The Sofitel hotel recently hired a new chef for their restaurant, Chez Colette, a French brasserie. Culinary maestro Guy Reinbolt, a native of Alsace, France, asserts that people "eat first with their eyes", a statement plainly reflected in his beautifully presented creations. Aesthetics and flavor are sometimes mutually exclusive – but not here. Amazing that something so prettily presented tastes as good as it looks. A note for chocoholics: La Bourse, Sofitel's swanky bar and lounge area, serves a Chocolat Buffet Nitecap (after nine pm) - all the chocolate you can savor for just under $13! You may see us there, gorging ourselves on their signature goodies!

The Friends of the American Red Cross held their 2nd annual Red Ball at the Union League in Philadelphia on Saturday March 3rd. The sold-out crowd of 900 or so revelers partied on late into the night. A great benefit, with seemingly limitless eats donated by gracious area restaurants, a generous open-bar and scads of happy, good-looking supporters enjoying it all. What more do you want in a party? All the proceeds go to Community Disaster Education, a Red Cross program that teaches students how to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

The Young Friends of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a group of culturally minded young professionals, held their Annual Winter Gala on February 10th at the PMA. Philadelphia's young social set danced the night away in The Great Stair Hall hoping that theirs was the winning bid on the goodies that area merchants donated for the silent auction.

The Variety Club, an international organization that serves children with disabilities, held their annual fundraising Gold Heart Ball honoring Dave Davis, the General Manager of WPVI Channel 6 on February 10th at the Wanamaker Building's Crystal Tea Room. The event, a cocktail reception and dinner, got off to a smashing start with new President John Dougherty as the perfect host to some of Philadelphia's most generous hearted high-profile guests, including D.A. Lynne Abraham, Mayor John Street, IBX's Sr. VP Chris Cashman and Ed Rendell.