NOW CLOSED...Formerly: Closed for remodeling
Spawned from the Wicker Park creators of Double Door and Santullo's, two-year-old Tre Via offers a chillaxin' spin on affordable gourmet Italian. Mighty little tapa-inspired sharables like prosciutto-parmesan-stuffed arancini risotto balls and mascarpone cream cheese bruschetta make-up the brunt of the menu, while you-call-it 10-inch pizzas fuse rich cheeses and stylized veggies and meats (roasted garlic, caramelized onions, barese sausage) to satisfy larger appetites.
Though the highest priced plate caps off at a taste-at-will $7.50, Tre Via isn't a spot for stuffin' bellies. At best, it's a hip lounge catering to the prolific artistic scene that is the corner of Damen/North/Milwaukee. As a sibling of Double Door, bands frequently pre-party under the soft bubbly glow of the fully stocked bar before kickin' through a set across the street.
Stay planted in your seat on Wednesday for Tre Via's eclectic live music staging, which has been known to feature break-dancers. Tuesday mixes it up with a "totally awesome" prize-motivated bingo. And on the weekends, Tre Via raises the bar with "Live Art Saturdays." Local painters take over a good quarter of the 100-seat capacity first floor and brush to the beats of in-house DJs. The place, with its warm-colored, spherical vibe, incites late-night comfort, whether you're with a few friends or part of a private party (the lower level holds up to 50). Pre-party, party or after-party, Tre Via holds its own Italian groove amidst an already bumpin' neighborhood.
Reviewed By: Gavin Paul Giovagnoli
