Corktown’s Ottava Via has the meatballs to do rustic Italian

Ottava Via Brick oven pizza
Ryan Patrick Hooper
Ryan Patrick Hooper

Set in the historic Dime Savings Bank building on Eighth, Corktown’s Ottava Via is a rustic Italian standard-bearer helmed by the same chef who opened Seva, and is co-owned by one of the dudes behind Mercury Burger & Bar, with boot country staples like wine, bocce ball (!), and, you know, PIZZA.

Sausage pizza at Ottava Via
Ryan Patrick Hooper

All made in a super-sexy brick oven, the pies're 10-13 buckaroonis apiece and include this Salsiccia with house-made Italian sausage, peperonata, smoked Provolone, and fresh cry-your-eyeballs-out onions, and are doused in what balsamic asks for at the spa (a sweet vinegar wash).

White Pizza at Ottava Via
Ryan Patrick Hooper

This is the thankfully-non-Seattle Marinar, a disc loaded with San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh garlic, fresh oregano, and white anchovies.

Pancetta at Ottava Via
Ryan Patrick Hooper

Ottava Via is rustic, but not that rustic. Case in point: their signature pancetta is cooked sous-vide style at 135 degrees for THIRTY-SIX HOURS.

Meat plate at Ottava Via
Ryan Patrick Hooper

Prefer less bread with your meat and cheese? Go for the Pecorino cheese plate; it comes loaded with melted Pecorino cheese, fresh pear slices, and... crap... a bunch of Italian bread.

Interior of Ottava Via
Ryan Patrick Hooper

Oh and, duh, there's a full-service bar, making this kinda the perfect place for both pregaming sporting events downtown and pregaming romantic dates downtown.