Chef Vola's — Restaurant in Atlantic City

I called around 4pm the day of for a Hail Mary attempt at securing a table for one. Being a convention week, Lou, one of the owners, told me the earliest he could sit me was 9:30. He asked where I heard of them, and then proceeded to tell me how to find it, let me know it's BYOB and cash only. I then proceeded to let my hunger build for 5.5 hours of excitement.

When I arrived, Lou promptly greeted me at the door. Before I could utter my name out, he stopped me and finished it for me. He then followed up by telling me he'd be able to seat me earlier and made me comfortable while he prepared my table. He told one of the staff to get the big table ready for me. Few things please me more than having extra elbow room when dining in tight quarters, so this was a delightful surprise.

When I say, he told the waitress to take care of me, and let her know I was a first timer. She went through what felt like a specials list of biblical proportions, and then gave me a menu for the rest of the staples. Everything sounded terrific, but she noted the veal chop parm is what they're famous for. I was pretty much sold on the veal and some type of pasta. Then, back comes Lou to sit down and gauge my stomach's desires. He ran threw a slew of pairings to give me a culinary tour...

I let him take control, while I sat back and enjoyed my chilled glass of white while taking in the atmosphere. Walls were decorated of pictures of Lou, and who I'm assuming is another owner, with celebrities. He certainly made me feel as one with my comfortable double table where I could perfectly take in the ambience. Before I could finish my first glass, my penne arrived.

Of course, the penne was nowhere to be seen. It was buried a bed of the most tender chopped clams I've ever had the pleasure of eating. Hunks of colossal lump crab meat sat snugly by their side. I inhaled the bowl almost instantly, and stopped myself at one bread dip in the broth at the bottom. I didn't want to come off like I'd come in off the boardwalk for my first meal in weeks. Plus, more magic awaited.

Out came a crab cake the size of my 16 month old son's head. The golden brown crust invited me to dive right in with my fork; and, to my delight, there was nothing but a sea of crab meat. Hints of seasoning here and a smidge of red bell pepper there, none of which masked or interfered with the main ingredient. It reminded me of my first crab cake, many years ago, before I stopped trusting the chefs who made every one in between. No fillers, no odd flavors, no old seafood taste... Just pure heaven. Lou came around and asked if I wanted tartar or cocktail sauce. I gave him a glance and a smirk. This was perfection and was not to be messed with.

As I sat there in ecstasy, a waitress came along and rattled off another biblical tale of desserts... 9 types of ricotta cheesecake, 4 types of tartufo, etc. etc. I shook my head, as I watched veal chop after veal chop make their way from kitchen to table. It had to be around 1030-11 at this point, and they were still churning out hot dishes. It was then that I asked Lou for some crucial advice: what could I take back to my hotel fridge and transport back to North Jersey the following day that would still have some resemblance to what it would be fresh. He suggested a chicken parmesan, and would have it ready to go in 15 minutes.

At this point... I might as well have dessert after all. The tiramisu was just the right amount to satisfy my sweet tooth without incapacitating me for my walk back to the Tropicana. No way I would have made it back had I opted for one of the enticing cheesecakes.

All in all, I got a 5 star meal at a 3 star price. Phenomenal recommendation by my sister and one of my top dining experiences I've had... And I've been to some real special places. Thank you to Lou and his staff for making me feel...

This place is called a hideaway and it should stay hidden. Italians do not eat here.

I went with my girlfriend and was pretty excited for the experience based on reviews. There were some good and bad takeaways about the dinner I will try and break down.

To start the garlic bread on the table was very hard I would say stale and my girlfriend felt it was hard enough that she didn’t want to bite into it an potentially damage her cap on her tooth.

The salad which was the Famous home style tossed salad we split and it was enough for two. It was good and offered nice cheeses and had a nice Italian vinigorette dressing. Nothing special your typical Italian Resteraunt salad.

My Entree was the chicken Arrabiatta. 35$ It was average. Average tomatoe sauce, two breasts flattened and this helped tenderize it but there was no real overwhelming flavor that made it stand out. I would compare it to what I get at my best friends dinner for 18$ dollars. Just bland and boring. It wasn’t served over a penne pasta or with any sides so the dish was very lack luster and boring. No basil, no garlic, no seasoning in the sauce or chicken, very bland and disappointing.

My girlfriend ordered the salmon with crab meat on top. 55$. I tried her dish and it was dry and over cooked. It once again was average. Just ok. No exceptional sauce or seasoning, no WOW factor very very plain jane and boring, the dish does not come with sides. The portion was large although for the price of the meals you want the exceptional authentic Italian experience.

Dessert finally chef vola did hit it out of the park. There is an assortment for everyone with very original and thought out desserts that are exceptional, flavorful with spectacular texture. I had a cinnamon cappuccino with banana pie and my girlfriend had a warm cheese cake with salt caramel gelato. Her dessert was also exceptional and worth the 15$ for the cheese cake and 5$ for the gelato.

The service was really where they shine, exceptional warm friendly and attentive.

The atmosphere tight, noisy and in major need of a makeover for the prices.

Our bill for one salad two entrees two desserts a coffee and tea was over 150$

All in all I would say save your money the Resteraunt is extremely overpriced for the experience and the lack luster entrees. If I could eat dinner elsewhere and come to chef vola for...

May2023 still 6 star. Nothing nothing bad to stay. Always incredible time. PRIOR.... OK, I am updating my review. I wanted to leave 6 stars. This place deserves all the praise given. I have been coming for over 30 years. Yes, this place is difficult to get reservations, even if you are some body. .. One trick, keep trying, also, take the earliest reservation possible. Yes, it is old school, it is tiny quaint. It is in a residential neighborhood, some one's house converted into FINE DINING. . The ambiance is incredible. Usually, you will find one of several family member owners walking around. The service is impeccable. last night we had an amazing team of waiter staff. It is BYOB, and so accommodating, and helpful. Yes, in a house, so you are some what crowded, which makes the situation even sweeter. Some one knocked over our wine, and we had not one, not two, but three servers cleaning up the small spill. It was our buddies birthday, so the three men all had our standard veal parm on the bone. Words can not describe perfection. The other meals consisted of 2 salmons cooked 2 different ways. I tried one, it was perfect. No one complained. Portions were humongous.The other was chicken scarpiello, if i spelled correct. Perfectly cooked and served. This is some what family style, huge portions, so everything is ala carte. Our group skipped sides, as we had the 'house' salad. It was one huge bowl and we served ourselves. Salad started the meal off. So perfect. We then had dessert, they say everything is home made, I don't know, but why wouldn't it be. We were stuffed, but we had birthday cake so we got, i believe banana cream pie and a gelato. Both were 'to die for!' So this restaurant is so hard to get into, and make reservations, but not once did we feel rushed or hurry and eat...I could write more. But this is not a food mag, just a google review. Go and enjoy. NEXT..This was my other reveiw..sent over 3 months ago...Cute, exclusive, excellent service, warm, friendly atmosphere. pricey but worth it. excellent salad, delicious soup, amazing veal parm.. everything was perfect..best ambiance. We sat next to Joe Walsh and members of the...