Philadelphia Seed Exchange
I'll give you mine (extra marigold seeds, that is) if you give me yours (rare Italian tomato-plant seeds). So it goes at this budding exchange program, whose members meet at places like Essene or Weavers Way Co-op to swap surplus seeds, free of charge. 00000, phillyseedexchange.org.
Bibou
There are BYOBs, and then there are restaurants serving four-star French fare in storefronts that just don't have a liquor license, like Bibou. Pierre and Charlotte Calmels's thimble-size Italian Market spot has earned raves locally and nationally (hello, Beard nomination!), and after tasting the bone marrow, escargots, or seasonal specials like melon soup with slivered prosciutto, you'll know why suit-jacketed Main Liners willingly squeeze into its tiny environs. From the French press coffee to the luxe chir butter, it's darn near perfect 1009 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, biboubyob.com.
Fountain
Impeccable food and service can make a Wednesday night seem like a special occasion. Its time for Philadelphians to get over Le Bec, already, and fall in love again with this uncompromising bastion of modern fine dining. 1 Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103, fourseasons.com/philadelphia/dining.
The Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe
Our thriving arts scene wouldn't exist today if Fringe founder Nick Stuccio didn't have his light-bulb moment way back in 1997. The jam-packed 2011 fest kicks off on September 2nd. 00000, livearts-fringe.org.
Fishtown Shadfest
It turns out that shad used to be hugely important to the Delaware River economy, a fact our quirky friends in Fishtown (where else?) exploit with their annual Alosa sapidissima-feteing festival at Penn Treaty Park. It's true that Lambertville has been doing a shad festival for decades, but the city's is cooler: We've got shad la Johnny Brenda's and some of the best bands around, lots of local crafts (love the bottle-cap cuff links!) and craft beers, and perhaps our favorite part valet bike parking. Penn Treaty Park, Delaware Avenue and Columbia Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, fishtownshadfest.net.
Rescue Rittenhouse Spa
Sometime in my mid-20s, three faint but distinct lines decided to plant themselves on my brow, stretching from temple to temple across my forehead like a fence without posts. I sometimes stand under the harshest light in my bathroom, dapping on a variety of products to see if with the right combination they might plump back out, like little troughs just waiting to be filled. They never do. Well, they never did, I should say Five years ago, on the advice of a friend, I went to Rescue Rittenhouse Spa's Danuta Mieloch, a Polish-born aesthetician who worked in Paris and Manhattan before opening Rescue here nearly a decade ago. Her facials are the only thing that has ever made the lines fade to near-nothingness. I realize this sounds absurd, especially because we're not talking about injectables or lasers or anything you've seen on Real Housewives. The magic comes courtesy of a non-invasive, utterly relaxing 60 minutes filled with exfoliating, a little microdermabrasion, and lots of moisturizing. The result is Beyonce-level luminosity and smoothed-out skin. One glows no exaggeration for weeks. Chances are good that I'm not writing anything you haven't read about or experienced yourself: Danuta (or Dana, as she's known to clients) long ago became an instant Philly classic. Friends told friends, and suddenly you had to wait six months to get an appointment But Rescue the closest thing I've ever found to redemption for all those sunburns in my youth is always worth it. 225 South 17th Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, rescuerittenhousespa.com.
The Tweeny at Richel D'Ambra Spa and Salon
The goal of this adolescent-targeted treatment isn't just to leave tweens with clean, clarified skin it's about teaching good skin habits and discussing the diet, stress and sleep factors that could directly affect just how many OMG-this-is-the-biggest-zit-ever nightmares they'll have to endure through their rocky-enough formative years. The Ritz-Carlton, 10 South Broad Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102, richeldambra.com.
All Phase Electric
Techs arrive on time and skip the "Main Line upcharge" some companies tack on. They'll handle emergencies, rewire your 1930s home, or just install a new chandelier. And their receptionist is so sweet. 9015 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082, allphaseelectricco.com.
Sniffles and Friends
These Red Cross Pet First Aid-trained walkers are also equipped to work with special-needs pets and administer oral and/or injectable medications. They'll bring in your mail and water your plants, too 00000, snifflesandfriends.com.
Colonial Farms
At a time when cupcakery is becoming not just an overdone art (we'll pass on the chocolate-covered bacon sprinkles, thanks) but a reviled one, Colonial Farms bucks the trend with back-to-basics flavors. The chocolate, vanilla and killer red velvet cakes are adorned with occasionally cutesy icing creations (flowers, frogs, etc.), but the taste hits that just-like-Mom's sweet spot that was always the point of the cupcake's sudden rise to celebrity. 1108 Taylorsville Road, Washington Crossing, PA 18977, colonialfarms.com.
Scarlett Alley
You think of Old City's eclectic boutique for gifts, decorative knicknacks, tableware even PJs. But jewelry? Oooh, yes. Pay attention and you'll find charm bracelets from Findings, chunky statement pieces from John Wind/Maximal Art, and make-your-outfit brooches from Alexis Bittar. 241 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, scarlettalley.com.
La Cucina at the Market
Anna Maria Florio's intimate classes on basics like yummy from-scratch pasta and flawless fish dishes mean you'll have more than just Hot Pockets in your repertoire next time the in-laws come to dinner. Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107, lacucinaatthemarket.com.
The Farmers' Cabinet
Walk through the front door of this gas-lamp-lit retro restaurant in WashWest and you'll see one bar on your left and one on your right. For beer, turn left. For the best damned old-school drinks in the city, hang a right and ask for Phoebe. 1113 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, thefarmerscabinet.com.
Farley's Bookshop
There's no Starbucks at Farley's, just maze-like aisles, shelves teeming with books, and quiet corners for reading. It'll remind you why you loved books before they came with lattes. 44 South Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938, farleysbookshop.com.
Izakaya
While many A.C. spots emphasize quantity over quality and table-turns over service, and others suffer from Absentee Owner Syndrome (i.e., Bobby Flay), this snazzy Asian small-plate offering at the Borgata enjoys the proximity of semi-star chef Michael Schulson, who recently brought Sampan to Philly. The robotayaki, sashimi, king crab tacos and sake cocktails are stars, and if you happen to be dining on a Monday night, take advantage of the $7 plates-and-drinks specials. 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, theborgata.com/dine/fine-dining/izakaya.