Man cannot live by bread alone.

Conversely, a man deprived of bread (and pasta for that matter) becomes irritable, joyless, and righteously philosophical. (“I avoid gluten, therefore, I am.”)

Those who prefer spaghetti to Sartre head to Soleto, the new downtown trattoria/pizzeria from Innovative Dining Group (Boa Steakhouse, Sushi Roku).

Part neighborhood drinking den, part Italian street cafe, the 3,500-square-foot space includes an outdoor patio, pizza counter, and huge wraparound bar overlooking flat-screens perma-tuned to sports.

The lunch/dinner menu pays respects to the old country (meatballs marinara, chicken Parm) while tossing in suspiciously American-sounding panini (turkey breast with cranberry pesto, cheeseburger with bacon).

Pizza comes straight up (pepperoni and sausage) or with a twist (roasted chicken and artichoke, fig and prosciutto). Wash it all down with Italian beers and wine or house-made limoncello.

This place is a Kant miss.

Soleto Trattoria and Pizza Bar, 801 South Figueroa Street, at West Eighth Street, Downtown (213-622-3255 or innovativedining.com).

Photo: Biz Urban Photography for DailyCandy