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.

Akhen Wilson, 29, of the 6200 block of Osage St., was arrested by Penn Police for allegedly assaulting two Penn Police officers during a motor-vehicle stop Saturday evening, according to Sgt. Charles Layton of the Philadelphia Police. The assault took place on the 3700 block of Chestnut St.

When I made my reservations at Fork, I was a little wary. While I had heard only good things about the downtown eatery, all of that positive press came from my female friends. Fear gripped me on the cab ride. Could the chefs there serve up a man's meal? Would I be surrounded by roundtables of 30-something-year-old single women? Was a Big Mac combo soon to follow my dinner? Needless to say, my questions were answered by the sumptuous food and warm yet serious ambiance.

When Wharton sophomore Dennie Zastrow was applying to Penn, his parents encouraged him to select Wharton to boost his chances of finding a good job. Two years later, it's that career-minded focus that's driving him to get out. Zastrow, who is currently trying to transfer into the College, said he was turned off by Wharton's emphasis on finding the right internships and jobs as early as freshman year.

Penn students like green, and they're not waiting until incoming students get here to spread the message. Members of the Undergraduate Assembly passed a proposal last Sunday evening supporting the creation of an environmentally themed pre-orientation program.

If you're looking to get out of the city for a bit and you're ready for a little adventure, Max and David's in Elkins Park, Pa. is just the place for you. Not only is this newly opened BYO kosher - a perk for those like me, who keep these strict dietary regulations - but it is also a culinary experience you will likely not forget.

It's no secret that the top summer internships are often unpaid. But what's less known is that many students must pay their universities to receive the academic credit that some employers - wary of labor laws governing unpaid internships-require as a condition of the job.

With an ocean, a twenty-four-hour plane ride and a closet door separating him from his family and friends in Australia, College freshman Alec Webley was facing the frightening prospect of coming out without a clear support system. Unsure of how to approach his friends and family "who had only known me as straight," Webley sought the help of the Queer Student Alliance's program for questioning and closeted students.

After almost 20 debates each for the Democrats and Republicans this election season, one would think that both candidates and voters would grow weary of the discussion. But according to analysts and Penn students, these debates have played - and will likely continue to play - an important role in shaping this year's primaries.

In New York City, a group of sophomores got a glimpse of life after Wharton. As a part of the Sophomore Cohort Career Exploration Series, around 30 sophomores headed to the city for an optional trip to expose themselves to various possibilities for their futures.

Penn prides itself on hosting the "largest community of color in the Ivy League," according to interim Admissions Dean Eric Kaplan. But that figure can be deceiving as Penn simultaneously ranks low when it comes to Latino students. College junior Angel Jacome, chairman of admissions and recruitment for the Latino Coalition - the umbrella organization for Latino student groups - hopes to reconcile Penn's small Latino population with its reputation for diversity with a series of recruitment initiatives targeted at Latino students.