Alla Vita Brings Handmade Pasta, Wood-Fired Pizza, and Italian Hospitality to Nashville
Neighborhood Italian restaurant Alla Vita has officially arrived in Music City. Brought to life by Boka Restaurant Group and chef Lee Wolen of Michelin-starred Boka, the eatery is bringing pastas, pizzas and Italian classics to locals, along with a thoughtfully curated wine list and a flavor-forward cocktail program. Translating to “to life” in Italian, the dining destination takes up residence at 523 Houston Street in the heart of Wedgewood Houston.
"Wedgewood Houston is one of the most exciting neighborhoods in Nashville and a natural fit for Alla Vita,” said Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm, co-founders of Boka Restaurant Group. "Alla Vita was created to be the kind of restaurant that becomes part of the fabric of a neighborhood. It’s warm and welcoming with a menu that guests can enjoy any night of the week.”
The menu opens with a selection of shareable antipasti and salads, including wood-fired meatballs, bluefin tuna crudo, arancini, the kale Caesar salad, and the Alla Vita Chopped salad crafted with Toscano salami, pepperoncini, red onion, tomato, red wine vinaigrette, and vecchio ricotta.
Handmade pastas anchor the dining experience with stand-out courses such as the cacio e pepe ricotta dumplings, rigatoni alla vodka with Calabrian chili, spring pea cappelletti with pickled ramps, guancial and pecorino di parco, and tagliatelle in a beef shank ragu with pecorino romano and oregano.
Wood-fired pizzas also play a starring role, including indulgent specialties like asparagus and Burrata with sweet onion, pecorino and lemon agrumato, San Daniele Prosciutto with black pepper, smoked pecorino and arugula, and a mushroom creation with black truffle, caramelized onion and taleggio.
“Nashville has exceeded every expectation we’ve had, and the closer we’ve gotten to opening, the more excited I’ve become about what we’re creating at Alla Vita,” Wolen says. “Over the past several months, we’ve built an amazing team that shares our commitment to great food and genuine hospitality. We look forward to welcoming guests soon.”