Table for Two

It was the BF's and my 2 year anniversary this weekend ( oh, I know). To commemorate we decided that a nice dinner out would be sweet, and while really a customary choice for such an event, it allowed me to wear my new pretty cocktail dress and play arm candy to my similarly well-dressed boy. However, stilettos and feels-like-freezing Philly temps aren't the best pair ... unless you count how your feet get numb from all that stress you can't even feel them.

Regardless, we made the trip to the Rittenhouse Square area and enjoyed a lovely meal (read: BYOB) at La Viola. Yes, the restaurant was smaller than any I've been in that were meant to accomodate 50 people (we were practically in the laps of the couple next to us) and it was loud, cramped, and you had a new waiter running past you at any minute, but all that really only added to the place's charm. The cuisine is Italian, so you almost expect that loud, welcoming, big-family sort of atmosphere and the close quarters made it feel special and distinct. The lighting was romantic, the service was particularly speedy, and the food - my God - was delicious. That's my fettucine al salmone in cream sauce; I regret not having a better picture to really showcase the I-can-die-happy-now goodness.

AND Love Actually was on this weekend. The holidays and love are upon us!



Any Philly-ites out there have other restaurant raves? It's my goal to eat my way through the city in 2009.