Vino Volo

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  By airport standards, this is a 4. Outside of an airport, this would be more in the range of a 3.
  
  Given the limited dining options available in this terminal, Vino Volo is the best bet around. They have a menu of small bites, as well as some portions that are only slightly more substantial. They have a decent selection of wines with a sampler offered for wines of either the same region, or same varietal. The samplers usually run only a couple of dollars more than getting a glass, so it's a great way to try some new wines, if you're in the mood for that.
  
  I settled on a Duckhorn Zinfandel which was just fine, properly jammy, while my companion had the Sangiovese which  tasted of strawberries and she thoroughly enjoyed. For bites we got a sampling of the menu to go with our wine.
  The olives are a mixed variety of both green and purple with some herbs- basic, but tasty.
  The cheese plate at the time came with three cheeses - A semi soft blue, an aged Vermont cheddar, and Camembert. All the cheeses were lovely with just a smear of the fig jam provided atop some toasted soft baguette slices.
  The Marcona almonds with rosemary were sweet, which I wasn't expecting, but they were still tasty after they were off the heat for a few minutes to return to their crunchy state.
  The green salad with Dijon vinaigrette was just your standard mixed greens, the dressing comes on the side, but doesn't have as much of a zip as authentic french Dijon dressings do.
  
  Sit down for a glass of wine, a little cheese, and before you know it it'll be time to board. The wine definitely helps with mid-flight naps, too.

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  Posted on 07.20.13 Holly H.

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  4 stars for the food (strictly within an airport setting), 5 stars for the wine experience, 5 stars for the ambiance.
  
  I was at AA's Terminal 8 and had time for a more leisurely lunch as well as a craving for actual good food. Vino Volo didn't disappoint. I stopped by their wine store near the terminal entrance to ask for directions to the restaurant and received a free cheese platter.
  
  The cheese platter included a decent variety of three cheeses but was a bit too small for two people; not sure if I'd order it on my own. The chicken salad was good by airport standards and so was their mac n' cheese. Not terribly memorable, but enjoyable as far as airport food comes. The half portions allow you to taste and match at reasonable prices; kudos for that. As I noticed going through other Yelp reviews, the menu changes on a given basis. It's a bit limited but adequate.
  
  But wine is where they truly stand out. I enjoy wine a lot but am still a bit illiterate. Vino Volo makes it approachable by making solid recommendations based on your food selection. I was able to have generous tastings of three different wines for $9. Vino Volo provides a solid description of each wine (from a taste description to the full name and year); these are paper and detachable so you can easily find the wine at another place later.
  
  At the table itself you have enough space to keep your luggage at hand, and the staff is accommodating even if your bags become a little cumbersome.
  
  Will definitely be back if I have a long layover at an airport; solid food and exceptional wine.

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  Posted on 05.27.13 Alejandro B.

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  Solid airport food - will definitely return here next time I'm at JFK.  The cheese plate was awesome but far too small - but the chili was really standout... will order that again hands down.  Braised pork tacos left me wanting though - they tasted completely out of place and mostly the slaw.  The corn tortillas needed toasting.  Skip the tacos... get the chickpea chorizo chili.  
  
  Wines come with little card describing the region they are from and some information on your choice - very nice flights... between flights.  ;)

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  Posted on 02.04.13 Cody C.

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  What a great concept! Why pay to sit in an airline club, when you can just walk into Vino Volo and have a similar experience - comfy chairs, bar or tables, away from the noise and hustle of the waiting areas. And on top of that, a nice assortment of wines at a range of prices, and some tasty, interesting food, too. I love that you can get each in a "small" portion for about half the price, so you can sample a couple (or more).  My favorites are the braised pork tacos, brie & prosciutto sandwich, and mac & cheese (just $5-7 each). I've been to the Vino Volos in Dallas, Seattle and New York, and they're all very similar - nice setting, good wines/food, friendly service. Thumbs up for me!

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  Posted on 10.07.12 Amber E.

