Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Those interested in indulging in a few days of luxury and pampering should consider Philadelphia, where living the high life is easier to obtain and more affordable than ever. A host of bargains, from prix-fixe dinners at elegant restaurants to overnight stays in five-star hotels to shopping deals at designer consignment boutiques, means visitors can save and still see the city and surrounding countryside in style. Below are just a few suggestions for a first-class visit to Philly:

High-Value Eats:

• At Rittenhouse Square’s Audrey Claire, guests experience an intimately set, open-air Mediterranean bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) restaurant without breaking the bank.

Long-considered one of the toniest neighborhoods in the city, Rittenhouse Square isn’t just an enviable address. Along its sidewalks—many of which boast seating for alfresco dining and drinking in the warm months—residents and visitors find high-end stores; locally owned boutiques; small cafes; beer, wine and cocktail bars; and restaurants of all kinds. And, of course, the one-block Rittenhouse Square is more popular with sunbathers, readers, families, artists and even dogs than city founder William Penn ever could have imagined. With a number of hotels also in the area, this neighborhood remains an out-of-towner favorite.

Restaurants, Bars And Entertainment:

• 500°

Located just next to Independence Mall, where the country’s Founding Fathers declared liberty and built a free nation, Old City still boasts charming cobblestoned streets and plenty of 18^th-century charm—along with an independent streak that’s evident in everything from its owner-operated shops to its edgy art scene. People love the neighborhood for its fashionable boutiques, great restaurants, eclectic galleries and theaters and vibrant nightlife. Its proximity to the Liberty Bell, Penn’s Landing and the Ben Franklin Bridge make Old City a favorite for out-of-towners as much as for the residents who call it home.

Restaurants & Bars:

For years, insiders have flocked to East Passyunk Avenue for its restaurants—particularly its red-gravy Italian spots. Recent revitalizations in the neighborhoods surrounding the thoroughfare have created a renaissance for the avenue itself, evidenced by a recent New York Times article. Visitors who stroll down Passyunk—pronounced pashunk by those in the know—find eclectic boutiques, coffee shops, vintage clothing stores, gastropubs, excellent Mexican and sushi fare, as well as the amazing Italian eateries that first made this street famous.

Eat, Drink & Be Merry:

• Adobe Cafe – This Southwest-style, vegetarian-friendly abode features house-made sangria, generous happy hour specials and karaoke every

Offering everything from eye-popping art and organic soaps to trendy housewares and statement jewels, the gay-owned stores of Philadelphia’s Gayborhood offer a boutique shopping experience. And since the shops share the streets with lively restaurants, bars and clubs, it’s easy to make an entire day and night out of any Gayborhood excursion.

• Business and life partners Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran have helped transform 13^th Street—in an area known as Midtown Village—in the last several years. Their flagship shop Open House offers a hand-selected assortment of gifts ranging from accessories and furniture to apparel and housewares, while Verde, just

Savvy shoppers find creative inspiration when they pop by the excellent museum stores of Philadelphia and The Countryside®. Vendors from Center City to Bucks County to the Brandywine Valley offer artisan-made jewelry and ceramics, classic kids’ toys, humorous gifts, historic tomes, fair-trade crafts, silk scarves, signature home accessories and Philadelphia-themed treasures—and support the venues that host them. Most museums also promote great seasonal deals on annual memberships that score members free admission throughout the year—and discounts in their shops. Here, find some museums that make shopping part of the cultural experience:

Artistic Inspiration:

• Brandywine River Museum: Walking through this

Spanning from Broad to 10^th Streets and from Market to Pine Streets, Midtown Village is the lively center of downtown Philadelphia. Other neighborhoods converge here, but Midtown Village—a new but buzzing city enclave—maintains a distinct personality thanks to a business boom that includes independent shops and restaurants, small cafes, alfresco tables along every sidewalk and a rainbow street sign-lined Gayborhood. On the neighborhood’s western border lies a district appropriately named for its place as Philadelphia’s performance hub: the Avenue of the Arts, which runs along Broad Street from City Hall to Lombard Street. The wide stretch is home to

