Gift Guide: Special Advertising Section

American Male

American Male, 37 S. 16th St., second floor, recently opened its doors in Philadelphia to provide relaxing and revitalizing personal-care services for the city’s male population.

The national chain opened 10 years ago to offer men a way to stay on top of their appearance while being treated to the luxurious amenities found in a spa.

With every haircut, clients get a face and scalp massage, two shampoos, the cut and a style. American Male also offers massages and nail and skin-care services, and provides a welcoming, downtown atmosphere, complete with foaming beer on tap.

Clients can create their own package to customize a gift for a loved one and gift certificates are available in any denomination. American Male also offers a corporate gifting program, in which clients can save 30 percent when they purchase 10 or more gift certificates.

For more information, visit www.americanmale.com or call (215) 496-0229.

Barsky Diamonds

Barsky Diamonds, 724 Sansom St., has been a fixture in the Philadelphia area for over 100 years.

Located on historic Jeweler’s Row, Barsky Diamonds is a family-owned business that stays committed to offering its customers quality, service and selection. The store provides trade-up privileges and a 30-day money-back guarantee on merchandise. They have a large selection of 14- and 18-carat gold, as well as platinum, and all of their diamonds are independently certified.

For those who are putting their shopping off until the last minute, Barsky Diamonds is open seven days a week, and offers online shopping.

For more information, visit www.barskydiamonds.com.

Cherry Hill Classic Cars

Cherry Hill Classic Cars, 2000 Route 70 in Cherry Hill, N.J., relies not only on high-quality Saabs and Jaguars, but also on excellent customer service to help you with all of your car-buying needs.

Their sales department has fully trained and knowledgeable professionals who understand the vehicles they are selling and offer a variety of colors and packages to suit your taste.

Their service features pickup and delivery concierge service for all customers throughout the Delaware Valley.

And for our readers, mention PGN and receive special pricing on your purchase.

For more information, visit www.cherryhillsaab.com or call (856) 424-5300.

Giovanni’s Room

Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St., continues to make history by being one of the few specialty independent bookstores in continuous operation for more than three decades.

This holiday season, Giovanni’s Room is featuring gay-themed calendars, boxed holiday cards and the latest in books, movies, CDs, magazines, stocking stuffers and other gift items.

“We can special order just about anything in print, usually producing the item in the same times as, or faster than, any of our competitors,” said owner Ed Hermance.

Giovanni’s Room gift certificates can be used for mail orders or in-store purchases.

For more information, visit www.queerbooks.com or call (215) 923-2960.

London Grill

London Grill, 2301 Fairmount Ave., is a Philadelphia institution that has been in business since 1968.

London Grill serves as a restaurant, bar and coffee shop and hosts private banquets. The menu changes seasonally, and the restaurant is committed to buying fresh and locally grown food as part of the Fair Food Trust.

Co-owner Terry Berch McNally described London Grill as a “place to kick back outside of the grind of Center City. To guzzle Willie Sutton Ale and sip fine wine. A place to bring your best friend or your mother-in-law, to woo a client or celebrate a boss, to enjoy fine dining or a simple drink. A place where you naturally become a regular.”

London Grill’s gnuddi was named 2007 Philadelphia Magazine’s Best Dish of the Year, and the restaurant has also received accolades for their cocktails and their famous Meatball Mondays specials.

London Grill regularly supports Philabundance, Rodeph Shalom, Project H.O.M.E., local schools and many other organizations.

For more information, visit www.londongrill.com or call (215) 978-4545.

Manor Home and Gifts

Manor Home and Gifts, 210 S. 17th St., should be on everyone’s list for unique holiday gifts.

Owner Warren Leighton has stocked his shop with items to decorate the home or enhance the office. Beautiful things from around the world fill the store, including Carrol Boyes Functional Art, Match Italian Pewter, William Yeoward, Versace, Juliska, Michael Wainwright Pottery, Mission Home, Bernardaud, Mariposa, Simon Pearce Potter, Richard Ginori, Oscar de la Renta Home, Rosenthal, Gien, Mottaheder, Cipolla Italian Pewter and U. Grazia of Italy.

Manor Home also features a backbend cocktail shaker by Carrol Boyes.

For more information, visit www.manorhg.com or call (215) 732-1030.

Modern Eye

Modern Eye, located at 145 S. 13th St. and 3419 Walnut St. on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, is a gay-owned business that specializes in designer frames and sunglasses and offers a wide array of eye-health services.

Modern Eye is known for its hip selection, quirky décor and straightforward customer-service approach, which has earned them a large clientele base who travel to Philadelphia from as far as Scotland and Kuwait.

