Via Perla, From the Owners of the Med, Opens Tonight on Boulder's Pearl Street

The Mediterranean Restaurant — better known around Boulder as simply "The Med" — has been serving up tapas and other noshes from Spain, Italy and Greece for more than a quarter-century. Its younger sibling across the street, Brasserie Ten Ten, has already eclipsed the decade mark as a go-to spot for happy-hour treats and classic French fare. Now Joe and Peggy Romano, the owners of both, are ready to unveil their third Boulder eatery, and this one promises to bring more southern European cuisine. Via Perla opens tonight on the Pearl Street Mall, serving classic Italian in a shiny new spot with an elegant old-world feel.

General manager Mark Yaeger says the goal of the kitchen, overseen by Kelly Kingsford, executive chef over all three restaurants, is "perfection in simplicity." Chef Martin Woods will assume day-to-day responsibilities of turning out a menu of housemade pastas and courses divided into antipasti, primi and secondi.

Via Perla opens tonight at 5 p.m. and will be open nightly until 10 p.m. or later. After opening week, happy hour will be rolled out from 3 to 6 p.m., featuring Italian "merenda" (afternoon snacks) and drink discounts. On April 3, the restaurant will launch its "tutti a tavola" family-style service every Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m., and on April 11, lunch will be added, beginning at 11 a.m. daily.