"This new West Loop Italian spot is from the same chef as Boka, which means the food is great. And while Alla Vita’s menu isn’t going to impress your in-laws with creativity (it’s mainly pizza, pasta, and a handful of entrees) it is delicious. The rigatoni is perfectly al dente, the pizza has a chewy crust, and the chicken parmesan stays crispy even while sitting in a rich tomato sauce. And this restaurant is buzzy and popular - it’s in the former Bellemore space (which is huge) and it’s decorated with hanging plants and a very cool fabric wave ceiling. Right now reservations are few and far between, so plan on booking a month or so in advance." - adrian kane