Danzeisen & Quigley
They've got the square footage of a Dick's or Modell's, but the personalized expertise of a specialty bike, ski or snowboard shop. It's no wonder D&Q has stayed in business for the past 52 years. 1720 East Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, dandq.com.
Elizabeth Jacoby
Elizabeth Jacoby has been embellishing Philadelphia’s courtyards, roof decks, and window boxes for more than a decade. It’s all rooted in her mission to make urban gardening accessible to busy people. elizabethjacoby.com.
Night Market Philadelphia
How to win the hearts of Philadelphians? For one night, take over a neighborhood, then set up live music, creative entertainment (pottery-wheel showdowns!) and an army of food trucks. Repeat every few months. thefoodtrust.org/night-market.
Giovanni and Pileggi
There's something about having the approval of an Italian man before you head out on the town that lets you know you must look good and no one walks out of this stately salon with anything less. 256 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, giovannipileggi.com.
<em>Hamilton</em>
Yes, the Broadway smash already came here. But that was at the Forrest Theatre. So we can’t wait to see it under the big chandelier when it visits us at the Academy of Music from October 20th through November 28th. 240 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, kimmelculturalcampus.org/Hamilton.
Jose Pistola's
Jose Pistola's is about as down-to-earth as it gets, with good drink specials ($15 happy-hour marg pitchers), craft brews, a kitchen that's open until 1 a.m., live music, and a come-as-you-are attitude. 263 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, josepistolas.com.
L&M Bakery
Not beignets. Not crullers. Not "doughnuts," with their braggy extra letters and European sensibility. No, these featherweight, sugar-dusted, gooey and buttercream-y spheres of fresh-baked goodness are so deliciously, delightfully, undoubtedly all-American that they must go by "donuts." 11 St. Mihiel Drive, Delran, NJ 08075, lmbakery.com.
Darnel's Cakes
Discs of cheese danish and icing-smothered brioche cinnamon rolls taste that much better when you know Kyle Cuffie-Scott’s business supports AIDS and HIV relief orgs. And they tasted pretty damn good to begin with. 444 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, darnelscakes.com.
Commerical Snow + Ice
When winter hits, these guys hit back harder, even if that means clearing trickier spots the old-fashioned way with a shovel in hand. Just ask the dozens of schools, townships and businesses that trust them to get the job done. Call or see website for consultation, 00000, philadelphiasnow.com.
Majolica
When every table you pass in a cute little BYO on a teeny main street in suburbia features diners ignoring the cheese tray and attacking plates of grilled octopus ... well, you know it must be some swell octopus. And it is. 258 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460, majolicarestaurant.com.
Roti Canai at Penang
Every meal everywhere should start with the impossibly thin, crisp Malaysian flatbread and creamy curry sauce from this Chinatown staple. Like heroin or the music of Neil Diamond, try it once and you'll never get it out of your head. 117 North 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, .
The Indie Shelf
This itty-bitty, very pretty boutique is packed with must-haves you won’t find at big-box shops, all by indie, often international beauty brands. Bonus points for legitimacy: Owner Sabeen Zia is a cosmetic chemist by trade. 2247 Grays Ferry Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19146, Theindieshelf.com.
PackagePost
Though still very much in start-up mode, PackagePost connects you with a nearby business that will keep boxes safe while you’re not home. Don’t yet see your ’hood in their area of service? Make a request via their website. mypackagepost.com.
Race Street Pier
All the Rittenhouse stoners must have gotten the message and headed east, because it seems like every time we visit this Delaware River pier, someone is sparking up. Not bad scenery, either; just don’t fall in the water. Race Street and North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106, delawareriverwaterfront.com/places/race-street-pier.
The Spicy Belly
Jamaican food and Korean food, two cuisines that have no business getting in bed together, somehow made it happen in Manayunk, where Korean-style double-fried wings look right at home next to a basket of smoky, spicy jerk chicken. 3847 Terrace Street, Philadelphia, PA 19128, thespicybelly.com.