Our favorites: Midtown Village
Philadelphia’s Midtown Village is one of the chicest spots in the city. An area that lacks neither style nor quality, we want you to check out some of our favorite neighborhood places to eat, shop, and drink.
Philadelphia's Midtown Village is one of the chicest spots in the city. An area that lacks neither style nor quality, we want you to check out some of our favorite neighborhood places to eat, shop, and drink. Once the headquarters of the Stetson brand, the area is now filled with an amazing mix of independently owned establishments. Here is a small list of some of our favorite places to stop while we are strolling around the area.
Open House – Open House is one of the six shops that Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran have opened on 13th street in between Chestnut and Sansom. Open House is one of those great places where you can go and find an absolutely eclectic mix of products. They carry everything from furniture, home goods, bedding, baby and beauty products, to jewelry. This store is a really great place to stop if you're looking for a special gift for someone, or if you're settling into a new home yourself. One thing is for sure – this place is hard to leave empty handed.
107 South 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107-4807
(215) 922-1415
Assortment of jewelry - $14 - 28
Owl tea set - $54
Glasses case - $38, reading glasses - $24
Philly street signs - $88
El Vez – El Vez is one of the many great enterprises in Philadelphia by restaurant guru Stephen Starr. In this space, Starr has created a southwestern restaurant and lounge. As to be expected in any Starr restaurant, the service is great, the drinks are tasty, and the food is delicious. Our recommendations? The original guacamole – delicious and made to order with tomato, onion, jalapeno, cilantro and lime. If you're feeling a little bit more adventurous, try one of the other specialty guacamoles they offer on the menu. For drinks, the pineapple canella margarita (Sauza Blanco, triple sec, pineapple puree, cinnamon and spices) and the guava mojito (10 Cane Rum, Bacardi, pink guava puree, lime and mint) are both refreshing and delicious. After you've had a few drinks, don't forget to pop into the El Vez photo booth and take some pictures.
The resturants bar
Some of the resturats seating and decor
Homemade guacamole, chips, and guava mojito
Pineapple margarita
Matthew Izzo – Matthew Izzo has been a tastemaker in Philadelphia for quite some years now. His boutique has relocated to the heart of the midtown village, where his store offers up a range of clothing and house wares from labels like Alternative Apparel, WeSC, and Jonathan Adler. One of Izzo's other specialties is his selection of furniture. While limited in his actual retail space, Izzo's e-shop offers a wide range of sleek, modern and sophisticated furniture.
Gus Modern Spencer Chair - $1,150
A rack of the womenswear at Izzo
WeSC headphones - $70, Scents by Matthew Izzo - $28
Candles - $18-20, Johnathan Adler vase - $48
Verde – Another one of Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran's shops along 13th street. When first entering the shop, customers are greeted to an assortment of very cute and stylish tee shirts, bags, jewelry and shoes. Verde is another great place to snatch up some well designed gifts for others, or goodies for yourself, and the shop is also home to Marcie Blaine Chocolates. Owner Marcie Blaine Turney runs a small chocolate studio in the back of the store, and right outside the studio is a case full of her delicious treats. Part of what makes these chocolates so delicious is that they are produced in shop, but Turney also sources all of her ingredients locally to guarantee superb freshness.
Marcie Blaine chocolates
Soludos slip on espadrilles - $26
I heart Philly tee - $28
Philly street wine tote - $18
T-Bar – People used to joke that on every corner you turned in the city that you could find a Starbucks. While this may not still be the case, coffee shops are still maintaining a very strong presence in Philadelphia. T-Bar however, breaks the mold and serves only, I'm sure you can guess – tea! The spacious shop gives off a very peaceful vibe as soon as you walk in. A lot of natural light floods the space, and there are plenty of places to sit comfortably to chat or work while you enjoy your tea. The menu offers up a variety of tea options, and you can get them in all the same ways you order your normal coffee drinks – hot, iced, and blended. We sampled both the iced green tea latte and the chai frappuccino with a side of berry crumble muffin – and all three were delicious. Our favorite part of the shop? The counters which displayed a variety of different tea leaves under glass with small descriptions of each of the teas.
Honorable Mentions:
Antiques - Blue Lotus Gallery, Uhuru Furniture & Collectibles
Food - RAW Sushi & Sake, Mixto
Retailers - Absolute Abstract, Modern Eye