It's not new, but it's definitely fresh. It's not particularly flashy, but it still sparkles. It's not some ages-old riddle, it's Al Vento, the chef-driven south Minneapolis Italian restaurant that shows, after several years of successful business, that sometimes simplicity trumps all. Chef Jon Hunt re-creates rustic Italian fare with a lighter, modern twist. Delicate handmade pasta is paired with robust braised chicken cacciatore; pillowy gnocchi is matched with strapping smoky pork shoulder; meaty swordfish goes with spinach risotto; and at times when everything in life feels uncertain, there's nothing like Al Vento's sweet and pure "mother sauce" and a softly herby hand-rolled meatball to reset your internal mood meter to content. It's stick-to-your-ribs, soul-warming food, prepared with the finesse of a passionate kitchen team, which is what great Italian food is all about.