STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

graceful_stars · BCBG

Philadelphia, PA

kenzie · Chanel

I lived in Philly while I was in college and now I live in the suburbs of Philly. You should definitely check out The Continental. Great little Steven Starr restaurant. The prices are great and the martinis are fabulous! It's located at the corner of Market and 2nd (I believe, but it could be 3rd).

King of Prussia is about 15 miles west of the city via I76. It is worth the visit if you have a car. Don't rely on mass transit to get there. It won't happen. Lots of upscale stores, plus tons of restaurants (and an Urban Outfitters).

As for the which Urban in the city is better, I like the 1627 Walnut Street. That's my old stomping grounds. There is lots of shopping right around there too (Rittenhouse Square area). There's Zara, Anthropologie, Max Studio, Aerosoles, Coach and a bunch of others. A few blocks up on Chestnut Street are The Shopps at Liberty Place (JCrew, Aldo, Ann Taylor Loft, ect). There's also an H&M on Chestnut Street (it's the best H&M in the Philly area, imo).

Hope that helps a little. If you have any other questions, I'll try to help you with them, too.

ayo · Coach

I also lived in philly for quite some time because I went to school there.

If like sushi or Japanese cuisine you've gotta try POD in university it's actually right by the Urban outfitters on 36th street. For brunch I like Blue in Green (old city and there is a second location downtown, it's like a hip diner of sorts) , Marathon Grill (Rittenhouse Square, it's a little nicer than Blue in the Green the raspberry pancakes are wonderful!) here is the link for that place http://www.marathongrill.com/index2.html, White Dog Cafe is also pretty nice as well as cute (University City)

I've heard Tangerine is pretty good, it's like morrocan food.

In terms of which Urbans is better I'd say 110 S. 36TH STREET only because it doesn't pull in as much traffic so you are more likely to find things there than the one on 16th street. There is a really cute boutique on the same block that I'd recommend I forget the name of it but you can't miss it! Anthropologie is another good one. There are some boutiques in Old city that are pretty cute.

King of prussia is about a 30 min drive North of Philly. I think it's worth the visit if you are driving. I don't think there is a store that you can think of that isn't there.

Sights? hmm South Street is a bit crazy but can be interesting if you want to see all the crazyness of the city.

Old city has great museums if you are into that sort of thing. As a matter of fact you are going to be around during first fridays in Philly. http://www.gophila.com/culturefiles/Artmuseums/firstfriday/ you should DEFINITELY check that out. It's always a good time and a great way to meet people in the city.

I hope this helps as well..

you can PM me if you have any questions :)

have fun Philly is a great city!

graceful_stars · BCBG

Many thanks for the quick responses, ladies! You've been extremely helpful. This is perfect. And I appreciate the offer for more help if I have questions later. I'll definitely keep that in mind, thank you.

Man, I hope the trip is a go...

kenzie · Chanel

Oh, I agree with ayo that you should check out First Friday. It's so much fun! Be sure to stop by The Painted Bride Art Center at 3rd and Vine (I interned there a while back). They always have a good time there on First Fridays.

As far as boutiques, there are some cute ones in Old City (The Continental is also in Old City, btw). Check out Smith Bros Jeans, Charles Porter/Charlie Jeans, ME&Blue, Vagabond, Belle...I know there are more, but I'm drawing a blank. There are also some great art galleries in Old City. Boutiques in the Rittenhouse Square area (where the other shopping I mentioned is) are Joan Shepp, Addresse, Lei Fai (I'm sure I spelled that wrong, but I believe that it's on 16th Street between Sansom and Chestnut) and a few others that I'm forgetting. Have fun!

-- Edited by NylaBelle at 09:43, 2005-01-28

bliss · Dooney & Bourke

I'm from the Philly area and would also recommend going to King of Prussia if you have a car. The mall is huge and you should be able to find anything you want there. If you're in the city and don't have transportation definetly check out Liberty Place in center city.

