Southwark
Go to Southwark and order a Manhattan or a Sazerac. Then go anywhere else in the country and order the same cocktail. Then come home to Southwark, because the quaint Queen Village bar and restaurant does classic better than anyone. 701 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, southwarkrestaurant.com.
Village Whiskey
There are a lot of things that Village Whiskey doesnt do right. But if youre looking for the best whiskey selection in the city (served by bartenders who actually know a little something about their spirits), this is the only place you want to be. 118 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, villagewhiskey.com.
Govberg Jewelers
Beneath twinkling chandeliers, tucked in mirrored cases, sit timepieces (Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet) that beg for someone to ask, "Do you have the time?" 1521 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, govbergwatches.com.
Nam Phuong
There's more to Vietnamese than pho, and from crispy crepes to clay-pot pork, Nam Phuong does it better-and usually cheaper-than its ample competition. 1100 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, namphuongphilly.com.
Forno Antico
Sure, this place does great Neapolitan pizza, but these days, who doesn't? The real draw is the amazing, juicy, saucy beef meatballs. Order them as the side dish to whatever it is you're having. 417 East Main Street, Collegeville, PA 19426, fornoanticopizzanapolitana.com.
Kermit's Bake Shoppe
A flaky pouch filled with eggs and your choice of sausage, mushrooms or leeks: Kermit's should sue Hot Pockets for abusing the name. (You'll find these breakfast treats at the Rittenhouse DiBruno's, too.) 2204 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19146, kermitsbakeshoppe.com.
Via Bicycle
Curtis Anthony of Via Bicycle. Photograph by Jeff Fusco Curtis Anthony’s shop looks like your granddad’s garage, and it has bikes and parts older than your granddad. (Some date back to the 1890s.) And Anthony won’t try to sell you $700 in new gear if a $7 part will do the trick. 622 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, Bikeville.com.
Baldwin Tailoring
It takes a lot to stand out on a street known for fabrics and tailoring, but Larnell Baldwin does just that. His is one of the rare shops that can create custom leather jackets (along with skirts so fine they’re literally hanging in the Penn Museum) in addition to suiting. 751-755 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, larnellbaldwin.com.
The Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co.
This subterranean 18th Street lounge might seem too obvious a choice, but do you know why that is? Because all those people who say they've never had the kinds of cocktails the bartenders at the Franklin invent every few months are telling the truth. 112 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, thefranklinbar.com.
A Personal Touch Cleaning Service
Consider it a gift you give yourself: Leave these professional clean freaks a list of what you need, or just give them a time frame and let them do their thing. Pet-friendly, prompt, thorough, and a regular BOP favorite. See website for locations, 00000, apersonaltouchcleaning.com.
BodyLogic
Getting motivated is the easiest part of this cardio/barre/Pilates combo program: All you have to do is watch gazelle-like instructor Jillian Dreusike prance around the studio and follow her lead. Perfecting the cardio sequences and mastering pliés? That's another story. 00000, bodylogic.yolasite.com.
Ploome
Christina Stoltz's philosophy on Pilates is that it should be fun—and it shows. Her classes, taught on the apparatus or mat (or both), incorporate props like hula hoops, jump ropes, glide boards and glow-in-the-dark poi balls. A DJ creates the studios custom playlists, so an excellent soundtrack is guaranteed. 1040 North American Street, suite 1001, Philadelphia, PA 19123, ploomephilly.com.
Rob Mahon
Why do people speak of this musculoskeletal therapist in hushed, reverent tones? In a two-hour appointment, he pinpoints the source of a patient's pain; resolves it with stretches, massage and realignment; and sends him or her out the door with instructions for at-home maintenance. Just like that—poof!—the pain is gone. The Bellevue, 200 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, robmahon.com.
El Vez
You can do quite well at Stephen Starrs decade-old (but still booming) Mexican joint for around $40 a person, and that includes your pitchers of margaritas and family style platters on the special- events menu. Just be sure to mind your Ps and Qs in the photo booth after all thatTequila. 121 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, elvezrestaurant.com.
Reynolds Plumbing and Heating
John Reynolds is on call 24/7 for plumbing 911s. But he also does quality work on non-emergency projects, from installing your new bathtub drain to bringing your state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled greenhouse to fruition 00000, johnreynoldsplumbing.com.