Women’s Wellness Spaces
Philly’s female-health-focused wellness spaces are absolutely popping off. In Rittenhouse, VSPOT Medi Spa (vspotmedispa.com) focuses on intimate treatments for women, from a golden vagina facial to orgasm injections — as well as open conversations on issues like incontinence. Contour Body Studio (contourbodystudio.com) in Kensington offers V-steams, body contouring, and simple cosmetic services like teeth whitening. And in King of Prussia, Main Line Health (mainlinehealth.org) opened a $64 million medical center with Axia Women’s Health (axiawh.com) in March with six floors of primary care, ob-gyn services, cardiology, and behavioral health offerings, all focused on women — plus a cafe, an apothecary-style boutique, a space for yoga classes, and an under-construction rooftop farm.
The People Who Looked Out for Our Health
Whether they’re helping patients who are sick or homing in on a vaccine, let’s hear it for the scientists. Read the full write up here. phillymag.com/news/2020/07/16/scientists-frontline-heroes-coronavirus-vaccine.
Insomnia Cookies
Freezer empty? Order a pint of ice cream (or a quart, no judgment) and some fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies from Insomnia, and get your (homemade) Chipwich on. Multiple locations, insomniacookies.com.
Cafe Clover
Cafe Clover’s taiyaki cone. Photograph by Stuart Goldenberg This Korean sweets/scoop shop is the only place in the region making taiyaki cones — fish-shaped, waffle-like baked shells that hold scoops of gelato in flavors like Oreo, Thai coconut and green tea. 1333 West Cheltenham Avenue, #103, Elkins Park, PA 19027, .
The Common
The Common’s burger. Photograph by Stuart Goldenberg The Common’s double-patty burger has the same spirit as a McDonald’s Double Quarter Pounder with cheese, but it’s made with local beef, Cooper Sharp, and a “spicy fancy sauce” to bring it all home. 3601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, thecommonphl.com.
J & J Motors
It’s not unusual to see a Porsche or Ferrari or Maserati on the lift at this shop, where they specialize in European models—but customers nevertheless rave about the unpretentious down-home service, surprisingly reasonable prices and spot-on estimates. 1111 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, jandjmotors.com.
Relentless Fitness
Dont get too attached to the gym here. In nice weather, trainer Roger Dickerman takes his sessions outdoors, which means everythingcurbs, benches, the sidewalkis fair game for banging out some reps. 249 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, relentless-fitness.com.
The Corner
There are some dandy deals to be found in this city between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. But dropping a Hamilton on a plate of fried oysters and a glass of Stanford Brut while relishing the rarefied air of the Corner's elevated terrace is our favorite. 102 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, thephillycorner.com.
Pocono Modern
If one-of-a-kind pieces are more your leaning, Pocono Modern's furniture has ski-lodge leanings and clean lines, and is made from some of the prettiest woods we've ever seen. 1550 State Route 903, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229, poconomodern.com.
Harvey Oak Mercantile
At this cool-girl boutique, you can pick up birthstone earrings by Cat Horn — who works out of her nearby home — or hand-etched brass zodiac necklaces made by Wallingford’s Stone Harvest Jewelry. 102 Park Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081, harveyoak.com.
Monnalisa
The KOP outpost of this Italian brand offers bright, playful, high fashion for boys and girls as well as some mommy-and-me outfits — if that’s your thing. Beyoncé, Gisele and Madonna are fans. 160 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406, monnalisa.eu/en/monnalisa-philadelphia.
Mai Tai at the Yachtsman
Because a mai tai, done properly, is always going to be the best cocktail of any summer. And until this one came along, nobody around here was doing mai tais in a way that even approached "properly." 1444 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, .
Sherman Brothers
Brothers have been in the shoe biz since 1953, and it shows: Their solid selection (Red Wing, Cole Haan, Wolverine, Alden), frequent sales and helpful staff turn casual shoppers into regulars. Call or see website for locations, 00000, shermanbrothers.com.
The Little Apple
The Paddywax candles and locally made jewelry here are easy crowd-pleasers, but it's the one-of-a-kind vintage home goods that will score you an invite to the next soiree. The one after that is up to you. 4353 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127, thelittleapplestore.com.
Go Fox
The perfect solution for anyone too busy, important, lazy, fancy, rich or cool to wait in line anywhere. And honestly, who doesn't fit into one of those categories at some point? Call or see website for consultation, 00000, gofoxonline.com.