Ari Miller
Ari Miller. Photograph by Colin Lenton Musi, Miller’s neighborhood BYO, has all the expected trappings: It’s charming and delicious, and it offers a menu that changes often and relies heavily on what his purveyors have available. But the food is never too serious, and neither is Miller. And that’s what sets it — and him — apart. 100 Morris Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, musiphilly.com.
Musi
Musi’s menu ventures somewhere in between the familiar and the unknown, with dishes like kreplach stuffed with kale-purslane-cabbage kraut. The restaurant — which chef/owner Ari Miller calls “not totally Jewish, not quite Israeli” — is stretching the imagination of Philly’s fine-dining scene. Come here to be taken out of your culinary comfort zone or possibly just eat some pasta that the menu says has nothing to do with Italy. 100 Morris Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, musiphilly.com.
Mode Moderne
Vintage originals from all the heavy hitters Eames, Saarinen, Knoll, Herman Miller along with new versions of licensed classics, make up the stock at the Mid-Century Modern shop Mode Moderne. (They're also experts at refurbishment.) 159 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, modemoderne.com.