Miel Patisserie

This shop was a former cake store and I was extremely displeased when it closed. I was delighted though when I found out a new bakery would be opening. Miel Patisserie is a fabulous bakery that offers pasteries, assorted French breads and Artisian chocolates. I received a gift of these delicious chocolates for Christmas last year from a co-worker and they were to die for. My favorite at Miel Patisserie is definitely the Walnut Bread which never fails to be deliciously fresh and a big hit at the parties I have taken it to. I have also gotten their rolls that are priced at 33 cents each to make hoagies and they stay fresh into the fifth day.

Skyline Transportation

Being scheduled for a last minute business trip at work, my employer made reservations with Skyline Transportation to transport me to the airport. A towncar arrived promptly at the scheduled time. The driver was courteous and helped me with my luggage but left immediately after he dropped me off and didn't offer to help me with to the curbside assistant. I do suppose that isn't in his job requirement, but I have even had taxi cabs that have done this for me. Another alternative to Skyline that is very affordable and that I have also used is Lady Liberty vans- although not as classy, they will pick you up from your requested location and transport you to the airport. There may be other passengers, but it only costs about $20 there, less than the current cab fare rate.

Alessandros Pizza & Grill

I absolutely love the turkey salads that Fairmount Grill makes. Not only do they serve fabulous food, delivered to your door- it is fresh and always hot. They also have a breakfast menu that is perfect if you are nursing a hangover (no bloody mary's available) but they serve killer omlettes and hashbrowns. All their salads come with this awesome fried breadstick that is great to dip in salad dressing. They also have amazing poppers and chicken cheesesteaks, another of my favorites.

Philadelphia Sports Clubs

About a year ago, I paid $73 dollars a month to join this gym. I cancelled the membership after five months because the expense became entirely too much. The facility is kept immaculate and the staff is very helpful. I believe at the time they offered me a session with a personal trainer for free upon signing up. They have promotions throughout the year that waive the start-up fee. They offer shampoo and conditioner in dispensers in their showers, along with towels and lotion. They locker rooms are spacious and nice and the machines on the floor are also set up very nicely. I haev never attended any of the aerobics classes, but have seen the list which look comprehensive. Overall- great quality gym, slightly too expensive for me. Also free parking was available across the street, but they have since made this area into condos and done away with the pa rking.

PROS: Clean, great equipment
CONS: Very expensive

Aveda Corp

Because I love salon quality cuts and highlights, but can't find the time to always slap down $200 for a cut and style, I am Opted to try the students at Jean Madeline institute because they only charge you for materials and you may tip them at your discretion. I used Leigh who was a fabulous hairstylist. The only problem is that the turnover of students is slightly quick over the course of a year. Something like 10 weeks I believe, so your stylist one moment may not be there the next. Also, be careful with complicated color jobs (i.e. color washing ? bleaching out an old color and than applying another one) ? these individuals are STILL students so they may not be completely skilled at this sort of jobs. I just stick to a simple cut, sometimes conditioning treatment and color (just one- a cover up for my roots) and have never been disappointed.

Sweat Inc

If you commit to a year at this gym your monthly payments will be an automatically deducted $59, but if you opt to go Month-to-month, the payment is $69. The Manayunk and Center City locations are kept very clean and since I enjoy an early morning workout there are very few people there at this hour and if the cardio equipment is occupied, it frees up quickly. They have a great selection of classes and personal trainers available, although the personal trainers are actually quite expensive at a $60/1/2 hour rate which I found slightly high. Overall I enjoy this gym, but attend it merely out of convinience. The new Sweat on 14th and Arch actually has a pool, although I have not visited here yet.

LA Fitness

I jointed Ballys for $33 a month, the best price in the city compared with any other club that offers just as many classes, machines and equiptment. It was close to my Pine Street apartment and was delighted there was such an affordable gym here in the city. THe only gripe I had was that the weight lifting machines faced each other, making it slightly awkward to lift weights while staring at the face of another person who was the midst of a set. Also, the free weight section of the gym seem entirely male dominated and wasn't very open and easily accesible. THere are three floors to this gym which again segregates people slightly and can be a bit of a pain to climb several flights to reach the machines you want.

PROS: Affordable
CONS:

Independence Seaport Museum

The Independence Seaport Museum is located at Penns Landing and explains the seatports and the history of this in relation to Philadelphia. If you are looking for an educational, entertaining and historical attraction to visit than the Seaport Museum is for you. There are a number of great resteraunts in walking distance and the view over the waterfront is just absolutely spectacular. I have taken friends here that have been interested in seeing the ships and the role of the seaport with regards to the history of Philadelphia. A quick ride by cab and my experience is that it has rarely been crowded.

PROS: Fabulous historical site, great for visitors
CONS:

Park America

Park America is one of the biggest managers of parking garages in the city for condominiums and building spaces. The head manager handles every individual issue with promptness and class and is extremely sensitive to the concerns of the companies that the garage manages. The workers all tend to be immigrants and many of the garages are strictly valet, but Park America is one of the safest and most courteous companies to work with with regards to managing a garage and its many issues. For condominium parking they also will wash your car for you and have your car available when you call down to announce you will be needing it. If their staff makes a mistake and damages your car they make the arrangements for repair immediately.

Z Ladies Boutique

I love the Ladies Boutique. Besides having affordable prices and a fabulous array of jeans, they also offer very trendy wear. This summer I purchased my entire new wardrobe here. Depending on the time, they also can have a great selection of handbags and shoes, although I noticed that this summer, the sandal selection was not as good as the shoes they had prior to last fall season. I was able to get some very cute pumps in red there last fall to go with a great red dress I eventually picked up on clearance about a month later. They do have more larger sizes in the jeans though and do not carry many smaller petite sizes.