Italian bakery and cafe coming to Arlington Heights

Dolce Bakery and Cafe, a new Italian cuisine eatery, will be opening soon in Arlington Heights after the village board approved plans for the project Monday.

The restaurant is planned for Unit D of the Terramere Shopping Center at 4204 N. Arlington Heights Road, said owner Tom Pollari of Long Grove.

The Pollari family, including Tom's father, Geno, has been in the restaurant business for 35 years and has Dolce locations in Highwood and Mundelein, he said.

Dolce will offer sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries, cookies and other specialty Italian items.

Pollari said the restaurant also will specialize in high-quality Sicilian foods and pastries, including homemade cannolis, tavola caldas and pasta al forno.

The restaurant will have capacity for 16 seats but will also have catering and carryout business.

Prices will range from $1.50 for a cannoli to $75 for a full party-sized pan of lasagna.

Trustees did ask about competing business with Alegria Pizzeria in the same shopping center, but the landlord believes the menus are different enough — Dolce will not be serving pizza — that they will not be competitors.

Pollari didn't say when the restaurant would be opening but hopes it would be up and running as soon as possible.

Dolce Bakery and Cafe will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Mayor Arlene Mulder said she was looking forward to tasting the food.