This August Cornerstone Restaurant Group (CRG) opens their new Chicago-Italian neighborhood restaurant Dimmi Dimmi under the culinary leadership of executive chef Matt Eckfeld. Eckfeld, who previously worked under CRG's Chef Bill Kim at Urbanbelly and NYC kitchens like Carbone, mixes his global perspective with regional taste in his first independent concept. Dimmi Dimmi will open in the former Tarantino's space at 1112 W Armitage in Lincoln Park and promises to be a place where people continuously want to meet. I spoke with Chef Eckfeld about what makes Dimmi Dimmi so special, what Chicago-Italian really means, and why we should all shed our fear of American pasta locales.
I was burned hard on Italian cuisine by coming of age during the heyday of Olive Garden. I personally avoided Italian restaurants for decades because of the trauma. What are the ways that Dimmi Dimmi will change my personal view of giving Italian the restaurant experience it deserves?
Growing up, Olive Garden and a few chain restaurants like Cottage Inn were really all I knew of Italian food—so I get it. That was my entry point, too. Dimmi Dimmi is here to change that narrative. We focus on Italian food that’s fresh, lighter, and made for sharing. We want guests to experience the joy of trying multiple dishes, sipping an aperitif, and settling into a warm, welcoming space that feels like an extension of family. It’s less about checking boxes and more about creating moments, hospitality that truly listens to what you want, and delivers with heart. That’s what Dimmi Dimmi means to me.
Dimmi Dimmi is touted as Chicago-Italian. Can you explain what makes Italian in Chicago its own blend of special?
Chicago-Italian has its own character. It’s rooted in a deep Italian-American history, but it’s not just red sauce and meatballs. Think chicken Vesuvio, Italian beef, giardiniera, and a whole sausage culture that’s unique to this city. At Dimmi Dimmi, we honor that by making our giardiniera in-house, working with local farms like Slagel Farms for our sausage, and giving respectful nods to Chicago classics—like our beef carpaccio inspired by Italian beef. It’s Italian-American, yes, but with a very Chicago soul.
There is an emphasis on neighborhood vibes. What about Dimmi Dimmi will make this a go-to week after week?
We designed Dimmi Dimmi to feel like your neighborhood spot—welcoming, reliable, and exciting all at once. Our menu is built so you can eat through the entire thing, with seasonal crudos, rotating pastas, and pizzas that keep things fresh. At the same time, we’re building a base of crave-worthy staples that guests can count on. Whether it’s your Tuesday night catch-up or a celebratory dinner, we want to be that place you return to, not just for the food but for how it makes you feel.
Is there a particular dish that you know will be an instant favorite?
Absolutely. The Dimmi Salad, our stuffed shells, homemade sausage and peppers, and eggplant parm are items I think will be contenders for strong favorites! And then there are fun, unexpected hits like our beef carpaccio, which has a playful nod to Chicago Italian beef and makes for a perfect start to the meal. We’ve got layers of comfort and surprise, and that’s exactly how we like it.
Dimmi Dimmi is set to open in early August at 1112 W Armitage. For more information, visit dimmidimmiitalian.com.
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