Chifa

This is a new, Latin-inspired Peruvian-Cantonese restaurant located in Philadelphia's Center City. Hubby and I had prixe-fix dinner here during Philadelphia's Restaurant Week. At $30 per person, it was a great way to try out Chifa. We were able to get a table before all the reservations were taken and we arrived about 30 minutes early. We were able to get a table after a little wait and the dinner began in full force. The inner decor looked warm with lots of dark walls, wood and soft lighting however we had dinner outside (curbside) to save time. Our waiters were very polite and each dish of the tasting menu was announced, and descibed in some detail.
The food was very generously seasoned and tasted spectacular. Even Chicken Wings were given a special touch with a spicy garlic ginger sauce. The Bao Buns were succulent with the right amount of pork belly in the center. They were simply heavenly. The Scallion Pancakes were to die for but the Pho was rather too light on taste for us. The dessert was Turron de Chocolate and it rounded up a superb evening.
The curbside seating lacked much sights and sounds but the food and service more than made up for it. I would run back to Chifa any day, and today, it's highly recommended with a 5 out of 5 rating.

Pictures courtsey of http://www.uwishunu.com/

It's Fall!

Now that fall is here and the air is crsip, the sweaters and boots are coming out. This is the time of the year that I like to carry fashion pieces that really pop in the grayness and chill. Now, I'm going to be upfront and say that I have searched high and low for comfortable, yet sexy, Louboutins. The one of two styles that foots this bill is the Cathay. I stumbled on the white snakeskin and tan versions of the Cathay being sold on a British website - the black patent is the type I've seen in stores here in the US.

The Cathay is on my 'Want List' in the tan color and I hope to get it as soon as I cut down my current credit card balances in the coming weeks. Check out http://www.mytheresa.com/, http://www.asos.com/, http://www.lastcall.com/ for more designer goodies including items from our European neighbours.

I had been waiting anxiously for the 'Mulberry for Target' collection to hit stores on October 10. That same day, I ran to my closest Target store to snatch my own pink leopard patent handbag from the collection. I had seen this bag lauded in several fashion magazines and it looked so good on the glossy pages. It looked like a fun, everyday bag for winter but imagine my dismay to realize that the bag had a cheap, glazed look to it, in person. Even $53 seemed like too much to spend on that quality and the bag is back at Target waiting for it's rightful buyer.

Other accessories that would spice up the fall/winter wardrobe would be colorful tights, animal print scarves/shoes/belts/handbags, candy-colored handbags (a la the 80s) and very importantly - glowing, healthy-looking face,skin and hair.