As for restaurants go I also loved Marathon. If you're looking for huge portions of Italian food try Maggiano's www.maggianos.com (they have one at King of Prussia but to me it's not as good as the one in Center City), it's a great place for family style meals as well in case you wanted to go out with your co-workers.

Have a great time and consider venturing to South Street to see how the "natives" live, but I would recommend doing it on a weeknight before dark, we wouldn't want to hear about you on Good Day Philadelphia the next day, lol, playing. Have fun.

graceful_stars · BCBG

Great tips! Thanks so much for keeping them coming. I still don't know if I'm going for sure (maybe sometime Monday), but I know I'll have a car if I do...so King of Prussia sounds like a good possibility. I'm getting excited about First Friday. Perfect timing!

shkitty · Nine West

I'm in Philly off of Third street, so I can say that most first fridays are crazy down here. Everyone walking around, stopping at all the galleries and stores open late. Hopefully the recent snow won't hinder the fun.

As for shopping, I can highly recommend walking third street between Chestnut and Race. Many cute boutiques (Vagabond, Lost+Found, and others) and some galleries. Also on market street between 2nd and 4th have Me&Blue, Charles Porter,etc... kinda like walking a plus sign + . As for UO, I'd say the 110 S. 36TH STREET one may have more selection, but parking maybe difficult, and you could take a trolley to 36th (I think) or a cab, i guess...versus the UO on Walnut is located to many other shops from Broad(14th Street) to 20th (kenneth cole, bebe, banana, maxstudio, anthropologie, arden b...I wouldn't recommend south street, other than to people watch some strange characters...AND MOST IMPORTANT- REMEMBER NO TAX ON CLOTHING IN PHILLY

There are soooo many excellent resturants in Philly, it all depends on what type of food you like. Continental is asian-influenced and there is a continental 2 now on chestnut street...I like the original Continental better...Alma di Cuba is a great place to have drinks in the lounge downstairs, food is good but not worth the $$. Friday,Saturday, Sunday is a cute local place with excellent food and their wine is only $10 over cost. If you like BYOBs....check out www.phillyBYOB.com , some of my favorites are Little Fish, Dimitris (on 4th- and New Wave Cafe across the street is great too- they have a bar), Raddichio, Django, La Boehme, Pif, Pumpkin, Ava, La Viola, Audrey Clarie....I can go on and on (there a decent liquor store on Chestnet below 12th- in case you need...I think... I go to Jersey for alcohol).. If you want a great burger and some good muscles in smoky bar, try Monks....for Brunch...there's Sabrinas (huge portions for the price), Morning Glory Cafe, Beau Monde (if you like crepes)....unfortunately Blue and Green on 3rd street went out of business- man they were the best in the city...if you're gonna do brunch after 11am be prepared to wait..cause what the city has in dinner options it lacks in brunch options :(

There are so many places all over the city, it just a matter of jumping in a cab or taking advantage of the train/trolley...which isn't cheap (damn SEPTA) and unlike other major cities doesn't really run all over the city... but maybe cheaper than the cab. A cab from old city to say UO in center city should cost no more than $7.

I hope this helps and have fun :)

graceful_stars · BCBG

Thanks so much, shkitty!

I just found out about no tax yesterday. Can you say YAY?!

Leaving soon...just wanted to print out this thread for reference. I appreciate all the help.

ayo · Coach

oh no!! you are kidding me...:( I LOVED that place...is the other location still open?

gosh that makes me sad!

quote:

Originally posted by: shkitty
unfortunately Blue and Green on 3rd street went out of business- man they were the best in the city

shkitty · Nine West

luckily the blue and green on samsom is still open, but I loved the other one so much more...there was this silver chair with a leather seat...it was built for me...

oh and I forgot to mention..if you loooove cakes and pastries, during first friday stop into petit 4 on third near race street..mmmm good....their warm bread pudding is delicious