TINTO WINE BAR, 114 South 20th St., Philadelphia, 215•665•9150 This place is a fave, maybe the pull is my Basque heritage, but I felt at home here and so did my tastebuds.  The ingredients in the small plates (tapas/pinxtos) are all hand-selected, the specials on the menu are imported from Basque Country and boy, you can tell the diferencia!  The wine we had was superb, Castillo Labastida Crianza 2005, from the beautiful Rioja region in Spain.  If traveling to San Sebastian isn't yet in the cards, this cozy spot is by far a close second...

...and then to learn Chef Jose Garces of Amada has a slew of restaurants (Garces Restaurant Group), each with its own cool concept (& website)? We also checked out CHIFA, yum.  I was blown away and I'm feelin' the Latin pride big time.  Aliza Rosen, Philly TV producer, raved about this one.  You were spot on!  Reservations suggested, wait well worth it.