The blur of activity at Vita

Some friends and I were trying to think of a nice spot for dinner last night. We had 7 people, voracious appetites, and were craving some good wine. Add to that the fact that we didn’t want to take multiple cabs but instead preferred to walk and we were left with one clear choice…. Vita.

Vita is a new restaurant that opened up two weeks ago. It is located by Lola in the lower highlands area, just over the two pedestrian bridges from Riverfront Park for our walkable group trek. It was a good thing we called for a reservation because it was packed.

Cozy and warm, with subtle lighting and floor to ceiling glass walls that look out to the city, Vita is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. We had a large table right on the glass (requested when making the reservation) and started right in with some wonderful wine selections from our waiter (who rocked by the way). We started with the chef’s selection anti pasta tray which includes some great sardines. These were so much of a hit we ordered a new side plate of just sardines.

We also had two wonderful appetizers I have to share, and you have to try. The first was a mushroom gnocci served with roasted mushrooms, mushroom jus, and manchego which was smooth, savory, and delicious. Although a larger portion would have been wonderful, that would be the only less than outstanding comment. The second was a special for that evening that we strongly hope becomes a regular item. It was a stuffed and fried calamari tube. Crispy on the outside and stuffed with wonderful goodies inside which I can’t recite today (apple may have been one of them). It rocked.

For dinner I had the special again, a braised quail breast with ravioli in a tasty light sauce. Again, it rocked. I would recite the various other dinner entrees, but I did not sample them myself. I know the winter squash lasagna was a hit, the risotto was a hit even more so than the shrimp it was paired with, and the creamy soft polenta side dish with the chicken cacciatore was a favorite at the table.

Desert offered an apple crisp that disappeared in a frenzy that almost had folks jabbing each other with forks, which left wonderful chocolate and gelato dishes that quickly evaporated as well. The favorite was the apple crisp, save space for this one if you can.

So check out Vita, and enjoy its wonderful views that probably have a lifespan of about two years before the new buildings going in across the street are built. But don’t worry, if the food and the team there keep this up the view won’t matter a bit.

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