Bella Vita is a new Italian restaurant located in a building where at least three chains have tried to make a go of it. It's right across from West Towne but is located on a little side street that nobody uses, so I'm sure a lot of people see it and then just go to Olive Garden.
The food, you ask? I really like it, but I'm a sucker for over-cheesed pastas so you'll have to keep that in mind. The lasagna was generous with the meat (beef and Italian sausage) and featured digestion-hindering amounts of cheese. The baked ziti was similarly cheesed. Both are great.
I also tried the Italian Beef. It was good but I think they were trying too hard. Roasted garlic aioli? Spicy giardiniera pesto? Garlic-herb bun? I'm surprised they didn't throw on the "chipotle ranch" and "honey mustard mayo" that adorn their other sandwiches. I think the sandwich would have been better with just the mozzarella
Service has been okay both times. The waitstaff can get messed up over who gets which entree, and sometimes sides are switched. Overall, I don't get too upset unless I get the wrong food or it arrives too slowly, neither of which has happened at Bella Vita.
I recommend this place if you're in the area. I would really like it to succeed since it's a lot better than most of the restaurants in the immediate area. Bonus tidbit for militant anti-chain folks: this place isn't a chain (even if it feels a lot like one); it's locally owned so you don't have to feel bad spending money here.
(Nine filtered reviews? Uh oh)