Bistrot La Minette
Vive la charming private back room big enough for you and 19 of your closest friends! The $45-per-person family-style French meal is perfect for those who've finally come to appreciate the classy charms of wine over Jager, leather over vinyl and gteau l'opra over Fudgie the Whale. 623 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bistrotlaminette.com.
Fork
When you see the private room so prettily set, when your guests get to make their choices from the three-course menu you handpicked, when the servers keep the wine a-flowing, when the Madagascar chocolate cake (with peanut nougatina) comes, and when you finally get the bill (just $20 a head?), you'll be so glad you threw that luncheon here. 306 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, forkrestaurant.com.
Lisa Korn, Saks Fifth Avenue
Sixteen years at Saks and eight before that at Nan Duskin and Lisa Korn is still as fashion-obsessed as ever. The secret to her coveted status as one of the 5th Avenue Club's top sellers? Could be her elite buying access to every designer out there (even ones the Bala Cynwyd Saks doesn't carry). Could be that when it comes to that Oscar ball gown you just have to have, she'll be absolutely relentless until you're in it. 2 Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, saksfifthavenue.com.
Ps and Qs
Guys can like candles when they come in Ps & Qss woodsy scents, with notes of oak moss and birch tar. Also on tap at this distinctly modern hip-dude outlet are Herschel Supply Co. bags, manly Juniper Ridge pine-scented soap, Penfield caps, and art and photography books. Bonus: Gift-wrapping is free. 820 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, psandqs.com.
Anthony Guerrera at 02 Skincare Lounge
Fellas, here's the thing: The days when your gender was exempt from skin care are looong gone. Visit aesthetician Anthony Guerrera, who understands where you're coming from microdermabrasion sounds scary, but it doesn't hurt; extractions are a must; quality product is essential and will soothe and refresh your skin without breaking your bank. (Seriously, his almost constant discounts make a facial cheaper than a fill-up.) 1735 Chestnut St, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102, skincareloungespa.com.
Chantecaille at Neiman Marcus
Not only would we happily sweep every single product off the Chantecaille counter and into our handbag if we could; we would also go see product specialist and makeup artist Dionne DiLullo every time we had somewhere special to go, just so she could give us that signature smoky eye that keeps clients coming back again and again. The Plaza at King of Prussia, 170 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406, chantecaille.com.
Intimacy
It's beautiful stuff, sure but that you will, probably for the first time in your entire adult female life, actually be wearing the correct size of beautiful stuff when you come out of this friendly little boutique is why you should go now for a mental and literal pick-me-up. An Oprah moment aha! is almost guaranteed. King of Prussia Mall, 160 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406, myintimacy.com.
IndeBlue
A couple of years ago, Tiffin raised the bar for Indian food in Philadelphia. Its longtime chef, Rakesh Ramola, has jumped ship and opened this astoundingly good BYO just five minutes over the bridge raising the bar even higher. The decor and service could both use work, but with such stellar plates coming from the kitchen, it barely matters. Our favorites: the several varieties of naan, tandoor-cooked meats and lamb chops, and all of the vindaloos, with the kheer or halvah for dessert. 619 Collings Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08107, indebluerestaurant.com.
Talula's Garden
A carefully curated menu with both local and exotic cheeses whittled into bites so twee, so perfectly paired, they could come only from Aimee Olexy. Though opinions are still being formed as to the excellence and survivability of the new Starr/Olexy collaboration (see this month's review on page 184 for our take), there's no question that Talula's Garden is currently slinging the best cheese in town. 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106, talulasgarden.com.
Pickle Fried Chicken Sandwich at Tattooed Mom
The pickle fried chicken at Tattooed Mom’s / Photograph by Michael Persico You go to Tattooed Mom for bright, boozy drinks and the come-exactly-as-you-are vibe — not necessarily expecting great food. But that’s where you’re wrong. The pickle fried chicken is brined, double-fried, and stuffed into a sweet potato brioche bun along with house-made fried dill pickles and Crystal hot sauce mayo. There’s an equally standout vegan version, too. Either makes for a surprise when you realize this is one of the best sandwiches in the city. 530 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, tattooedmomphilly.com.
Jamal Johnson
Nobody can question Johnson’s steadfast commitment to demanding change when it comes to gun violence. The Marine-turned-activist has staged a hunger strike, marched to Washington, and put his life and body on the line to urge the city to reverse its lackluster response to an epidemic that’s continuing to devastate. If “no-B.S.” was in the dictionary, Johnson and his unapologetic advocacy would be pictured there.
Next In Line Comedy
If you want to see the best up-and-coming local comedians paired with out-of-town jokesters who’ve appeared on Comedy Central, Netflix and HBO, look no further than this collective, which stages its shows at chill venues like Franky Bradley’s and Tattooed Mom each month — all for $20, with no drink minimum. A nice change of pace from places like Helium. instagram.com/nextinlinecomedy.
Perla Lara, Editor-in-Chief of <em>Impacto</em>
Perla Lara, editor in chief of Impacto. Photograph by Colin Lenton Lara is producing the best community journalism around right now, with a keen eye into the Latinx community. While we’ve come to expect diverse media from the likes of WURD, the Tribune and Al Día, this media leader offers a timely and promising alternative. Notably, she’s working with staff from the Caribbean, South America, and the Greater Philadelphia area to cover Latinx issues more holistically. impactomedia.com.
The Breakfast Den
Ditch your usual BEC for one with house-made pickles, herbs and eggplant pâté on a baguette, a.k.a. a banh mi op la. Come back again and again to this homey spot showcasing American Vietnamese breakfast comfort food, for the chao ga (a rice porridge dish with a poached egg, bits of crispy chicken skin and fresh herbs), Momma’s egg rolls, and Caphe Roasters Vietnamese coffees. 1500 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, thebreakfastden.com.
Trace Shop
Come for the cool wares — like cement-and-geode planters or Lord Jones CBD — but stay for the pillar of Marny Baxt’s business: the art. The former talent management exec dreamed up Trace after the passing of both of her parents, when she was faced with sorting through their personal art collection. Baxt wants to connect the community with creatives and make it easy to obtain and custom-frame one-of-a-kind works. 80 Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore, PA 19003, thetraceshop.com.