Seems like every all-American neighborhood has one: a simple, straightforward barber shop announced by a red-and-white striped pole. It’s an old-fashioned concept, one that appeared to be going out of fashion until grooming pros like Philadelphia stylist Joe McMenamin turned the cultural icon into a retro-modern guys-only salon, offering its clients hot towels, straight razor shaves and cuts that James Dean or Don Draper might ask for by name. Throughout the region, such businesses have opened, reviving the classic art of a shave and a haircut. Here’s a look at Philly’s favorite new barbershops:

• 2B Groomed – Barber Jahmal Rhaney

Graduate Hospital goes by many names (Center City South, South of South, G-Ho), which is fitting for a neighborhood that draws its personality from the people inside it: young transplants, born-and-raised neighbors, hip urban professionals, craft beer crowds and more. In recent years, the area stretching from Lombard Street to Washington Avenue and from Broad Street to Gray’s Ferry Avenue has accumulated a healthy dose of restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and markets that reflect the area’s residential and cool vibe.

Restaurants & Bars:

• Balkan Express Restaurant – This family-run bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot serves up Mediterranean fare that’s both wallet-friendly

A guy in Philadelphia can shop anywhere, and some pre-spree planning can determine which direction to head in this city defined by neighborhoods. Depending on the look or occasion, he can choose the best-fitting neighborhood: tony shops in Rittenhouse Square; vintage-trendy in Old City; or cutting-edge to quirky fashions around South Street. No matter the area, shoppers can find only-in-Philly spots and born-in-Philly empires that carry those must-have manly indulgences, such as collectible Air Jordans (Abakus Takeout), authentic pro sports jerseys (Mitchell & Ness) and DC Shoes sneaker boots (Ubiq). Now Philly-based fashion moguls

On-trend shops have taken root in Philadelphia and The Countryside®, spreading fashion and function from Rittenhouse Square to King of Prussia. In the past year, the region has embraced aspiring athletes and adventurers via women-centric Lululemon and Athleta and rugged Trove General. Newer shelter shops showcase pieces that stand the test of time, from Morihata’s note-perfect Japanese staples to garden lifestyle essentials at Earth to RevivalSmith’s curated vintage wares. Europe makes its presence known, too, with expansions of Jack Wills, Barbour, Wolford and more. Check out some of Philadelphia’s newest places to shop:

Chic Shelter:

• Busybee Homestore – A

This season, savvy holiday shoppers have a creative option for finding the perfect present: They can pop by the excellent museum stores of Philadelphia and The Countryside®. Gallery-side vendors from Center City to Bucks County to the Brandywine Valley offer artisan-made jewelry and ceramics, mini modern design marvels, classic kids’ toys, humorous gifts, historic tomes, fair-trade crafts, silk scarves, signature home accessories and Philadelphia-themed treasures—and support the venues that host them. Most museums also promote great seasonal deals on annual memberships that score members free admission throughout the year—and discounts in their shops. Here, find some museums that make shopping

Surrounding the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Fairmount/Art Museum neighborhood holds a personality distinct from nearby Center City. A mile of monumental art institutions, a massive abandoned prison, beer- and food-centric hangouts, invested residents and an independent spirit make this part of a city a destination all its own.

Restaurants And Bars:

• Angelino’s Restaurant & Pizzeria – Those with a craving for pasta with homemade sauce, oven-baked pizzas, fresh sandwiches and a neighborhood atmosphere go to this bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) shop. 849-51 N. 25^th Street, (215) 787-9945, angelinosrap.com
• The Belgian Café – From the same people responsible for

Dr. Albert Barnes possessed an unmatched ability to spot and acquire important works of art. Using his eye for talent, Barnes purchased pieces at prices ranging from $300—Picasso’s Peasants and Oxen—and $100,000, and his now-famous collection, to debut on Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway in May 2012, is valued between $20 and $30 billion. True, Barnes did a lot of his buying on trips to Paris, but today, people can pick up fabulous art finds right in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia region is quickly gaining a national reputation for being an ideal place to buy art of all kinds and

