David Jeffrey Harper
Di Bruno Bros. cheesemonger Harper delivers the right dinner-party recs without making you feel dumb for not knowing the difference between gorgonzola and Roquefort. facebook.com/Di-Bruno-Bros-150551229134172.
Cedric
Emcee Cedric from All-Around Entertainment (who often travels with a DJ) is the clever, personable, animated guy who keeps> your mitzvahs and weddings rocking. 470 A Veit Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006, allaroundentertainment.com.
McGillin's Olde Ale House
Surrounded by vintage Philly memorabilia (the old Wanamaker sign, for instance), you'll order cheap beers ($1 mugs on Tuesdays!) from friendly bartenders while being able to sit and actually have a conversation. 1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, mcgillins.com.
Deconstructed Living
Being faced with a birthday party for a particularly persnickety co-worker is daunting. Finding him an inspired gift a chardonnay-scented candle in a reclaimed wine bottle at this cheery boutique is not. 201 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, deconstructedliving.com.
VinChelle
Lots of drag queens pay tribute to Queen Bey, but VinChelle goes above and beyond. See for yourself at one of her Beyoncé-themed parties, the next being at Franky Bradley’s on August 12th. instagram.com/_vinchelle_.
Reading Terminal Market
Readers' Choice: A smorgasbord of everything from Bassett's ice ceam to DiNic's roast pork to Lancaster County produce, all under one roof? Most of us think this is the best impression Philly could make on visitors. 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107, readingterminalmarket.org.
Triangle Tavern
Water ice is good no matter how old you are. But one of the special advantages of being a grown-up is getting to have the dangerously boozy adult water ice at Triangle Tavern. 1338 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, triangletavernphilly.com.
Cantina Feliz
Emerald kiwi slices lend this jalapeo-strewn amberjack just the right hint of fruit sugar, but it's the palate-cleansing scoop of lime sorbet that makes this plate worthy of being called the best. 424 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, PA 19034, cantinafeliz.com.
Chicken Italiano at Chickie's Italian Deli
Chickies is rightfully known for its veggie and Italian hoagies. But they also serve up a dying Philadelphia tradition: a mean chicken cutlet loaded with sharp provolone that deserves a permanent spot in the pantheon of Great Philadelphia Sandwiches. 1014 Federal Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, chickiesdeli.com.
Angelo’s Pizzeria
There are always crowds outside of Angelo’s, a surefire sign that whatever’s being handed over the counter is worth a wait. If you’re smart, you’ll order a sandwich, the eggplant rollantini, and the monster square pies. 736 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, angelospizzeriasouthphiladelphia.com.
White Dog Cafe
Besides being just a darn pretty place to spend time in, White Dog has everything you need when corralling a group: flexible seating, many (but not too many) menu options, good drinks and patient servers. 200 West Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, whitedog.com/wayne.html.
Aunt Tot
Tatyanna Nance of Germantown’s Aunt Tot morphs colorful materials into funky two-piece (matching crop top and flared pants) and three-piece (matching socks and bags) ensembles that Whack and her DJ regularly don onstage. Instagram.com/aunt.tot. booktatyannanance.acuityscheduling.com.
Liberty Urgent Care
The place is spotless, with a coffee bar for adults and a coloring station for kids; wait times generally run less than 15 minutes; and every doctor and nurse here is so warm and nice that being sick suddenly doesn’t suck so much. 401 Horsham Road, Horsham, PA 19044, Libertyucc.com.
The Trolley Trail
Even if you’ve run through Fairmount Park a thousand times, you may have missed the still-being-built-out Trolley Trail, which follows the route of the old Fairmount Park Trolley and features gorgeous 19th-century bridges and tunnels. Start at Chaminoux Hostel. 3250 Chamounix Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131, Myphillypark.org.
Sa Va
When, last year, clothing designer Sarah van Aken opened a boutique filled with pretty shifts and smart suits and frilly skirts conceived, sewn and finished in her studio next door, by real people it felt like these pretty things were being made just for us. Well, us ladies. 1700 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, savafashion.com.