New Menu at Volare Ristorante Italiano – Chicago

Volare Grigliata Mista from the New Menu

Benny Siddu and his culinary team at Volare have done it again. He has made me fall in Love with Volare’s New Menu.

The New Menu has been in the works for some time now, but the wait is finally over. I was delighted to start off my meal with the Grigliata Mista pictured above. The seasoning was just right and it really caught my taste by surprise.

Next, I went with the Linguine Alle Vongole. The perfect mix of Clams in white wine and a light garlic sauce. It will still make any vampire run away and breath mints are optional after dessert, but it is a must have when dining at Volare.

Speaking of dessert. Try the made to order mini cannoli. Fresh and filled with so much flavor that you will wonder why you didn’t start your meal off with these first. I know – I did. Oh well, maybe next time.

When dining in Chicago, don’t miss your chance to enjoy Volare Ristorante’s New Menu.

NEW LUNCH & DINNER MENU LINK

Alex Dana: Chicago’s Own Italian Restaurant King

History and Alex Dana

In 1973, 26-year-old Chicago native Alex Dana purchased an existing luncheonette in Chicago’s Loop. Although business at the “store” was good, Dana wasn’t satisfied. Actually, Dana had a different vision for the location: a full service restaurant. A “joint” that operated from early morning until late at night, a place that offered great food and lots of it, excellent service from friendly people and warm hospitality beginning at the front door. Being raised in a family of restaurant owners it came as no surprise that a new Chicago legend was in the making.

In 1975 two new opportunities knocked at Dana’s door almost simultaneously. Buyers hungry for the success of his loop location made an offer “even he couldn’t refuse,” which corresponded with the opportunity for Alex to purchase the run-down Italian Men’s Supper Club, in a what soon would become a prime location in Chicago’s Little Italy and the The Rosebud was born! Originally called Bocciola della Rosa (bud of the rose), after Sicily’s native flower, the name was translated into English after it was discovered that patrons had a difficult time pronouncing it. Signature dishes, such as Chicken Vesuvio and Pappardelle (square noodles) were introduced. Rosebud became a favorite of celebrities from Robert DeNiro and Tony Bennett to Frank Sinatra, not to mention Carol Burnett, Robert Redford and Jimmy Buffett. Naturally, a gallery of autographed photos was quickly created (and continues to grow) for all to see.

In 1992 expansion was on Dana’s mind. He took an aging (but beautiful) building located in the old Rush Street entertainment neighborhood, one block from the trendy Michigan Avenue shops and opened the Rosebud on Rush, which became an instant hit with Chicagoans and visiting celebrities alike.

Following the growing (and glowing) success of Rosebud on Rush, in 1995 Alex then opened Carmine’s Clamhouse just up the street five blocks on Rush Street. This was the first departure from the use of the name Rosebud for a Dana restaurant. Offering two levels of dining, a busy bar, live entertainment and the outdoor cafe in Chicago for people watching, Carmine’s became an instant celebrity in its own right.

Not one to rest on his laurels (and remembering that you’re only as good as the last bowl of pasta sold), Dana opened his first suburban location, the Rosebud of Naperville (located thirty two miles southwest of the city) and the Rosebud Theater District, located in Chicago’s financial/theater center. After a three year hiatus, his creative juices began to flow again and in 2000 Alex opened his second suburban outpost, the Rosebud of Highland Park, in a tiny suburb just 22 miles north of the city. With an emphasis on family, value AND great food, the Rosebud regulars stayed Rosebud regulars, this time on their own suburban turf. 2000 also saw the birth of a new concept for Dana – Rosebud Steakhouse (A RARE STEAKHOUSE, WELL DONE). The magic continued, this time with tuxedoed waiters, a 28-ounce Chicago-Cut bone-in filet and being voted “The Best Burger” in town by Chicago Tribune readers.

A few years later, Dana decided to try something different by combining a high end Italian restaurant with a fun loving lounge and nightspot. In May of 2005 he opened Rosebud Trattoria, located in Chicago’s bustling River North. Dana transformed the former 50’s style diner into a sleek and sophisticated dining spot with a lounge like feel offering something for everyone from morning till night.

After the success of eight restaurants, Dana had an idea to combine the most beloved, best selling dishes from all of his locations together under one roof. He wanted customers to have the opportunity to enjoy sausage and peppers from The Rosebud on Taylor Street, Mama’s Meatballs from Rosebud Trattoria and Linguine with Clams from Carmine’s on one menu. In May of 2007 the ideal setting presented itself and he opened Rosebud Old World Italian in the Northwest suburb of Schaumburg. Needless to say the restaurant was an instant hit, catering to business professionals and families alike.

Two months later, Dana was back in the city impressing customers yet again. In July of 2007 he opened Rosebud Prime, a lavish dining oasis amidst the finest entertainment venues and steps away from the heart of the loop. The second steakhouse under the Rosebud umbrella, Rosebud Prime combines impeccable service, a sophisticated atmosphere and the finest selection of steaks, seafood and chops.

In 2009, Dana decided to make a change to Rosebud of Naperville and after a brief stint serving comfort foods including Rosebud’s renowned hamburger, the restaurant transformed into Rosebud Italian Specialties & Pizzeria. The new concept provides a fresh perspective on Italian cuisine with a chef driven, weekly changing menu focusing on regional dishes and fresh ingredients. Another new feature is thin crust, Award Winning Pizzas served from a traditional deck style oven. The ultimate goal at Rosebud Italian Specialties and Pizzeria is to provide customers with two distinct dining options; a more casual, family friendly pizzeria and an upscale, white table cloth dining room.

It’s been an exciting journey for Alex Dana and Rosebud. Today, ten restaurants including two steakhouses and eight white table cloth Italian concepts are proudly under the Rosebud umbrella, each filling a unique niche within the community and upholding the highest standards for fine cuisine and superior wine selections. After forty years of business, there’s no telling what’s next is on the horizon. One thing is for sure, the future is bright for this dynamic restaurant group. Stay tuned for exciting developments!

Chilean Sea Bass or Chicken Limone: Ristorante Demarco’s, Best of the West

Ristorante Demarco’s is one of my Best of the West Pic’s this Week:

Best of the West, meaning the over populated restaurant scene in the western suburbs of Chicago. Somedays I love to just take a book and dine by myself, but I have a hard time dining alone when it comes to DeMarco’s.  You see I need a foodie wingman at DeMarco’s, because I have a hard time saying no to Chicken Limone and Chilean Sea Bass at the same time.

Since I can not eat both, I called in fellow foodie and wingman,David Rozek (Writer at AlmostFreeChicago.com) and suggested he order the Sea Bass. You see David always fills up on appetizers, bread and soup in fine restaurants, which allows me to pick on his and enjoy mine too. Of course he’s not gonna be too happy after reading this, but a girl has got to have her priorities.

The Sea Bass and the Chicken Limone are both World Class Fare, but the guy next to us had the Shrimp Pasta and the seem of it was driving me insane. Have you ever just wanted to walk up to someones table and say excuse me can I taste that? Ok – I will control myself, but at least I took a picture.

 

In closing, Ristorante Demarco’s is one of Chicagolands Best Restaurants, but don’t take my word for it – get off the computer and try it for yourself.

Demarco’s Restaurant is located at:

Lake Street & Route 53
Itasca, IL 60143

Map & Directions

(630) 285-9200

www.DeMarcosRistorante.com