LINCOLN PARK — A new pizza parlor and sports bar named after a Dave Matthews Band song has replaced Italian eatery Via Carducci on Fullerton Avenue.
Carmelo Scalzo, the nephew of the Via Carducci owner, has teamed up with longtime friend Augie Femminella, former manager of Via Carducci and Ciao Bella in suburban Rockford, to open The Warehouse Bar & Pizzeria, 1419 W. Fullerton Ave.
Via Carducci closed after serving the neighborhood for 19 years. The other Via Carducci location in Wicker Park at 1928 W. Division St. is still open.
Inside, the new restaurant/bar, which is named after the DMB song "Warehouse," is modern and industrial, with tabletops made with basketball court wood and steel accents throughout. It has a garage, which opens up to a sidewalk cafe for al fresco dining during warmer months.
"We're both really big Dave Matthews fans," said Scalzo. "We bought the [website] URL seven or eight years knowing we'd open up this bar."
Food-wise, patrons can expect a range of specialty pizzas, including one with white cheddar mac and cheese, button and Portobello mushrooms, meatballs and truffle oil (The Truffle Mac) and another with crispy pancetta, caramelized onions, parmesan cream sauce, shaved egg and parmesan (The Carbonara).
There are also sandwiches, including a few different takes on grilled cheese, salads and appetizers on the menu. The drink menu offers craft beer, wine on tap and cocktails. For dessert, patrons can choose from Nutella pizza and fluffer nutter.
"The community's been very welcoming. A lot of local families have been coming in. We'd like to try and pull even more people from Lincoln Park. We felt this area [could use] something more than the typical Irish pub sports bar," said Scalzo.
Downstairs there is a private party room that can hold up to 50 people.
Scalzo, who graduated from nearby DePaul University, said Warehouse will become an official Chicago Blackhawks bar in the coming weeks. He and Femminella hope to attract both students and families.
So far, the feedback has been nothing but positive.
"They're happy to see that it stayed in the family. But this place looks totally different than Via Carducci," he said.
(from l.) Carmelo Scalzo, the nephew of the Via Carducci owner, and longtime friend and former Via Carducci manager Augie Femminella to open the new restaurant. 
The inside of The Warehouse Pizzeria & Bar.
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