Desk. 1701 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, benjaminsdesk.com.
1812 Productions
Its hard to be funny all the time, but Philadelphia's all-comedy theater company, stationed at Plays and Players, does just that. Last season,Cherry Bomb was, well, the bomb. Their annualThis Is the Week That Is show is always a (smart) hoot. And they changed it up a bit by throwing in a musical cabaret about marriage, to critical acclaim (masters of comic timing, raved theInquirer). Next season, were looking forward toThe First Day of School: A Soccermom Sex Farce (opens 10/1) and April'sAn Evening With(out) Woody Allen. Independence Studio on 3, Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, 1812productions.org.
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.
Birchrunville Store Cafe
There's something about going to a place so off the beaten path (in this case, northern Chester County) that your GPS won't recognize its existence, and so darling and rustic that you actually have to exit the restaurant and stroll across the wooden porch and into the adjacent (functioning) post office in order to use the restroom. These are the things that let you know you've found someplace special. Well, that and the fact that you'll have the best meal you've likely eaten in months. Just save room for the warm butterscotch cake. 1403 Hollow Road, Birchrunville, PA 19421, birchrunvillestorecafe.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.
Danzeisen & Quigley
They've got the square footage of a Dick's or Modell's, but the personalized expertise of a specialty bike, ski or snowboard shop. It's no wonder D&Q has stayed in business for the past 52 years. 1720 East Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, dandq.com.
Skin n Tonic
Peddler's Village isn't the first place you'd expect to find an amazing, no-holds-barred bikini wax, blissfully worth-the-year-long-wait massage, wholesome Phytomer seaweed facial, flawless, chemical-free mani-pedi, or dominant cut and color. But they're all here, thanks to an Aussie-born gatherer of pros and waxer of royalty owner Kerian Bray. Route 263, Shop 56, Lahaska, PA 18931, skinntonic.com.