9th Street Bottle Shop
Buying wine (or any alcohol, really) in Pennsylvania is generally a pain in the butt. The Di Bruno Bros. Bottle Shop in the center of the Italian Market sweetens the deal with a curated selection at a range of price points, all of which can be opened and glugged across the street in DBB’s sunny piazza. Bring takeout from any of the surrounding restaurants, or grab some chips and tinned fish from Di Bruno’s shelves. 920 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, dibruno.com/9th-street-bottle-shop.
Brooklyn Bowl
Because why wouldn’t we want our bowling with a side of live music — not to mention fried chicken and boozy milkshakes? This month, look for the Adult Swim Festival Block Party with RJD2 and Hop Along, but keep your eyes open for weekend matinees for the whole family with the Rock and Roll Playhouse, which specializes in kids’ shows featuring music you’ll enjoy as well, like Bob Marley and David Bowie. 1009 Canal Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, brooklynbowl.com/philadelphia.
The Pathfinder Hemp & Root
This new Philly-born N/A spirit is made with fermented-then-distilled hemp (sans cannabinoids) and infused with botanicals. On its own, it kind of tastes like a can of root beer picked you a bouquet of flowers — which is to say, a little sweet, floral and surprising. Drink it like an amaro by itself, or mix about two ounces with lemon juice and seltzer for a very good N/A spritz. And if you’d rather have a bartender make a great cocktail for you, the Volstead in Manayunk is this year’s best zero-proof bar. drinkthepathfinder.com.
Dumpster Juice Vermut
During the pandemic, Bloomsday Cafe’s Zach Morris and Tim Kweeder started selling their own small-batch fortified wine through the state’s since-repealed to-go cocktail laws. They flavored their vermouth with seasonally varied botanicals; sold it in bottles, pouches, cans, whatever; and dubbed it “Dumpster Juice,” the most Philly name anything has ever had. The resulting quaff makes a transcendent manhattan, is delightful served neat, and, as of batch No. 7, is now official with the PLCB. 414 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, instagram.com/dumpsterjuicevermut.
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.
Kenyatta Johnson
It’s hard to stay a fan of the once-admired City Councilmember as he continues to battle federal bribery charges alongside his wife, consultant Dawn Chavous. A mistrial only left us with more questions than answers, and taxpayers now have to endure a retrial in the fall. If there was ever a time to reconsider your vote in the 2nd District next year, this might be it.
Crisp Chik'n
So you’ve been boycotting Chick-fil-A for God knows how long, but you’re really craving one of those fried chicken sandwiches and some waffle fries. You need to get to know this Delco spot that’s just over a year old. The food is strikingly similar to Chick-fil-A’s, but better. 27 North Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA 19050, crispchikn.com.
Jamal Johnson
Nobody can question Johnson’s steadfast commitment to demanding change when it comes to gun violence. The Marine-turned-activist has staged a hunger strike, marched to Washington, and put his life and body on the line to urge the city to reverse its lackluster response to an epidemic that’s continuing to devastate. If “no-B.S.” was in the dictionary, Johnson and his unapologetic advocacy would be pictured there.
Tyrese Maxey
Post-game press conferences are where original quotations go to die. Not so with Maxey. In January, the point guard showed up after a victory and started singing the Sixers fight song. Then, when the soporific sportswriter hive failed to react, he asked them: “Why y’all always so serious?” That joyful spontaneity is what makes Maxey such a compelling player on the court, too — and why we’re starting to think he’ll have plenty more singing opportunities in years to come. Clap your hands, everybody …
Salam Cafe
Salam Cafe in Germantown / Photograph by Michael Persico You’d never know this tiny, super-casual restaurant in a residential neighborhood was here. But now you do, and it’s worth the trip. If you’re only having one dish, go for the luscious beef or chicken stew, with lots of injera to soak up the spicy juices. Better yet: Assemble a crew of friends and order everything on the menu, which isn’t all that hard to do, since there are usually only a half-dozen or so entrée options. Call ahead and find out when the next buna — an Ethiopian coffee-roasting ceremony — is scheduled. 5532 Greene Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144, instagram.com/SalamCafePhl.
Madison K Cookies
Sure, you can walk into this cute neon-lit NoLibs confectionery for ready-to-go candy, cupcakes and treats of all kinds. But where else can you get cookies featuring your favorite sitcom, your dog’s face or even your own face? Madison K is armed with icing and up to the challenge. 800 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, madisonkcookies.com.
SEPTA Becoming "Metro"
Sure, SEPTA’s stations are about as navigable as an M.C. Escher staircase. And sure, people are still getting trapped inside those stations, running into metal gates where there should be exits. But next time you get lost or stranded, take a deep breath and remember: You’re not stranded in SEPTA. You’re stranded in the Metro. Don’t you feel better already?
Carmen Miskel
Some of us spent the pandemic honing our talents; others spent it learning the best times to access the state liquor-store website to place booze orders. (Hey, it’s a skill, too!) Miskel falls into the former category. After the New York Times announced an art contest — theme: “Coming of Age in 2021” — the teen from Bryn Mawr submitted a striking cartoon panel about loneliness during COVID that was one of just 25 winners selected from more than 4,000 submissions.
The Washington Avenue Redesign Drama
A three-act tale of Philadelphia government dysfunction: 1) City spends years researching bike-and-pedestrian-friendly redesign ideas for Washington Avenue. 2) City announces a “final design decision” (three lanes) preferred by a majority of community members, only to abandon it for a more car-centric version (a mix of three, four and five lanes). 3) City can’t even implement the revised plan because Kenyatta Johnson (see: Best Reason to Vote in the 2nd District) has unilateral veto power thanks to councilmanic prerogative, which means the portion of the road passing through his district will likely remain the same as it ever was — five lanes. Can we at least agree to fix the potholes?
Mehmet Oz's Campaign-Form Oops
Oh, sure, it’s easy to doubt the Republican senatorial candidate’s bona fides about his Pennsylvania residency when his social media accounts seem to indicate he’s still living in Jersey. But hey, he bought a house in Montco, didn’t he? He’s only staying with his in-laws in Bryn Athyn while the new house gets redone! The whole convoluted situation only got more dubious when Insider reported in June that the good doctor misspelled the name of the Montco town where he supposedly lives — on his declaration of candidacy form for the Federal Elections Commission. Yo dude! It’s H-U-N-T-I-N-G-D-O-N Valley, not H-U-N-T-I-N-G-T-O-N Valley. We bet you order Swiss on your cheesesteaks, too.