"The Verdict: Not reinventing the wheel, but book a table and wear those cute new shoes that hurt your feet. Any Chicago restaurant associated with the words “West Loop,” “Italian,” and “Boka Restaurant Group” is guaranteed to be hyped. This is the case with Alla Vita, an Italian BCR on Randolph. It’s designed to be a crowd-pleaser, buzzing with everyone from couples to large groups in town for some investment conference. It’s also pretty, decorated with hanging plants and an intriguing overhead installation that looks a little like fish gills. And while the menu isn’t going to blow your mind with creativity (it’s mainly pizza, pasta, and a handful of entrees) what’s on it is good. The pizza has a chewy wood-fired crust, and the silky cacio e pepe ricotta dumplings will have you waving a spoon in the air like a 2000s Yoplait commercial. " - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor, nick allen
