Neighborhood Ramen
Lines out the door, graffiti on the walls, hip-hop on the playlist, and some of the most inspired ramen and gyoza you’ll find anywhere. Rumor is they don’t let you take leftovers. Who knows if it’s true? We’ve never had to ask. 617 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, neighborhoodramen.com/.
Philly Chef Conference
Every year, this event — dreamed up and organized by Michael Traud of Drexel’s Center for Food & Hospitality Management — pulls in some of the biggest names in food and food media in the world. And that only means good things for Philly’s food scene. 101 North 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, phillychefconference.com.
The Crème Brûlée Waffle at Avenue Kitchen
When you need energy to power you through your morning, you get eggs. When you’re staring down an obligation-free Sunday, you order this Belgian waffle, which comes with vanilla bean cream and a shell of caramelized sugar that cracks when you tap it with your fork. 509 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342, avekitchen.com.
Norman Porter
The jeans that come from this small Kensington company are of the thickest Japanese and American selvage denim, with hand-hammered rivets, custom stitching, house-embossed leather patches, and cuts that can be tailored to you. Make an appointment to visit the studio; you'll never go back to Levi's again. 150 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Studio 301, Philadelphia, PA 19122, normanporter.com.
Ben & Irv's
Family history (60 years of it, in fact) is what makes the food that comes from the kitchen so heartfelt. Just scan the options for anything that has the excellent pastrami, corned beef or smoked fish on it, and you'll leave with a big smile on your punim. 1962 Country Lane Road, Huntington Valley, PA 19006, benandirvs.com/.
Bonnie's Capistrano
The kind of bar where when you put down five bucks and say, "Lager, please," you won't have some squirrelly hipster asking, "The Sly Fox, the Sixpoint, or the new one made with goat sweat and sriracha?" Plus: You'll get $2 in change when your Yuengling is delivered. 1503 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, .
Shuffleboard at the Ivy Inn
Yeah, we know what you're thinking: Philly Mag's endorsing shuffleboard?! But hey, it's harder than it looks. And you meet some of the nicest neighborhood people playing it. Get in a game at Ivy Inn, where the best players including the state champ hang out. 37 Brookline Boulevard, Havertown, PA 19083, ivyinn.org/.
Exhumed Films
Bloodcurdling screams! Satanic slashers! Cellar-dwelling one-eyed torture beasts! It could only mean one thing: Exhumed Films' monthly double (sometimes triple) feature of some of the best and worst -horror films ever made. International House, 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, exhumedfilms.com/.
Art Star Gallery and Boutique
Go because you love the non-brand-name charm, because shopping here gives you instant street-style cred, and because you want your friends to come here when it's time to buy gifts for you. 623 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, artstarphilly.com/.
Blackfish
Chef Chip Roman has done more than just open a couple of restaurants Blackfish is extraordinary, and Mica shows great promise. What's more: he and Mica partner Jason Cichonski have brought culinary hope to the many diners living in areas overlooked by Starr, Garces, Vetri and Billy Penn. 119 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA 19428, blackfishrestaurant.com/.
Main Line School Night
Because isn't it time you took up tai chi? Or finally got around to studying Russian literature? Or added some heirloom vegetable recipes to your kitchen repertoire? Here, you can do any of the above for as little as $15 a class. 60 Gulph Creek Road, Radnor, PA 19087, mainlineschoolnight.org/.
Settlement Music School
Sure, some of the schools grads go on to Juilliard and Curtis, but for instructors like Soviet-born Dolly Krasnopolsky, it doesnt matter if youre better at practicing Chopsticks than Chopin. The 24-year Settlement vet takes (and loves) all kinds. See website for locations, 00000, smsmusic.org.
Morgan's Pier
Finally, someone has taken the guido out of Delaware Avenue. Grab a few drinks in the beer garden, and then open-air-dance the night away with some of the city's best DJs. This place is the best thing to happen to Philadelphia's waterfront since ? well ? since IKEA? 221 North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19123, morganspier.com/.
Menagerie
Much of the outfit-making jewelry at this year-old shop is of owner Kate Lawson's own design; some of it is from boutique names like Coralia Leets; all of it will end up either in your shopping bag or on your wish list. Eagle Village Shops, 503 West Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, ajeweledmenagerie.com/.
La Cucina at the Market
Anna Maria Florio's intimate classes on basics like yummy from-scratch pasta and flawless fish dishes mean you'll have more than just Hot Pockets in your repertoire next time the in-laws come to dinner. Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107, lacucinaatthemarket.com/.