City Food Tours
These guide-led three-hour tasting tours (for between $29 and $55 a person) are a fun, different way for locals and visitors alike to explore all that has shaped our city and its residents (mostly the latter). Try the charming evening wine, chocolate and tea tour, or the classic "Flavors of Philly" cheesesteak-hoagie-pretzel trail that ends up at Reading Terminal for dessert. (Termini Brothers, anyone?) Hey, we didn't say it was good for your waistline. ... 00000, cityfoodtours.com.
Belle Cakery
Fans of Fond have been under pastry chef Jessie Prawluckis spell for years now, but these days you can skip straight to dessert. Her cakes twist classic combos just enough to set them apart. Its hard to beat the Fond: malted milk-chocolate mousse and cocoa sponge cake on a crispy peanut base. But if theres olive bread, get it. Its pricey, but outrageously delicious. 1437 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bellecakery.com.
Holta Tegu
This Kim Kardashian look-alike — but, you know, approachable — hosts an $7 thigh-and-glute-heavy dance class on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. that’s so covert, it’s not even listed on 954 Dance Movement Collective’s schedule. Message her at @ismilesometimesss on Insta to see if you can snag a spot. 954 North 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, .
Kensington Quarters
Local meat-lovers know that humanely raised hormone-free meat from local pastures isn't new in Philly -- but until this year, much of it was frozen. The butcher shop/bar/restaurant Kensington Quarters has changed that. Restaurant diners and retail customers alike benefit from head cutter Heather Thomason's whole-animal skills on everything from cutting Santa Maria-style tri-tip to making luscious pastrami. 1310 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, kensingtonquarters.com.
Body Rocker Ride at Body Cycle Studio
We're going to let you in on a little secret: Once a week, Body Cycle offers a free 45-minute spin class with absolutely no strings attached. It's open to regular clients and newbies alike, and you can sign up online ahead of time or simply drop in. The day and time changes every few months, but look for a class called Body Rocker Ride on the schedule and you'll know you've found it. 1923 Chestnut Street, second floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, bodycyclestudio.com.
Butcher and Singer
The vintage vibe. Tuxedo-clad waiters, black leather booths, houndstooth carpeting. The throwback dishes. Olive-oil-and-egg-rich Caesar salads topped with fresh ground pepper, and baked Alaska for dessert. Damn fine gin martinis, shaken and poured tableside. A good steakhouse has so much more than just good steaks. (Those are good, too.) 1500 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, butcherandsinger.com.
Quintessence Theatre Group
After just five years, this small repertory company has earned a reputation for creating beautiful adaptations of classic works for the modern stage, like last season's The Three Musketeers and Alice in Wonderland. In their sixth season, you'll want to see Romeo and Juliet, Saint Joan and -- for the kids -- Hansel and Gretel. (They're in residence at the Sedgwick Theater in Mount Airy.) Quintessencetheatre.org.
Wednesday Night Rides
Bike rides that are low-commitment, non-competitive and community-driven? Sign us up! Every other week, this group ventures throughout the region — from Spring Garden to Germantown or Independence Mall to deep South Philly, for instance — before nightcapping at a local brewery or bar. Bonus: Course length and difficulty level are always posted on the website in advance, so beginners and seasoned cyclists alike know what to expect. wednightrides.org.
Egan Rittenhouse
Call us gluttons, but ever since Kate Egan opened her jewelry store back in 2008, we've been aching for her to do more. Finally, she has, in the form of this three-month-old gift shop in the Rittenhouse Hotel, where she stocks elegant luxuries like French linen caftans, Pehr Designs mobiles, Alumnae sandals, and flower creations by Terrain floral designer Matthew Muscarella, all worthy ways to woo out-of-town hotel guests and locals alike. 210 West Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19102, eganrittenhouse.com.
Kanella
We've had the Cyprus breakfast, with its olive-oil-fried eggs and grilled halloumi and ham and fresh tomato salad and crusty bread. We've had the roast lamb sandwich, with its sauted spinach and dill and hunks of melting feta stuffed between two slices of that crusty bread. We've had the rice pudding, with its sprinkle of cinnamon and drizzle of orange-blossom syrup. We've had brunch at other places, too, but as far as this meal is concerned, Kanella, we only have eyes for you. 1001 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, kanellarestaurant.com.
Agno Grill
The Pure Fare folks struck gold again. Everything we already loved about the fast-casual sandwich-and-salad joint—fuss-free food with healthful ingredients, and calorie counts that keep our belts happy—is at its new Mediterranean sister cafe, Agno Grill. Here, we get even more options, with build-your-own salads, wraps and rice bowls and ingredients like roasted cauliflower, broccoli-fennel salad, braised radicchio and kalamata olive sauce. And the nutrition facts? They still make us smile. 2104 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, agnogrill.com.
Never Give Up Training
Yes to 100 percent customized training plans. Yes to personal training sessions with NGU owner and certified Ironman coach Ali Cook Jackson. Yes to all of that costing $60 to $150 a month. Nevergiveuptraining.com.
Home Appétit
Sick of having to plan, shop for and cook freaking dinner? Also sick of takeout? Home Appétit delivers enough precooked meals to your doorstep at the start of the week to feed your family through the weekend. No meal kits with shrink-wrapped garlic and complicated instructions, no pizza boxes — just a fridge full of food that actually tastes good. homeappetitphilly.com.
Yoga Home
Readers' Choice winner. 424 East Elm Street, Conshohocken, PA 19428, ouryogahome.com.
The Home Hero
Pete Rose (not that Pete Rose) started his business as a second career, because he really loves the work. So you get reliability, fair prices, expert craftsmanship, and a contractor whos actually responsive, even via email. Hes built his rep on things like creative baby-proofing, home theater installation, and the prettier parts of remodeling tile, lighting, fixtures and paint. Perfect for the jobs too big for you, but too small for impossible-to-nail-down G.C.s. Call or see website for consultation, 00000, thehomehero.com.