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There’s an Italian-American restaurant opening this week in Chevy Chase (5014 Connecticut Ave NW). It’ll serve up mid-priced Italian favorites including cacio e pepe, meatballs, and tiramisu. A press release sent this week boasts made-from-scratch pastas and aperitifs on tap. You’re probably wondering what it’s called.

It’s “I’m Eddie Cano.” Say it out loud, and fast.

Yes, strange but true: The name is the phonetic pronunciation of “Americano” in an Italian accent. Like this. Perhaps expecting that people will walk by the restaurant with quizzical looks, “Say it fast” is apparently their slogan.

It’s also the nickname of co-owner Massimo Papetti, formerly of Cafe Milano. “Whenever I go back to Italy, no one calls me ‘Massimo’ — they just call me ‘Americano,’” Papetti told Washington Business Journal last month.

Papetti is opening the family-style Italian restaurant with James Gee, former chef at Jaleo and China Chilcano. I’m Eddie Cano—the name and the food—is all about the owners’ American and Italian heritage.

The menu is broken into two halves: “Americano” and “Italiano.” The former is for favorites you might find at your favorite Italian-American restaurant: fried zucchini, fettuccine alfredo, chicken parm, and the like. The Italiano side leans a little more authentic. There’s burrata, grilled octopus, chicken liver crostini, and grilled calamari. A selection of meat and cheese plates and desserts fall somewhere in the middle.

We’re wondering …