For years, and years, and years, I've cooked in an NYC apartment with no vent hood. Fortunately, my kitchens have always had windows - but they're far from the same thing as a proper hood.
Even the hood we're getting for our new range isn't the best or the most recommended; but I figure it's better than what I've had for decades!
As far as "make-up air" goes, I think that's really an issue in newer homes with much better insulation than in the past. Or whatever code might be.
By the way, I learned a lot about hoods from a few places on the web:
http://www.kitchenhoods.ca/shop/
http://www.imperialhoods.com/Official_Site
http://www.futurofuturo.com/common-installation-mistakes-faq
There's a lot more, for sure.
