Absolutely phenomenal, when I crave Italian this hits the spot like no other. Stop going to Olive Garden, spend your money here, it's worth it, I promise. The ravioli, lasagna, meatballs, the gnocchi with pesto and goat cheese. The bread and oil.
Felt like family, like I've been here before. And I will be!
I would go to Chicago to get this type of meal, and now it's blocks from my home and I could be more happy.
The restaurant is beautiful, and absolutely come as you are!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Meatball Lasagna
My husband and I stopped in for our weekly date night, and we were blown away! First, the restaurant is simply charming in an old-world European way. We loved it. The staff and owner made the visit even more enjoyable. Then there was the food. Oh my!!!! We asked for the meatballs, and the waiter asked which marinara sauce we wanted. They have a spicy version, and he suggested mixing the two. Oooh, the flavor of the sauce was phenomenal, and I have never had such delicious meatballs. EVER! We asked for more bread so we could finish the sauce. It was that good. I chose the special for the evening, three cod filets with orzo. It was simply Devine. It was spicy but not so spicy that you couldn't taste the other flavors. The cod was seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfection. My husband went with the hot honey shrimp linguine. He said it was wonderful. Then dessert time. I went with the gelato, thinking I'd get three little scoops or one fla or. Of no. I received a huge scoop of lemon, pitasio and chocolate! Mercy! the flavors packed a punch! And there were surprises in the middle of each. My favorite was the lemon. But they were all terrific. My husband chose the Pastel de Nada. Creamy egg custard in a flakey pie crust. It was really good!! If you are planning on going out, make the trip. You will not regret it!! Thank you for a wonderful evening!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Vita del Lago in Michigan City!
On our way home my wife and I were evaluating our evening experience that we had just enjoyed and were hard pressed to think of a time we had had a better, complete date night adventure from a restaurant. Many places were exceptionally good on the food front and we enjoyed them very much, Cool Runnings, Bon Viet, Ivy's Bohemia House... are a few of our top contenders we have been blessed to try out and have (or at least tried to) revisit. Vita del Lago is absolutely in that tier! Food quality and flavors is among, if not the BEST we have EVER had.
Then there is the atmosphere! Our evening together was very pleasant as the venue was such a comfortable and warm setting. The number of other guests was extremely light (which no doubt helped with the more romantic tones) and the softly played music of soft rock from our younger years made it just that much more enjoyable. I told my wife that this place is somewhere a young couple could come and enjoy a romantic dinner with each other. In that regard I have to rate them, HANDS DOWN the best restaurant we have ever visited since we began these Friday Date Night adventures.
We did agree that, for Italian, this was the BEST meal we have had.
The complementary bread and seasoned oil with grated parmesan was warm and good. We decided to sample the meat ball appetizer (I believe we were told it was the owner's grandfather's or great-grandfather's recipe). Our waiter suggested a blend of the marinaras they offer, both tomato based but with with a spicy kick, the meatballs were tops, and combined with he marinara sauces... YUM!
She went with the special of baked cod on smoked paprika orzo, the fish was as near perfect in how it was cooked as well as in seasoning. The orzo was an exceptional pairing with a touch of heat, that intensified throughout the dining, and she enjoyed it immensely!
I got stuck on the brown butter and hot honey seasoned Shrimp Scampi with fresh made linguini, I had to try it and was glad I did. The sauce started with the sweetness of the honey and after a few bites the heat started to kick in... an excellent combination!
As she was feeling the heat from the main entrée she made her mind up that she needed ice cream or something to cut the heat, cue the gelato! They offered a dessert called Gelato Bombs and it was just that. 3 exceptionally large portions of Lemon, Pistachio, and Chocolate Gelato. Each layered in flavor, the lemon (wonderfully tart) being her favorite.
I was going to have to try the Pastel deNada, Spanish custard in a puff pastry shell, satisfyingly sweet and a perfect pairing with a good strong coffee.
A top 5 for the Teel's! Go!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
