BEST OF THE MAIN LINE:Personal Bests

MLT Staffers Reveal Their Personal Faves

Senior Editor Tara Behan

Appetizer: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

Various locations, ironhillbrewery.com

My hands-down favorite on Iron Hill’s apps menu are the cheese-steak egg rolls—chopped steak, melted American cheese and fried onions wrapped in a crispy egg roll.

Cooking Classes with Friends: Kitchen Workshop

21 Plank Ave., Suite 204, Paoli; (610) 993-COOK, kitchen-workshop.com

I can’t cook and I don’t pretend to know how, but I love going to cooking classes at the Kitchen Workshop. Bachelorette parties and “girls’ night out” gatherings are great ways to celebrate BYO-style.

Eclairs: Sweet Jazmines

15 Bridge Ave., Berwyn; (610) 644-1868, sweetjazmines.com

These miniature pieces of heaven are stuffed with a luscious Grand Marnier pastry cream and topped with a dark chocolate ganache.

Happy Hour: Boathouse

16 Great Valley Pkwy., Malvern; (610) 251-0207, flanboathouse.com

There’s always a great crowd at the Boathouse. With happy hour specials every night from 5 to 7 p.m. and an expansive outdoor deck, it’s no wonder.

In Vogue Boutique: Skirt

931 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 520-0222, shop-skirt.com

I always find the perfect outfit for any occasion at Skirt. With styles from Diane Von Furstenburg, Nanette Lepore, Tory Burch and AG jeans (the best fitting jeans ever—for my body, at least), I can always find something that looks great. Now, if I could just get my wish list more in line with my credit limit, I’d be set. 

Place to Buy a Gift for Your Best Girlfriend: Shopgirls

4 Louella Court, Wayne, (610) 688-3732

At Shopgirls, the inventory is always changing, so you never know what you’ll find. Prices range from $15 (makeup bags) to $50 (skirts) to accommodate whatever budget you had in mind.

Jewelry Shop: Dandelion

Suburban Square, 31 Coulter Ave., Ardmore, (610) 649-8303

This Philadelphia-based jewelry company has a gorgeous selection of handcrafted earrings, necklaces and bracelets. If you’re looking for something unique, Dandelion is the place.

Massage: Ame

111 Waynewood Ave., Wayne; (610) 995-2631, amesalonandspa.com

When I’m in need of some serious relaxation, I treat myself to the Thai massage, which stretches and pulls in all the right places.

Personal Training Studio: Vertex Fitness

24 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 525-6604, vertexfit.com

The staff at Vertex Fitness really cares. They listen; they motivate, pushing you when you need to be pushed. With every session, 
I feel stronger and better about myself.