Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Name: Amy Voloshin
Affiliation: Printfresh, MoonblooD, seamsters.net
Her Story: Rhode Island School of Design textiles grad and Urban Outfitters design alum Amy Voloshin is quite the reckoning force in local fashion. Founded in 2006, her growing textile-design company Printfresh operates out of an old bolt-works factory in Kensington, where she and her team create often vintage-inspired looks for J. Crew, Vera Wang, Elie Tahari, Anthropologie and oodles more international designers. Voloshin works alongside husband Leo, both at Printfresh and on MoonblooD, the couple’s beyond hip line of men’s and women’s printed T-shirts that can be found at edgy retailers, both

Those interested in indulging in a few days of luxury and pampering should consider Philadelphia, where living the high life—even if it’s just an escape from today’s penny-pinching practices—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:

• Stephen Starr’s Latin-flavored Alma de Cuba offers a $39 three-course deal

The following girls’ weekend itinerary is available at visitphilly.com/cleopatra:

LOCATIONS: Northern Liberties, Old City, Washington Square, Rittenhouse Square, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, University City and Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia; Kennett Square and Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania

TRANSPORTATION: Foot, taxi, bus, Phlash, subway or car

DURATION: Three days and two nights

TRIP SYNOPSIS: Strong, shrewd, beautiful and beguiling, Cleopatra, the last Pharaoh to rule Egypt before the completion of the Roman conquest, has been portrayed reverently by historians and Hollywood alike, making her an enduring icon and role model to women. As such, the world debut of Cleopatra: The Search for the

The sun is shining brightly over Philly’s shopping scene as national retailers such as Brooklyn Industries, Second Time Around and Bendel’s and independent businesses like Nice Things Handmade and The Little Apple put roots down in the region. These buzzed-about shops offer everything from custom suiting to vintage sundresses, French perfume to flowy scarves, organic plants to kitschy candles. Here’s a look at some of the retailers who now call Philly home:

A Passion For Fashion:

• Bendel’s – Fifth Avenue’s iconic retailer of haute trimmings, never-fail gifts and must-have beauty put down roots in Philadelphia’s most prestigious mall last

Restaurants And Bars:

• Amada – The restaurant that many consider responsible for starting the tapas trend in the city—and Jose Garces’ first Philly venture—also has big plates including a roasted suckling pig. 217 Chestnut Street, (215) 625-2450, amadarestaurant.com
• Beneluxx – This dark, cozy wine and beer spot also offers an extensive cheese and chocolate menu. Patrons use the glass cleaner in the center of the tables so they can taste multiple vintages without mixing flavors. 33 S. 3^rd Street, Lower Level, (267) 318-7269, beneluxx.com
• Buddakan – Stephen Starr’s original temple of modern Asian cuisine offers creative takes on

Indie and owner-operated boutiques that feature unusual wares and personalized make shopping in Historic Philadelphia a blast. With dozens of independently owned clothing, jewelry and home furnishings stores, the area between Front and 7^th Streets and Race and Spruce Streets is a shopper’s nirvana. Best of all, in Pennsylvania there is no sales tax on clothing and shoes, leaving room in the budget for that extra bauble. Here are just a few of the places where discerning shoppers can indulge in their favorite pastime:

Trendy Threads:

• Charlie’s Jeans – Short or tall, thin or curvy—no matter what body

Restaurants, Bars And Entertainment:

• 10 Arts by Eric Ripert – In this intimate space located inside the glitzy Ritz-Carlton, Chef Eric Ripert presents American cuisine with an emphasis on organic, locally grown ingredients. 10 S. Broad Street, (215) 523-8273, 10arts.com
• 10 Arts Lounge – Inside the lavish Ritz-Carlton, this retro lounge serves up cocktails and fine wines in a swanky, upscale atmosphere. 10 S. Broad Street, (215) 523-8273, 10arts.com
• Apothecary Bar and Lounge – Cozy couches and an innovative cocktail menu with ingredients like cayenne pepper, fresh ginger and aloe help a laid-back crowd unwind. In warm weather, guests

Restaurants, Bars And Entertainment:

• 500° – The latest venture of Rouge owners Rob and Maggie Wasserman, this burger joint features a simple yet oh-so-tempting menu of five types of 5.5-ounce handcrafted burgers, Bassetts ice cream milkshakes and regular, spicy and truffle french fries. Prices range from $6 to $12.50. 1504 Sansom Street, (215) 568-5000, 500degrees.com
• Alfa Bar & Restaurant – A daily happy hour, a decade-themed menu and expertly mixed cocktails named for 1980s icons bring in a crowd that’s ready to party. 1709 Walnut Street, (215) 751-0210, alfa-bar.com
• Alma de Cuba – Diners here enjoy savory dishes with

Eat, Drink & Be Merry:

• Adobe Cafe – This Southwest-style, vegetarian-friendly abode features house-made sangria, generous happy hour specials and Thursday night quizzo. 1919 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 551-2243
• Cantina Los Caballitos – Much like its younger sibling, Cantina Dos Segundos in Northern Liberties, the original Cantina offers modern twists on Mexican dishes like vegan fajitas and mahi mahi tacos—fare that washes down perfectly with a tequila flight or specialty margarita. 1651 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 755-3550, cantinaloscaballitos.com
• The Dive – Cheap beer, DJ nights, dance parties and pool tables define this aptly named bar. 947 E. Passyunk Avenue,

