Cloud Cups
Photograph by Jeff Fusco Rich red velvet cheesecake, French toast stracciatella with chocolate ribbons swirled throughout, and classics like creamy vanilla are among the extensive repertoire of owner Galen Thomas. (He’s created more than 100 flavors.) Think of Cloud Cups as you would jazz: You’ve got a gelato maestro who has a lot of notes to play with, and the result is music to your taste buds. Locations in Kensington and Fishtown, Philadelphia, PA cloudcupsgelato.com.
Tonewood’s Slow Saison Series
In a world flooded with IPAs, Tonewood Brewing’s Slow Saison collaboration with beverage consultant and forager Danny Childs stands out as an exciting exploration of our region’s terroir through the seasons. From the piney notes of the staghorn sumac in the fall’s release to the powerful punch of persimmons in the spring, each beer in the series showcases locally foraged botanicals presented in a way that will make you think differently about nature and beer. Locations in Barrington and Oaklyn, New Jersey, tonewoodbrewing.com.
Saffron Indian Kitchen
The layers of flavors at this Bala BYO take our Indian favorites up a notch, starting with the rice: Light, fluffy, and infused with the restaurant's namesake spice, it's the perfect starchy building block to a delicious meal. Don't miss the saag paneer, in which the brilliantly spiced spinach what is that smoky note? shines (rather than the cream, for a change), or the tandoori-kissed lamb cubes in the house special boti kebab. 145 Montgomery Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, saffronofphilly.com.
The TMJ Massage at Moon Rehab and Wellness
Take note: The TMJ massage at this Rittenhouse physical therapy spot is intense. Having your jaw muscles massaged from inside your mouth is a little bit weird, but absolutely worth it. Massage therapist Paulina Moon expertly soothes facial pain and kneads out the tension-filled knots in your neck and shoulders. Feeling your jaw unclench for the first time in years is reason enough to book a second appointment. 1601 Walnut Street, suite 522, Philadelphia, PA 19102, moonrehab.com.
Division IV
This sweet shop ups the ante on otherwise pedestrian hostess gifts. Do you usually present a jar of fruit preserves? Try the bacon jam! Typically exchange fine spirits? Pair a bottle with a charred grapefruit tonic! Even humdrum candles — like a basil-and-cucumber eco-candle in an upcycled wine bottle — earn an upgrade. (Note: Division IV was absorbed into Ali’s Wagon, from the same owners, in 2018.) 2017 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, aliswagon.com.
The Rosenbach Museum & Library
Once you’ve watched the entirety of Game of Thrones and Succession for the 23rd time, proceed directly to this thoroughly unplugged Rittenhouse wonderland. Here, you can attend Great Gatsby-themed parties, calligraphy workshops, lofty discussions, and an annual festival in June celebrating Ulysses wherein all sorts of local VIPs, scholars and dignitaries read passages from the novel. Come Halloween season, a variety of events will be centered on Dracula — the Rosenbach has Bram Stoker’s original notes in its vast collection. 2008-2010 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103, rosenbach.org.
Bucky Body Center
Noted plastic surgeon Louis Bucky saw how the newest, über-effective technologies — micro-suction, compression, lasers, cryo — could optimize the work he’s done on patients; assist with recovery, maintenance, and the effects of aging; and offer solutions to problems people were presenting. (Hi, excessive sweating.) So he opened this innovative center in 2020 that’s more wellness-focused than a med spa but can still do something about that stubborn tummy pooch and cellulite. 1915 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, buckybodycenter.com.
PHL Pride Collective
Just when you thought change couldn’t come any faster in the city’s ever-evolving LGBTQIA community, PHL Pride Collective told everyone to hold their beer. After last year’s dismantling of the original (and arguably antiquated) Philly Pride Presents, this diverse group of community activists organized one of the most intersectional, inclusive and overall-badass Pride celebrations ever. Those trying to reimagine their problematic programming (looking at you, Mummers) should take notes from them ASAP. phlpridecollective.org.
