The layout is basically the same, but otherwise La Piazza has a dramatically different look and feel than previous tenant Node did. Entering the space at 1504 E. North Ave., you notice the lack of nicotine stank (we hear it took two weeks to rid the space of the smell), art adorning the walls and smiling faces behind the counter off to the right.
There is a deli case with cold cuts and salads, and through to the back, there's a cool, copper-clad bar that's open until bar time.
Mornings -- they open at 6 (8 on Sundays) -- there are bagels, bakery items, granola and more. There are subs, sandwiches and salads made to order at lunch. All day there's a full line of coffee beverages and juices.
And, there's that bar in the back, which stays open as long as there are customers (but not beyond bar time of course).
The smoke-free La Piazza wasn't busy the morning when I stopped in, but it looks great, the coffee was good and it looks like a great addition to North Avenue. Maybe I'll go back for lunch today.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
