Tinys Bottle Shop
Your go-to source for cloudy California pet-nats, wild-fermented pinot noirs and glou-glou bottles is located in a former garage in Port Richmond. We never thought we’d be writing these words either, but hey — that’s 2019 for you. 3124 Richmond Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134, lunarinn.com/tinys-bottle-shop.
Colugo Strollers
Wharton School grad, twin dad and Philly resident Ted Iobst created a genius stroller that weighs 16 pounds, folds with one hand, is well-priced, and still looks cool. Wavering? Don’t; it comes with a 100-day trial run. hicolugo.com.
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.
Spirit Forward
Hire these guys, led by the former head bartender from A.Bar, and you’ll get a top-notch staff to tend your bar, delicious handcrafted cocktails, and the sorts of details that make an impression: fresh-pressed juices, beautiful garnishes and antique barware. Cocktailsbyspiritforward.com.
Sansom Street Donut Run
The only things that could get us out of bed and exercising at 9 a.m. on the weekend? Fresh FedNuts and coffee, both of which are served after a three-mile loop through the city. The group meets at Philadelphia Runner on the first Saturday of every month. 1601 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, philadelphiarunner.com.
Sweetflag
In the age of designer weed (and loose laws), it seems only fitting that this Camden-based e-shop is turning out an artful line of rose-gold grinders, crystal pipes and opal ashtrays. Who knew lighting up could look so chic? Sweetflag.club.
Little Nonna's
A cramped alley tunnel leads to a brick-and-twinkle-light-lined patio that feels like a long-kept secret you'll want to share with your whole family over spaghetti and meatballs and a glass of red, and mussels, and cavatelli, and pork chops, and bruschetta, and cannoli, and 1234 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, littlenonnas.com.
Master Tailor and Cleaners
They'll shake their heads disapprovingly. They'll hem and haw and make no guarantees. And then you'll come back one week later and pick up your totally red wine/oil/makeup-free silk blouse or cashmere cardigan or white linen pants. 1620 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, facebook.com/pages/Master-Tailor-Cleaners/191404560944818.
Masons Mill Park
If you have to go to a family reunion, at least angle to have it hosted it here, among 76 acres of recreational and picnicking awesomeness. When you get bored, you can challenge Aunt Edna to tennis or cast a line with Uncle Ted in the fishing pond. 3500 Masons Mill Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006, .
Old City Kitchen
If even the “dinner” part of your typical"dinner and a movie" date night needs an upgrade, sign on for a chef-led class at Old City Kitchen. Start with the Pastamaking 101 class; if the date’s a hit, there’s a more advanced class you can try later. 218 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, oldcitykitchen.com.
Spin
The best part of this year-old destination isn’t the cocktails or beer list (though both are good), or the 16 Olympic-grade ping-pong tables, or the pro-led games. No, it’s that when your ball goes sailing across the room (and it will), the employees will retrieve it for you. 211 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, philadelphia.wearespin.com.
Summertime Float at Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa and Salon
By the time you're floating on a bed of warm water, you've earned it. That's because you've been exfoliated, massaged, painted with mud and wrapped in plastic as part of the spa's float therapy. Your skin (and psyche) feels reborn after the $130 hour-long treatment. 243 West Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342, josephanthony.com.
Stock
Both pho newbies and pho addicts find common ground at this shop, which uses Lancaster chicken, thin-sliced grass-fed beef and never any MSG. But its the handmade noodles and namesake stocks that have been known to turn those newbies into converts. 308 East Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, stock-philly.squarespace.com.
The Closet Works
They've been transforming unfabulous closets into socialite-worthy sanctuaries sinceãwell, since before Paris Hilton was a thing. (Remember her?) Consults are free, prices are reasonable, and the customized, detail-oriented work (from bedroom closets to garages to Murphy beds) is a neat-freak's fantasy. 104 B Park Drive, Montgomeryville, PA 18936, closetworksinc.com.
Toggery
The Philly-based, American-made online brand turns out the softest, chicest knitwear basics we've seen, from effortless tank dresses and slouchy tees to cozy leggings that just might put those ubiquitous Lululemon yoga pants to bed once and for all. Toggerybrand.com.