One year is under our belt and the dream is still living. We are proud and grateful for it.
Thank you to our wonderful staff and the amazing customers we had during this exciting year we can proudly say that our mission, at least part of it, has been accomplished.
I remember the moment I decide to live the dream instead of dreaming the dream.
One evening in July of 2010 I was walking in Lincoln Square area. Wondering about life, unhappy with my job and trying to figure out what would be my next step and contemplating if I had in me what takes to really follow my dream: open a spot where Italian food, good fresh “homemade” food would be offered at reasonable price paired with a value driven wine list. We wanted to bring back simplicity, authenticity and value.
During my stroll a sign “for rent”, on a dark pretty ugly orange building, caught my eyes and I felt the funky dirty little window was calling me. I squeezed my face on the glass and look inside and suddenly everything was coming together. I finally found the missing piece.
The right location in the right neighborhood!
Kevin, the young talented chef behind our amazing menu, and I spent so many mornings in little cafe’ talking about this project but always some was missing. And that was, the little front store on Lincoln Avenue with a little garden in the back, where we could recreate a piece of Italy through the food and the ambience. Next day I brought Kevin to see the space and immediately he felt the same feelings I had the night before. All our ideas start to connect together in a clearer vision.
That was the beginning of DueLire.
By the way, just to bring back some reality in this process. After the exciting moments of the beginning, the hard work really starts and takes a lot planning, time, energy and talent to make a dream happen.
So be aware of what dream you choose. That could be the topic for a future blog.
Massimo
DueLire
Vino&Cucina
P.S.
Thank you Kevin for showing me how great food comes from great passion.
Thank you Kelly for making sure the design of the restaurant wasn’t too loud and flashy.
Thank you Cyndi for teaching me about a side of this business I had no clue at all.
And thank you to all the wonderful people, customers, employees I had the pleasure to meet in this year.
You all are part of this dream.
David
Massimo,
My wife Kelli and I are happy for you and your successful restaurant. It is our favorite in the neighborhood and we are excited to celebrate Valentines Day tonight at Due Lire!
Continued success to you!
David
Rae Levine
Due Lire was recommended by a staff member of the Old Town School of Music, when I called from Nashville, TN to purchase tickets for Playing For Change. I took a chance to call and make a reservation. The phone conversation with Massimo won me over. His energy and warmth and professional way of handling our reservation and even leaving me a message when we arrived to confirm, were all so welcoming. At that time I did not know he was an owner. We were still unsure about how the meal would be. After the concert, we walked a few minutes to the restaurant, arriving about 20 minutes late but Massimo told me over the phone not to worry if few minutes late. There was line out the door practically, and he took us right in and seated us as promised. We felt like we were royalty!!!!!!!!!!!! Already we were in heaven but when the food came!!!!!!!!!! Oh, lordy be, it was unreal!!!!!!!!!!! Superb and the presentation was gorgeous and the service was fun and wonderful. We were not rushed though near closing. Every minute of our experience was joyous!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Massimo, for your courtesy. Treating us like somebody and not knowing a thing about us. Thank you for giving us beyond what your prices are. We would have paid triple for that meal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May G-d bless you and bring you continued success.
Rae Levine and crew from Nashville, TN ate there Feb 25