Streeterville's Family-Run Italian
Volare on Grand Avenue is Streeterville's family-run Italian institution — handmade pastas, properly-rendered veal, and the kind of warm, regulars-built feel that distinguishes a neighbourhood Italian from a destination one.
The cooking is traditional Italian-American at restaurant standards: handmade pastas, considered veal preparations, the kind of regional Italian small-plate tradition the format demands.
What to Order
Handmade pasta in the day's preparation. Veal Milanese properly pounded; veal saltimbocca with the right balance of sage and prosciutto. The wine list is well-priced and Italian-leaning.
The Format
The dining room is comfortable and unfussy. Tables are well-spaced; the staff are unhurried; the regulars dominate the room.
Best Occasion: Team Dinner
Volare handles a Streeterville team dinner reliably. The Italian format provides shareable conversation; the dining room absorbs a group; the price point sits in the bracket where the bill is not the headline.