Porscha Weeks
Weeks’s full lace wigs, made of Indian and Chinese human hair, are so insanely realistic that they’ve been called “miraculous,” garnered widespread internet fame, and earned Weeks a star-studded client list (entertainers Teyana Taylor and DeJ Loaf). No wonder there’s a roughly three-month wait list. 2121 East Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bapshair.com.
Robert Drake
Whether we're listening to him on WXPN or in person at Voyeur's monthly New Wave dance parties, our favorite DJ always makes us enjoy life a little more. djrobertdrake.tumblr.com.
Dr. Thunder
At some point in the evening at Dr. Thunder's karaoke events, the following three things will probably happen: Dr. Thunder will strip down to a cape and shiny shorti-shorts with DR. THUNDER emblazoned across the butt in bright green letters; someone will sing Journey; and you will put on some ridiculous outfit and wig from his huge crate of costumes. Just know that those photos Dr. Thunder is taking of you while you're singing (read: making a fool of yourself) will wind up on Facebook the next morning. Mercifully, he rarely takes video. Find his busy schedule at facebook.com/thunderkaraoke. Call or see website for consultation, 00000, facebook.com/thunderkaraoke.
Le Virtù
This Abruzzo-focused Italian restaurant takes the prize in a city full of Italian restaurants because weve never had a bad meal, a bad time or even a bad moment here. There's always just one more thing on the menu you have to try the next time you come in no matter how many times youve already been. Plus, the bowl of sausage and polenta is as good as tube-shaped meats get. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.com.
Devil's Den
Readers' Choice: What other bar gives out Phillies rally towels on Opening Day? This South Philly fan favorite and its massive beer list inspires much love and loyalty. Even when the Phils do not. 1148 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, devilsdenphilly.com.
The Zen Den
Yoga instructor Arianne Green makes it simple to fit workouts around your sunbathing schedule: The midmorning classes are late enough that you can still sleep in, and the evening ones are early enough that you can pop in on your way to dinner. Just take a shower before hitting the town afterward—an hour in Green's hot yoga class is a seriously sweaty endeavor. 00000, goodkarmaguide.com.
Le Viet
Dont hold its upscale looks against it its herbs are the best tended, its menu is the deepest, and its ground shrimp balls are the most succulent in town. 1019 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, levietrestaurant.com.
Le Cheri
Pierre Calmels executes French dishes only seen on culinary-school exams (rabbit ballotine, pike quenelles) so delicately and artfully that they suddenly seem totally fresh and new. This kind of French cooking never gets old. 251 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, lecheriphilly.com.
Le Caveau
When the PLCB temporarily closed all its stores, Philly wine shops stayed open and kept us drinking and drunk during the apocalypse. And they deserve all the attention in the world. 614 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, lecaveaubar.com.
Le Virtù
It's hard to believe that any single bite can pack as much pleasure as one crisply fried olive at Le Virt. Each fruity green specimen is crammed with a potent mixture of three types of slow-braised meat (beef, pork and chicken), then breaded and fried for the ideal amount of crunch. The tangy-meaty-briny babies are a specialty in Marche, the Italian region that chef Luciana Spurio calls home, and theres no better place to taste them stateside. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.com.
Du Jour
It's a concept that just works: Open early, with good Illy coffee and quick-serve and sit-down breakfast items. Stay open throughout lunch, serving up fresh salads tossed in light dressings, pizzas and hearty sandwiches. Continue to serve until well past dinner affordable wasabi-crusted salmon, more of those pizzas so people can end their day the way they started it, with a nice cup of joe in this something-for-everyone, always-fresh-and-wholesome eatery. Need proof? Look for Du Jour's third area location, in Commerce Square, this fall. 379 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, dujourmarket.com.
Le Virtù
From four-foot-long noodles to smoked gnocchi and silken tagliatelle slicked with rabbit sugo, Joe Cicala rolls and stretches his dough with a rare (yet affordable) touch. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.com.
Del Frisco's
The steaks are perfectly good (and the calamari is actually killer), but food doesn't seem to be what's on the minds of the flirty, fizzy crowd that gathers here at happy hour and later in the evenings. Dress to impress. 1426 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, delfriscos.com/steakhouse/philadelphia.
Big Gay Ice Cream
It's all delicious, though the Salty Pimp, with dulce de leche and sea salt, is the one people talk about as they should. 521 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, biggayicecream.com.
Du Jour
With steakhouses and burger shops crowding the city's noontime dining scene, we appreciate that Du Jour has put heart and flair into this zingy veggie option, a lusty mix of brown rice, chickpeas, lentils, feta and Moroccan harissa sauce. Take note, burger kings. 379 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, dujourmarket.com.