Pho Saigon
With immaculate herbs, terrific shrimp with sugar cane, and a dynamite bun bo hue that proves pho isn't the only noodle soup in the Vietnamese arsenal, it's no wonder this newcomer keeps drawing converts to a Columbus Avenue strip mall. 1100 South Columbus Boulevard, #22, Philadelphia, PA 19147, .
MasterJays Roller-Skating Dance Class
Doesn't matter if the last time you strapped on skates you had a comb in the back pocket of your -Sergios this rollicking, glutes-firming $12 class helps you recapture the time when you actually wanted to draw attention to your butt. 1807 Chestnut Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, masterjaymoves.com.
Philly Art Center
The dual outposts of Philly Art Center are best known for their awesome kids' classes, but the beginner art classes for grown-ups -- seven-week sessions that average eight to 12 students -- offer the same pressure-free, joyful artistic release that the kids enjoy, with instructors who will actually elevate your skill level. Go for drawing, pottery, painting, collaging and more. Two locations, phillyartcenter.com.
Gabriella's Vietnam
If you want to brag about what makes our city’s dining scene so juicy in a single restaurant experience, take an out-of-town pal to this family-run Vietnamese spot. What with drinking BYO chilled wine on the summer sidewalk, a calm but cool South Philly neighborhood scene, and some of the greatest vermicelli platters and sizzling catfish you’ll eat during your years on Planet Earth, Gabriella’s Vietnam makes us feel luckier to live in Philly every time we visit. 1837 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, gabriellasvietnam.com.
Boots Ennis
You’re forgiven if you haven’t heard of Jaron “Boots” Ennis. Boxing, even in a storied pugilist town like ours, isn’t the draw it once was. But Germantown’s Ennis, one of the sport’s brightest rising stars, is pressing the issue. The welterweight is 30-0 — including 27 knockouts — and eagerly awaiting his chance for the title, which will depend on the result of Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr.’s late-July fight. Now, whether the winner will agree to climb into the ring with Boots is another matter.
Bernie Robbins Jewelers
It’s only fitting that the Year of the Wedding have a worthy engagement ring. Now celebrating its 60th anniversary, this jeweler is home to a ring so stunning that it may draw attention away from your partner walking down the aisle. A nearly five-carat center diamond from the namesake collection is accented by colorless step-cut trapezoid diamonds on either side and set in a handmade platinum mounting. To have and to hold, indeed. Multiple locations, bernierobbins.com.
Townsends Inlet, Sea Isle
Some of the Shore's best surf-fishing is at Townsends Inlet on the southern tip of Sea Isle, where you'll find plenty of good-sized stripers and flounder. Because this is saltwater fishing, you don't need a license and you can actually eat what you catch, though you'll have to draw straws to see who gets to do the cleaning. See website for tackle shops, 00000, hookandbullet.com/fishing-townsends-inlet-avalon-nj.
Amis
Looking for the new restaurant at which to proclaim your status as a Very Important Philadelphian? Goodbye, burger-and-martini lunch overlooking Rittenhouse Square, and hello, table-hopping at Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamin's trattoria. Of course the food is good, but it's watching bigwigs work the room while nibbling on Sal's meatballs that would be Sal Vetri, the chef's father that's the real draw. 412 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, amisphilly.com.
Dyann at Oscar's Tavern
How you know you've got the best dive-bar waitress in Philly: She lets you text her to reserve a table for five for the always-crowded Friday happy hour. And then when your sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th friends show up, she just hugs them and brings you shots of Jameson to celebrate. 1524 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, .
Jennifer Zavala Catering
Top Chef alum Jennifer Zavala will come to your house and cook a delicious medical-grade-marijuana-infused meal for you and your friends, something she does regularly for those who are sick. The food is delicious, and Zavala – of illegal South Philly tamale-truck fame (Google it) – is as entertaining as the drugs themselves. Email for more info.
Dejanaya Spicer
What began as swirly stress relief has become a creative career for this West Philly artist. Her emotional pieces have simple silhouettes drawn in colored lines and squiggles that never touch yet all come together cohesively. Her preferred drawing instrument? The Sharpie. “You can see those perfect details, the shape of the body, the curve of the hair,” says Spicer, who’s also a full-time photographer. Her first exhibit is via Fitler Club’s artist-in-residence program; those of us who aren’t members can browse her work online. lovesickartgallery.com.
The Fillmore
When we heard that someone was converting a former World War II munitions factory in Fishtown into a 2,500-person music venue, we pictured a drab, soulless cavern (cough, Electric Factory). Thank God we were wrong. The concert hall is sleek, the bars are well staffed (never miss three songs while waiting for a drink again!), and the sight lines are so good, you won't find a bad seat in the house. It's the all-grown-up-yet-totally-cool venue we've been waiting for. 29 East Allen Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, thefillmorephilly.com.
Pizzeria Stella
Such a simple thing just a handful of little shrimp, scraps of guanciale, ragged bits of tomato, some chilies and a few loops of calamarata pasta. And yet to sit down before this bowl and take a bite is to understand the true meaning of what it is to cook and serve pasta. 2nd and Lombard Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19147, pizzeriastella.net.
The Shop on Girard
Trigger warning to those over 35: “Vintage” today means Backstreet Boys concert tees, Starter jackets and high-top Jordan 1s. If this makes you feel old, shop here anyway, if only because they play Goonies on a VCR. 316 East Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, .
SuitShop
There’s nothing more anxiety-inducing than walking into the average suit store and feeling like you’re standing trial before a court of stuffy, three-piece-wearing macho men. Not here, where the looks are size- and gender-inclusive and, now, sustainable. The eco-stretch fabric is made of nearly 40 percent recycled materials — that’s about 25 plastic bottles in each suit! Book a one-on-one fitting with your choice of stylist (they’re all chill people like yourself) to try one on. 65 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, suitshop.com.