User Lists

With the holiday season in full swing, chances are that many of us will find ourselves (however grudgingly) joining the herds at the nearest mall. But just because you're stuck in retail hell doesn't mean you can't feast on food that goes way beyond the food court experience. Here are five of our favorite mall dining spots in Los Angeles and Orange County.

Despite the recession, this year's crop of restaurants was even better than last year's, with instant hits, blockbusters, revolutionary concepts and envelope-pushers that are sure to be heavyweights in the food scene for years to come. But it wasn't just the high-end, European, artisanal and locavore restaurants that rose to the top in '09--a Tenderloin Thai spot, a family pizza place and a standout sandwich joint more than made the cut, as well. Here, in no particular order, are our top picks for '09.

Yeah, we know. We're not sure how it got to be holiday season already, either. But here it is upon us, which mean you really have to start thinking about what to do for New Year's Eve. Here are some fun Philadelphia ideas.

Just because it doesn't get super cold in L.A. (at least by East Coast standards) doesn't mean you can't pretend it's a white Christmas. This holiday season, Southern California is home to a lot more than sunny skies and palm trees. Ice skating rinks have popped up from Irvine and Pasadena to Culver City and Downtown L.A. So lace up those skates and head over to some of the best ice skating rinks SoCal has to offer.

If you had to walk through life as Ebenezer Scrooge or Ole Saint Nick, whom would you choose? Santa--hands down. Let's face it, the jolly elf has a lot more fun, especially during this season of parades, tree lightings and shopping sprees. Pour on the yuletide spirit at these holiday events in Dallas.

Wallets are still a wee bit timid to open wide but it's hard not to go on a spree from time to time. There are retail stores in Dallas that will accommodate the shopping spirit without draining the bank account. Check out these shops for everything from the perfect putter to a faux Fendi.

Stretching a buck is always in fashion. As an international gateway and cultural tastemaker, Miami has access to as many shopping deals as it does ritzy spending sprees. From consumer electronics haggling to marked down mouse ears, we've got the goods on where to find the city's best bargains.

Share with us your favorite Philadelphia places to relax in our Best of Citysearch campaign. Know of the best place to get a soothing facial or massage? How about the best yoga studio or tanning salon? Just go to that venue listing on our site, click on the "Nominate for Best of Citysearch" tab and vote! It's that easy! Here are some of my favorite spa and beauty spots...

If tattoos were once the insignia of sailors, bikers and inmates, they're now so accepted around here that it's not hard to find a young chef or graphic designer with more ink than an entire chapter of the Hells Angels. Luckily, anyone looking to get tatted is in the right place: San Francisco is home to some of the best tattoo artists and shops in the world, and here are the best of the best.

Don't know Bordeaux from Beaujolais? Fear not: Chicago and its 'burbs are loaded with wine shops, wine bars and, yes, even wineries that favor a friendly approach with thoughtful, descriptive menus and guided tastings to bring out your inner oenophile. Pop the cork, swirl your glass and savor some mighty fine wine at these vino-centric Chicago spots. (Photo courtesy of DOC Wine Bar.)