Downtown Frisco will soon welcome a new family‑focused Italian eatery. Chef Amy DiBiase, a Maine‑born culinary veteran, is teaming with Donny Churchman, founder and CEO of Nack Companies, to open Amy D’s Italian at The Patios at the Rail, 7511 Main Street. The restaurant is scheduled to open its doors in the spring of 2027.
Local partnership brings tradition to Frisco
The venture combines DiBiase’s lifelong cooking heritage with Churchman’s vision for downtown development. Spanning two floors and roughly 4,700 square feet, the space will showcase an Italian‑inspired menu built around handmade pasta, wood‑grilled specialties, and ingredients sourced from both Texas and Italy.
Chef’s background and culinary philosophy
DiBiase grew up in Maine, learning to cook alongside her Italian grandmother in family restaurants. After earning culinary degrees from Johnson & Wales University, she led kitchens at Tidal and the InterContinental Hotel in San Diego, most recently serving as executive chef of Elaine’s Kitchen. “Some of my favorite memories are of making pasta with my grandmother, and that’s the feeling I want every guest to have at Amy D’s,” DiBiase said. “I look forward to bringing that to Frisco, with the best ingredients from Texas and Italy.”
Menu highlights and dining experience
The menu will begin with antipasti and house‑made focaccia, then move to handcrafted pastas and wood‑grilled specialties designed for sharing. A dedicated pasta room will let diners watch the pasta‑making process in action. The beverage program leans Italian, offering a curated wine list, traditional and signature cocktails, spritzes, and non‑alcoholic options such as house‑made shrubs and Italian sodas.
Upstairs, the Aperitivo Lounge will host an evening schedule. Aperitivo Hour runs Tuesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., while Friday and Saturday nights feature “Dopo Notte,” a late‑night menu of cocktails, wine, and Italian‑inspired bites served from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. A future Sunday Italian Lunch will provide a multi‑course, family‑style meal inspired by DiBiase’s childhood gatherings.
Design and atmosphere
Dallas‑based Maybeck Design is handling the interiors, giving each floor a distinct feel. The main dining room features walnut, creamy stone, and aged brass, with a bar and working pasta kitchen as focal points. The second floor adopts a speakeasy‑inspired vibe with deep olive tones, bronze accents, and saturated red. An enclosed rooftop space adds greenery, layered lighting, and bold furnishings, while sliding glass panels allow the area to open to the outdoors when weather permits. A 20‑seat private dining room will accommodate celebrations and smaller gatherings.
“Our vision for Amy D’s was to create a restaurant that feels timeless without feeling traditional,” said Danielle Harbeck, founder and CEO of Maybeck Design.
Impact on downtown development
Amy D’s Italian will be among the first new destinations at The Patios at the Rail, a development Churchman envisions as part of Downtown Frisco’s continued evolution. The restaurant also marks the inaugural concept from Nack Hospitality, with DiBiase overseeing culinary direction and operations across the group’s upcoming projects.
Frisco residents can look forward to a family‑style dining experience that blends regional Italian flavors with locally sourced Texas ingredients, adding another vibrant option to the city’s growing downtown dining scene.
Original reporting: Local Profile (DFW) — read the source article.
