The cozze alla marinara, a large plate brimming with plump mussels in a chunky, flavorful sauce, and the misto di pesce alla griglia, a generous serving of grilled calamari and octopus dressed simply with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon, are outstanding. The adjoining lounge is large and bright, with raw cement floors, apricot walls covered with paintings by local artists, and a fresco of a stormy evening sky daubed on the ceiling. It's a great hangout space, with about a dozen weathered, comfy couches and chairs, mismatched tables, speakers in every corner, and a casual, mostly vegetarian menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches. The house salad is a nice mix of baby greens, mandarin oranges, walnuts, and Gorgonzola in a balsamic vinaigrette, and the Thai cucumber salad, tossed with a balanced chili-sesame vinaigrette and peanuts, is tasty as well. Sandwiches include hummus and cucumber on multigrain toast, fresh mozzarella with pesto and roasted red pepper strips on a baguette that would have been better toasted, and grilled zucchini, squash mushrooms, and goat cheese on focaccia.
Service is laid-back and friendly.
Settimana, a northern Italian restaurant, opened September 26 at 2056 W. Division. It's slated to open as the Firehouse Grill in mid-October.