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Alan Gold.
 

If you read this blog religiously (and if you don’t, you should!), you know I fell in love with Philly on a recent visit … So what’s on the short list for a real Philly insider? Alan Gold, Philadelphia’s go-to hair stylist for cut and color amongst the A-list set (he also travels weekly to Manhattan to coif manes there, too), shares his favorite spots in this on-the-move and oh-so-accessible city.

For dining, it’s Barclay Prime overlooking Rittenhouse Square where Busby Berkley meets prime cuts. Also, Rouge, in the same neighborhood, serves the best burger in an intimate, cozy setting. When time is short, have the burger at 500 Degrees, the restaurant’s little sister.

Rittenhouse Square: Truly one of the world’s ten best public pocket-sized parks.

 

 
Verdant Rittenhouse Square in springtime glory. Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC.

For art, there’s the soon-to-be opened Barnes Foundation chock-a-block with Impressionist masterpieces, next to the Rodin Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It’s like going to the Parthenon without a passport.

For even culture, the world-famous Philadelphia International Flower Show gives gardening an artistic edge, and the new National Museum of American Jewish History is not to be missed.

The chic and spare bar at Barclay Prime.

My favorite social event is the Academy Ball that takes place in the historic concert hall.

For design, there’s Pine Street for antiques shop after antiques shop like Amy Finkel’s.

For coffee, I stop at Elixr at 15th Street and Walnut for the “art of coffee” experience.

Flowers: There’s no one better than George Baker Flowers.

Best Bar: Barclay Prime (again!). It’s sexy, dark and flattering to every skin tone!