Kin Boutique
Five years ago, Joey Clark filled a fashion void that city trendsetters didn’t know was there with women’s-wear concept Kin Boutique. Midway through the pandemic, she relocated to a roomier storefront on the same block and, sensing another retail opportunity, transformed the original location into Kin Men. Clark has won over gents with her West Coast style sensibility, reflected in labels such as Closed, Edwin, and Citizens of Humanity. Apparently, once in a while, lightning does strike twice. 1014 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, shop-kin.com.
Philadelphia Film Center
No, the building formerly known as the Prince Music Theater doesn’t have those reclining seats. But it does boast one of the largest screens in the area, 35mm film capabilities (a rarity these days), audiophile-worthy sound, and an impressive spread of repertory selections for all tastes. Coming up: classics like Psycho, Taxi Driver and The Night of the Hunter plus a retrospective of Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, filmadelphia.org.
Chance Anies
A good chef has to know how to cook well, plate beautifully and run a kitchen efficiently. A great chef has to be able to do all that and work the dining room with grace and humor. Chance Anies of Tabachoy does all that in a small, bright, crowded BYO in Bella Vista and still makes a meal of vinegar-sharp adobo, coconut milk-braised broccoli rabe and garlicky little-neck clams one of the most comforting and memorable dinners in the city. 932 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, tabachoyphilly.com.
Fork
It's not surprising that Roberto Sella, Fork's wine director, approaches his list with smarts and style that does, after all, sum up this Old City restaurant. Fork's wine list is composed of a nice selection of international wines that hail from smaller vineyards, so prices stay low (think $30 to $60) but quality stays high. A small selection of splurge-y "reserve" wines for that blow-the-bank occasion rounds out an overall-fabulous 50-bottle-or-so list. 306 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, forkrestaurant.com.
Michael Quinn Contracting
Mike Quinn has won the devotion of entire neighborhoods in Philly, renovating and upgrading kitchens for one ecstatic client after the next. The appeal is threefold. First: He finishes on time. Second: He finishes at cost. Third: He finishes with no drama. In other words, he's a total pro who expertly deals with the space constraints and quirks in old rowhomes. He does great work with bathrooms, too. 1026 East Palmer Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, .
Daly Termite and Pest Management
When your backyard starts to feel like a life-size game of Whac-A-Mole or the scurrying noises in the attic seem to be multiplying, your fix is Jim Daly. He's not only one of the few local exterminators licensed to deal with larger, four-legged nuisances (which he does humanely) -- he also makes appointments for specific times and gives you his cell number, so you can reach him anytime. 19003, dalypest.com.
Evans Pest Control
You could do what everyone does and sign up with Big National Pest Control Conglomerate Inc. and every couple of months politely scream, “Well, they didn’t come!” at a call-center operator (hypothetically). Or you could call Evans Pest Control and get responsive service that actually keeps the bugs out of your basement. Got an issue? Just text the company, and someone will be right over. If it’s a situation you think you can handle yourself — ha! — stop by the Port Richmond office and pick up the pest-control products the company uses. 2607 East Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134, evanspestmgmt.com.
Austrian Village
With its wizened waitresses and circa-1955 decor and heaping helpings of satisfying and delicious schnitzel, spaetzle, knockwurst, and tangy, tart, famous potato salad, the only thing missing at this 37-year-old biergrten are the von Trapp kids singing as you eat. Though the AV does come alive with the sound of music: an oom-pah-pah band plays Saturdays, sending spry polka dancers revolving on the tiny dance floor like dolls on a music box. And the prices dinners around $12, draft beers for $2.50 will have you loath to say Auf wiedersehen. 321 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046, austrianvillage.com.
Jeff Michaud, Osteria
Why? Because he started cooking at 13. Because he did time in Aspen before coming to work for Marc Vetri at his eponymous Philly restaurant and then, when Michaud decided that he needed to learn more about Italian cooking, just up and moved to Lombardy, where he spent three years walking the earth like Kwai Chang Caine in Kung Fu working his way up from butcher's boy at a small family shop to executive chef at an inn at the foot of the Alps. Then he came home again and opened Osteria for Vetri, where he currently does amazing things to pizzas, pastas and rabbits. 640 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, osteriaphilly.com.
Herman's
There’s something to be said about a tiny cafe and micro-roastery that can look a seething global pandemic right in the eye and not so much as flinch at the idea of going toe-to-toe with it. There’s even more to be said about the creativity it takes to completely transform, to wholly rebrand, to expand in ways nobody expects, at a time when fear and tragedy can be so debilitating. Herman’s did both. Owners Matt Falco and Amy Strauss were able to turn their converted-auto-repair-shop cafe into a pop-up hub for aspiring chefs and business owners in need of a home, a retail pop-up outlet for vintage brands and plant shops, and a boutique market with an enviable collection of imported pastas, tinned seafood, chocolates, and more food-things you never knew you ever wanted, let alone needed. When the pandemic forced so much of Philly to become less, Herman’s became more, for the neighborhood it’s in and for all of us who needed some inspiration, hope and delicious things in especially trying times. 1313 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, hermanscoffee.com.
Enswell
Photograph by Ed Newton When the co-founders of Rival Bros. Coffee opened this Art Deco jewel box on Spruce Street, we figured they’d have the morning latte on lock. And then they partnered with New Liberty Distillery to add a bar program — the marriage perfectly expressed in the Haymaker, a take on the ubiquitous espresso martini served in a lowball and made sweet with orgeat. And then a dinner menu … and then brunch and lunch. Did we mention it also has a front-of-house New Liberty bottle shop, saving you a trip to the state store? This place does everything. Except for reservations, so be prepared to wait. 1528 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, enswellphilly.com.
1812 Productions
Its hard to be funny all the time, but Philadelphia's all-comedy theater company, stationed at Plays and Players, does just that. Last season,Cherry Bomb was, well, the bomb. Their annualThis Is the Week That Is show is always a (smart) hoot. And they changed it up a bit by throwing in a musical cabaret about marriage, to critical acclaim (masters of comic timing, raved theInquirer). Next season, were looking forward toThe First Day of School: A Soccermom Sex Farce (opens 10/1) and April'sAn Evening With(out) Woody Allen. Independence Studio on 3, Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, 1812productions.org.
Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Did you know that Pennsylvania has an official state arboretum? It does, and it’s this 92-acre gem in Northwest Philadelphia that’s been flaunting flora for 90 years now. Some of the Delaware Valley’s biggest trees are here, as is the only remaining freestanding Victorian fernery in all the continent. When you go, don’t miss the recently renovated rose garden, which is simply spectacular. Kids especially will enjoy the Garden Railway, an elaborate outdoor model train that stays up through the end of summer. 100 East Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, morrisarboretum.org.
Simagas Autodetailing
Abdoul Simaga seems to really hate dirt, grime and all sorts of filth. That’s what you’ll learn if you hire him to clean and detail your car. He goes deep and doesn’t rest until your baby looks sparklingly new. The Ivory Coast native does pop-up mobile detailing in parking lots along City Avenue, but for the best service (and so you don’t have to wait in the very long line), hire him to bring his thoroughly outfitted mobile detailing truck to your home.
Adam Elbaum
Yes, this master prestidigitator does corporate events, birthday parties, and bar and bat mitzvahs. But where you really want to see him is in his Queen Village home, where he invites a handful of guests a few times each month for wine, cheese, and an intimate close-up magic show like you’ve never experienced before. He doesn’t charge admission: He asks that you donate an amount of your choosing to designated charities. Reach out via his website if you want an invite. adamelbaum.com.