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  On our way home from Italy, yes Italy, don't hate...JFK was our stop. I must say it's pretty damn depressing to leave such a wonderful vacation. More depressing to spend your layover in an airport, any airport. Just get me home already or back to Italy! So picture how miserable and tired you are in a loud busy airport. Then tucked away and hidden is a little wine bar. It almost didn't even feel like we were in an airport. It actually felt and looked like a couple wine bars we visited in Italy. I had a delicious salad with chicken, goat cheese, and dried cranberries as well as a couple glasses of prosecco. The service was friendly and informative. And so much more welcome than Au Bon Pain, yuck. So if you find yourself in JFK and would like something better than the equivalent of Chili's crap, stop in here.

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  Posted on 06.29.12 Leslee V.

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  We found Vino Volo via Google Search, prior to flying out of terminal 8.  Our flight was leaving at 8:45 PM and we had time to spare.  We decided to drink a bottle of the house wine, a nice Sangiovese , for $15.00,... Good deal!  We ordered the cheese plate: 3 wedges of cheese each different and each good served on a plate with slices of baguette and a blob of preserves... quince?... Also we got the charcouterie plate with ham, salami, and bresaola.  Then, she had the chicken breast salad, which she remarked... The breast was actually flavorful.  I had a cup size of the penne with cheese.  I go for truffles and found what I think some other reviewers called mac and cheese to be tasty and rich and well cooked and just enough with eating the other appetizers.  Our server, with a dry wit, was attentive and helpful explaining things... All in all, a pleasant dining experience in an airport... Non ce male!

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  Posted on 05.12.12 Peter M.

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  Amazing wines, at an Airline terminal no less. the staff know of what they speak when it comes to wine and their taste is terrific.. Its such a nice place and the prices are cheaper than the other crappy bars around the terminal that serve crappy industrial supermarket wine..

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  Posted on 09.30.11 jason c.

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  At JFK T8 there is really nothing there to eat. You have your average Mickey D's and your typically sports bar type of place.
  
  The interior is what brought me in....comfy chairs...modern....looked very clean and calm. That was the only charm of the place.
  
  When I came in I stood there for like 5 minutes looking at a rather empty restaurant ....they had 2 servers working and only 2 parties seated (one party of 1 and another party of 4). So I am still standing and I see the waitress and she looks at me but doesn't say anything to me after 5 minutes so I finally ask her "Should I seat myself?" she looks up at me and says "Yeah you can do that".
  
  So I sat myself done at a cozy table and sat myself in a cozy chair. The server that told me to seat myself literally throws a food menu on my table. And then I waited....and waited....and waited.....and waited....and waited....finally the other server comes over and asks me if the other server that told me to seat myself has help me yet....I say no and tell her I have been sitting here for a while....and the other server gives me and the other server the evil eye from where she is standing at the bar.
  
  So onto the food....When I ordered with the non evil eye server she asked me if I wanted both items to come out together I said yes. And also please note they have nothing but wine and tap water. So if you are with a group and looking for a beer or soda or iced tea you will need to get it somewhere else.
  
  The server who gave me the evil eye finally comes back and gives me the sandwich and not my other item (I had to wait another 10 minutes for my other item) and she gives me the excuse "Sorry I made you wait so long we were really busy." Ok wait....besides me there were 5 people in the place??? and 2 servers??? really wow that busy.
  
  The food portions are tiny and overpriced. I ordered a brie sandwich 1/2 order and the bread was DRY.....like crumby. and tiny.
  
  I also ordered there version of an adult Mac and Cheese it has truffle oil in it which make the taste really great but the only part that is good is the top part....they push it into this trapezoid bowl so everything that is at the middle/bottom is mushed and smashed.
  
  While I was eating my dry bread and mushy mac and cheese....another man came in and just looked at the menu at the bar and he started to leave....the server who told me I could sit myself asked the gentleman if he would like to sit at the bar...he asked if there was anything else besides wine as he was with his family (the family had children) ...she said no and he stated he would go to the the other restaurant ...the the server said "they have bad wines"...."this is the best place for wine"... So the man says I know rather uncomfortably while running out of the restaurant ....Really putting down another place to better yours?
  
