Urban Farmer
With its crowded bar, multiple-choice menu and (admittedly strange) Hee-Haw-meets-Gotham aesthetic, Urban Farmer is the exception to stuffy steakhouses. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the vertical steak tasting, which offers three different New York cuts from three different producers in three different regions, playing up the massive variations in flavor and texture that can come from different feeds. 1850 Ben Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103, urbanfarmerphiladelphia.com.
HopHands
Despite all the excellent beers the mad geniuses of Ardmore-based Tired Hands Brewing Company come up with, we always find ourselves returning to this one. It's a crisp, refreshing American pale that drinks like a perfect sweet summer beer, without any unnecessary complication to the flavor save a mild undertone of pine needles. tiredhands.com.
Chaat and Chai
You know the city has changed when the best Indian food is coming out of a cheery, colorful place around the corner from the Melrose Diner. The menu's not huge, but that's just fine. The namesake chaats (Indian street snacks) and chais (Indian teas) make for a perfect, well, afternoon tea. For a more substantial meal, reach for the curry bowls. 1532 Snyder Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145, facebook.com/chaatandchai.
Farmhaus
Ben McBrien scours the streets of Philadelphia for wood and metal to salvage, then holds onto it until the right project comes along. The former pro surfer has forged a successful second career working closely with clients to turn all that reclaimed stuff into beautiful furniture that's a little rugged, a little modern and designed specifically to match your vision. 2137 North American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, farmhausmodern.com.
Talking Headz
The stylists at this edgy Cedar Park salon cut hair while it's dry, which allows them to follow your mane's natural shape, lets you check out the new 'do in real time, and gets you in and out in 30 minutes. These knockout styles also come at a remarkably affordable price: about $25 per cut. 4922 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143, talkingheadzhairsalon.com/main.html.
Whipped Bakeshop
We were so busy admiring Whipped Bakeshop's pretty little cupcakes in luscious flavors like lemon curd and banana chocolate chip peanut butter that we almost didn't notice the Fishtown bakery's younger, more modern child, the cakecup. It's confectionery genius, really, and thrifty, too: Leftover cake trimmings (mmm, burnt edges) come naked or blasted with icing, ganache or whipped cream, in a grande-size plastic cup. Retail hours on Saturdays only. 636 Belgrade Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, whippedbakeshop.com.
Talula's Garden
A carefully curated menu with both local and exotic cheeses whittled into bites so twee, so perfectly paired, they could come only from Aimee Olexy. Though opinions are still being formed as to the excellence and survivability of the new Starr/Olexy collaboration (see this month's review on page 184 for our take), there's no question that Talula's Garden is currently slinging the best cheese in town. 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106, talulasgarden.com.
Geisha House
The store name conjures kimonos, but the racks here loaded with edgy, mostly Australian brands like Cameo, Maurie & Eve, Keepsake and Finders Keepers are more beachy than bento. There are boho maxi dresses and eclectic jewelry from Cali-based designers, too all feminine, with a splash of sex appeal. And those Japanese brands? Theyre coming soon. 149 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, hellogeisha.com.
South Street Philly Bagel
Weve come to accept the fact that New York has better bagels. They just do. But this South Street institution is the closest weve found to New Yorks greatness nice and crispy on the outside, just the right amount of soft chew on the inside and the $7.75 lox special on a toasted everything with pickles on the side will sustain you for most of the day. 613 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, southstphillybagel.com.
Marigold Kitchen
Robert Halperns cooking is as American as the Cabot-clothbound-cheddar cracker he likes to send out before appetizers, and as New as the liquefaction process that makes that cheese spill over your tongue like a stream of not-quite-molten lava. The amuse-bouches are the coolest things going in this timeworn rowhouse popcorn sauced with liquid nitrogen, ice-cream-droplet tricolore salad, chocolate-dusted corn ravioli which is good, since dinner comes with about a dozen of them. 501 South 45th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, marigoldkitchenbyob.wordpress.com.
The Republican
Common sense will tell you to avoid this place: It's dark. It's grimy. There are two poles and a mirror, and they're used frequently and with varying degrees of skill. But come 2 a.m., this place fills up with an almost glorious assortment of humanity. It's South Philly, folks; embrace it until the wee hours. And if you get too skeeved/drunk/hungry, the Melrose is mere steps up the street. 1734 Snyder Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145, .
Johnny Brenda's
Readers' Choice: Since opening up in Fishtown nearly 10 years ago, Johnny Brenda's has clearly been the go-to Philly venue to hear up-and-coming artists. And why not? The sound is crystal clear, the beers are all local, and the room, which holds 250, is comfortable and has plenty of character. And thanks to a dedication to treating both customers and performers with respect, the indie concert hall has more than enough good karma to go around unusual in the normally dirty business of rock-and-roll. 1201 North Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, johnnybrendas.com.
Lamb neck gravy at the Industry
Pat Szoke first experimented with pork on the way to developing this memorable dish, but his pivot over to lamb necks which are even richer than the shoulder landed him an instant classic. Its simple: lamb necks braised in red wine and rosemary-accentedtomatoes, topped with creamy house-made ricotta and then served with grilled baguette rounds. Warning: When the bread is gone, you might find yourself licking the cast iron skillet the gravy comes in. 1401 East Moyamensing Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, theindustrybar.com.
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
You've never been to the 17th-century-style Japanese house and garden in Fairmount Park? What kind of Philadelphian are you? Come for the monthly traditional chado tea ceremonies, to see the just-restored Sakura Pavilion from the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, or simply to stroll the grounds and feed the koi. Psst: The summer camps for kids-taiko drumming, origami, calligraphy, kimono-dressing-are the chicest in town. Horticultural and Lansdowne Drives, Philadelphia, PA 19131, shofuso.com.
Zeppoli
Chef Joey Baldinos love letter to jumped-up classic Italian is a wonder on many levels. The food is brilliant (particularly the antipasti, with flavors so vivid it should come with a passport stamp). The service is smooth; the Sicilian focus is smart. But whats most amazing is that in a city so dedicated to Italian food, you occasionally have to go across the bridge to find it done this well. 618 Collings Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08107, zeppolirestaurant.com.