Apothecary Bar + Lounge opened this Spring on 13th & Sansom in Midtown Village. It’s super quality, super contemporary & super stylish. Expect creative, well-made cocktails (similar to Southwark) with foodie-food and high-end details. This place even has stated “House Etiquette” - so leave the tacky bullshit at home. And… a roof deck! Yessss!

Apothecary Bar + Lounge | 102 South 13th Street | www.apothecarylounge.com

Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 5pm - 2am

Here are some of the details: (more…)

Johnny Brenda’s is a classic, like it’s sister Standard Tap. Great local beer on tap, great gastropub-style food… and now great outdoor seating! They’ve opened up the formerly dark-seedy dining room to be much more airy and lovely. You can hang for hours as the sun goes down on a quintessential city summer evening…

Johnny Brenda’s | Frankford & Girard | www.johnnybrendas.com

I can’t mention margaritas & summer dining al fresco without a shout-out to El Vez. On the corner of 13th & Sansom, it’s a Stephen-Starr-style Mexican (aka: a little more chic than authentic) but you can’t beat the margaritas & people watching. Perfect for Happy Hour… and after a few drinks the photo booth is a must!

El Vez | 13th & Sansom | www.elvezrestaurant.com

Yeah, so, although I really couldn’t afford it, a few weeks ago I spent every last penny (actually, not true, I had $6.87 left in my bank account) on a new Airstream Argosy. It’s exactly like my last one, which was stolen a year ago… with no insurance… yeah, it sucked. I seriously haven’t been the same since! So I couldn’t resist and against all logic, I bought another one. This weekend I took it camping in the Poconos to Jim Thorpe, and I just need to reiterate how awesome it is up there. Here’s an article I wrote about Jim Thorpe last year. Just thought I’d bring it out of the archives:

Day-Trippin’ > Get away for the day to JIM THORPE

JIM THORPE

JIM THORPE is a spot I came across on my road trip and I’ve been back 4 times since! It’s a cute little main street in the middle of gorgeous, tree-covered mountains. It’s impossible not to feel refreshed and happy after spending some time here. This weekend is a great time to visit – it’s the Fall Foliage Festival all day on Saturday & Sunday. The views of Autumn leaves are breath-taking. Here are a few spots you should definitely visit… (more…)

Meet Rachel Guzman, a lil fox who’s enjoying summer in Sea Isle City with her friends. I asked her for her favorite shore spots:

“Summertime and the livings easy…”

Let’s face it, nothing’s better then summertime. Between Phillies games, outdoor concerts (Pearl Jam, Jack Johnson & Journey, just to name a few) and cocktailing outside with friends, you could fill up your lazy day’s right there. However, the main reason that summer is the best thing that happens to me all year is lying on the beach all day and partying in flip flops all night. Here are my Top Five spots that can all be found on my favorite little island called Sea Isle.

5. La Costa – Located on the corner of 40th and Landis this place is great not only for its location but also because it’s a hotel, bar, restaurant and liquor store all in one! With both an indoor and outdoor bar, there’s a different drink special every night and they feature many different bands all summer long. My most favorite thing about this place is that their liquor store delivers and it’s free! I know there is a lazy person inside all of us that thinks that is just awesome. (more…)

At DnA Salon, their schtick is “The Science of Beautiful Hair” and their signature service is scalp analysis and treatments. In other words, they examine and diagnose scalp and hair health- a much overlooked segment of haircare that apparently is truly is the basis of beautiful hair. (who knew?) Make friends here and check out more about them here.

Azure in N Libs closed, Cantina Dos Segundo opened in their place. (The sequel to the Cantina on Passyunk.) Just a lil tip.

Carly is a doll holdin’ it down in Manayunk. I asked her what’s up with Summer in the ‘Yunk, and here’s her tips on her favorite spots:

Summer Fun in Manayunk

Summer’s here!! You know what this means…time to get out on the town and Manayunk is the place to be! Anything you need, shopping, dining, and of course, a fun night out, Manayunk has it all! With dozens of bars, shops and restaurants lining Main Street, you are guaranteed a great time.

Shopping: When it comes to shopping, Main Street, Manayunk is lined with dozens of cute, little shops, with anything from designer brands to unique, one of kind products you can’t find anywhere else. If you’re going for great style, you have to check out Tag. Known as Manayunk’s “Denim Destination” you’ll find a spectacular selection of designer jeans. With brands like, True Religion, Rock n Republic, Seven, Paige and so much more, you can’t go wrong! Although denim is their specialty, there is also a great selection of other stylish brands like, Sky, Free People, Kritik and plenty more to choose from!

Eating: Feeling hungry after all the shopping? Nothing satisfies like some excellent AND healthy food from Le Bus. Located right on Main Street, you can stop in and eat comfortably inside, or enjoy some fresh summer air outside! They’ve got comfort food like Mom’s Meatloaf & nachos (with handmade Salsa & guac!), entrees like honey-glazed pork-chops or Florida Bay Red Snapper and are famous for their awesome artisan breads. Open breakfast through dinner, it’s a go-to Manayunk staple all day! (more…)

My friend Taryn always knows how to make a good time. I asked her for her picks for summer, and here they are:

Best Place to Take Your Girls:
Azul Cantina
941 Spruce Street

From the endless list of fine tequilas to the mouth watering Mexican influenced entrees, Azul Cantina is the perfect place to kick start your girls night out. Located on the northeast corner of 10th and Spruce, this brand new tequila bar and cantina is quickly becoming one of center city’s most popular destinations. I blame it on the variety of must have smashed fruit mentas and complimentary baked tortillas, but my girls made it pretty clear that it’s the smashed fruit mentas and the painfully good looking staff. Either way, the food is to-die-for, perfectly proportioned and somehow, refreshingly guiltless.

You’ve got to try:

• Seared Tuna Appetizer
• Guava Tropical Salad
• Blackberry Mint Manta
• Rice Pudding Tostado

Best Place to Take Your Guy:
Mama Palmas
2229 Spruce Street

If you live in the Rittenhouse area, chances are you’ve been drawn into Mama Palmas
by the hypnotically lip biting scent of gourmet pizza that lingers in the air, but for the rest of
us outside of the square, Mama Palmas is a hidden gem for pizza enthusiasts. Located on
the northeast corner of 22nd and Spruce, the bright yellow painted, blue awning-clad pizza
shop is hard to miss. Always bumping with couples and hip families, the atmosphere is
both casual and intimate. The menu features Peroni beer on tap and an impressive amount
of irresistible low fat pizzas that will definitely fool your man.

You’ve got to try:

• Peroni on tap
• Pesto Salad
• Grilled Teryaki Chicken Pizza
• Grilled Veggie Pizza

Kelly Turso is an awesome photographer. You’ve probably had a drink with her at some point or another. She knows lots of fun people and started posting iphone portraits on a blog. I like it: CLICK for Kelly’s blog.