The store offers a large selection of frames for clients on all budgets and has labs run by certified opticians at both sites. Modern Eye provides eye examinations, refraction, vision analysis, ocular health examinations, pupil dilation, glaucoma testing, contact-lens fittings and laser-surgery screenings in a fun and welcoming environment.

Modern Eye supports the Philadelphia International Film Festival, the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Gay Bingo, Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance and the Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit www.modern-eye.com or call the Center City office at (215) 922-3300 or the University City location at (215) 386-5953.

More Than Old

For over four years, More Than Old, 144-146 N. Third St., has offered collectibles and antiques in a handsome gallery setting.

The quirky shop is known for its vintage barware and art glass, as well as period furniture and decorative arts. And its cat on the premises.

More Than Old, a wonderful mix of old and new eclectic designs, supports Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance, Morris Animal Shelter and Equal Justice Foundation.

For more information, visit www.morethanold.com or call (215) 922-0246.

Peter Pascal Piano Lessons

If you want to learn a new skill this holiday season without leaving the comfort of your home, the Music Meister, Peter Pascal, has just the right gift for you or a loved one.

Pascal will come to your house and help you fine-tune your talent on the piano or keyboard for $35 per half-hour.

Pascal currently plays piano at private parties and local churches and has been an instructor for the past 10 years. Lessons are available for both children and adults. Gift certificates for the service would make a great gift for someone who’s always wanted to try his/her hand on the piano.

For more information, call (215) 203-2899.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, 14 N. Arkansas Ave., Atlantic City, N.J., has a wide variety of sweet treats for the chocolate-lovers on your shopping list this year.

The gay-owned store, which opened in Atlantic City in February, offers an array of chocolates, fudge and fresh-dipped apples, as well as gift baskets and party trays for holiday get-togethers. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory accepts online orders and has shipping options available.

The store has been working with area schools the past few months, providing apples for fundraising events.

For more information, visit www.rmcf.com/nj/atlanticcity50709 or call (609) 347-7623.

Sansom Coin Exchange

Sansom Coin Exchange, 721 Sansom St., was established in New York City in 1979 and today is situated in the heart of Philadelphia’s Jeweler’s Row.

The company buys and sells coins, bullion and paper money from around the world.

Chief numismatist Malcolm Kurin is a renowned gold coin expert with over 30 years of experience, and the senior numismatist of the firm, Joe Guistino, has been working with world coins and paper money for over 40 years.

Visit the Sansom Coin Exchange and see what bargains you can get, since Philadelphia does not charge any sales tax for coins and bullion.

For more information, call (215) 629-8898.

Scorpio Adult Boutique and Video

Scorpio Adult Boutique and Video, 205 S. Juniper St., has been serving the gay male community since 1973. A mainstay of Philadelphia’s gay enclave, the store maintains a large, comprehensive inventory of DVDs, VHS tapes, magazines and the city’s best selection of adult toys and novelties.

The store also boasts a well-maintained 100-channel video arcade. As the store’s Web site describes, Scorpio is “Philly’s biggest little adult shop.”

While supplies last, Scorpio is offering a free gift with every purchase over $50.

For more information, visit www.scorpiovideo.com or call (215) 545-2181.

Shoppe 202

At Shoppe 202, 202 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown, N.J., you can not only find a unique holiday gift, but also take in the sights and sounds of the surrounding historic river town.

Shoppe 202 has been in business for 14 years and is gay-owned and operated. The store specializes in antiques, collectibles, candles, custom framing and greeting cards.

The store also has a vast collection of Yankee Candle scents, in all shapes and sizes, to add the perfect atmosphere to your holiday party.

For more information, visit www.shoppe202.com or call (609) 298-1424.

Singapore Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant

This vegetarian paradise, located at 1006 Race St., specializes in every mock-meat known to mankind.

Menu highlights include wonton soup, orange beef, roast duck and golden shrimp Singapore.

Singapore’s friendly staff will help you make the right selection from the expansive menu.

For more information, call (215) 422-3288.

South Moon Under

South Moon Under, 1731 Chestnut St., brings the breeziness of the beach to the sophistication of the city.

Since its inception as a surf shop in Ocean City, Md., in the 1960s, South Moon Under has evolved into an eclectic specialty retailer that remains ahead of the fashion curve.

The store features labels such as Ben Sherman, Betsey Johnson, Diesel, James Perse, Marc by Marc Jacobs and True Religion. Buyers work with a diverse group of vendors to create a special collection of hand-selected merchandise, which is constantly updated to keep up with ever-changing trends.

For more information, visit www.southmoonunder.com or call (215) 563-2298.

