Volare: User Reviews

A Bit Pricey For What It is...
By Luke from Streeterville, August 28, 2009

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I had not been back to this restaurant in 8 months. The food is excellent, albeit it a bit pricey (especially for the specials). The wine list—by the bottle— is overpriced (and getting out of control). For example, the least expensive reds were 3 chiantis at $35 per bottle. Chianti should not be that expensive. I ordered the seafood pasta special; my wife had a simple pasta dish in olive oil; we each had a caprese salad; and we shared an appetizer of chese- stuffed eggplant. We also shared a bottle of wine at $50. She had an extra glass wine after dinner, while I had a campari before dinner. Our bill, before a $ 30 tip, was $ 143. Even though I live a few blocks away, I felt like a tourist being ripped-off. And, yes, reservations are almost meaningless here. Plus, this place is far too loud and too dark (it was very difficult to read the menu, not to mention seeing the prices). Bottom line: I think it is time to find a new favorite Italian restaurant that is more reasonably priced. To end on a good note: our waiter, originally from Italy, while not terribly attentive (due to the restaurant being overcrowded), was good, professional, and amiable nevertheless. I would have him to be my waiter anytime.

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Great Time and good food!
By Katie845 from River North, August 27, 2009

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Risotto was great and osso bucco was great too! Marcos the Manager is awesome and very friendly. Would def. return.

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Poor management
By Disappointed in mgmt from River North, March 26, 2009

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I went with a group of five to the restaurant. We ordered pasta entrees and a couple people asked to include some veggies in the dish. When we got our bill, they had charged us $4 for each veggie in each dish with no advanced notice from the waiter. The waiter was apologetic and said the "kitchen" charged it. The waiter was very nice about it but when the manager came, he basically refused to acknowledge that it is poor service. I understand charging for extra's but when the veggies cost more than the entree, they should say something. Wait staff was nice and attentive but the management was poor at communicating. We won't be going back even though the food was good.

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Hidden Italian Gem in Streeterville
By Streetervillechick from Streeterville, December 27, 2008

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My husband and I live in the area. We've had a chance to check out a number of places in the area and this one by far is our favorite. Sure it gets crowded on the weekend and there is normaly some kind of wait. But what good place downtown doesn't have some kind of wait? But those in the know that love good Italian food will grab a drink at the bar and look forward to it. They take care of everyone and you never feel rushed. The potato gnocchi are to die for and the crab leg dish is a must have for any seafood lovers!

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Very Accomodating
By CallieDee from South West Suburbs, December 9, 2008

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My family and I (4 people total) were in Chicago for Venetian night this summer. My mom and I had been to Volare the summer before and had a great meal outside, so I was very excited to try it again. We did not have a reservation and it was about 5:00pm on a weekend, I thought we would have to go somewhere else. We gave them our name and within about 5-10 minutes we were seated and being greeted by our waiter. He was great; I had taken some Italian in college and he was great speaking it with me. I know my meal was absolutely amazing. I had the Risotto Fattori, and it was a great change from always having pasta at an italian restaurant. It was fabulous. The whole atmosphere was great and I noticed the owner/manager walking around greeting tables during my whole meal. I definitely recommend this restaurant and cannot wait to go back! Ciao!

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Good Quality Italian
By Disco from downtown, November 21, 2008

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I've been to Volare on a couple of occasions and it still hasn't let me down. The staff is knowledgable and polite. Good quality service. The food itself is marvelous even if you just get a salad. Not a huge place but worth going and it's underrated.

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Do not go on a Friday or Satrurday night
By EMC from Lincoln Park, January 19, 2008

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My wife and I made reservations for us and some out of town guest for 8:00 on a Friday night 2 months in advance. We arrived 10 minutes early and checked in. While checking in, the hostess mentioned that our table was not ready and to go have a seat by the bar. Okay we thought. However when we looked at the bar there was no where to seat let alone even stand without being bumped by the servers and buss boys tending to tables. We literally were pushed up against the bathroom walls in front of where the food comes out. We waited for about 45 minutes before being seated. I was so embarrassed. Point being reservations do not hold any clout at this place. They overbook and have no overflow area for patrons to wait. It basically started out our Friday night on a very bad note. Besides that, the food is good, but the service is sub par. A server really should not call every guy at the table "chief". I would never go back to this place until the start respecting the notion of what a reservation really is.

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Hmmmm...waiting...still waiting...
By bal2278 from Gold Coast, January 18, 2008

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My boyfriend and I went to Volare for our anniversary last week. Due to it being a Friday night, we made reservations for 7:30. We got there and quite honestly, the hostess was rude. She quickly dismissed us by telling us to sit at the bar and that our table would be ready in about 5 minutes! HA! Literally, an hour later, we were finally seated (and this was after checking in every 20 minutes or so to let them know we were still there) - what's the point of making a reservation if you're not seated at the time of your reservation or shortly thereafter?? To add salt to our wounds, we were sat at a table right next to the crowded bar and right next to the very narrow aisle that all of the waitstaff have to go through with the food! Not exactly very romantic! So, on one side, we had waiters and huge trays going by us constanly and on the other we had a group of 8 women who were visiting Chicago and louder than you could believe! Oh yeah - and then we had all of the other people that were waitng in the bar surrounding us (probably for their pointless reservation!) Bottom line, it was insanely loud and uncomfortable and if we made a point to make reservations, we should have at least been sat in the dining room (we didn't just walk right in). The dining room is crowded, but people could definitely talk to each other without yelling and are able to hear one another. Normally, we're not seat snobs, but had we known what the bar table would have been like, we would have said something right away. Now, on to the food and our waiter. His name was Jesus and he was AWESOME! And quite honestly, the food was really great too! But if we ever go back, it would have to definitely be during the week or their non-busier times...

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My brother and I went...
By Josie from Chicago, IL, September 2, 2007

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My brother and I went here for my birthday on a Sunday evening. Although the place was packed, the service was great. We didn't feel rushed at all. The food was really good and I feel reasonably priced, especially for the location. I really recommed Volare.

Always great! The best Italian...
By Mark from Chicago, IL, August 29, 2007

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Always great! The best Italian food in the entire city!