Kevin O'Brien Studio and Parisa Rugs & Decor
While Kevin O’Brien Studio and Parisa Rugs & Décor aren’t producing a shared collection just yet (fingers crossed), these interior-design powerhouses known for their luxurious handmade textiles are now sharing a 3,000-square-foot showroom. The street-level first floor is stocked with Parisa’s notable assortment of rugs and arguably the city’s best collection of quirky-chic objects. On the lower level, KOB has bedding, throws, and one-of-a-kind velvet kimonos. 33 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, kevinobrienstudio.com.
ForCynthia Healing
Longtime aesthetician Suzy Zelley blends skin care and the mystical in her light-filled studio, tucked in the back of her bohemian home in Yardley. Zelley begins the 90-minute wellness experience by nourishing your skin with her targeted approach — enhanced by high-tech tools like LED light therapy — and then performs Reiki, working with your body’s energy to promote healing and reduce anxiety and pain. You’ll leave with glowing skin and a rejuvenated spirit. forcynthiahealing.com.
Primp & Play
This year-old spa doesn't have any over-the-top treatments. It's got something way better: childcare. The genius creation of South Philly mom Tara Murphy, Primp & Play is a skin and nail studio where kids partake of arts-and-crafts sessions (led by a dedicated staff member in a sweet back play area) while you beautify. Got a girly girl? She can get in on the fun with glitter tattoos and nail stickers. 249 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, primpandplay.com.
City Food Tours
These guide-led three-hour tasting tours (for between $29 and $55 a person) are a fun, different way for locals and visitors alike to explore all that has shaped our city and its residents (mostly the latter). Try the charming evening wine, chocolate and tea tour, or the classic "Flavors of Philly" cheesesteak-hoagie-pretzel trail that ends up at Reading Terminal for dessert. (Termini Brothers, anyone?) Hey, we didn't say it was good for your waistline. ... 00000, cityfoodtours.com.
Organic Brown Sugar Scrub at Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa and Salon
Oooh, it smellssooo good. And leaves us sooo smooth. We don't know if it's the heated Hamam bed where we get to zone out while we're rubbed down with delicious-smelling sandy stuff, or the gentle touch of the therapist, who does a truly impressive job with the delicate task of rinsing off (barely a splash!). Or maybe it's just being at Joseph Anthony which always makes us feel all is right with the world. 243 West Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342, josephanthony.com.
Oyster House
Honest to Jesus, we just don't comprehend how anyone can get any work done or deals made over the massive plates of red meat offered up at so many of this town's supposed power-lunch spots. Chasing a lobster roll with a couple of cold beers at Oyster House, on the other hand, leaves us with the energy and inspiration to do something other than sleep off a beef coma beneath our desks. 1516 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, oysterhousephilly.com.
Bistrot La Minette
Bistrot La Minette has a secret sanctuary. Invisible from the street and the main dining room, its newly opened bricked-in patio is the prettiest in town. Window boxes bloom over unvarnished teak tables. Tiny white lights twinkle overhead. French tunes float in the air as servers appear and disappear through the door. And free movies play on Monday nights. Order a quiche and a glass of house red, and pretend you're in Paris. It's not hard. 623 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bistrotlaminette.com.
Tartes Fine Cakes and Pastries
We followed pastry chef Teresa Wall's cake-and-scone-and-cookie-crumb trail all over the city before finding her manning the takeout window at her tiny pink bakery in Old City. She's responsible for the tasty desserts at Monk's, Grace's Tavern, Nodding Head and Anthony's Coffeehouse, but it's at Tartes that her daily specials small layer cakes, seasonal fruit tarts, molasses cookies, red velvet cupcakes shine. And sate. 212 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, facebook.com/pages/Tartes-Fine-Cakes-and-Pastries/142359418024.
Egan Day
Staying focused is tough in Kate Egan and Cort Day's clean, relaxed jewelry boutique: You'll be admiring every last piece in Ted Muehling's case when something in Maria Beaulieu's catches your eye or the gorgeous work of any of the other four minimalist, nature-inspired designers exclusively featured here. It's where you'll find the perfect gift for your mom, sister or gal pal and a very long wish list for yourself. 260 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, eganday.com.
AmberNoon
Erum Ilyas is a dermatologist, has her master’s degree in bioethics, and is a published author and mom of three. The last thing she needed to do was start a clothing line, but her desire to keep people safe in the sun led her to found AmberNoon anyway. The collection of chic maxi dresses, wide-leg pants and half-zip tops (there’s also stuff for kids and men) proves that SPF apparel can go well beyond the golf course and beach. 503 West Lancaster Avenue, suite 630, Wayne, PA 19087, ambernoon.com.
Bucky Body Center
Noted plastic surgeon Louis Bucky saw how the newest, über-effective technologies — micro-suction, compression, lasers, cryo — could optimize the work he’s done on patients; assist with recovery, maintenance, and the effects of aging; and offer solutions to problems people were presenting. (Hi, excessive sweating.) So he opened this innovative center in 2020 that’s more wellness-focused than a med spa but can still do something about that stubborn tummy pooch and cellulite. 1915 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, buckybodycenter.com.
Haason Reddick
Photograph by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images We were excited when the Eagles inked the Camden native/Temple alum edge rusher ahead of the 2022 season. Then he went on a sacking spree (19.5 between the regular season and playoffs!) that led the Birds all the way to the Super Bowl, and we lost our minds. No pressure, but we’re expecting similarly big things from another local product: onetime St. Joe’s Prep star D’Andre Swift, whom the Eagles stole in a draft-day trade in April.
The Prime Rib
Photograph by Jeff Fusco Last year, the Prime Rib relocated from Rittenhouse to deep South Philly, inside the Live Casino. You can still feast on seafood towers showcasing shrimp as big as your fist, classic wedge salads, and the platonically perfect signature cut. And you can still pair these things with a double old-fashioned or dirty martini. Only now, the meal happens in a buzzing bastion of glitz. And you know what? It’s so much better this way. 900 Packer Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, philadelphia.livecasinohotel.com/dine-and-drink/the-prime-rib.
Reset by Therabody
Hybrid and full-time WFH-ers know all too well about aching backs, stiff necks, tender joints, and being always-on-call. It’s why Reset in Fishtown ups the recovery game from a hand-held massage gun to comprehensive wellness services like cryo, cell-boosting PEMF therapy, compression technology, LED facials, muscle stimulators, sound meditation and more. This just may be the best excuse to sneak away from your desk for an afternoon. 1424 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, therabodyreset.com.
Delaware River Trail
You can’t beat a waterfront view, and this new trail stretching from Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown to Pier 70 in Pennsport is 3.3 miles of just that. Besides connecting attractions like Cherry Street Pier and Spruce Street Harbor Park, it adds eco-friendly touches, including solar-powered lights and garden beds to help with stormwater management. Two miles of the trail have a separate dedicated bike path so you’re not busy jockeying with two-wheelers. delawareriverwaterfront.com.