Beyond the pizza joints whose main draw is their cold beer, Italian dining near Penn's campus is hard to find. Little do most students know that across the Walnut Street Bridge, exists an option for finer Italian cuisine. Salento, located just before 22nd Street, offers students willing to spend a few extra dollars the chance to experience the tastes that made Italian food ubiquitous in American culture.

My tongue walked into a creamy winter wonderland with a 1908 soda shop feel. Franklin Fountain, a small "ice cream saloon" on the corner of Letitia and Market streets in Old City, flings you into a timeless vortex of sundaes, phosphates and ice cream sodas The shop was opened a few years ago by Ryan and Eric Berley, two brothers who traveled across the country every year and compiled their ideas, along with those of the rest of their staff, to create the old-fashioned candies and goods supplied at the store.

As you enter the dimly lit Tinto Wine Bar on 20th and Sansom, it feels as if you really did take that holiday to Spain. Nestled in Center City, Tinto's black bent wooden chairs and visible tapas preparation offers a romantic, rustic atmosphere for any couples looking for an escape from Penn's campus.

New York Mayor and Bloomberg, L.P. founder Michael Bloomberg will address this year's graduating class, University officials announced yesterday in a press release. Bloomberg will speak at Penn's 252nd Commencement on Monday, May 19 and will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.

In my opinion, a great Sunday morning has a few necessary ingredients. Warm coffee. Delicious food. A relaxed atmosphere. The New York Times. Per those requirements, I would have to call the Sunday morning I spent at Ants Pants Cafe on South Street a great one.

After years of eating my Scottish father's not quite authentic (though admitedly delicious) Moroccan tagine, I decided it was high time to check out a Morrocan restaurant for myself. That was about three years ago. Ever since, I have been addicted to the rich and spicy flavors of Moroccan cuisine.

When I mentioned Horizons to a vegetarian acquaintance, he excitedly promised that the restaurant would deliver "the best meal of [my] life." While a strong allegiance to some Little Italy gnocchi forbids me from agreeing entirely, the chefs at Horizons served me, without a doubt, the prettiest meal of my life and assuredly the best vegan one.

Penn students reported their findings on a region hit hardest by Katrina, the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history, last night at a panel entitled "Penn in the Gulf." On Jan. 12, 2008, students and faculty from the Schools of Dental Medicine, Engineering and Applied Science, Nursing, Social Policy and Practice and Veterinary Medicine provided volunteer services at a well-attended health fair in Pearlington, Miss.

Past DRL, at the edge of campus, the Intermezzo Cafe lies in uncharted territory for most Penn students. Surprisingly, it's barely a five minute walk from College Green. While not quite as comfortable as some local eateries (its single banquette and stiff seating leave a little to be desired) Intermezzo offers delicious food, coffee, a full bar and free wi-fi - perfect for a study session or dinner with friends.

With no end in sight, it is likely the remaining Democractic presidential candidates will descend upon Pennsylvania before the April 22 primary. However, despite the state's potential role in deciding the nominee, the likelihood of campaign rallies and speeches at Penn remains in doubt.

Disclaimer: I don't know that much about Italian food. It was only about a month ago that I learned how to pronounce gnocchi, and I'm still not entirely sure what prosciutto is. (Google tells me it's ham, but I'm not convinced) Basically, I'm pretty easy to please.

Old Original Bookbinder's has been a Philadelphia institution for over 140 years. It's been in the family of current owner John Taxin since his grandfather raised the money to buy it from it's founders. According to Taxin, his grandpa worked at the grocer across the street and ate lobster at Bookbinder's every day, breakfast and lunch.

Prepare to embark on a journey to the legendary Cote d'Azur. Located in the heart of Old City near 4th and Market streets, Patou Restaurant and Bar will allow the Philadelphia resident to be transported to the land "blessed by the gods" through both its decor and dishes.

Not many restaurant operators brag about their establisment's three-out-of-five-star rating. But that was one of the first things that general manager Marc Grika told me, with pride, as my table was being prepared. The main difference, Grika explained, is that a five-star restaurant has a 1 to 1 server-to-table ratio, because all of a table's dishes must come out at exactly the same time.

At La Terrasse, food is art. This, mind you, is coming from a person who loves to scoff at those establishments that serve you meager amounts of food decorated with superfluous frills, all while charging you an arm and a leg. But at La Terrasse, you get what you pay for - which in this case was simply a superb culinary experience.

Located at the corner of 12th and Filbert in Center City, Maggiano's Little Italy offers a taste of great Italian cuisine. This restaurant is a great place to dine whether it is to celebrate an anniversary, to unwind with a big group of friends, or to eat dinner with visiting family, including younger siblings.

Penn began piloting an electronic-key system in Gregory College House in 2002 - but there are still no plans to expand the program, despite attention on dorm safety following a rash of burglaries in Harnwell College House over Thanksgiving break. In Gregory's Class of 1925 building, residents must swipe their PennCards and punch in their PIN in order to enter individual rooms, not just the main building.