Quintessence Theatre Group
After just five years, this small repertory company has earned a reputation for creating beautiful adaptations of classic works for the modern stage, like last season's The Three Musketeers and Alice in Wonderland. In their sixth season, you'll want to see Romeo and Juliet, Saint Joan and -- for the kids -- Hansel and Gretel. (They're in residence at the Sedgwick Theater in Mount Airy.) Quintessencetheatre.org.
Butcher and Singer
The vintage vibe. Tuxedo-clad waiters, black leather booths, houndstooth carpeting. The throwback dishes. Olive-oil-and-egg-rich Caesar salads topped with fresh ground pepper, and baked Alaska for dessert. Damn fine gin martinis, shaken and poured tableside. A good steakhouse has so much more than just good steaks. (Those are good, too.) 1500 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, butcherandsinger.com.
Egan Rittenhouse
Call us gluttons, but ever since Kate Egan opened her jewelry store back in 2008, we've been aching for her to do more. Finally, she has, in the form of this three-month-old gift shop in the Rittenhouse Hotel, where she stocks elegant luxuries like French linen caftans, Pehr Designs mobiles, Alumnae sandals, and flower creations by Terrain floral designer Matthew Muscarella, all worthy ways to woo out-of-town hotel guests and locals alike. 210 West Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19102, eganrittenhouse.com.
Kanella
We've had the Cyprus breakfast, with its olive-oil-fried eggs and grilled halloumi and ham and fresh tomato salad and crusty bread. We've had the roast lamb sandwich, with its sauted spinach and dill and hunks of melting feta stuffed between two slices of that crusty bread. We've had the rice pudding, with its sprinkle of cinnamon and drizzle of orange-blossom syrup. We've had brunch at other places, too, but as far as this meal is concerned, Kanella, we only have eyes for you. 1001 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, kanellarestaurant.com.
Agno Grill
The Pure Fare folks struck gold again. Everything we already loved about the fast-casual sandwich-and-salad joint—fuss-free food with healthful ingredients, and calorie counts that keep our belts happy—is at its new Mediterranean sister cafe, Agno Grill. Here, we get even more options, with build-your-own salads, wraps and rice bowls and ingredients like roasted cauliflower, broccoli-fennel salad, braised radicchio and kalamata olive sauce. And the nutrition facts? They still make us smile. 2104 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, agnogrill.com.
Never Give Up Training
Yes to 100 percent customized training plans. Yes to personal training sessions with NGU owner and certified Ironman coach Ali Cook Jackson. Yes to all of that costing $60 to $150 a month. Nevergiveuptraining.com.
Home Appétit
Sick of having to plan, shop for and cook freaking dinner? Also sick of takeout? Home Appétit delivers enough precooked meals to your doorstep at the start of the week to feed your family through the weekend. No meal kits with shrink-wrapped garlic and complicated instructions, no pizza boxes — just a fridge full of food that actually tastes good. homeappetitphilly.com.
Yoga Home
Readers' Choice winner. 424 East Elm Street, Conshohocken, PA 19428, ouryogahome.com.
The Home Hero
Pete Rose (not that Pete Rose) started his business as a second career, because he really loves the work. So you get reliability, fair prices, expert craftsmanship, and a contractor whos actually responsive, even via email. Hes built his rep on things like creative baby-proofing, home theater installation, and the prettier parts of remodeling tile, lighting, fixtures and paint. Perfect for the jobs too big for you, but too small for impossible-to-nail-down G.C.s. Call or see website for consultation, 00000, thehomehero.com.
TownHome
Men: Go here, tell gift-whisperer/owner Dana Bank what you did, and she'll find you the perfect thing to make it all better. Women: Go here, tell Dana all about your fabulous girlfriend, and she'll find you the perfect thing your fabulous girlfriend didn't even know she wanted. 1616 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, townhomeonline.com.
UpHome
This breezy store feels like it could be in Provence: Pillows printed with the names of Shore towns are piled on weathered chairs the owner brings back from France; china plates are painted with watercolor crustaceans. It's a happy mash-up, filled with enough reclaimed furniture, quirky wall hangings and cool accessories to make any home feel like a vacation retreat. 233 East King Street, Suite 105, Malvern, PA 19355, uphomeltd.com.
Reconsidered Home
Natalie Rettinger scours flea markets and estate sales to keep her shop flush with low-slung couches, teak consoles, oversize lamps and anything else Mad Men-worthy. And for a $50 fee, she'll deliver to almost anywhere in the region. 29 West Jasper Street, Media, PA 19063, reconsideredhome.com.
Home Appétit
True, you can get most anything couriered to your doorstep in 2016, but meal-delivery service Home Appétit is one of the real stars of Philly's convenience economy, both because the heat-and-eat meals are unusually fresh-tasting and delicious and because ordering is so gloriously flexible. From the city and select suburbs, you can order a week's meals whenever you want (no plan required), and food arrives after work hours, when you're actually home to collect it. homeappetitphilly.com.
The Home Hero
Don't listen to your mother-in-law -- that gorgeous floating staircase, small balcony and Noguchi table can be kid-friendly. Just ask the legions of Center City moms who swear by Home Hero owner Peter Rose's bevy of inventive, non-permanent tricks. thehomehero.com.
Holistic Home
In 2010, Ginger Kuczowicz, an accountant by trade, and Mark Swoboda, her bioengineer business partner, decided to make their own cleaning supplies, eschewing harsh chemicals for effective non-toxics like baking soda, vinegar, salt, grated soap and essential oils and then started offering housecleaning services with their products. You can also check out their new store, Soap Box, stocked with their products. 616 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, myholistichome.com.