1. Eric New York

202 7th Ave (2nd Street), Brooklyn, NY
Shoe Store · Central Slope · 4 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: The best shoes in the Slope. Hands down. Sadly, the owner totally creeps me out. He's not a fan of giving people personal space and can be a little much. That said, the shoe selection is on par with m

2. Cookshop

8.8
156 10th Ave (btwn W 19th St & W 20th St), New York, NY
American Restaurant · Chelsea · 521 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: The food takes a while to come, but their veg. cook is fantastic. I almost always love the vegetable sides more than my main dish.

3. Modernica

7.9
2901 Saco St (at 37th St), Vernon, CA
Furniture and Home Store · 2 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: I love Modernica because you can custom build an Eames fiberglass chair in any color, base or height you want. Herman Miller stamp? We don’t need no stinking stamp. Read more.

4. Tryst

8.3
2459 18th St NW (btwn Columbia Rd & Belmont Rd NW), Washington, D.C.
Coffee Shop · Adams Morgan · 299 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: Coffee bar by day where you can hang out with your laptop. Bar bar by night where you can hang out with your friends. Cool and cozy doesn’t get better than this. Read more.

5. Proper Topper

7.8
1350 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
Gift Store · Connecticut Avenue - K Street · 5 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: Proper Topper has something for everyone: nukuku frames for the home, whiskey stones for him, handmade puppets for the little ones and fabulous fashions for her. Read more.

6. 9:30 Club

9.1
815 V St NW (at 9th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Music Venue · U-Street · 214 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: One of the best and most intimate venues for seeing live music in town. For thirty years and counting – the 9:30 Club has brought the best local, indie and international bands to DC. Read more.

7. Cafe Saint-Ex

7.5
1847 14th St NW (at T St NW), Washington, D.C.
Gastropub · U-Street · 79 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: I love this restaurant’s feel, oh and the food. The laid back neighborhood vibe is so comfortable. Café St. Ex’s commitment to the community and local farmers is just part of what makes them so great Read more.

8. Ben's Chili Bowl

8.3
1213 U St NW, Washington, D.C.
Hot Dog Joint · U-Street · 386 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: It’s an amazingly simple concept and the food is simply amazing. My favorite is the good ole chili dog. Yum! Read more.

9. Tweed Baby Outfitters

1200 Villa Pl #110, Nashville, TN
Children's Clothing Store · Edgehill · 3 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: The most adorable little shop, perfect for finding a gift for a newborn baby up to 4 year toddler. The owner Maggie is wonderful and carries many unique lines Read more.

10. UAL

6.4
2918 West End Ave, Nashville, TN
Clothing Store · 6 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: They buy end-of-season clothing and accessories for men and women and resell at very reasonable prices. And the shoe selection is amazing! Read more.

11. Gruhn Guitars

7.7
2120 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN
Music Store · 12 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: This new location houses everything under the sun, and has seen clientele such as Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash and Paul McCartney. Read more.

12. International Market

2615 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN
Grocery Store · 3 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: A small world market with ethnic groceries, spices, and a Thai fusion buffet. Treat yourself to a tasty red bean bun. Read more.

13. The Groove

7.9
1103 Calvin Ave (at Gallatin Ave), Nashville, TN
Record Store · Lockeland Springs · 8 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: A very cool record and CD store located on the east side. Old and new, it’s fun to dig and discover new music. You can listen before you buy, using the record player they have set up in the shop. Read more.

14. Sky Blue Cafe

8.7
700 Fatherland St (7th Ave), Nashville, TN
Café · Historic Edgefield · 84 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: A small and charming café with friendly service. The Stuffed French Toast Pancakes are incredible, and the Croque Madame is another must-try. Read more.

15. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

9.4
1892 Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN
Ice Cream Parlor · Lockeland Springs · 127 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: Goat Cheese and Cherries, Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Salty Caramel. With flavors like these, do I even need to say more? Read more.

