Experience luxury dining at the cost of cooking at home at this Center City Italian Ristorante. Feel at home as you enter a warm, casual environment. Enjoy classic Central and Northern Italian specialties. Select from milk-fed veal, seafood purchased fresh every day, prime meats, poultry and pasta made fresh daily in the restaurant's own kitchen by native Italian chefs.

'One step into Mahogany on Walnut and you realize that this is not your average cigar bar...this is the genuine article', says Cigar Aficionado. Dark, rich wood and plush antique furnishings create the perfect atmosphere to relax and enjoy one of the 30 premium cigars. A state-of-the-art ventilation systems keeps the two club rooms smoke-free. A lighter fare menu is served from noon through late night. Some selections include stuffed portabella mushrooms, pheasant pate, oysters Moscow and Beluga caviar. The grand mahogany bar is stocked with premium cognacs, wines, microbrews and more than 40 single malt scotches.

This finger-snapping hip café is nestled just around the corner from the Bellevue Hotel and just a few blocks walk from the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau in Center City. It is a perfect stop for relaxing and enjoying live jazz six nights a week. Winner of two 'Best of Philly' awards, this is a serious jazz club featuring serious talent-the place jazz musicians go to hear jazz. It also serves an outstanding dinner menu which includes crab cakes and grilled ahi tuna.

There are a lot of people coming down from New York to see productions at the Wilma these days. Tom Stoppard's "The Invention of Love" had its East Coast premiere here, and there are usually at least two new plays commissioned every season. Also look for new versions of classics like "The Threepenny Opera." In 1996, the Wilma opened its new 296-seat facility on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts.

Modern classic titles such as "Cats," "Beauty and the Beast," and "A Chorus Line" commonly grace the marquee of the Forrest Theater. When these critically acclaimed, American staples of the theater world hit the road; the Forrest Theater is always the first stop. 1800 patrons can enjoy the performances in plush, comfortable seats. Be sure to make a stop at one of the excellent restaurants in the Walnut Street district before taking in a show.

Raise the Union Jack and grab a pint and fork. The Elephant & Castle offers an authentic British pub-style menu featuring everything from Fish 'n' Chips to Bangers and Mash, Shepherd's Pie and Yorkshire Pudding. The décor is traditional gleaming wood and brass. British pop plays continually. The entrees and varied selection of ales bring visitors a little closer to the British Isles. If you ever visit England, the original pub, located across the Thames from the Houses of Parliament, is still in operation.

Well known as one of the worlds most prolific theater companies, the Walnut features many of Broadway's top dramas, musicals, and comedies. Each season from September through June, the Main stage and two Studio theaters offer classic and contemporary performances. Established in 1809, the Walnut Street theater is a National Historic Landmark. Season subscriptions to the main stage available. Headphones may be rented for hearing assistance on main stage shows.

Some nights Bob Dylan plays here, some nights there's reggae, and a lot of nights there are very loud bands playing to young audiences. Some of these acts, such as Southern Culture on the Skids, are well known from college radio. This former burlesque theater holds 1,000. Upstairs, the Balcony room has a separate music schedule, usually starting late, after the show in the main room is done. Admission varies according to performance.

If you want to have a good time, eat heartwarming food, drink fine and enjoy live music such as jazz, opera and piano, then High Note Cafe is 'the' place for you. Be entertained by the singing chef, Franco Borda and relish his home-style Italian cooking of seafood, poultry, pasta, veal and more. Five course family style prix fixe meals enough to band your family or friends to sing in hearty bliss. Some of the noteworthy dishes are the Pollo Bucini (Chicken & Shrimp Portabello Pasta), Core'n Grato, linguini Alfredo and gourmet pizzas. Their full bar serves wine, beer and cocktails. High Note is great for a date night.

La Stanza is an Italian restaurant which has been revamped recently. The new decor has given the restaurant an intimate and chic look while the food has just grown more in terms of creativity and flavor. The restaurant serves reasonably priced poultry, seafood and the usual Italian fare such as the homemade pasta e Fagioli, red snapper served with zucchini and eggplant, shrimp Tuscanna, lump crab, chicken Parmesan, veal Parmesan and more. Their full bar serves beer and wine.