Featured in Restaurant Development & Design: Dimmi Dimmi’s Story Comes to Life
Dimmi Dimmi recognised in Restaurant Development + Design Magazine
Dimmi Dimmi, Cornerstone’s newest neighborhood Italian concept, was profiled in the November/December issue of Restaurant Development + Design magazine.
The profile celebrates a project brought to life through collaboration between HiFi Brands, Siren Betty Design, Cornerstone Restaurant Group, and an exceptional group of builders, artisans, and creative partners.
With Siren Betty’s nostalgic, layered interiors and HiFi Brands’ role in shaping the concept, name, narrative, and identity, the restaurant blends familiar neighborhood warmth with a fresh, modern edge, guided by the character of Nonna—the fictional, well-traveled Italian grandmother who inspired the concept.
A postcard view of Armitage Avenue in Chicago, looking east from Bissell Street in 1910.
Imagery from the initial creative brainstorm at HiFi Brands, where the Dimmi Dimmi concept was born.
A Collaboration That Clicked
From the start, Dimmi Dimmi was a project where vision and teamwork aligned perfectly. Cornerstone had a clear idea of a warm, hospitality-driven Italian restaurant, and Siren Betty translated that into a vibrant, layered interior. HiFi Brands supported the project with branding and concept development, ensuring the restaurant’s story, name, and graphics all reflected its unique character.
“There’s so much heart in this concept,” says the HiFi team. “Shaping it from the start was a real treat. Seeing it in print is just the bonus.”
Matchbook designs were inspired to surprise and delight.
Nonna’s Story in Every Detail
Nonna’s imagined life guided the restaurant’s aesthetic: playful colors, eclectic patterns, vintage textiles, 1950s-inspired booth details, and whimsical touches throughout. HiFi Brands carried these ideas into the brand identity, incorporating signature patterns and textures into menus, matchbooks, and graphics to make the story cohesive from interiors to brand materials.
Honoring Legacy, Creating New Memories
Dimmi Dimmi occupies the former Tarantino’s Italian space, a neighborhood mainstay for over 30 years. The project balances respect for the location’s history with a fresh, modern take on a classic neighborhood Italian restaurant—welcoming, lively, and full of personality.
A hand-painted ceiling mural at Dimmi Dimmi in Chicago, greeting guests upon entry. The mural is designed to pause the moment before the first bite.
Being featured in Restaurant Development & Design is a testament to the creativity, care, and alignment of everyone involved. Dimmi Dimmi is a project full of heart and thoughtfulness.
To read the full article, click here.
