Ermenegildo Zegna
Their new machine-washable techmerino suits (they’re waterproof and hang dry without wrinkling) are perfect for your yacht-hopping, tequila-swilling most-interesting-man-in-the-world fantasies – or if you fall in the pool. 160 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406, zegna.us.
Bloom & Blossom
Sure, you could go to 10 different shops to curate the perfect assortment of goodies, package it up yourself, and drive to the post office to mail it. Or you could visit Jersey-based Melissa Brooks’s new online gift service, choose a themed – and super-thoughtful – gift box (baby, pre-travel, housewarming, all packaged in sweet wooden crates), and have it delivered without ever leaving your house. We’ll leave it up to you. blossomsareforever.com.
Iris Barbee Bonner
Iris Barbee Bonner’s in-your-face clothes and accessories have earned a famous fan base (Cardi B, Pink, Alicia Keys) and turned phrases like “Boss Bitch” and “Pussy Not War” into powerful fashion statements. thesepinklips.com.
UBIQ Lab
At UBIQ’s appointment-only “lab,” which opened this past winter, serious sneakerheads can design a pair of kicks in a completely custom color palette. (Deposits start at $500.) Need some inspiration? Consider taking those holy-grail Air Jordan 1’s and refinishing them in exotic crocodile or python. (Yup, they do that.) 1509 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, ubiqlife.com.
cBOP
Nope, those aren’t pint-size Comme des Garçons tees – they’re by luxe kiddie loungewear brand Noggi. And those mini Gucci-looking slides? They’re actually Hoo shoes. (The Chloé label, however, is the real deal.) cBOP is stocked with clothes so stylish that you’d covet them for your own closet if the sizes didn’t range from newborn to a children’s 6. 393 West Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041, shopcbop.com.
Fishbox
Porch pirates be damned! Fishbox is like a way more convenient version of a P.O. box, but for your packages. Pay $29 a month or $5 per package, and they’ll collect all your Amazon Prime deliveries and send texts as they arrive. Pick up within 30 days. 737 Bainbridge St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, getfishbox.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, .
Hiro’s Gates of Hell at Hiro Ramen House
You’ll sweat a little while you’re eating it, and that’s fine. Your mouth will be aflame, too, but you’ll keep going like a masochist, slurping the chewy noodles – swimming in an aromatic Berkshire pork broth slick with chili oil – until you’ve finished every last bite. Bring a light beer (it’s BYO), and make sure it’s cold. You’ll need it. 1102 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, hiroramen.com.
Tattooed Mom
Long after every other happy hour has ended, this spot revs back up with half-off drafts from 10 to 11 every night, so you can wash down a platter of 50-cent pierogi with a $3 locally brewed gose. 530 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, tattooedmomphilly.com.
El Merkury
Other than its touchscreen ordering kiosks and friendly counter service, El Merkury doesn’t look or act like your typical fast-casual restaurant. No grain bowls, no assembly lines, no smoothies. But authentic Central American street food is both fast and casual, and if pupusas and churros aren’t part of your diet at least once a week, you’re lunching all wrong. 2104 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia , PA 19103, elmerkury.com.
The Bar(n)
Sometimes you want a trendy bells-and-whistles bar (see below for that), and sometimes you want a low-key neighborhood joint with $2 draft beers, plenty of fried food, a busy pool table, and a crowd of friendly regulars who would never dream of spending their Friday night in a boozy ball pit. 4901 Catharine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143, facebook.com/TheBarn4901.
Han Dynasty
Yes, you read that right. Han Dynasty has some of the best cocktails in Philly right now thanks to Lê of Hop Sing Laundromat, who swooped in and upgraded the bar menu with a handful of new, truly inventive elixirs. You’ll have almost as much fun sipping on the green matcha and vanilla Phat Phuc as you will ordering it. 123 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, handynasty.net.
Dalessandro’s Steaks
Nominated by Megan Dugery and Gianna Leflar of Instagram’s SwagFoodPhilly 600 Wendover Street, Philadelphia, PA 19128, dalessandros.com.
Mike’s BBQ
A daytime-only BBQ spot is a tough sell in this town, mostly because this town doesn’t really take BBQ seriously. But Mike’s is dead serious about its brisket (bright pink under its heavy crust), chicken (perfectly smoky) and spare ribs (as sweet as candy). 1703 South 11th Street, Philadelphia , PA 19148, mikesbbqphilly.com.
Broad Street Run
Nominated by Cecily Tynan, meteorologist at 6 ABC broadstreetrun.com.