Tech Tattoo

Tech Tattoo, 160 N. Gulph Road on the first level of the King of Prussia Mall, allows clients to personalize their personal devices.

The gay-owned business opened at the beginning of November, just in time for the holiday rush.

Tech Tattoo specializes in laser-etching services for personal electronics with graphics, art, photos or even your own handwriting, allowing you to spice up a cell phone, MP3 player or laptop. Etching can also be provided on almost any other flat surface.

“Express yourself with your gifts this holiday season and let us add that special touch,” co-owner Michael Tolassi said.

For more information, visit www.tech-tattoo.com or call (610) 265-6494.

The Art Shop at Moore

The Art Shop at Moore College of Art and Design, 20th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, features a variety of items created by student artists and alumnae.

You can find an assortment of handcrafted jewelry and clothing, as well as ceramics, paintings, prints and holiday cards. The Art Shop offers one-of-a-kind pieces that were molded by the education and resources that Moore College of Art and Design offers its students.

For more information, call (215) 965-8586.

The Curiosity Shoppe

The Curiosity Shoppe, 529 S. Fourth St., offers a collection of unique gifts that will satisfy the curiosity of many on your shopping list this holiday season.

The Curiosity Shoppe, formerly called Hope on Seventh St., moved to its current location two years ago, but still has the same variety of thrift and vintage clothing, local artwork and “curious” gifts.

“You really never know what you’ll find here at the Curiosity Shoppe,” said owner Peter MacLeod.

The City Paper named the shop the 2007 Best Last-Minute Gift Shopping locale for its eclectic variety of merchandise you never knew you always wanted.

The Curiosity Shoppe has donated clothing and items to the Philadelphia Committee to End Homelessness, the Bethesda Project and Spiral Q Puppet Theater, among many others. The store accepts donations Monday through Saturday noon-8 p.m. and Sunday noon-7 p.m.

For more information, visit www.areucurious.org or call (215) 413-2301.

Ultra Media Video Labs

Ultra Media Video Labs, 177 Main St., Suite D, East Brunswick, N.J., can bring your memories to life this holiday with their media services, allowing you to convert old slides to DVD or photo slide shows and enabling you to capture new memories with their state-of-the-art technology.

For over 20 years, Ultra Media has provided a wide variety of media services such as professional movie film and video transfer, foreign media conversion, slide/photo scanning, CD and DVD duplication, photo restoration and enhancement and professional video editing and voiceovers.

All work done at Ultra Media is unconditionally guaranteed and all employees take great pride in their work and strive to be the very best in the media industry.

For more information, visit www.ultramedialabs.com or call (732) 249-8444.

Wally’s World and Adult Depot

Wally’s World, 1118 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City, N.J., and Adult Depot, at Routes 11 and 15 in Liverpool, offer a wide variety of adult-themed gifts.

Both locations feature DVDs, magazines and other adult novelties. Owner John Bardone said Wally’s World, which opened in March, has the largest selection of adult merchandise in Atlantic City.

For more information, call Wally’s World at (609) 347-9245 or Adult Depot at (717) 444-3894.

WheatonArts and Cultural Center

WheatonArts and Cultural Center, 1501 Glasstown Road, Millville N.J., offers several shops and galleries where visitors can purchase handmade crafts, unique clothing items and artwork, all with free gift packaging, boxes, bows and only 3.5 percent sales tax.

Over a dozen new pieces are on exhibit at the Gallery of Fine Craft, and the Holiday Studio Sale in the Events Center offers studio glass by Melanie Guernsey and David Leppla and pottery by WheatonArts artist Terry Plaskey at discounts up to 70 percent.

A new boutique features handmade wearable art and accessories from American craft artists and Fair Trade Federation artists from around the world, as well as hand-painted silk scarves, leather and fabric pocketbooks, jewelry belts and a variety of other gift items.

For more information, visit www.wheatonarts.org or call (800) 998-4552.

Zot

Zot, 122 Lombard St., is the only Belgian restaurant in town with a Belgian chef.

With mussels cooked over 30 different ways, an extensive array of appetizers, salads, soups, meats, fish, sauces, vegetables and desserts, it also has a very extensive menu. In addition, there are always daily menus to keep the menu fresh. Add to all this a wonderful, warm and cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, over 250 beers and 150 wines, and you have the perfect place to wile away a winter’s evening.

Happy hour is every day from 10 p.m.-midnight, with half-priced draught beers and $4-level cocktails. Monday night is all-you-can-eat mussels ($25 with starter and free drink, cash only), Tuesday night is Backgammon night and Wednesday night is Industry Night (20-percent off for those in the food or hospitality business).

For more information, visit www.zotrestaurant.com or call (267) 639-3260.