Taffets Bakery
Soft, chewy gluten-free loaves, rolls, focaccia, baguettes and bagels that don't taste anything like a brick—yes, it's a GF-eater's dream come true. 1024 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, taffets.com.
Terakawa Ramen
Loyalists go for the noodle soups, but you should get to know this spot for the dumplings, too particularly the addictive tempura-fried shrimp shumai, which come hot and crispy. 204 North 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, terakawaramenphilly.com.
Jose Pistola's
Jose Pistola's is about as down-to-earth as it gets, with good drink specials ($15 happy-hour marg pitchers), craft brews, a kitchen that's open until 1 a.m., live music, and a come-as-you-are attitude. 263 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, josepistolas.com.
Zachary's BBQ
Two words: free samples ? of everything. Sometimes the best food comes out of a kitchen in between a gas station and a dry cleaner in a strip mall in Montgomery County. This is one of those times. 1709 Markley Street, Norristown, PA 19401, zacharysbbq.com.
Philadelphia Sports Network
This mega-network of every-team-sport-under-the-sun is to would-be ballers what karaoke is to American Idol wannabes, making childhood dreams come true one goal at a time. See website for locations, 00000, philadelphiasportsnetwork.com.
Pub and Kitchen
Readers' Choice: New menu, new chef and a refreshing new remodel... but the same sort of smart offerings that fans have come to count on. Plus a very solid bar burger (and at $13, one would hope so). 1946 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, thepubandkitchen.com.
Pinot Boutique
Come here for Riedel decanters for your snooty oenophile uncle, handpainted glasses for Mom and her gal pals, and a posh picnic basket stocked with stemware for you (because outdoor drinking need not be limited to tailgating at the Linc). 227 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, pinotboutique.com.
Sullivan Owen Floral and Event Design
If Anthropologie and Martha Stewart got together and had babies, and those babies were flowers, they would look like the arrangements coming out of the charming Queen Village studio of this new talent. 510 Bainbridge Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, sullivanowen.com.
Lancaster
If all you think of when you think of Lancaster is shoofly pie, you need to revisit the up-and-coming funkytown. Book a room at the Lancaster Arts Hotel — the best place to stay in the region — and explore the cool bars and dining options, from Moroccan to Himalayan to Vietnamese to Uruguayan and beyond. discoverlancaster.com.
Fergie’s
One of the longest-running trivia events in Philadelphia — if not the longest — is still the best. Get there early on Tuesdays if you want to play, because trivia night at this 30-year-old Irish pub can get very busy. And come prepared: One of their regulars was on Jeopardy! recently. These people don’t mess around. 1214 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, fergies.com.
One-on-One Skateboard Lessons With Skate the Foundry
Skateboard lessons with Skate the Foundry. Photograph by Jeff Fusco For $70, Skate the Foundry’s expert skateboarders will spend an hour one-on-one with your budding Lizzie Armanto or Tony Hawk at a variety of skate parks throughout the region. For $80, they’ll even come to your driveway. Because the coolest kid on the block is always the one who knows how to ollie. 120 Yorktown Plaza, Elkins Park, PA 19027, skatethefoundry.com.
Vernick Fish
Chef Greg Vernick’s menu is inspired by his summers at the Jersey Shore. It’s why his seafood is fresh as hell, it’s why James’ saltwater taffy comes at the end of the meal, and it’s why his ice cream, made with seasonal fresh fruit, instantly transports you to the boardwalk. One North 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, vernickfish.com.
Wild Honey Salon
Over at mother/daughter-owned Wild Honey Salon you’ll find a come-as-you-are vibe, stylists who are excellent listeners, and a team that helps one another grow. Plus, they specialize in lived-in color, so your fresh ’do will not only look natural but also grow out with grace. 261 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, salonwildhoney.com.
Kirna Zabête
Come for the Gucci frocks, Marc Jacobs blouses and Saint Laurent jackets; stay for the tucked-away accessory room and endless outfit inspiration, courtesy of the shop’s trendy staffers. So cool, you’ll think you’re in SoHo. 915 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, kirnazabete.com.
Wardrobe Clinic
Ron Wilch, designer by trade, is a fit genius: Everything that goes into his two-year-old tailor shop—bridesmaids’ dresses, old suits, new suits, slacks, sundresses, you name it—looks custom by the time it comes out. Fast turnaround times, too. By appointment only. 1500 Walnut Street, Suite 408, Philadelphia, PA 19102, wardrobeclinic.com.