Mai Tai at the Yachtsman
Because a mai tai, done properly, is always going to be the best cocktail of any summer. And until this one came along, nobody around here was doing mai tais in a way that even approached "properly." 1444 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, .
East Falls Glassworks
Getting creative in the kitchen not cutting it for you? Try a furnace and a blowtorch instead. Book a private lesson at East Falls Glassworks, learn the basics of glassblowing, and take home a self-made souvenir of your red-hot evening. 3510 Scotts Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, eastfallsglass.com.
The People Who Looked Out for Our Health
Whether they’re helping patients who are sick or homing in on a vaccine, let’s hear it for the scientists. Read the full write up here. phillymag.com/news/2020/07/16/scientists-frontline-heroes-coronavirus-vaccine.
The Olde Bar at Bookbinder's
Turtle soup is back at Philly's most iconic restaurant address -- but this time with a quail egg and a sidecar of sherry foam, some of the many contemporary flourishes with which Jose Garces has rejuvenated this historic bar space. 125 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, theoldebar.com.
Stone + Glidden
This three-decade-old home AV contractor can set you up with state-of-the-art sound systems, automated lighting and temperature, security and more, all controlled (if you want) through an app on your phone. 628 B Street, King of Prussia, PA 19406, stoneglidden.com.
Classic Coachwork Main Line
It’s like the crew here has some sort of magic time machine that can bring a car that’s experienced an unfortunate turn of fate back to looking like it just drove out of the dealership. 228 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, classiccoachwork.com/main-line.
Moko Beauty Studio
It's known for its dry cuts and customized two-hour ayurvedic facials, but we also love the take-home treats: mango shea butter, lime body polish, Max Green Alchemy shampoo. 55 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, mokobeauty.com.
The Bronzed Bee
Be prepared to invent a story a surprise weekend trip to St. Thomas, perhaps? because tans here are so streak-free, so naturally hued, so perfectly applied, that no one will believe they came from an airbrush gun. 406 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, thebronzedbee.com.
The Katacomb: Vintage
For some, the search is the best part of shopping vintage. For everyone else, there's Brooke Dillon's appointment-only boutique, where the best stuff (read: Chanel and YSL and Oscar) has already been found and dry-cleaned for you. 1514 Pine Street, 1st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102, thekatacomb.blogspot.com.
Majolica
When every table you pass in a cute little BYO on a teeny main street in suburbia features diners ignoring the cheese tray and attacking plates of grilled octopus ... well, you know it must be some swell octopus. And it is. 258 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460, majolicarestaurant.com.
Hot Diggity
It's about the full experience at Hot Diggity-the cone of fries, the house-made sodas, Hawk Krall's hot-dog artwork on the walls, and the Philadelphia classic, the fishcake-wrapped hot dog. 630 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, thehotdiggity.com.
Hello World
Amp up your home bar with ultra-modern wine carafes, sleek flutes and cheeky cocktail shakers at the recently relocated University City shop. It's like Mad Men, but more fun. 3610 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, shophelloworld.com.
Chick Invitations
Why wait a few weeks for some Etsy vendor in Moscow to make your monogrammed totes when Robyn Platoni can etch, embroider and foil-stamp her adorable goods in just a few days? 241 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, Shopchickphilly.com.
Terminal F
Flying JetBlue, Frontier or Southwest out of Terminal E? Walk five minutes to oft-forgotten Terminal F (home to only one airline, American Eagle) for shorter TSA lines.
Craft Hall
Whoever came up with the notion to build a playground inside a brewpub — with video games, a projector, Skee-Ball, and bunnies and chickens outside — deserves so much more than a Best of Philly. How about a Nobel Prize? 901 North Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123, Crafthallphilly.com.