A romantic enclave with traditional Italian music and jazz, white tablecloths and cozily nestled dark wood chairs sounds like a spot more likely to be found in Little Italy or Lakeview. But with Via Carducci La Sorella, Giovanni and Jennifer Scalzo, the couple-owners of Lincoln Park spot Via Carducci, attempt to inject a bit of casual elegance into the myriad of hip hotspots dotting Division Street in Wicker Park.

The main dining room feels like a homey space, with dark wood floors, brick walls and tasteful accent lighting illuminating the tightly-packed melange of tables. A bar flanks one wall of the main dining room, serving as a nice spot to wait for a date during the chilly winter months. Upon being shown your table by a hyper-attentive server, baskets of hot, crusty bread are rushed to your table, where a liter of Panna is waiting to be consumed.

The swank joints on Division Street aren't known for being incredibly budget-friendly, and La Sorella is no exception, with simple pasta dishes ranging from $11-20. Fish tops out at 20-plus dollars, and while the spigola al cartoccio, striped sea bass baked in parchment, arrives appropriately moist and tender for the price, the farm-raised tilapia drowns under a chicken parmigana-esque preparation of bread crumbs and tomato sauce. Crispy, thin crust gourmet pizzas come topped with exotic toppings, including imported figs, caramelized red onions and gorgonzola, and at $11-14 for a 12-inch pie, won't completely break the bank.

The wine list, sadly, features average bottles at above average-prices, but with outdoor dining options available during the summer, splurging on a glass and a lunch panini could make for an enjoyable weekend afternoon of hipster-watching.

Centerstage Reviewer: Olivia Leigh