  They came and gave me the bill before I was done though....that was certainly quick.
  
  And after I left Vino and paid my overpriced bill and was still starving I looked longingly at WOK and ROLL and Mickey D's....and wish I really eating there.... Yes the food was that bad.
  
  If you want bad service and even worse food stop by T8 at JFK....it will fit the bill.....

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  Posted on 08.03.11 B G.

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  We stumbled off the plane from Italy once, in a hazy daze, and found a seat in Terminal 8. It was a rough journey in which, though we were on my way back to San Francisco, our baggage decided to go on to Hong Kong. Thus, we were separated. We needed a drink - a Terminal 8 drink.
  
  After rubbing my eyes, and my vision clearing, I noticed a waitperson above us asking us for our orders. My travelling companion seemed more alert, and appeared to know where we were.  I looked down at the menu and realized we were at a wine bar called Vino Volo ("Wine Flight...get it? says the companion).  The companion ordered wine from this wine bar at Terminal 8.
  
  "And you sir?" asked the Terminal 8 Vino Volo waiter, the face a blur.
  
  "Anything local," I said. The Vino Volo  Terminal 8 waiter abruptly vanished in a bright, smoky explosion, as if from a flash fryer.
  
  He promptly returned, producing a tray with a handkerchief covering something. With the flair of a stage magician, the Terminal 8 Vino Volo waiter magically prestidigitated two glasses from the filled with the red nectar of the Finger Lakes. I enjoyed profusely. Too profusely. We missed the connecting flight and stayed a few more hours in Terminal 8. We didn't care. I had another wine - and another - from New York. No food. Not here, at Terminal 8.
  
  I then drifted off in a state of semi-inebriated bliss, dreaming of my recent vacation in the shores of Sicily absorbing sunlight and sipping Nero D'Avola.
  
  Oh yeah...great place, Vino Volo at Terminal 8. Visit it. Get the New York wine.

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  Posted on 01.19.11 GC D.

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  Thank the stars for this little oasis among the utter chaos that has become JFK. I flew into Newark and out of JFK (hence the review of the Newark location along with this one). Great food, great service (thanks Elyn! - did I spell that right?) and of course great wines. Looking forward to returning on my next trip.

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  Posted on 09.30.10 Joe M.

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  I had an extended stay at JFK Terminal 8 and was so glad there was Vino Volo.  Nice and comfortable environs, comfortable seats, and electrical outlets to keep a sundry of electronics charged.   I thought the service was quite friendly and wine interested.  I ended up enjoying two separate flights and the thought the price point were very reasonable.  Not all Vino Volos are the same--this location the service is wonderfully friendly.  Look forward to stoping by on my next visit.

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  Posted on 08.24.10 Jaime Patricio M.

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  This is definitely a better place to chill at JFK than those damn food courts.  It's quick and small with very friendly staff.  They specialize in wine and the red I had was great. The food comes in small portions, but it's very good.  Too bad they don't have dessert.  I will def be here more when I'm traveling outta JFK.

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  Posted on 06.21.10 C J.

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  I found this place by accident and heard that they had been there for 2.5 years! I have always stopped in the "food court" and never walked far enough.
  
  Sitting there in the comfortable chairs enjoying a nice glass of sauvignon blanc and a smoked salmon plate was very relaxing.
  
  Vino Volo would not get 4 stars in comparison with other wine bars/restaurants, but it definitely gets that in comparison with other places on airports (crappy burgers, pizzas, indian, sushi, etc).
  
  As someone mentioned, the prices are somewhat high, but hey - everything is expensive on the airport.

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  Posted on 03.19.10 Kaj HeGe H.

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  Really 3.5 stars. A one-man shop that serves up good food in JFK.

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  Posted on 03.14.10 Jolene S.

