CITY GUIDE PLACES DIRECTORY

If you are looking for something new to tantalize your taste buds visit Bamian for authentic Afghan cuisine. The food is so good members from the Afghani embassy including the Ambassador have paid visits here for a little taste of home. If you are new to Afghani food and have any questions the staff is very knowledgeable and will help you decide what to order off the menu, all the appetizers come with a homemade yogurt and spicy chutney sauce for dipping. The kabobs are standard Afghan cuisine and will not disappoint, and the homemade flatbread is also worth  try. The vegetarian dishes are eclectic and creative featuring vegetables like pumpkin, eggplant, tomatoes, and spinach. 

Set in beautiful Chester County, just west of Philadelphia, Brandywine Manor House is one of the best outdoor locations around and the owner, Nancy, makes the planning process a breeze. You can choose from several ceremony sites, including a garden terrace, pergola, footbridge or lakeside. The tent is a permanent structure so you don't have to worry about weather ruining your big day -- it will keep you protected from the elements and still allow you to enjoy your day worry-free. Nancy just takes this venue over-the-top -- she is helpful throughout the planning process and is a resource for brides who need ideas or who are trying to work within a budget. 

As Valentine's Day approaches you may be looking for the perfect restaurant to take your Valentine. For a uniquely Philadelphia dining experience visit one of Steven Starr's restaurants, and the most romantic of these is Buddakan. You and your date will be immediately mesmerized by the oversized Buddha and the overall Asian themed decor. Enjoy your creative Asian fusion dishes and drinks against the golden backdrop and in the candlelit atmosphere. The meals are served family style making the meal even more romantic because you will be encouraged to share, and don't forget to order the donuts for dessert. Street parking will be hard to find here in Old City but there are plenty of parking lots just past the restaurant on Front and Chestnut Streets. 

This renovated rowhouse located in Rittenhouse Square is the perfect cozy spot for a date night, the small size of the restaurant is best suited for parties of four or smaller and a reservation is highly suggested. They recently added tables so if you ask for a table near the back when you call to make the reservation you will get one of the newer tables. So grab a bottle of wine to take to this BYOB on any day of the week with the exception of Monday for a great dinner. Try the branzino which is out of this world and the sweet potato gnocchi and sweet Italian sausage are also some highlights from the menu.

You will love these luxurious accommodations so much you will not want to leave. Say goodbye to those questionably comfortable hotel beds and say hello to a Tempur-Pedic bed in your room that also includes a full kitchen. In addition to those amenities you will also enjoy free wireless internet and free parking. While there is no gym on site you will have full access to the nearby Washington Sports Club which has equipment as well as group exercise classes and personal trainers for an additional fee. 

Take a break from shopping or from your stroll through Rittenhouse Square and grab some afternoon tea at the always glamorous Rittenhouse Hotel. Stop into this five star hotel for the royal treatment, in the Cassatt Tea Room from 2pm-5pm daily. The grand decor and signature tea blends like vanilla bean and pear caramel paired with the variety of tea sandwiches and scones are not to be missed. And don't let the idea of dainty tea sandwiches and scones fool you, this is very filling and is a meal in itself so stop in on a day when you have had a light and/or early lunch.

This cool little coffee shop offers some of the best coffee and atmosphere in the city. If you are tired of bustling chains with overpriced, over-sugared drinks, then this gem is the place for you. The coffee is delicious and smooth, while the scones, muffins and other goodies and fresh and tasty. Though the neighborhood might not be the best and the parking can be a hassle, this coffee shop is friendly and cozy -- perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up or an evening of studying. From yuppies to hipsters to seniors, the clientèle is a mixed crowd. One thing to note -- they don't have available outlets, so your laptop better be charged.

The Central Florida Zoo is definitely not the largest zoo on the block, but it sure packs a ton of fun and education into a small area. Besides seeing over 400 animals (that doesn't include the bugs in the Massey Services Insect Zoo), you can take to the sky and enjoy our aerial adventure course at the ZoomAir Adventur Park or bring your flip-flops and swimsuit to cool-off in the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground. Don't miss the sloth exhibit or the monkeys. The zoo has lots of cool programs, a petting area, playground and butterfly gardens with giant chess and checker board. Saturday around 3pm is feeding time in the "snake house" and is always cool thing to see. 

Remember playing in your mom’s make-up as a kid? Those mischievous swipes of lipstick and blue eyeshadow? Coco Coquette wants to give you that experience again – and the more mischief, the better. What started as a veritable house of wigs, many handcrafted by owner Allyson Garro, has now grown into a girly-girl’s dream come true. Think wall-to-wall perfumes and cruelty-free makeup alongside all those wigs, with a few false eyelashes and sparkly headdresses tucked in between. If you need diva inspiration, Coco Coquette also throws fabulous parties and catwalk shows on a fairly regular basis; follow their Facebook page to get on the invite list.

If you are looking for a nice warm atmosphere with family style Italian meals that taste like they came from a Grandma's kitchen then grab a bottle of wine and head to Cucina Forte. You will love the family style meals that are great for sharing and you must try the gnocchi appetizer with the gorgonzola sauce. So as you are driving around looking for parking, since the parking is street parking, and you catch a glimpse don't judge a book by its cover and  keep in mind that they are closed on Mondays.