NEW HOPE
New Hope, Pennsylvania, the popular riverside artist colony recently named as one of the “Top 25 Art Destinations in the Country” by American Style Magazine, offers eclectic charm comfortably offset by casual sophistication. Peppered with bed & breakfasts, galleries, historical attractions, restaurants and nightlife along Main Street and beyond, New Hope is as enchanting now to the diverse crowds that peruse its streets—from bikers to the GLBT crowd—as it was to so many eminent figures of yesterday. Here are some of the many ways to spend a day or a weekend in town:

Things To Do:

• New

WEST CHESTER
Chester County’s seat of government is a tree-lined and welcoming city where a stately historic courthouse dominates the skyline; West Chester University students populate the shops, bars and noodle houses; and the popularity of the skateboarding culture (plus the presence of hometown celebrity prankster Bam Margera) draws enthusiasts from all over the country. Here are a few suggestions for spending time in West Chester:

Things To Do:

• Chester County Historical Society – An award-winning History Center, workshops and walking tours tell the American story from a local perspective, and the Cultural Center houses a performing arts venue

MEDIA
Self-designated as the first fair trade town in the country, Media is also the last suburban town in the nation to run a trolley through its downtown. Residents call Media “Everybody’s Hometown” because the town’s friendliness welcomes all visitors. Brick sidewalks and tree-shaded streets encourage walking to the centrally located shopping district. Here are some suggestions for a trip to the town:

Things To Do:

• The Media Theatre – Housed in an old vaudeville theater, The Media Theatre stages a full season of mainstream Broadway musicals, children’s programming and more. 104 E. State Street, (610) 891-0100, mediatheatre.org
• Pennsylvania

AMBLER
Residents describe Ambler as a town where even visitors feel a sense of place. It’s a “real town” where locals and out-of-towners join together to enjoy professional theater and independent film, to admire art displayed in the storefront of a refurbished Art Deco building and to partake in a movie and progressive dinner through three restaurants the first Thursday of each month. A look at how to spend a day or a weekend in Ambler:

Things To Do:

• Act II Playhouse – For more than a decade, the Act II Playhouse has put on award-winning shows in its

Philadelphia is committed to the environment, as evidenced by Mayor Michael Nutter’s appointment of a director of sustainability in 2008. The position develops, implements and oversees the city’s environmental policies and initiatives to deliver the mayor’s promise to make Philadelphia the greenest city in America. The new position is just one of the latest efforts that shows the city’s commitment to reducing the region’s environmental impact.

In another pioneering venture for the city, the Greater Philadelphia Film Office (GPFO) will launch the second year of its initiative to encourage more eco-friendly practices during film production. The 2009 theme, Greener S.E.T.S.

• The second largest city on the East Coast, Philadelphia is the sixth largest city in the United States, with a population of 1.4 million in Philadelphia and 3.9 million people residing in the five-county region.
• Thanks to founder William Penn, Philadelphia’s Center City follows an easy-to-navigate grid street design. The best ways to get around Center City are by foot, taxi or public transportation. The city’s lush and historic countryside is home to many areas of interest, including Valley Forge National Historical Park, Longwood Gardens, the Brandywine River Museum, the King of Prussia Mall, Chaddsford Winery and more. The farthest

Fashionistas in the midst of building their fall and winter wardrobes need look no further than Philadelphia, where a wide range of independent boutiques are wowing shoppers with urban chic apparel, street fashions and vintage finds—all available at affordable prices. In October alone, the style conscious can take in a slew of fashion events, including the first-ever Philadelphia Fashion Week, and hit the city’s hippest neighborhoods to shop for items by cutting-edge designers and young artists of color who are thriving here—despite challenging economic times. Many of these progressive thinkers operate businesses that reflect their international heritage and offer shoppers

Today, short getaways, in the form of weekend retreats and day trips, are more popular than ever. Philadelphia day spas and salons are on top of the trend, offering clients a variety of luxurious customized services designed to refresh both body and spirit, from a couple’s massage to hot-stone therapy and deep-tissue reflexology. The region is home to dozens of day spas and salons offering the latest in body treatments, relaxation therapy and beauty services. Here’s a sampling:

Spa/Salons:

• Adolf Biecker Spa/Salon, located in The Rittenhouse Hotel, offers a full menu of services and packages like “The Energizer,” an

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 Very Important Pet (VIP) hotel programs, the Philadelphia region makes it easy for visitors to bring their furry friends along for the ride.

Philadelphia’s gay culture is shimmering with a vibrant day and nightlife scene thanks to new restaurants and must-see shops, boutiques and galleries throughout the city. And while visitors are encouraged to get their history straight and their nightlife gay while visiting town, they’re also free to eat, drink and shop, shop, shop. Here’s a look at some of the newest gay-friendly spots in town:

Bars & Restaurants:

• At Bindi, a modern bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) Indian bistro, partners in business and life Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran use locally grown products and fresh drink mixes. The duo also own gourmet shop

Philly’s diverse retail scene is growing thanks to big names such as Barneys CO-OP and Juicy Couture, along with indie boutiques such as Zahra Saeed and JimmyStyle. Here’s a look at six shops where locals and visitors are finding fab fashions, hit-of-the-party gifts, fragrant flowers and hard-to-resist homeware:

Fab Fashions:

• Barneys CO-OP – Style-savvy Philadelphians are rejoicing at the arrival of this beloved source of Vena Cava dresses, Rag & Bone button-downs and denim galore (Seven For All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, Earnest Sewn, J Brand, Rogan, Current/Elliott and PRPS, among many others). In April 2009, noted Manhattan-based fashion