With the autumn season in high gear, it appears that several major national publications and websites have fallen for Philadelphia. Recent issues of GQ, Saveur and Travel + Leisure have recognized Greater Philadelphia’s culture, neighborhoods, beer, restaurants, shops and innovative spirit. Here’s a look at what Philadelphia hotspots the media is buzzing about this fall:

The City Itself:

1. The October issue of GQ magazine touts the “new Philly revolution.” The article calls out A.K.A. Music, Sugarcube, Farmicia, The Foodery, Modo Mio and other hotspots between “the town’s two raddest neighborhoods—Old City and Northern Liberties.”
2. Men’s Health puts Philadelphia in

Pet lovers are crazy about their animal companions and spend more than $40 billion a year in the U.S. on pet services and accoutrements to prove it. For those who love to spoil their pet but hate to leave him behind while traveling, the Philadelphia region proves to be the “purr-fect” getaway. Pet-friendly hotels, restaurants and retail shops welcome visitors and their animal companions in all sections of the city and its suburbs. From canine-friendly parks to VIP (Very Important Pet) hotel programs, the Philadelphia region makes it easy for visitors to bring their furry friends along for the ride.

Restaurants, Bars And Entertainment:

• Abner’s of University City – Abner’s has been a part of the Philly college experience for more than 20 years, serving up cheesesteaks, gyros, pizza and more to hungry students until the wee hours of the morning. 3813 Chestnut Street, (215) 662-0100
• Abyssinia Restaurant & Bar – Abyssinia cooks up savory and authentic Ethiopian cuisine in a neighborhood packed with African dining destinations. 229 S. 45^th Street, (215) 387-2424
• Ajia Japanese Fusion – With an all-you-can-eat menu, Japanese restaurant Ajia places a strong emphasis on teriyaki and sushi. 3131 Walnut Street, (215) 222-2542
• Allegro

Culinary Delights From Around The World:

• A Full Plate Café – Fried chicken and waffles isn’t an entrée usually associated with a health-conscious menu, but co-owners Shannon Dougherty and Liz Petersen spin this and other classics into a guilt-free good time. 1009 N. Bodine Street, (215) 627-4068, afullplate.com
• Bar Ferdinand – Dried roses, Picasso-inspired paintings and a sherry wine list inspires patrons to unleash their inner matadors at this Spanish-inspired tapas venue. Diners snack on small hot or cold plates, munch on churros and take in the Liberties Walk scenery either indoors or out. 1030 N. 2^nd Street,

Getting to the diverse and historic neighborhoods of Chestnut Hill, Germantown, Mt. Airy and West Oak Lane is a cinch via SEPTA, Philadelphia’s public transportation system. Check bus and regional rail schedules at septa.org before heading off to explore these vibrant enclaves in the northwest section of the city:

Chestnut Hill (via the Chestnut Hill East/West train lines or the #23 Bus):

• Cake Restaurant – Expanded from its bakery beginnings, sweet and savory fare gives the Sunday brunch menu its global approach. Ease the wait for burritos, latkes and cornbread with a delectable treat from the pastry case. 8501

Meals & Drinks:

• Aqua Malaysian & Thai Restaurant – Thai and Malaysian favorites are the stars in this sleek lunch and dinner BYOB, where there’s something for everyone. Veggie lovers choose from the plant-based options, often featuring homemade tofu. 705 Chestnut Street, (215) 928-2838
• Chifa – Peruvian and Cantonese cuisines fuse at Iron Chef Jose Garces’ Washington Square hotspot, where banh mi and ceviche share the eclectic Latin menu. 707 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-5555, chifarestaurant.com
• Chops – The Philly location of this Pennsylvania-rooted steakhouse offers traditional steaks and filets alongside an inventive sushi menu. 700 Walnut Street, (215) 922-7770,