Since opening Alba Los Angeles on Melrose Avenue Feb. 6, guests have been coming up to co-owner Cobi Levy and thanking him, noting, “We really needed it.” Which is perhaps a bit surprising, given the wealth of Italian restaurants in L.A. (and New York, for that matter — where he and Prince Street Hospitality partner Will Makris debuted their original Cucina Alba on West 18^th Street in the summer of 2022).

“If you consider that dining is entertainment, then we sit in this perfect place,” Levy explains. “The restaurant is vibey and pretty and it's truly an experience — and it also has excellent food and service. There are a lot of places that have fantastic food, but maybe no vibe. And there's plenty of places that have a lot of vibe and the food's not that great. We pride ourselves on finding that perfect spot in between.”