James Ijames
See Brat Porductions' newly appointed artistic director, the always-daring Jess Conda, in Pig Iron Theatre Company's Pay Up at this year's FringeArts Festival and in Brat's own Eternal Glamnation, also part of FringeArts. Philadanco alum Jesse Sani is a rising star on the Philadelphia dance scene: Look for him to shine at the Wilma in the upcoming season's offerings from BalletX, which he joined in 2011. And find dancer-choreographer extraordinaire Megan Bridge performing and producing modern dance all season long at her Kensington-based warehouse performance venue, The Fidget Space. Well-rounded actor/director James Ijames is also keeping busy this season, starring in Maukingbird's adaption of the Importance of Being Earnest and InterAct's We Are Proud to Present. Plus, he's directing shows for Simpatico and Theatre Horizon. 00000, jamesijames.weebly.com.
Wawa
I used to drink fancy coffee – single-drip/hand-roasted/micro-lot concoctions that cost roughly $25 apiece. But eventually, I stopped being patient enough to wait for a latte artist to draw a tree in my almond milk foam. So I went to Wawa, the promised land of self-serve carafes, where a cup costs less than two bucks, where the bar never runs out of stirrers or sugar or creamer, and where the coffee isn’t a caffeine bomb, so I can drink it all day without getting the shakes. There’s something innately comforting about the easy routine of Wawa: press, pour, stir, pay, drink, repeat. I guess I could ask myself if I miss my rose-petal cappuccinos (not particularly), or if I really need to drink four cups of coffee a day (definitely not). But the question I actually find myself asking, as I zip in and out of Wawa in less time than it takes a hipster barista to pull a shot of espresso, is: Why did coffee become so freaking complicated in the first place? – Emily Goulet wawa.com.
Plank Studio
Do not be intimidated by the 10-foot-long, 250-pound MegaFormer Pilates machines at this airy Wayne studio. But do prepare to work lots of muscles at once, from crazy angles, for one of the most efficient workouts around. 532 West Lancaster Avenue, second floor, Wayne, PA 19087, plankstudioml.com.
Express Drains
Ryan Larrimore, the clean-cut, plumber's-butt-free owner of this family-run company, doesn't patch pipes or fix garbage disposals. He does one thing and one thing only: unclog drains. And he does it no matter what unholy gunk is stuck down there. Call or see website for consultation, 00000, expressdrains.net.
Center City Concierge
Sometimes there's just not enough time in the day. And even if there is time to do it all, sometimes you'd simply rather not. Enter well-connected, close-lipped Philly native Joan Silverstein, who'll do your grocery shopping, write your thank-you notes, find blinds for the beach house all just as diligently as you would. Call or see website for consultation, 00000, centercityconcierge.com.
Indoor Go-Karts at Showboat
Vroom! / Photograph by Jeff Fusco What do you do with a huge casino floor when the actual casino hasn’t been open since 2014? If you’re mega-developer Bart Blatstein, who bought Showboat in 2016 and operates it exclusively as a hotel, you set up a giant indoor track and let folks race really, really fast electric go-karts on it. We had smiles on our faces for at least an hour afterward. 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, showboathotelac.com.
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.
B Wilson, Just B Beautiful
B will do your face up right for any occasion with airbrush makeup and uber-natural-looking fake eyelashes. Call or see website for appointment, 00000, justbbeautiful.com.
Gravy Fries at Nick's Roast Beef
Its a plate of fries topped with shredded roast beef and gravy. Do we really need to say anything more? 2149 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145, nicksroastbeef.com.
Betty J. Smithsonian
She’s a sober Jewish lesbian, and most of her comedy is about being all of those things. Very feminist. Very funny.
Stone's Beverage Center beer delivery
The selection is huge, the delivery fee is less than you'd pay for a pint, and they bring it to your door. What else do you need to know? 1701 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, stonesofphilly.com.
Boot & Saddle
What does Philly bluegrass sound like? How about experimental klezmer jazz? Find out at Broad Street's country-saloon-turned-musical-oasis. 1131 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bootandsaddlephilly.com.
Johnny Brenda’s
Though mostly known for its burgers and beer, Johnny Brenda’s is actually doing some of the best cheffy vegetables in the city–marinated snap peas on a bed of homemade ricotta, and grilled local asparagus with slivers of cured salmon 1201 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, johnnybrendas.com.
The Shrink Chicks of The West Chester Therapy Group
There’s a lot to process right now, but there are also lots of ways to get help doing so. See the full write up at Our Robust Therapy Scene. 222 N. Walnut Street, Suite E, West Chester, PA 19380, wctherapygroup.com.
A Better Life Therapy
There’s a lot to process right now, but there are also lots of ways to get help doing so. See the full write up at Our Robust Therapy Scene. 100 S. Broad Street, #1920, Philadelphia, PA 19110, abetterlifetherapy.com.