Inn at Bowmans Hill
There are plenty of B&Bs in Bucks County, but this is the only one that's earned four AAA diamonds. On the outskirts of New Hope, the inn's five verdant acres, heated outdoor pool, moonlit deck, attentive staff, and impeccable accommodations (from $295) exceed expectations. Breakfast is courtesy of the hens out back. For dinner and drinks, pay a visit to the iconic Boathouse Bar and Hamilton's Grill Room (8 Coryell Street, Lambertville, 609-397-4343). But also be sure not to miss new Middle Eastern gem Marhaba, which is BYO (77 South Union Street, Lambertville, 609-397-7777). 518 Lurgan Road, New Hope, PA 18938, theinnatbowmanshill.com.
Mish Mish
Along with Jeff Goldblum’s filmography and the bathroom jokes in Ulysses, this apricot-adorned spot fits into the highbrow/lowbrow category that makes daily existence more enjoyable. Mish Mish doesn’t take itself too seriously — the wine list has tasting notes like “red silk pajamas” and “gabagoolian” — yet the hospitality is as finely tuned as at any upscale spot. So if you ever need to create the illusion that you’re chill and have great taste, book a table, order some grilled octopus with muhammara, then sit by the Singing Fountain and discuss your hopes and fears and the Jawn Morgan billboards on I-95. 1046 Tasker Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, mishmishphilly.com.
Franzone's
Franzones does the best simple blue-collar pie: Nothing fancy just an addictive sweet sauce on one of the best non-gourmet pizzas youll find. 501 Dekalb Street, Bridgeport, PA 19405, kingofprussia.com/franzones.
Tavern on Camac
Nobody does a piano bar quite like the gays. And now, thanks to a recent renovation at this Gayborhood standby, there's even more room for more sing-along fun. 243 South Camac Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, tavernoncamac.com.
Andrew Pinkham
This Grays Ferry-based artist meticulously turns his custom pet photos into “paintings” that look centuries old and are pretty enough to hang in a gilded frame over the mantel. (He does people, too!) andrewpinkham.com.
Legal Sea Foods
Perfect for your little fancy-pants, because the kitchen does wood-grilled kids' portions of the catch of the day and offers a one-pound kid's lobster for $17.50 680 West Dekalb Pike, King of Prussia, PA 19406, legalseafoods.com.
Diana Vincent
It's the best way to step out of the Little Blue Box: swirls of precious metals around glittering sapphires and sparkling diamonds from jewelry designer Diana Vincent, who does fluid and organic in stunning new ways. 1099 General Greene Road, Washington Crossing, PA 18977, dianavincent.com.
Beth Bilinski
You wet your own hair and sweep up afterward, but Beth (who trained at VOG in Rittenhouse) does the rest. She'll cut your whole family in one fell swoop. Call for service area, 00000, .
Woof Grooming
Not only does Woof specialize in hand-stripping and hand-scissoring; groomer Jennifer Lee is on GroomTeam USA, which is the Olympic squad of dog grooming. (She ranked third in the country last year!) Woof, woof indeed. 133 South 23rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, woofgrooming.com.
Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa
Sure, you get free drinks at the blackjack table. But by the time your waitress returns with your watered-down cocktail, you've blown a hundred bucks. In the Borgata's horse-betting lounge (how retro!), a $2 wager gets you a drink ticket (you may have to ask for it) good for most top-shelf liquor, including normally $10-a-shot Patrn. And by the time your (hopefully winning) race goes off, you'll be ready for another bet and another round. Even if you lose all your bets, you're only paying $2 a drink plus tip. Try scoring that deal at Churchill Downs. 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, theborgata.com.
Todd Young
Whether you’re trying to restore your grandmother’s Royal Quiet De Luxe or just get the dust-covered Remington that’s been sitting in your attic working well enough to type some letters up old-school-style, this typewriter geek has the tools and know-how to get the job done — and more affordably than some other folks in the biz. Find him through Mount Airy’s W.P.M. Typewriter Shop, just across from Weavers Way. 6819 Greene Street, Philadelphia, PA 19119, wpmtypewritershop.com.
Four Seasons
The spa at the Four Seasons. Photograph by Jeff Fusco Crystal oil massages. Candlelit, rose-bedecked couple’s spa nights. Energy healing and reiki. This luxe spa does it all, with IG-worthy views 57 floors up. 1 North 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, fourseasons.com/philadelphia/spa.
Boot & Saddle
What does Philly bluegrass sound like? How about experimental klezmer jazz? Find out at Broad Street's country-saloon-turned-musical-oasis. 1131 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bootandsaddlephilly.com.
South Moon Under
When a birthday means a 20-percent-off coupon from one of the region's most endlessly shoppable stores, doesn't that make the whole getting-older thing slightly more bearable? (Yes, it does.) 1731 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, southmoonunder.com.
Speck's Drive In
While we're sure the neighboring Adult Bookstore does just fine at what it's best at, we know for a fact that this longtime neighborhood classic makes a killer broasted chicken tender, salty and crisp-skinned right out of the fryer. 3969 Ridge Pike, Collegeville, PA 19426, speckschicken.com.