Neil Stein (you've heard of him, right?) celebrated ten years in the restaurant biz at the big fish, Striped Bass, with about 500 of his closest friends and most valued customers. The shrimp in the shrimp cocktail were as big as lobster tails, the cake was 3 feet high, the ice sculpture was, well, very cold and very big, and the champagne flowed liberally, just the way we like it. Plus, the proceeds from the donation-requested tickets were donated to the Variety Club – a most worthy cause.

Emperors, Caesars, senators, and citizens came to the University of Pennsylvania Museum's gala, The Romans Are Coming! on the Ides of March, 2003 AD at the museum. Crowns of Laurel leaves were handed out at the door, while incoming guests were surprised by a costumed Roman guard taming the ‘lions' (safely hidden behind a screen. The invitations committee asked people to wear togas, but stated that Black Tie attire was also acceptable.

This lunch presentation at the Sofitel on February 27th was held to celebrate the Sofitel's Chez Colette's receipt of the Four Diamond Award from the AAA. Samples of several lunch and dinner items were displayed… and then devoured!

On Monday, February 24th Novelty restaurant's executive chef Chris Scott and sous chef David Thorpe hosted a seven-course dinner with the region's top African American chefs. Novelty's owner, Bruce Cooper, generously donated his restaurant for the evening's benefit. The seven cooked the meal together to benefit Philadelphia's African American Museum. Guests enjoyed culinary creations by Joe Hunt of Bluezette, Luis Melendez of La Bohème, Tracey Hopkins of the Philadelphia Art Museum, Joe Brown of Mélange Café, and Fatou N'Diaye of Fatou & Fama.

The Ritz-Carlton and Philadelphia Magazine hosted a Vodka Tasting off the Rotunda, with no fewer than 10 different Vodka brands on Tuesday, March 4th. Cocktail sippers gathered in small groups for several hours, milling about with their mini Cosmos and Appletinis.