Crown & Feather Tattoo Co.
Since opening in 2019, Andrew Robinson and Dylan Carr’s private studio specializing in fine-line and Japanese styles has earned some two million likes on TikTok and recognition at both local and international tattoo conventions. There’s a cozy area for consultations, and the team is always welcoming — and constantly booked. Can’t snag an appointment? One of their wildly cool totes or tees will suffice till you can. 2628 Martha Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, crownandfeather.com.
Powerhouse Dance
The beauty of Powerhouse Dance isn’t just that it’s adults-only (classes are geared toward those with some dance experience) or that pricing is pay-as-you-take (what grown-up can commit to full-year tuition?), but that the Cherry Hill Artists in Motion Dance Complex hosts a rotating schedule of classes every week — from heels and hip-hop to ballet and street jazz — that’ll get any “retired” dancer back, confidently, on the floor. 1742 Marlton Pike East, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, powerhousedancesj.com.
Glow Lab
These glow pros deliver customized full- and half-body airbrush tans — that are cruelty-free and vitamin-enriched — out of their Cherry Hill boutique and in your own home, thanks to their mobile service. Now you can look slightly sun-kissed or Miami-bronzed without those skin-frying UVA rays. Goodbye for good, baby oil! 921 Haddonfield Road, suite B32B, Cherry Hill , NJ 08002, glowlabnj.com.
La Chalupa
The only thing that can make us feel better after paying to fill up our tank at this Phillips 66 station? The divine $2.80 pupusas and $12 (for four!) taco platters the women behind the grill are slinging. Naturally, you’ll want to wash that all down with a glass bottle of Mexican Coke. Next time you’re on your way down the Shore, this is more than worth the quick-ish detour. 12 White Horse Pike, Clementon, NJ 08021, .
Ashley Span of Idle Hands Esthetics
She has some serious cred: trained with the top names in brows, like Anastasia Beverly Hills; was featured in Allure; certifications and experience galore. But there’s zero ego at her first solo spot on Antiques Row, where the architect-like Span lays out blueprints for the best shape and color for your face, then puts her plans into action. You can finally say goodbye to out-of-control brows — and your tweezers. 1116 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, idlehandsesthetics.com.
Heiler Painting
So you think you can paint a wall, and suddenly you’re six hours in and you’ve barely taped off the light switches. Heiler Painting isn’t just better at painting than you; they’re honest with their pricing and — just as importantly — their timing. (No waiting around hoping the painter will show up that day.) Beyond interior and exterior painting, the company also provides stucco repair (to keep out that pesky moisture) and cabinet refinishing. And for those looking to weatherize their homes, window glazing is available. 650 Painter Street, suite 1, Media, PA 19063, heilerpainting.com.
Lobongo Kabab
What was once a long-standing Irish bar and, more recently, Delco’s umpteenth Italian restaurant is now an event hall with an attached all-day kebab cafe, owned by the same Bangladeshi couple behind Rittenhouse’s new Royal Indian Cuisine. This is one of the few places where you can find whole fish cooked in a tandoor and chili-covered (and we do mean covered) bullet naan. As for the kebabs, don’t leave without the ground lamb and ground chicken. And some goat biryani, of course. 8925 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082, .
Cafe Nhan
This small Vietnamese restaurant just off West Passyunk reminds us that hospitality isn’t corporate jargon or a marketing gimmick, but the backbone of the restaurants that transform a city into a place that feels like home. Whether it’s the savory, steaming pho broth paraded around the dining room, the smile from the server who quickly takes your order, the crackling-crisp chicken wings, or co-owner Nhan Vo saying hello, Cafe Nhan always has what you need. 606 West Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145, cafenhanphilly.com.
M Concept
Shopping here is like taking a crash course in Philly’s design scene. Owner Ethan Nguyen will alert you to colorful local finds like Alexandra Damiano silk slip dresses, Tesoro handcrafted leather bags, and West Oak Design lightweight linen shifts. Then, once you’ve outfitted your closet, he’ll point you across the street to his new home-goods store, Weekend, to do the same for the rest of your house. 1540 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, mconceptshop.com.
Design on Demand by Widell + Boschetti
Make your pad Arch Di-worthy without the commitment of a full-service designer with the à la carte e-design option from these Philly up-and-comers. Barette Widell and Christina Boschetti will create a mood board and layout based on your room’s specs (rates start at $1,100) and choose the right products to bring both to life, for an end result that’s more inspired than those seen-that-everywhere looks. widellboschetti.com.
Party Host Helpers
It’s your party, you can cry if you want to … or you can pay some good people to handle all the laborious stuff that you don’t want to do–setting tables, tending bar, cleaning up, checking coats. This Wayne-based company, now in 30 cities nationwide, is the key to making your next shindig actually enjoyable–for you. partyhosthelper.com.
Performance Meal Prep
All the menu items from no-commitment meal-delivery service Performance Meal Prep (sweet-and-sour meatballs, jerk chicken tacos, roasted veggies) are fresh, healthy and tasty. Which is precisely why plenty of local trainers–and even some Phillies players–have standing orders. Services Philadelphia, Montgomery and Delaware counties, plus South Jersey and Delaware. eatpmp.com.
Robbini Bespoke
A month after he shows up at your home or office with his measuring tape and look books — plus a massive array of Italian fabric samples (the Super 180s are oh-so-divine) — 38-year-old Rob Fung will return with a blazer, suit or trousers that will make everything else in your closet look sloppy and sad. Just ask his regular customers — a whole bunch of Philadelphia Eagles. robbini.com.
Estia
We’re not saying you must go here. Because if you did, we’d no longer be able to walk in and get a table, a drink, a plate of grilled Mediterranean sardines, some langoustines and dolmades whenever we want. So no, seriously. We hear the Hard Rock Café on Market Street is super good. Go there instead. 1405 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, estiarestaurant.com/philadelphia-pa/philadelphia-pa.asp,.
The Landing Kitchen
Up in Bala Cynwyd, Nick Elmi and Fia Berisha opened a little all-day cafe overlooking the Schuylkill, totally accessible to the ribbons of hiking and biking trails in the area. When you’re done with your morning trek, there are expert coffee drinks, breakfast sandwiches and pastries. When you’re about to go mountain-biking and need some fuel, there’s a brioche grilled cheese served (if you want) with a hefty dollop of black caviar (you do). 617 Righters Ferry Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, thelandingkitchen.com.