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  Perhaps my favorite thing at jfk (other than departing on time). Great wine. And i'm a wine snob. I do think they could get a bit more adventurous with their choice of whites (last i went i could choose between a french savignon blanc, italian pinot grigio or american chard- meh... give me a gruner, a muller, hell even a pinot alsace) Needless to say i went big and had a glass of laurent perrier cuvee rose. Not cheap. Worth every cent.
  They have pretty solid bites as well. Actually come to think of it, the only civilized choice for terminal 8. All the way from small nibbles to full plates. Best news is they let you order them to go. Sayonara crappy plane food! If only they would let you take a bottle with you as well my travel days would change forever. Damn that dreadful wine selection on planes!

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  Posted on 02.27.10 aimee d.

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  I feel like George Clooney in "Up in the Air" sitting at a bar in JFK with a flight of red wines in front of me & my laptop plugged in. And of course, Frank & Harry are playing in the background. We are in New York afterall.
  
  I spent the holidays sampling (ok, downing) a plethora of wines with my family. I've even nicknamed my bro-in-law, "sommelier" because all week he shared his favorite picks under $15 and he never got one wrong.
  
  Needless to say, after yet another house party last night, I woke up swearing off wine and cursing my hangover. Hair o' the dog, right?!?  
  
  Two Californians and a Malbec sit in front of me along with the chicken salad w/ goat cheese and cranberries. I have a feeling I'll be dancing to "Fly Me to the Moon" all the way to my gate.

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  Posted on 12.28.09 Lauren C.

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  This is literally one the worst places EVER.  First of all, it's a rip off like no other.  For a flight of 3 cabernets and a small, horrible, flavorless, "penne with cheese", I paid $30.  They are NOT generous with their wine pours.  I mean, it's one thing to pour a taste and call it a day.  But to pour *literally* 2 sips into a glass--3 tastes that *might* amount 1 *very* small glass--and charge $16 for it?!  Fucking horrible.  The mac and cheese sucked.  It was overpriced, and it wasn't tasty.  It wasn't cheesy.  It's NOT cute to put breadcrumbs on your mac and cheese if it's not cheesy in the first place!
  
  Secondly, the guy who was working when I was there, was more of a dick than pretty much ANYONE I've ever been served by.  I walk in.  I'm alone.  In an airport.  I ask about a wine.  He curtly tells me his suggestion.  I ask about his suggestion paired with something else.  He says "Well, you asked for an opinion.  I thought you wanted an opinion, so I gave you one".  Was this obviously wine-knowledgable fellow refusing to talk wine with me?  He was.  I didn't need to be entertained.  Just tell me the goddamned difference between your obnoxiously overpriced bottle of Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad and the other bubbly.  
  
  Then a guy walked in and tried to sit at a 4-top.  Picture this, I'm at the bar, there's another couple in the corner.  The place is otherwise COMPLETELY EMPTY.  TOTALLY.  In fact, the 2 servers (including mean dickhead #1) keep walking outside and standing by the door to ihavenoideawhat, people watch, hope for customers...So the guy sits down at the table and MD#1 says that he'll have to sit at a two seater table, in case a family comes.  At 8 p.m.  On a Sunday.  To a wine bar.  In an airport.  To a wine bar.  That only serves wine.  And water...BOTTLED WATER...A family.  Of 4.
  
  To make matters worse, in walks a man with his wife.  He asks if they have beverages.  MD#1 says that they have bottled water and wine.  Man says, but do you have beverages?  MD#1 repeats they they have bottled water, and wine.  Confused man who just wants to get his wife a friggin Snapple or something gives it one last go-round.  "So you don't have any beverages?".  MD#1, REFUSING to give in to kind, waiter-ly normalcy, says "We serve wine, and bottled water".  No "Sorry, we don't have sodas."  No "Oh, sorry, all the beverages we serve are wine and water".  No look of apology for this weary traveller.  Just a MD#1 attitude.  By this point I'm fuming.  I pay for my horrifically awful experience.  $29 BEFORE tip (I don't know why I even left one).
  
  Oh AND my fork was dirty.  Dick.

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  Posted on 01.12.09 Sara L.

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