Omoi Zakka Shop
Some of the office accessories at Omoi Zakka Shop. Photograph courtesy Omoi Zakka Shop The supplies here are often ingenious (pen holders that clip onto notebooks, an ergonomic package cutter), clearly high-quality (Blackwing pencils, a goat-leather all-purpose carrying sleeve), and always display-worthy (brass rulers, soft leather journals). But mostly, they’re fun (see: cat-shaped paper clips, Pac-Man sticky notes). Because if you haven’t embraced the fact that your home office is possibly your permanent office, it’s time. 41 South 3rd Street; 1608 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106; 19103, omoionline.com.
Little Sicily II
It’s a regular pizza place – slices, steaks, beer fridge, the whole deal. But look to the left of the register and you’ll find a small sign labeled “Spicy Food Menu.” That’s your ticket to the wonderful world of Indo- Philadelphian eats: fiery chicken cheesesteaks with onions and cilantro, grilled veggie hoagies spiked with hot pepper and ginger, masala fries. Heat-seekers, take note: When you order something “extra-spicy” here, you get exactly that. 1600 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19148, .
Brickbat Books
Sometimes all you need is a cozy spot in which to sit with a book. Brickbat provides both those things — plus records! — in excess at its low-key haunt. Its walls envelop you in new and used reads, many with eye-catching covers. Of note: The shop only accepts secondhand titles in the best condition from genres like poetry, nonfiction and genre fiction, so rather than a dog-eared James Patterson paperback, you might find a collection of journalist Martha Gellhorn’s novellas, or works by big names in lit fic like Don DeLillo. 709 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, brickbatbooks.blogspot.com.
Sonny's Cocktail Joint
When Sonny’s replaced confused eatery the Cambridge, it quickly became one of our favorite cocktail, well, joints in the city, in part because of its utter lack of pretension, its fun spirit, and one of the better back yards of any bar around. It closed in 2022 after a fire but reopened earlier this year magically better than ever, and not just because they serve a hot dog tower (!) next to classy but never fussy drinks. (Editor's Note: After Best of Philly went to print, Sonny's was forced to close again due to flooding. Please hurry back!) 1508 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, sonnyscocktailjoint.com.
Erin Matson
Chadds Ford native and Unionville High grad Erin Matson was named the head coach of UNC’s field hockey team — at the ripe old age of 22. During her Tar Heel playing career, she became the all-time leading scorer in ACC and NCAA Tournament history, was a five-time ACC Player of the Year, and won four national titles. Sports Illustrated calls her “the Michael Jordan of American college field hockey.” Asked about his daughter’s precocious achievement, her father Brian noted, “She’s always been hanging out with people older than she is.”
Kate Scott
Calm, cool, and quick with a catchphrase (Bang-bang Georges Niang!), Kate Scott — who took over for Sixers play-by-play legend Marc Zumoff to start the 2021-’22 season — is already our favorite Philly sports voice. Lots of others are taking note, too: Scott’s been tabbed to call the Women’s World Cup this summer and Seattle Seahawks pre-season games this fall. If you haven’t already, watch her on Zumoff’s Fresh 24 podcast discussing the hate directed at pioneering women broadcasters like her — and see if you don’t appreciate her even more.
Mish Mish
Along with Jeff Goldblum’s filmography and the bathroom jokes in Ulysses, this apricot-adorned spot fits into the highbrow/lowbrow category that makes daily existence more enjoyable. Mish Mish doesn’t take itself too seriously — the wine list has tasting notes like “red silk pajamas” and “gabagoolian” — yet the hospitality is as finely tuned as at any upscale spot. So if you ever need to create the illusion that you’re chill and have great taste, book a table, order some grilled octopus with muhammara, then sit by the Singing Fountain and discuss your hopes and fears and the Jawn Morgan billboards on I-95. 1046 Tasker Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, mishmishphilly.com.