"Any Chicago restaurant associated with the words “West Loop,” “Italian,” and “Boka Restaurant Group” is probably going to be a good time. This is the case with Alla Vita, an Italian spot on Randolph. It’s designed to be a crowd-pleaser, buzzing with everyone from couples to large groups in town for some conference. It’s also pretty, decorated with hanging plants and an intriguing overhead installation that looks a little like fish gills. The menu is straightforward—mainly pizza, pasta, and a handful of entrees. 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. Reservations are released on Opentable 60 days in advance at 12:01am. Options for prime dinner times are few and far between, so plan on booking a month or so ahead of time. Or grab a seat at the bar or on the patio right when they open." - team infatuation