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.
Per Lei Boutique
The haute women's clothing boutique has initiated a Buy Now, Wear Now, Pay Later program: Spend $1,000, pay half, bring it all home, and pay your balance within 30 days. When your significant other asks how you scored so much for so little, just shrug and tell him you're a savvy shopper. 2 East State Street, Media, PA 19063, perleiboutique.com.
Fishtown Beer Runners
Intimidated by the pace-obsessed, -spandex-clad enthusiasts who populate some running clubs? This once-a-week group (Thursdays at 7 p.m.) is for you. The runs are short (usually three to five miles), the atmosphere is welcoming (all levels attend), and the post-workout refreshments (enjoyed at a different bar each week) are more than motivating. Starting point: 2346 East Susquehanna Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, fishtownbeerrunners.com.
Le Virtù
How can you choose between chef Luciana Spurio's fresh fazzoletti "handkerchiefs" with rich duck ragu, the feathery crepes layered with itty-bitty meatballs, or the paper-thin pappardelle? Take our advice: Bring a crowd, and order 'em all. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.com.
M Restaurant at the Morris House Hotel
The brick patio and pink azaleas are straight out of antebellum Savannah, but Michael Caspi's cooking split-pea tofu with pistachio mousse, roasted barramundi with sweet-and-sour hibiscus foam is an altogether more progressive affair. 231 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, mrestaurantphilly.com.
Bistrot La Minette
Bistrot La Minette has a secret sanctuary. Invisible from the street and the main dining room, its newly opened bricked-in patio is the prettiest in town. Window boxes bloom over unvarnished teak tables. Tiny white lights twinkle overhead. French tunes float in the air as servers appear and disappear through the door. And free movies play on Monday nights. Order a quiche and a glass of house red, and pretend you're in Paris. It's not hard. 623 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bistrotlaminette.com.
Family Food
One of Philadelphia registered dietician Krista Yoder-Latortues staff of 25 registered dieticians will meet with you (or the whole fam) at your home to tackle your health objectives, whether they include weight loss, sustaining energy, blood-pressure regulation or cancer prevention. From the foods you need to eat to a customized phone app to help you track your goals, they'll have you thinking about food in a whole new way. Call or see website for consultation, 00000, familyfoodllc.com.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
We expected this place to be just for kids. But if you're not enthralled when looking up at the awe-inspiring 160-ton Pacific Class K4 steam locomotive, check for a pulse. 300 Gap Road, Strasburg, PA 17572, rrmuseumpa.org.
Sycamore
Down with Cheez Whiz nachos and those crusty hot dogs! On Thursday nights, $25 gets you dinner at Delco fave Sycamore (bring wine!) and your choice of art-house films showing at Cinema 16:9 just down the street. 14 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA 19050, sycamorebyo.com.
Distrito
Authentic Mexican this isn't. But order the los hongos huarache (mushroom flatbread) or the camarones and chorizo tacos, and you'll fight your friends for the last bites. But take heed: No matter how many Cabo Wabo shots you've had, control the urge to try on one of the Mexican wrestling masks. 3945 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, philadelphia.distritorestaurant.com.
Neiman Marcus
Neimie's flawlessly appointed gentlemen's department has the salon appeal of a boutique operation, but the access to serious Zegna, Gucci, Cucinelli, et al., of a much clout-ier outfit. The Plaza at King of Prussia, King of Prussia, PA 19406, neimanmarcus.com.
Francis the Duke
There are only a handful of barbers in the entire region we'll trust with a straight razor, and at this trendy Piazza-based shop, the shaves are the smoothest and most comfortable we've had. The $50 one-hour executive shave will leave you feeling like a million bucks. 1001 North 2nd Street, #77, Philadelphia, PA 19123, thedukebarberco.com.
Timecycle Couriers
You're running late for the game. Your friends are waiting for you at Citizens Bank Park. You're stuck in your office ... with everybody's tickets in your wallet. What do you do? You call TimeCycle, which guarantees 15-minute door-to-door delivery service in the city. A courier will pick up the tickets and drop them off to your pals at the stadium, so even though you may be stuck at work, at least you'll still have friends. 230 North 2nd Street, Suite 1C, Philadelphia, PA 19106, timecycle.com.
Pennsylvania Art Conservatory
They'll frown upon your loony idea to put a Hudson River School landscape in a shiny white-gold contemporary frame, but they'll do it with restraint and class. That authentic diligence has garnered a loyal following of art lovers who trust this place not only for gorgeous frames, but for detailed restoration work like regilding, and custom reproductions of faithful-to-the-art frames that will make any painting a masterpiece. 636 Lancaster Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312, paconservatory.com.
Telestar Wireless
So you dropped the amazing little contraption face-down on the sidewalk, did you? And you don't have insurance? And now the dude at the AT&T store is telling you a new one's going to set you back, um, $700? And you want to slit your wrists with the shards of broken glass? Go see Nan Yan, GM at this hole-in-the-wall South Philly shop, who'll slap a brand-new touchscreen on your crippled old phone for just $85. See, miracles do happen. 1635 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19146, .