Tria: The Best Philadelphia Restaurant for Beer, Wine & Cheese

The residents of Washington West might have been happy if a Blimpies had opened up on the dismal northeast corner of 12th and Spruce. Thankfully, instead they've been gifted with Tria, a sister-store to the popular Rittenhouse restaurant. Our visit to the wine, cheese and beer bar was highly anticipated. We'd monitored the construction for months, then were impressed with the non-stop stream of handsome locals who congregated at the simple and stylish bar or sidewalk tables. While Tria is ensconced warmly within the Gayborhood, the clientele is a fresh mix of young and old, fresh and funky, gay and straight. While we come to places for the food or spirits, we certainly stay longer if those assembled are interesting

Dinner started with glasses of the Prosecco ($9), an effervescent white with a slight peach flavor and a dry finish, and a Standing Stone Riesling ($9) also with a peach finish, but a bit more flinty. Both were suggestions of the Tria staff, and we urge you to utilize their experience when selecting. With the wine, we had a helping of the Parmesan olive oil potato chips ($2) and the bruschetta with balsamic-strawberries ($4). While I scarfed down the plate of homemade potato chips, my boy toy preferred the unique flavor combinations of the bruschetta. For our main courses, I chose the smoked chicken with Lancaster cheddar sandwich ($8). The tender and tasty chicken was laden with grilled spring onion, fresh lettuce and original apricot mustard. My companion enjoyed an incredible smoked chicken salad ($9). Crispy prosciutto, grape tomatoes and a fresh mix of greens served with goat cheese toast.

While everything before was divine, Tria really shines for dessert. If your dessert option is cheese. Not to slight there selection of sweet snacks, cheese is what Tria does best. Many worldly and exotic offerings are at your tongue tip, and the staff can again offer the proper guidance in finding what appeals to your palate. Since we sampled the Alsatian desert wine, Gewürztraminer Vendages Tardives ($13); a nearly unpronouncable but exotic, tropical and spicy glass; we picked three options that would compliment. Our triad included the whipped and zesty Hoja Santa goat cheese ($6), the sweet and peppery Le Vieux Berger Roquefort, and the NEVAT ($6), an earthy and buttery fine finish. Admittedly, I'm the type of fellow who has to have some sweets at the end, but the cheese combination proved a serious and happy diversion. The cheeses are served on a wooden cutting board, alongside slices of baguette, honeycomb, pumpkin seed, fresh strawberries and/or whatever else compliments your choice of cheese. Tria makes it easy for cheese amateurs; the options are divided into simple and honest brackets. If you don't like smelly cheese or goat cheese, Tria can safely steer you in another direction.

Tria proudly crows that it is a bar specializing in fermentation; whether it be cheese, wine or beer. After sampling their menu, I'm inclined to agree. I'd also go as far as to point out they specialize in three other areas that every Philadelphian wants in a bar/restaurant. Comely fun crowd? Check. Excellent food at inexpensive prices? Check. Wide selection of brewski and vino at unbelievably inexpensive prices? Bingo! Now that, is a trifecta!

Tria, 1137 Spruce St, $, 215-629-9200, triacafe.com.