16. Rosepepper Cantina

8.0
1907 Eastland Ave (Chapel), Nashville, TN
Mexican Restaurant · 104 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: A casual, inviting setting with a huge outdoor patio. Fun Mexican décor, great margaritas and delicious chorizo queso with homemade chips. Read more.

17. Nissan Stadium

8.7
1 Titans Way (btwn Russell St & Victory Ave), Nashville, TN
Football Stadium · 122 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: Right across the river from downtown is LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans. Try to catch a football game if it is in season! Read more.

18. Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant

8.6
500 Church St (at 5th Ave.), Nashville, TN
American Restaurant · 214 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: Authentic Southern comfort food and grocery market that offers live music in the evenings. If you can visit the other locations (in Leiper’s Fork or downtown Franklin), I highly recommend it. Read more.

19. Hutton Hotel

7.7
1808 West End Ave (btwn 19th Ave N & 18th Ave N), Nashville, TN
Hotel · 57 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: An elegant, boutique hotel featuring contemporary and eco-friendly design. Gwyneth Paltrow stayed here for 3 weeks—and wrote about it in GOOP—while working in Nashville a few years ago. Read more.

20. Eightbar (Atomic Books Bar)

7.8
3620 Falls Rd (36th St.), Baltimore, MD
Bar · Hampden · 6 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: Sister store of Atomic Books around the corner with a large collection of design books and pop gifts. Read more.

21. Mount Vernon

Baltimore, MD
Neighborhood · 21 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: The heart and soul of downtown. The center is the original Washington Monument and surrounding parks. Read more.

22. Erie Basin

8.1
388 Van Brunt St (Dikeman), Brooklyn, NY
Antique Store · Red Hook · 7 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: Hands down, my favorite jewelry store in NYC. Russell is the best curator of vintage jewelry I know and EB is a must for anyone looking for vintage engagement/wedding jewelry.

23. The Diana Kane Boutique

229 5th Ave (President St), Brooklyn, NY
Boutique · North Slope · 1 tip

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: My favorite place to get sophisticated swimwear, basic shift dresses and great bags. They also carry a nice selection of Virginia Johnson scarves.

24. Hayden-Harnett

211 Franklin St (at Freeman St.), Brooklyn, NY
Fashion Accessories Store · Greenpoint · 1 tip

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: I love their swimsuits for summer. Their leather goods (wallets and bags) are definitely worth the splurge.

25. Birchmere Music Hall

8.6
3701 Mount Vernon Ave (at W Glebe Rd), Alexandria, VA
Music Venue · 78 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: Shhhhh. No talking. This is one of the best venues for the total music experience for when the musicians are playing there is no talking. It’s all about the music and I love that! Read more.

26. Evening Star Cafe

7.8
2000 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA
New American Restaurant · Del Ray · 51 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: One of my favorites! We can be found here regularly indulging in the best steaks in town. Read more.

27. The Hour

8.2
1015 King St, Alexandria, VA
Boutique · Old Town · 7 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: All things cocktail all the time! They have the most amazing one-of-a-kind selection of vintage and antique barware and glasses plus modern selections to round out your wetbar. Read more.

28. Black Cat

8.2
1811 14th St NW (btwn Swann & S St NW), Washington, D.C.
Rock Club · U-Street · 106 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: Practically around the corner from the 9:30 Club this equally amazing music experience offers DC the best of local, national and international indie and alternative music. Read more.

29. Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe

8.6
1517 Connecticut Ave NW (at Q St NW), Washington, D.C.
Bookstore · Northwest Washington · 327 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: A Washington institution. Don’t miss this unique bookstore and the delicious Afterwords café that resides here. Read more.

30. Powell's City of Books

9.4
1005 W Burnside St (at NW 10th Ave.), Portland, OR
Bookstore · 471 tips and reviews

Design*SpongeDesign*Sponge: If you’re into rare books, the Powell’s collection is one of the best in the country – stop in and check out a first edition of The Hobbit, signed Hemingway novels, and a wealth of other goodies Read more.