La Peg
In a year when French restaurants seemed to be staging something of a comeback in Philly, what did Peter Woolsey, one of the city's best-known traditional French chefs, do? He napalmed the entire menu at his Fringe Arts French restaurant, La Peg, and rebuilt it from scratch as a straight regional American menu — one he executes with French techniques that launch pedestrian dishes (fried cheese, pot roast, clam chowder) to new, previously impossible heights. 140 North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106, lapegbrasserie.com.
Premier Nightclub
Leave it to the Borgata to go all-out with its new club, which opened in April: World-class DJs like Lil John, DJ Ruckus and Steve Aoki; lots of fog, lasers and other lighting effects; and, of course, no shortage of gals in spindly stilettos and bandage dresses and guys in second-skin tees combine for a fittingly debauched night in A.C. 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, premierborgata.com.
Tildie’s Toy Box
Satisfy brainy tots—and their helicopter parents—at this Penn-grad-owned toy shop, which skips Disney and Marvel paraphernalia in favor of a clever, gender-neutral assortment of games, toys and puzzles. 1829 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, tildiestoybox.com.
The Craftery Market
You probably know the Craftery from its popular workshops, but if you happen to be of the buying rather than DIY-ing camp, check out their new seasonal market housed inside a rustic barn. (The next one is slated for the fall.) The $5 entry will get you access to handmade goods, fresh flowers, vintage finds, live music, and wine from local vineyards. 123 North Main Street, Suite 256B, Dublin, PA 18917, thecrafterypa.com.
ToBox
This men’s shoe mecca has always had a killer selection of high-end kicks, but, now, after moving to a new 3,000-square-foot outpost, it’s improved its selection: Find even more luxe shoe and accessory labels, new ready-to-wear apparel, a private speakeasy lounge—and, yes, their $6 shoe shines. 1822 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, ToBoxshoes.com.
Art in the Age
After a decade as a men’s and women’s boutique, AITA has pivoted back to its boozy roots, focusing on spirits and barware. While we’ll always love their liquors, it’s the weekly batches of one-of-a-kind glasses and bar supplies shuttled in by vintage emporium Jinxed that keep us, ahem, thirsty for more. 116 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, old.artintheage.com/store.
Bang & Olufsen
For years, B&O has been an audiophile’s godsend on the Main Line. But since its move last year, owner Scott Gensler has upped the offerings, with more stylish speaker systems, headphones and televisions. Even better, you can uninterruptedly test gadgets (ones typically only available online) before you buy. 163 East Lancaster Avenue, 2nd Floor, Wayne, PA 19087, stores.bang-olufsen.com/united-states/bang-olufsen-main-line.
AMDG Exterior Contracting
AMDG shows up when they say they will, communication is easy and clear, and if there is anything you’re unhappy with—which is highly unlikely—they’ll come back out and deal with it. For work one of our editors needed done, AMDG also offered the lowest estimate by far; the end result, our colleague gushes, is impeccable. 2377 Haverford Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003, TRUSTAMDG.COM.
Perla’s Kamayan Dinner
On Wednesday and Sunday nights, this minimalist dining room strips itself of its contemporary Filipino sensibilities and genteel service, puts bamboo leaves on the table, and gets down-and-dirty with a massive eat-with-your-hands feast of grilled meats, flaky fish, crispy lumpia (Filipino spring rolls), seasonal vegetables and rice—all dumped right on your table by chef-owner Lou Boquila himself. 1535 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, perlaphilly.com.
Angelo’s Pizzeria
The best pizzas often come from bread nerds, and owner-pizzaiolo Danny DiGiampietro is a bona fide geek when it comes to his dough. A long fermentation process results in ultra-bubbly crusts and a chewy center tinged with sourdough sweetness. 122 North Haddon Avenue, Haddonfield, NJ 08033, angeloshaddonfield.com.
Southwark
This institution—revamped last year by Chris D’Ambro and Marina de Oliveira—does it all right, from the tidy menu of casual comfort foods to the elegant cocktail list. Both are best enjoyed on the Secret Garden-like patio, where twinkly lights, soft music, and the aromatics of fresh herbs (grown by the kitchen staff) make for the chillest summer hang in the city. 701 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, southwarkrestaurant.com.
Stella
Resist the temptation to discuss your menu plan of attack before the waiter lists chef Shane Solomon’s nightly specials, because they’ll inevitably throw a wrench in your plans. Recent highlights: gnocchi with ramps, gorgonzola crema and summer truffle; soft-shell crab carbonara with white asparagus, prosciutto and hand-cut spaghetti; and soups that can outshine a main course. Forget to order the pizza? Yeah, it happens. 420 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, pizzeriastella.net.
Mission Taqueria
With picnic-table seating (ideal for large groups), shuffleboard tables (more room for spectators), and a happy-hour menu of $3 beers and $2 tacos, it’s as if Mission was designed solely for our favorite time of day. 1516 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, missiontaqueria.com.
Crime & Punishment Brewing Co.
If you’re not being weird in the craft-beer world these days, you’re not doing enough. Crime & Punishment is doing plenty. The beer lineup in this Dostoyevsky-inspired spot is strange, but in a you’ll-never-be-bored kind of way. To wit: the Three-Body Problem kombu gose, a kettle-soured beer brewed with 20 pounds of dried kelp 2711 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, crimeandpunishmentbrewingco.com.
Tribe
The space is white and bright, there are oodles of leather and wood, a flamingo mural and a living wall, and-—well, basically, we’d like to move in. Luckily, husband-and-wife team Emily and Andrew De Stefano’s venture just outside Kennett Square has pretty sweet hair and makeup services, too. (They offer four different kinds of ponytail styling alone!) 882 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317, tribebeauty.com.