Philly Style Bagels
Just when you thought this bagel boutique couldn’t top that esteemed lox sandwich, they nonchalantly roll out this beaut, an amped-up tuna salad (it’s silky, but also hearty enough to hold up to their chewy rounds) that comes with just tomato and lettuce. Get it on an everything, please. 1451 East Columbia Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, phillystylebagels.com/.
Meister's Barbershop
This handsome addition to East Passyunk is everything it needs to be and nothing it doesn't: a smartly designed space, a simple first-come, first-served system, and four chairs where owner Rob Baumiester and his team will deliver the finest fade you've ever received. 1810 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, meistersbarbershop.com.
Gruyere Popover and Foie Gras Soup at Sbraga
Okay, so they're not free, exactly ... but this luscious amuse-bouche combo that comes with every prix-fixe menu at Kevin Sbraga's eponymous flagship is the course we look forward to most. And given how amazing those prix-fixe menus are, that's saying a lot. 440 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, sbragadining.com/.
Exact Solar
The experts at this trusted Yardley company will come to your house to determine what type of panel suits it best water-heating, electricity-generating or even pool-warming and then handle everything from permits to install to rebates. All you have to do is congratulate yourself: Your carbon footprint is now just a carbon toe. 1655 Fairfield Road, Yardley, PA 19067, exactsolar.com/.
Gold Million Records
This nifty shop is an homage to vinyl, and a must-stop for diehard collectors, come-lately hipsters, and anyone looking for a present (bowls and clocks made from old albums) for a record fan. Or just a place to show the kids what the world was like before iTunes. 851 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, goldmillionrecords.com/.
Brauhaus Schmitz
This house-made ber-pretzel is served with salted radishes and mustard, but we recommend you ditch all that and dip it in Brauhaus's parsley-chive-and-dill-flecked butter (it comes with bread service, but if you ask for it with the pretzel, they'll accommodate you) instead. 718 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, brauhausschmitz.com.
Styer's Garden Cafe
Now that Terrain's greenhouse cafe has expanded to a patio and dinner four nights a week, and Supper alum Keith Rudolf as executive chef we couldn't be more excited to put our fannies in the Fermob folding chairs, uncork the BYO riesling, and order one of everything (two, when it comes to the cheese plates). 914 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342, shopterrain.com/glen-mills-restaurant.
Ting Wong
Its fast, its cheap, its small (so plan your visits accordingly), but it also has several dishes that are the best versions in Chinatown namely the shrimp dumplings (in any soup theyre served in), the roast duck (which, conveniently, also comes in a soup with the aforementioned dumplings), and the congee. 138 North 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, phillychinatown.com/tingwong.htm.
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.
Thunderdogz
Michelle MeGill of Thunderdogz. Photograph by Jeff Fusco We’d be lying if we didn’t say part of the reason we love this company is because we love saying THUNDERDOGZ over and over. But owner Michelle MeGill’s positive reinforcement style is what really keeps us coming back. trainwiththunderdogz.com/.
Cadence Cycling & Multisport Center
Opt for the “Overhaul” if your two-wheeler needs new life, or simply ask for a brake adjustment: The staff at this longtime local fave will give you their best work no matter what. (You’ll probably wind up coming back for a fitting or indoor spinning class, too.) 5000 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128, cadencecycling.com/.
Mariel Freeman
A skilled yogi in her own right, Freeman is the mentor behind other top Philly yoga instructors who have come through her Queen Village studio. She’s down-to-earth, and her myofascial release technique will teach you how to use a tennis ball like you never have before. 410 Monroe St, Philadelphia, PA 19125, threequeensyoga.com/mariel.
You Should Be Running programs by Goalsfit
People actually pray for thunder to get out of the timed intervals at Kasey Manwaring’s Roxborough High School track workouts. But there’s a reason they keep coming back: The Boston Marathoner’s training programs make experienced runners faster and help first-timers finish major races. 4450 Main St, Philadelphia, PA 19128, goalsfit.com/running/.
Fort Mifflin
Yes, it’s the only Revolutionary War-era fort in the city, and yes, you can actually camp out here overnight, but the big draw is that this tiny slice of land along the Delaware River is literally next to the airport, and there’s no better place to watch big jetliners come in for landings. 1 Fort Mifflin Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19153, fortmifflin.us/.
Kirna Zabête
Come for the Gucci frocks, Marc Jacobs blouses and Saint Laurent jackets; stay for the tucked-away accessory room and endless outfit inspiration, courtesy of the shop’s trendy staffers. So cool, you’ll think you’re in SoHo. 915 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, kirnazabete.com/.