As anyone who has every shopped for one knows, all diamonds are not the same. Oh sure, most of them are darn right beautiful and would happily be scooped up by a happy recipient. But when you are giving the best sparkler out there, shouldn’t it, too, be the best? Cut, clarity, carat and color all suddenly come in to play, and shopping can get significantly more difficult. In order to help out well intentioned men, Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelers recently opened a Hearts On Fire® boutique.

While I consider myself pretty educated when it comes to classic artists like Van Gogh or Picasso, I am the first to admit I am hopeless when it comes to more modern creations. Its not that I don’t appreciate their art; it’s simply that I am not exposed to it. And so I’m making more of an effort, starting with the new Michelangelo Pistoletto exhibit now open at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

South Philadelphia residents have had a little secret. It wasn’t the 20 block brisk walks from their rowhouse to the office that were keeping them looking lithe, it was the panini. The healthy yet hearty options of casual dining spot Fuel have quickly won a cult-like following, and now Center City calorie counters can get in on the action at the new, second location by 12th and Walnut streets.

Go green doesn’t just apply to recycling and tree planting — healthy eaters everywhere are opting for fruits, veggies and grains as the stars of their daily meals. But going vegetarian, or even vegan, does not have to mean loosing flavor. These Philadelphia area restaurants have won followers thanks to their delicious dishes that have so much punch you won’t even miss the meat.

We support any event that brings together some of the area’s best chefs for a delicious evening of culinary pursuits. We also support any event that benefits as worth an organization as Women Against Abuse. Hence our extensive support of tomorrow night’s double whammy: Dish It Up.

The worst thing about dining out, if you ask me, is selecting what to order. When every option on the menu sounds divine, choosing what dishes you get to taste and which ones you, sadly, don’t can be heart breaking. But, alas, there is the tapas restaurant, where ordering 10 plates isn’t overindulgent. A place where variety and sharing are in order, these top five Philadelphia spots deliver interaction and ultimate satisfaction.

When it comes to Halloween in Philadelphia, those who crave screams and scares head to Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls. Voted the top haunted house in the nation, the National Historical Landmark and abandoned jail which once housed criminals like Al Capone makes the perfect backdrop for fear-filled fun. But if the annual event has gotten old, or you need a little more to get your heart racing, check out some of the new ways you can enhance the experience.

Mom used to say the quickest way to a man is through his stomach. These days, I’d say that’s true for winning over just about anyone. We are a country of foodies, dedicated to each culinary magazine, cooking show and latest “it” ingredient. And where better to make sure your kitchen know-how is top notch than at the 2010 Philadelphia Food and Wine Festival running today through Sunday at the Valley Forge Convention Center.

Be it a greasy slice folded up in a standard white paper plate or a gourmet thin crust pie straight from a wood-fired over, pizza is perhaps one of the world’s most perfect foods. The perfect texture of dough, the flavor of cheese and the quality of toppings are argued by pizza aficionados citywide, but we took a chance and chose our favorite pie purveyors in town.