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.
Miller's Twist
Miller's Twist has picked up where perennial BOP winner Fisher's has left off at Reading Terminal. The big, buttery, brown, salty soft pretzels fresh dough is made, rolled and baked daily, on-site provide perfect carb-y sustenance for a long day shopping the market's stalls. Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19138, millerstwist.com.
Monster Milers
The Monster Milers volunteers take shelter dogs for jogs. Photograph by Jeff Fusco Jogs with dogs! This group takes pups out of local shelters and brings them on group runs, making sure they get exercise and exposure to the community while they wait to get adopted. Keep reading here. PO Box 63574, Philadelphia, PA 19147, themonstermilers.org.
The Modern Republic
Sometimes it can feel like there’s too much art, both vintage and new, with which to decorate your house. How to decide? The Modern Republic, a mid-century modern retailer in Fairmount, is a great place to start: With vintage Alexander Calder and Herman Miller prints at reasonable prices, there’s something for every kind of house (plus great vintage furniture, to boot). If your walls could talk, they’d be thanking you. 1600 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, etsy.com/shop/TheModernRepublic.
Warehouse on Watts
This warehouse feels like it could be busted by the cops at any moment, but rest assured: The once-illicit spot, with its rave-tastic rooms, killer beats and mesmerizing lighting, is now totally legit. 923 North Watts Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, wowphilly.com.
Colonial Farms
At a time when cupcakery is becoming not just an overdone art (we'll pass on the chocolate-covered bacon sprinkles, thanks) but a reviled one, Colonial Farms bucks the trend with back-to-basics flavors. The chocolate, vanilla and killer red velvet cakes are adorned with occasionally cutesy icing creations (flowers, frogs, etc.), but the taste hits that just-like-Mom's sweet spot that was always the point of the cupcake's sudden rise to celebrity. 1108 Taylorsville Road, Washington Crossing, PA 18977, colonialfarms.com.
The Bakery House
Never show up to a holiday dinner with supermarket pie again. Yes, you’ll spend quadruple the money at Bakery House, but the pies are worth it. Try the delightfully decadent apple-pecan-caramel option, any of the year-round fruit pies (how they pull off a killer blueberry pie in winter is beyond us), or the seasonal offerings, like peach and strawberry rhubarb. Plus, they’re pretty as can be. 604 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, thebakeryhouse.net.
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.
Revival Letterpress
Photograph by Jeff Fusco Matthew Hiller has been letterpress printing since 2011, and his equipment — antique Chandler & Price platen presses and a hand-cranked Challenge cylinder press — has been at work for more than a century longer. Inside his studio, Hiller designs everything from wedding invites and business cards to posters and custom packaging, then uses the finest paper and old-fashioned techniques to bring them to life. In a world where DM’d party invites and texted birthday GIFs have become the norm, these character-filled pieces convey the beauty of the human touch. 1901 South 9th Street, number 208, Philadelphia, PA 19148, revivalletterpress.com/project-gallery-page.
Oyster House
With lump Maryland meat and no filler, chef Aaron Gottesman has returned some dignity to this clichéd menu item. 1516 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, oysterhousephilly.com.
Tread and Shred
This class at SuperFit Gym, which has 30 minutes of treadmill intervals followed by 30 minutes of killer strength moves, weatherproofs your training schedule. 1050 Colwell Lane, Conshohocken, PA 19428, superfitsports.com.
Hand Rejuvenation at About Face Skin Care
A little filler to plump your skin, a little laser or photo-rejuvenation to zap sun spots and refresh texture, and voilà: Your hands will no longer give away your age. 1015 Chestnut Street, #1205, Philadelphia, PA 19107, aboutfaceskincare.com.
Thunderbird Lanes
When you tire of those trendy new-school bowling spots and want to experience the game the way it used to be, visit these mom-and-pop operations that have been around forever. They feature killer specials like $12.99 for two hours of unlimited bowling — shoes included! — and corner-bar prices on beers. What is this, 1990? Northeast Philly and Warminster, PA thunderbirdlanes.com.
Bowman's Tavern
When a true tavern takes on anything vegetable-related, the results can be oh-so-wrong. But not here, where the veggie burger has as much depth and soul as meatier varieties: Legumes, grains and veggies (no filler) are hand-pressed daily into stellar patties and served on a brioche bun. 1600 River Road, New Hope, PA 18938, bowmanstavernrestaurant.com.