David J. Witchell
Remember the montage from Pretty Woman where Vivian goes from gaudy to glam in a Beverly Hills minute? Had she been in Newtown instead, she could have come here for a soothing scrub in the grotto-like spa, a conditioning treatment and blowout in the bustling salon (if David's booked and he always is request Jack), a whirl through the lovely makeup bar, and a twirl into the super-secret upstairs boutique, which she'd find stocked with essentials from Theory and James Perse, plus the show--stopping frock required for her night at the opera. 25 South State Street, Newtown, PA 18940, davidjwitchell.com.
Amuse at Le Meridien
A sexy, sophisticated hotel bar with spot-on service, sultry house music, provocative art, potent cocktails and, yes, delectable amuse-bouches. Room reservation upstairs, anyone? 1421 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, amusephiladelphia.com.
South Street Philly Bagel
Weve come to accept the fact that New York has better bagels. They just do. But this South Street institution is the closest weve found to New Yorks greatness nice and crispy on the outside, just the right amount of soft chew on the inside and the $7.75 lox special on a toasted everything with pickles on the side will sustain you for most of the day. 613 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, southstphillybagel.com.
South Street Philly Bagel
You'll justify waiting in the steamy, cramped, un-air-conditioned quarters for these just-baked, crunchy-crusted, doughy rounds, which put other area bagel makers to shame. Health nuts can go oat or whole wheat, and there are powder-sugar-dusted French toast and chocolate chip varieties. But true bagelphiles simply order an everything smeared with the superb whipped cream cheese and then a plain to eat on the walk home. 613 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, southstphillybagel.com.
Steven Rosenberg
If you haven't had success losing weight, kicking the cancer sticks or getting over your fear of flying, it may be time to try psychotherapist Rosenberg, who will hypnotize you on your first visit and send you home with a CD recording of your session that speaks to your subconscious, upping your willpower while you snooze. "I lost 65 pounds in six months," says one Bucks County devotee. "I went in with the mind-set I couldn't be hypnotized, but after three sessions, it really worked." 8080 Old York Road, Suite 206, Elkins Park, PA 19027, .
Le Virtù
It's hard to believe that any single bite can pack as much pleasure as one crisply fried olive at Le Virt. Each fruity green specimen is crammed with a potent mixture of three types of slow-braised meat (beef, pork and chicken), then breaded and fried for the ideal amount of crunch. The tangy-meaty-briny babies are a specialty in Marche, the Italian region that chef Luciana Spurio calls home, and theres no better place to taste them stateside. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.com.
The Empty Air: A Rittenhouse Square Sound Walk
Download this ingenious 99-cent app by local musician and sound designer Michael Kiley, and stroll around Rittenhouse Square while listening on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Your location (as determined by your phones handy GPS) triggers the original compositions and soundscapes that Kiley wrote for the different areas of the park. A whole new 21st-century way to appreciate our 100-year-old gem. 00000, themuralandthemint.com/the-empty-air-a-rittenhouse-square-sound-walk.
Reconsidered Home
Natalie Rettinger scours flea markets and estate sales to keep her shop flush with low-slung couches, teak consoles, oversize lamps and anything else Mad Men-worthy. And for a $50 fee, she'll deliver to almost anywhere in the region. 29 West Jasper Street, Media, PA 19063, reconsideredhome.com.
David Caplan
The best things about Caplan? (Besides the fact that he'll quickly and cheerfully find every penny you're entitled to?) He'll do your taxes at your house-or at Tria, if you ask nicely-and doesn't even mind if your cat walks across his laptop while he's numbers-crunching. P.O. Box 301, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444, caplancpa.com.
Nature Trail at Haverford College
EXPERT PICK: "When I lived in Haverford, a loop on the two-mile trail was either the start or finish of every run. When people talk about trails being easier on your legs than roads, this is the type of trail they mean. Not much in the way of hills, but an incredibly peaceful and safe place to run." — Ross Martinson, co-owner of Philadelphia Runner 00000,
Rittenhouse Square Farmers' Market
EXPERT PICK: "Open year-round every Saturday, this market packs so much into a single block. With the amazing produce from Beechwood Orchards, the swoon-worthy Buttercup Brie from Cherry Grove Farm and fresh scallops from Shore Catch, I can easily do a weeks worth of grocery shopping." — Marisa McClellan, local blogger author of the canning cookbook Food in Jars. 18th and Walnut streets, Philadelphia, PA 19103, farmtocity.org/FarmersMarkets.asp.
Fishtown Beer Runners
Fact: When you know there's beer at the end of your run, you'll make it. The friendly runners who convene once a week for a three-to-five-mile run don't hurt, either. 00000, fishtownbeerrunners.com.
Cecily Tynan
6ABC meteorologist Cecily Tynan does more than tweet weather reports to her 6,500-plus Twitter followers. The 1:02:12 Broad Street Run finisher also shares race recaps, training tips and words of encouragement for fellow runners. And yes, she'll tell you the weather outlook for your weekend long run if you ask. @CecilyTynan, 00000, .
Nick Odorisio
Your body's a machine—you just need a little help greasing up the gears. Nick uses body weight and corrective exercises—ones that incorporate everyday movements—to maximize results and help you achieve your goal, be it a 5K, a marathon, or a day spent running around the playground with your kids. Nicks Gym, 600 Old Lancaster Road, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, nicksgym.net.
Chiquita Margarita at La Calaca Feliz
It must have been a total Eureka! moment the day someone in the kitchen at this Fairmount Mexican eatery perfected the Splenda simple syrup that would then go into its skinny margarita. Once you sip this limey drink of perfection, which reportedly has half the calories of regular margs, you'll have a moment, too—of the "I'll have what she's having" variety. Don't say we didn't warn you. 2321 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, lacalacafeliz.com.