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Dimmi Dimmi Corner Italian
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Dimmi Dimmi Corner Italian
8.3
This 2025 opening from Cornerstone Restaurant Group brought chef Matt Eckfeld from Major Food Group's Carbone to helm a neighborhood red-sauce joint. The tavern-style pizzas with 48-hour fermented dough and handmade pastas honor the former Tarantino's space while adding contemporary polish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Orecchiette with Spicy Tomato Cream, Four Cheese Tavern Pizza, Spicy Vodka Stuffed Shells
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Carbone-trained chef bringing upscale technique to neighborhood Italian
Who should go: Foodies seeking the next hot opening
When to visit: Walk in before 5pm Tuesday-Thursday
What to order: Tavern-Style Four Cheese Pizza, Cavatelli Bolognese, Calabrian Dirty Martini
Insider tip: The orecchiette dish pays tribute to former tenant Tarantino's signature fusilli
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet - street and metered parking available along Armitage and Seminary
Dress code: Smart casual - jeans fine, Lincoln Park neighborhood vibe
Noise level: Moderate to lively - starts with light chatter at 4pm, gets louder as evening progresses
Weekend wait: Book 1+ week ahead, walk-ins face 30-45 min waits after 6pm
Weekday lunch: No lunch service - opens at 4pm Tue-Sat, 4pm Sunday
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - Caesar salad, four cheese pizza, several pasta dishes adaptable
Vegan options: Limited - salads and sides can be modified, ask server for options
Gluten-free options: GF pasta available, servers trained on modifications - not a dedicated GF kitchen
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice. The 78-seat space is charming and buzzy without being overwhelming. Grab a booth, split the tavern pizza, and let the Calabrian Dirty Martinis do the talking. Book ahead - prime tables go fast.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but strategy matters. Walk in right at 4pm Tuesday-Thursday for best odds. After 5:30pm on weekends, expect a wait. Check their Resy page daily for cancellations.
Is it kid-friendly? Very much so - Chef Eckfeld designed a dedicated kids menu (fettuccine alfredo, cheese pizza, chicken tenders). The 4-5:30pm window is prime family time before the adult crowd takes over.
Best For
Better for: Carbone technique at neighborhood prices, tavern-style pizza with 48-hour fermented dough, the orecchiette honoring Tarantino's legacy
Skip if: You need whisper-quiet ambiance, require a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, or want lunch service
Dimmi Dimmi Corner Italian
7.8
Dimmi Dimmi Corner Italian is a packed red-sauce joint on Armitage where chicken parm, spicy vodka stuffed shells, and tavern-style pizza are served with big-night energy. Opened in 2025 by a seasoned restaurant group and chef with Carbone lineage, it’s already one of the city’s tougher reservations for throwback Italian American comfort in a compact, buzzy room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parm with Pasta, Spicy Vodka Stuffed Shells, Sausage Tavern-Style Pizza
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: A new-school red-sauce Italian room where chicken parm and tavern pizza feel like an event.
Who should go: Groups and couples chasing buzzy, throwback Italian American comfort.
When to visit: Early evening or late slots once the initial rush clears.
What to order: Chicken parm, spicy vodka stuffed shells, sausage tavern pizza.
Insider tip: If reservations are scarce, try Sunday or bar seats; the full menu is available and waits are often shorter.
Dimmi Dimmi Corner Italian
8.2
Dimmi Dimmi, opened in 2025 by Cornerstone Restaurant Group, reimagines the corner Italian spot with tavern-style pizzas, handmade pastas, and a strong cocktail and amaro program. The stylish room and packed reservations book skew buzzy rather than hushed, making it a fun, higher-energy date night for couples who want Negronis, crudo, and thin-crust pizza in one sitting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sausage Tavern-Style Pizza, Italian Beef–Style Carpaccio, Hamachi Crudo
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A new-school red-sauce and pizza bar where tavern pies, composed crudos, and a serious spritz game turn the corner space into a modern Italian hangout.
Who should go: Couples who like their date nights buzzy, stylish, and cocktail-forward.
When to visit: Later prime-time reservations or bar seats for walk-ins willing to wait.
What to order: Italian Beef–Style Carpaccio, Sausage Tavern-Style Pizza, Hamachi Crudo.
Insider tip: If you can’t grab a reservation, aim for opening and request bar seats—they’re first-come and often the best vantage point.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in Sheffield Neighbors is limited in the evening; metered spots and nearby residential parking can require circling. No dedicated lot or valet as of last update — plan a few extra minutes.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — elevated outfits fit the buzzy, cocktail-forward room; jeans are fine if styled up.
Noise level: Lively and high-energy during peak hours — conversation is doable at two-tops, but the bar and late seatings can be loud.
Weekend wait: 45–90 minutes for walk-ins during peak prime time; bar seats may open faster.
Weekday lunch: Not typically a lunch destination — service is primarily dinner-focused, so midday waits are uncommon or not applicable.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several pizzas, salads, and select pastas can be made or ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be adjusted, but most dishes lean dairy- or egg-forward; confirm with server.
Gluten-free options: Select accommodations (crudo, salads, some mains); gluten-free pizza or pasta availability may be limited — ask about substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a fun, higher-energy first date with cocktails and shared plates — it’s more buzzy than intimate, so expect a lively room rather than a quiet, candlelit vibe.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — bar seats and early openings offer the best walk-in chances. For prime hours, expect a wait and consider adding your name and grabbing a nearby drink.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally suitable for older kids or early seatings, but the space skews adult, cocktail-centric, and louder during peak hours — better for dates and groups than family dinners.
Best For
Better for: High-energy date nights with cocktails, crudo, and thin-crust tavern pizza in a stylish, scene-forward room.
Skip if: You want a quiet, white-tablecloth Italian dinner, broad vegan coverage, or guaranteed short waits during peak hours.