3rd Street Hardware
3rd Street Hardware. Photograph by Jared Gruenwald It’s as hip as an art gallery and as cool as a record store, but this year-and-a-half-old shop still has all the Dremel tools, rat traps, HVAC filters, trash bins, tub caulk, etc., that a homeowner could ever need. 153 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, .
Aunt Berta’s Kitchen
Whole fried chicken, Cajun-spiced wings, fish and grits, pig’s feet with collard greens and potato salad — any home-style soul food you’re craving can be found at Berta’s. Additional location in Berlin, N.J. 639 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, NJ 08107, auntbertaskitchen.com.
Alexis Rose Xperience
Picture this: The lights go out, the disco ball starts spinning, and “Yoncé” blasts through the speakers. Instructor Alexis Rose Artis leads you step by step through cardio class, bolstering your confidence at every move with #bosslady affirmations. Next stop: backup dancer. alexisrosexp.com.
Brickbat Books
Patrick Richardson Graham stocks an eclectic collection of rare and unusual art books at his Fabric Row brick-and-mortar. Recent finds include a hardcover of Annie Leibovitz at Work signed by the famed photographer herself as well a crop of first editions — all of which deserve valuable coffee-table real estate. 709 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, brickbatbooks.blogspot.com.
Arden + James
In her Chadds Ford studio, Arden + James founder Bri Brant creates hand-painted raw linen totes, waxed-denim weekenders and leather carryalls. Every part of the process — from the hammered rivets to the etched designs — is done by hand, so no two are alike, but all are worth slinging over your arm. Chadds Ford, PA 19317, ardenandjames.com.
Stock
Both pho newbies and pho addicts find common ground at this shop, which uses Lancaster chicken, thin-sliced grass-fed beef and never any MSG. But its the handmade noodles and namesake stocks that have been known to turn those newbies into converts. 308 East Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, stock-philly.squarespace.com.
Kinsey
This blended whiskey from Olde Kensington's New Liberty Distillery attempts to re-create the distinct flavor of an early-20th-century Philadelphia whiskey, back in the days from when our city was a distilling powerhouse. The result? A clean, easy-drinking spirit that takes to almost any mixer. newlibertydistillery.com.
November Project
This Boston-birthed, social media-fueled fitness movement has taken Philly by storm. Evidence: the more than 100 people who show up each week for its morning boot-camp classes on Wednesdays at the Art Museum and Fridays at Penn's Franklin Field. Best part? It's totally free. november-project.com.
Baby Jives
If you want a baby gift that's more personal, local designer Jahje Ives sells her mobiles on her Baby Jives website. Each one is a handmade suspended work of art; the puffs of clouds, birdies, stars and flowers are so precious that you might even be inspired to have another kid. babyjives.com.
Amber Beech Kennel
Should you ever need to leave Fifi for a time at a kennel, this 38-acre complex in Washington Crossing gives your sweetie a taste of the country life, with so much fresh air and space (indoors and out) that he may be in better spirits post-vacation than you. 1040 Taylorsville Road, Washington Crossing, PA 18977, amberbeechkennel.com.
Sweet-potato tortellini at the Mildred
Cast iron drives Michael Santoros cooking at this spacious and relaxing new restaurant, but he does more with those black skillets than sear hunks of meat. The one loaded with sweet-potato tortellini, sunchoke knobs, pickled dates and tender fronds of flowering kale is a standout dish in any company, vegetarian or not. 824 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, the-mildred.com.
Taqueria Los Taquitos de Puebla
Local gringos know Los Taquitos de Puebla from its farmers' market stands. But for the real thing, go to the 9th Street storefront any day of the week, show some guts, and try the tongue or beef-eye tacos. Yeah, we said beef-eye tacos. 1149 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, lostaquitosdepuebla.com.
Lacroix at the Rittenhouse
You might have four servers at your table during any given meal, and somehow they all seem to be communicating wordlessly to perform exactly as necessary. They're knowledgeable but not intimidating, fluent in the intricacies of the menu, and friendly in a way that's never overreaching. If there's a future for formal dining, this seamless experience is it. 210 West Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103, lacroixrestaurant.com.
Sycamore
Down with Cheez Whiz nachos and those crusty hot dogs! On Thursday nights, $25 gets you dinner at Delco fave Sycamore (bring wine!) and your choice of art-house films showing at Cinema 16:9 just down the street. 14 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA 19050, sycamorebyo.com.
Vintage
If your baubles arent packing serious ca-rat-age, they should at least carry a st-ory. Recent treasure hunts yielded a stack of chunky Lucite cuffs from the 60s, Art Deco necklaces, and enough candy-colored rhinestones to keep everyone guessing. 63 West State Street, Doylestown, PA 18901, Vintage-doylestown.com.