{"id":5083,"date":"2026-04-10T02:32:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T02:32:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unitedstatesofitaly.it\/?p=5083"},"modified":"2026-04-10T02:39:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T02:39:01","slug":"benny-siddu-luomo-che-ha-portato-la-vera-italia-a-chicago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unitedstatesofitaly.it\/en\/benny-siddu-luomo-che-ha-portato-la-vera-italia-a-chicago\/","title":{"rendered":"Benny Siddu: The Man Who Brought True Italy to Chicago"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is a corner of Chicago<\/strong> where Italy isn't just evoked, but experienced. Amid the aromas of rag\u00f9, glasses of fine wines, and a hospitality that feels like home, Volare Italian Restaurant<\/strong><\/a> Over the years, it has become much more than a restaurant: it's a story of passion, roots, and vision. At the heart of it all is Benny Siddu, a host who has turned hospitality into a true art.<\/p>\n

From Sardinia to the American Dream<\/h2>\n

The story of Benny Siddu<\/strong> has its roots in Sardinia<\/strong>, in a small town where hospitality is an integral part of daily life. As a teenager, he took his first steps in the restaurant business, working in his uncle's bed & breakfast. At just 15, he moved to mainland Italy, beginning a journey that would teach him discipline, sacrifice, and dedication.<\/p>\n

Europe soon became too small for his ambitions. After significant experience in England, he decided to test himself in an international context by working on cruise ships. Here, for nearly a decade, he honed his management skills and developed a high level of service.<\/p>\n

In 1984<\/strong> He landed in Chicago, the city that would become his permanent home. He worked successfully in French restaurants and at the most renowned steakhouses, building a solid and respected reputation. But the turning point came in 1997.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Flying: When a Name Becomes Destiny<\/h2>\n

\u201c"Volare" in Italian means to soar, to take flight. A name that's almost a declaration of intent. When Benny Siddu opened his restaurant in the Streeterville neighborhood, no one could have imagined how much the project would grow.<\/p>\n

From the very beginning, Volare has stood out for its distinct identity: authentic Italian cuisine, deeply rooted in tradition and with a contemporary twist. It's not just a restaurant, but a place where every detail tells a story: from the warm and refined old-world atmosphere to the impeccable service.<\/p>\n

An experience that feels like home<\/h2>\n

Entering Volare means being welcomed as part of the family. This is one of the elements that has made the restaurant a Chicago landmark: a sincere, unpretentious hospitality that perfectly reflects the character of its founder.<\/p>\n

The customer is never a number, but a guest. A simple concept, but increasingly rare today.<\/p>\n

It's no surprise, then, that many recount memorable evenings, immersed in a vibrant, almost cinematic atmosphere. Some swear they expect, at any moment, to see Frank Sinatra sitting at a corner table.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The kitchen: tradition, talent and identity<\/h2>\n

The beating heart of Volare, however, remains the cuisine. Here, Italian tradition is respected and celebrated, with influences ranging from Sardinia to Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna.<\/p>\n

Leading the team is the executive chef Massimiliano, originally from Bologna, who brings to the United States<\/a> authentic and refined culinary expertise. The result is a gastronomic offering that blends comfort food and innovation: classic dishes elegantly reinterpreted and creations that explore new taste horizons.<\/p>\n

Lasagna becomes a memorable experience, tiramisu conquers even the most discerning palates. Each course tells a story of technique, passion, and respect for the ingredients.<\/p>\n

To complement everything, an extensive and carefully curated wine list features prestigious labels, particularly Tuscan and Sardinian, and a selection of spirits designed to complete the experience.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A success built over time<\/h2>\n

Since its opening, Volare has continued to grow. Its reputation has grown year after year, becoming one of Chicago's most popular Italian restaurants.<\/p>\n

This is thanks to a clear vision: not to chase trends, but to stay true to one's identity. In a competitive landscape like that of the American restaurant industry, this consistency has proven to be a winning choice.<\/p>\n

The Secret of Benny Siddu<\/h2>\n

What makes Volare truly special? The answer is simple: passion.<\/p>\n

For Benny Siddu, food and hospitality aren't just a job, they're a way of life. After more than 35 years of work, he continues to embody the values he learned as a boy: dedication, respect, and love for what he does.<\/p>\n

It is this authenticity that you perceive as soon as you cross the threshold of the restaurant.<\/p>\n

In a fast-paced world, Volare represents a place to pause, savor, and feel at home, even thousands of kilometers from Italy. It's the result of a personal story that becomes a collective experience, of a dream that took flight without ever losing its roots.<\/p>\n

And perhaps this is precisely the secret to its success: making every guest feel part of something real. Because at Volare, you don't just go to eat, but to experience a piece of Italy that, in Chicago, continues to soar.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

C\u2019\u00e8 un angolo di Chicago dove l\u2019Italia non \u00e8 solo evocata, ma vissuta. Tra profumi di rag\u00f9, calici di grandi vini e un\u2019ospitalit\u00e0 che sa di casa, Volare Ristorante Italiano…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5084,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[150],"tags":[832,834,682,758,833],"class_list":{"0":"post-5083","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-italians-better","8":"tag-benny-siddu","9":"tag-chicago","10":"tag-cucina-italiana","11":"tag-sardegna","12":"tag-volare-ristorante-italiano"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unitedstatesofitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unitedstatesofitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unitedstatesofitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unitedstatesofitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unitedstatesofitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5083"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.unitedstatesofitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5094,"href":"https:\/\/www.unitedstatesofitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5083\/revisions\/5094"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unitedstatesofitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5084"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unitedstatesofitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unitedstatesofitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unitedstatesofitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}