Tacos El Rodeo
Look for the colorful muraled truck surrounded by a big crowd of people, rain or shine. They’re all there for perfect al pastor (carved fresh off the rotating spit), and they’re ordering it “with everything” – which at El Rodeo means shredded lettuce, a slice of avocado, and zingy pickled carrots. 1000 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, facebook.com/pages/Tacos-El-Rodeo-Food-Truck/1090310424393491.
Chirashi at Double Knot
We’re not exactly sure why Double Knot doesn’t just put it on the menu, but if you sit at the downstairs sushi bar and politely ask chef Iwan Susanto to make you his chirashi, he’ll craft a seafood ensemble bejeweled with golden slivers of uni, a healthy spoonful of salmon roe and textbook tamago, almost too lovely to eat. 120 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, doubleknotphilly.com.
Bud & Marilyn’s
There’s no screwing around with clownish garnishes at Bud & Marilyn’s. Here, it’s just a tall glass of tomato-y tang and spice, courtesy of a nice heaping of horseradish and herbs, and a spear of celery and guindilla peppers. 1234 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, budandmarilyns.com.
Abe Fisher
At Abe Fisher’s happy hour, everything is $7. The chicken liver mousse with pastrami onion jam, the pickled mackerel dip, the boozy cocktails, the fine wines – all just $7. Well, except for those off-menu smoked short-rib sandwiches. Those are just $5. 1315 Walnut Street Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19107, abefisherphilly.com.
Hale & True Cider Co.
We didn’t think we were cider people. But then we sampled these dry, subtle ciders (made with juice from Pennsylvania apples!) and, well, we changed our minds. Now you’ll find us in this airy tasting room, sipping pints of Lil’ Sunshine, made with orange peel and wildflower honey, and tucking into French-inspired snacks brought over from the neighbors at Good King Tavern. 613 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, haleandtrue.com.
IV Therapy at City Hydration
Cost of a healing B-vitamin IV infusion after a night of heavy drinking: $179. Not dry-heaving in the office bathroom: priceless. 1315 Walnut St Suite 1403, Philadelphia, PA 19107, cityhydration.com.
The Borgata’s Event Center
This intimate venue is relatively small–only 2,400 seats–but the acts that perform here are anything but. Last month, headliners included Britney Spears and Barry Manilow. This month: Stevie Wonder and Cher. Good luck getting tickets! 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, theborgata.com/shows/venues/event-center.
Illuminated fountain performances at Longwood Gardens
Good music (the Beatles, Tchaikovsky), summer nights, beer and sometimes fire: The $90 million that Longwood sank into renovating its main fountains was well worth it. Might as well get a membership, because you’ll want to take everyone you know. 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348, longwoodgardens.org/events-and-performances/events/illuminated-fountain-performances.
Mister John’s Music
With serious musical chops and a sassy side that has parents ROFL, John Francisco’s classes – be it toddler music sessions honoring artists like the Killers and Johnny Cash or guitar lessons for older kids – will become the highlight of your week. (Note to Comcast: Give this guy his own show already!) 904 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, misterjohnsmusic.com.
Bryn Mawr College’s Performing Arts Series
We see your alma mater’s on-campus a cappella group and raise you this college’s lineup of performances, which has included world-class gospel choirs, string quartets, hip-hop dancers–and John Waters. 101 North Merion Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, brynmawr.edu/performing-arts-series.
Virtual Classes
If being at home with your kids 24/7 has changed your attitude toward screen time, it’s okay. We know you love those little rascals, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need some “me” time now and then. Allay your guilt (if you still have any) by registering for one of the many local kids’ classes that have popped up on YouTube and across social media. Settlement Music School is offering Settlement Kids Live (settlementmusic.org), with free music and dance classes for children streamed live on Facebook every Tuesday and Thursday. If your offspring have energy to burn, InMovement Gymnastics Education (phillyinmovement.com) has online tumbling, karate and dance classes. Pick the one that’s right for your little one, and you may actually get the chance to use the bathroom without being interrupted. And the Philly Zoo at 2 (philadelphiazoo.org) introduces kids to all kinds of creatures every weekday at 2 p.m. via Facebook Live — and keeps an archive of past videos for hours of educational streaming.
Common Ground
How to be a style setter and do your part for the planet in one step: Shop here. On a recent scroll through their site, we spotted basically mint-condition Nike LeBron 9s from 2011, unworn Yeezys from 2018, and nearly new, hard-to-find green Rick Owens for Adidas sneaks for $230. 134 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, commonground12.com.
Philly Zoo at 2
If being at home with your kids 24/7 has changed your attitude toward screen time, it’s okay. Allay your guilt (if you still have any) by registering for one of the many local kids’ classes that have popped up on YouTube and across social media. See the full write up at Virtual Classes. facebook.com/philadelphiazoo/videos/?ref=page_internal.
Amelie’s Bark Shop
At Amelie’s Bark Shop, the customizable coconut flour birthday cakes are almost too pretty to eat, but that didn’t stop our taste-tester from diving face-first into the icing. (Bonus: They deliver!) 1544 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, barkshopbakery.com.
Omar Tate
Sometimes, a new chef will arrive in Philly and bring an unmistakable energy — a sort of hyper-focused intentionality, a sense of I’ve got big plans for this city. Omar Tate was born and raised in Philly, and he worked in some of the city’s most ambitious kitchens before leaving for NYC to hone his culinary career. As he wove his way through kitchens, following the well-trodden career path of the modern professional chef, he began to explore and amplify Black American foodways — their tragic history, their uncertain future, their cultural complexities, and their constant erasure from the culinary pantheon. Honeysuckle — his NYC pop-up restaurant-turned-takeout operation — was the physical manifestation of his particular brand of culinary activism. Meals began with a glass of “Honeysuckle Red Drink” (his take on Kool-Aid, a staple of his childhood), and the to-go bags included samples of his own poetry. The coronavirus crisis brought him (and Honeysuckle) back to Philly, and he has big plans for this city — particularly in West Philly, where he’s envisioning a community center for which food will, of course, be the anchor. Follow @honeysuckle_projects on Instagram for information on future dinners and pop-ups. instagram.com/honeysuckle_projects.