😁 Where are the happiest places in Philly?

​​🛝 How This New Housing Development Is Prioritizing Play

It’s summertime, which means it’s time to play. And in one Philly neighborhood, the fun isn’t just restricted to parks and playgrounds. City Cast Philly headed over to Sharswood to learn about how affordable housing developers partnered with the community and the Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network to create an oasis. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

🏗️ Chinatown Advocates Reimagine East Market Street

After plans to move the Sixers arena to Center City were dropped back in January, the future of the Fashion District has been in limbo. The anti-arena coalition released “A People’s Vision for Market East,” which includes proposed open-air walkways, a rooftop park, a residential tower, and a cultural center. [🎧 City Cast Philly, Billy Penn]

🚌 Philly’s ‘Humanitarian Disaster’ Persists As Plans for New Greyhound Station Stall

One element of the Center City arena plan was to demolish the Filbert Street bus station, which still remains abandoned. Two years after its closure, Philly is still without a permanent inter-city bus terminal, and its temporary stations have put a strain on neighbors and businesses. [🔒 The Inquirer, 🎧 City Cast Philly,]

😄 Where's the Happiest Place in Philadelphia?

Drexel University’s psychology department is trying to answer that question with the creation of the Philly Happiness Map. This map marks places where students felt happiness, including Mantua’s “cat park” and The Treehouse in the Sky. Do you agree with the list? Where do you feel the happiest? [The Conversation]

🎭 Conference Supporting Playwrights Brings the Arts to Philly Communities

Despite losing funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, PlayPenn’s New Play Development Conference is back for its 20th year with a full lineup of free readings and events taking place across Philly, from Kensington to East Parkside to Center City. [Broad Street Review]

• Related: Patricia Wilson Aden, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, recently spoke with City Cast Philly to discuss how the local arts and culture community is trying to survive amid budget cuts. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Philadelphia has one of the hottest food scenes in the country — just ask Bon Appétit, which included not one but two Philly restaurants (Meetinghouse and My Loup) in its top 20 new restaurants of the year.

Since our culinary landscape is constantly growing and changing, we’re here to help you stay on top of it all. Here’s a recap of some of the Philly restaurants, bars, cafés, and other food spots that have recently opened.

🇵🇷 Casa Borinqueña | 2557 Amber St. (East Kensington)

This California newcomer puts a vegan spin on Puerto Rican classics including mofongo cups (deep-fried mashed green plantain filled with Impossible beef or Mojo mushroom pork), pasteles (masa of plantain and yuca filled with Beyond beef steak wrapped in banana leaf), and pastelillos (deep-fried turnover filled with Impossible beef picadillo).

🌮 El Chingón | 1431 Frankford Ave. (Fishtown)

This local favorite has officially expanded to Fishtown, taking over the former Heffe taco stand on Frankford Avenue. The new joint will have a casual vibe with menu items that include its signature cemitas (Al Pastor, Birria, and the stacked Cubana), a variety of tacos, and street-style elotes. This location will also serve cocktails.

☕ Musette | 238 S. 20th St. (Rittenhouse)

Speaking of expansions, Musette is fully operational at its new Rittenhouse location. Have a taste of Europe at this cafe with a variety of coffees and teas, smoked oysters, smoked salmon sandwiches, and a zero-proof cocktail bar.

🍝 Corio | 3675 Market St. (University City)

This newest addition to University City serves pizza and pasta for lunch, and mains such as pork milanese and sea bream for dinner.