Note to Self
The vision behind Note to Self — the women-owned mini spa that opened in November? Slowing down with your wellness. That’s why there’s a menu of restorative services (relaxing massages, nurturing facials, acupuncture, an energy-healing experience) plus beauty services from waxing to makeup sessions. You’ll come in for one treatment, then add on another and another and another until before you know it, you’ve passed the whole day in pure bliss. 1401 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19122, notetoselfwellness.com.
The Lunch Lady Sloppy Joe at Marple Public House
School cafeterias and Manwich gave sloppy joes a bad name. The fact is, a good sloppy joe is pretty close to comfort-food heaven, so we were delighted to find one on the menu at Broomall’s very first bar, which just opened last summer after the township voted to dump its dry status. The house-made pickles and grilled potato bun take this sandwich up a notch. Note: It’s not on the regular menu. You have to ask for it by name. 31 North Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 19008, marple.pub.
Babette Josephs vs. Gregg Kravitz
State Rep Josephs accused her primary challenger, Kravitz, of only pretending to be bisexual so he could pick up some, uh, swing votes. "I outed him as a straight person," she boasted, forcing Kravitz to insist on his bi bona fides. The twist on "Don't ask, don't tell" (nobody asked, nobody cared) drew bipartisan mixed reactions, with Philadelphia Gay News publisher Mark Segal noting, "We've hit a new high point when candidates are accused of pretending to be gay to win a seat." Whatever Josephs crushed Kravitz in the primary. 00000,
ToBox
Take your dull, beat-up shoes, bags, belts and briefcases to his men's footwear shop, and they'll restore and repaint the leather by hand. Note: They do briefcases and belts, too. 25 South 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, facebook.com/Toboxshoes.
Kramer Drive
There are elegant calligraphy notes for your bestie, camp correspondence sets for your kid, and cards that’ll just make you LOL. (“Oh for fox sake!”) Plus, for your activist teen, a “Write a Letter to the White House” kit. 575 Lancaster Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312, kramerdrive.com.
Bloomsday
It’s a pretty all-day cafe and coffee shop. But it’s also a wine bar and bottle shop where noted Wine Guys Tim Kweeder and Zach Morris prove — with their natural selections — that wine doesn’t have to be fusty or fussy. 414 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bloomsdaycafe.com.
The Monster Minders
Whether your pup needs an hour of leaping and bounding or just a 20-minute potty break and lap around the block, the Minders have you covered. Feeding, fresh water, and a note to mom and dad about the days activities included. 916 League Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, themonsterminders.com.
The Shop at Puttyworld
Goo, slime and putty obsessives, take note: At this new shop, you can mix up custom putties, play with giant blobs of neon yellow and cotton-candy-scented glop, and occasionally get a glimpse of inventor “Crazy Aaron” Muderick. 700 East Main Street, Norristown, PA 19401, puttyworld.com.
The Velvet Lily
If Condom Kingdom is Walmart, The Velvet Lily is Bergdorf's. (Note: All purchases come packaged in discreet black bags, so you can buy-for, you know, your "friend"-without letting your freak flag fly on the way home.) 1040 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, thevelvetlily.com.
Calder Gardens
This $90 million indoor and outdoor exploration of the works of famed American sculptor Alexander Calder, whose grandfather created the William Penn statue that sits atop City Hall, finally opens on September 21st — note that ticketing is timed — and we couldn’t be more elated. 2100 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103, caldergardens.org.
Dr. Cycles
We know, we know: This ramshackle corner storefront doesn’t look like much. But! Pickup and delivery, plus coupons online, plus 10 percent off tune-ups for Penn and Drexel students and faculty, and—as the website notes—for anyone else who simply asks. 3601 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, doctorcycles.com.
Du Jour
With steakhouses and burger shops crowding the city's noontime dining scene, we appreciate that Du Jour has put heart and flair into this zingy veggie option, a lusty mix of brown rice, chickpeas, lentils, feta and Moroccan harissa sauce. Take note, burger kings. 379 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, dujourmarket.com.
Pretzel Melt at American Sardine Bar
Chef Dane DeMarco takes a Philly pretzel, splits it, crisps it, and stuffs it with Country Time ham, American cheese, mustard and a pickle. Even better: It’s just $5. Editor's note: This Best of Philly entry was updated March 20, 2025 to reflect Dane DeMarco's correct name. 1800 Federal Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, americansardinebar.com.
Erdon
South Jersey's mecca of boundary-pushing fashion set up shop in Old City this spring, so those who fear crossing into the Garden State can score Acne and Maison Kitsune this side of the river. (Take note: The original Marlton location is moving to the Moorestown Mall this fall.) 162 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, erdon.co.
Fond
If the note-perfect dishes and simple, spare charm of this tiny, golden South Philly BYO don't land you a second date, it really is you who's doing something wrong. But hey, at least you'll have the malted milk-chocolate ice cream with peanut brittle to console you. 1537 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, fondphilly.com.