"Wine bars aren’t always relaxing places to hang out. Some serve $32 charcuterie platters featuring off-putting tinned fish, and some of them have “experts” who shame you for not knowing a grape’s age, country of origin, and star sign. Tria is not one of those wine bars. The laidback spot offers a huge selection of both obscure and everyday options at all price points, along with beer, cider, and cheeses of every ilk. photo credit: Gab Bonghi The Rittenhouse location has been around since 2004, so chances are you’ve been here before (the second location is in Washington Square). The narrow space has a long wooden bar, a few high tops ideal for a casual date, and a soundtrack featuring everything from Blondie to Lana Del Rey. There’s some booth seating, too, so you can just as easily hang out for a couple hours with friends and cheese boards as you can solo with a sandwich. photo credit: Gab Bonghi Perhaps the best thing about Tria—besides the always welcoming, no-pressure attitude from the servers—is that it works even if you have no interest in wine. The food menu, made up of everything from snacky plates of bruschetta and olives to melty sandwiches and meaty salads, are worth a visit on their own. The beer and cider menu, though constantly changing, always has brews from around the globe, and they have a couple of solid non-alcholic options as well. If you are in fact here for the wine, you’ll be in good hands. The menu breaks down its whites, reds, and rosés into categories like lighthearted, zippy, and funky. But have no fear—if “deeply concentrated and massively structured” means absolutely nothing to you, a server is always happy to help you find what you’re looking for. The list changes frequently, but there are lots of options in the $11 range, and Happy Hour is a good time to come (4-6pm, Sunday-Thursday), when they offer $9 wines and charcuterie boards. photo credit: Gab Bonghi We’re glad Tria’s stuck around so long. It’s approachable and reliable for almost any occasion—whether you’re an amateur sommelier or more familiar with wine that comes in a box. Creamy herbed ricotta with pistachios and a drizzle of honey.photo credit: Gab Bonghi Asparagus artichoke salad with tomato vinaigrette.photo credit: Gab Bonghi Mozzarella and prosciutto sandwich with pesto.photo credit: Gab Bonghi Charcuterie board.photo credit: Gab Bonghi" - Alison B. Kessler
