(Credit: Jonathan Bancek)
Costa*, an elegant ode to the Mediterranean shores of Italy, will open its doors in downtown Charleston next Thursday, November 16th, with an innovative approach to coastal Italian cuisine, from Easton Porter Group – the family-owned boutique hospitality group behind beloved Charleston spots like Zero George, Cannon Green and Wild Common.
Costa* encompasses coastal Italian fare from Liguria to Amalfi and down to Sicily, with inventive global compositions and seasonal hints from the diverse regions – featuring fantasy dishes like handmade pasta and proteins like seafood, classic beef and pork. The experienced service teams, led by Chef Vinson Petrillo of The Restaurant at Zero George, are excited to deliver personally crafted dining experiences with technical expertise and whimsical nostalgia. Complementing the fresh and bold fare, the beverage program – designed by Easton Porter Group regional restaurant director Megan Mina – stars craft cocktails, bubbling apertivi and globally sourced wines.
“Costa* Restaurant & Bar is a vibrant testament to the fusion of coastal Italian culinary artistry – a seafood haven where the colors of the sea come alive in the design, decor and on the plates,” said Easton Porter Group Founders ~ Lynn Easton & Dean Porter Andrews ” We invites guests to savor and share delectable seafood, our handmade pastas, and specialty meat dishes. We and our teams are thrilled to bring this unique epicurean experience to the heart of Charleston.”
FROM ITALIAN COASTS TO COSTA*
Chef Vinson has previously led some of New York’s finest restaurants – from Caviar Russe to Abe & Arthur’s, and Prospect, a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient. Costa* will feature artfully crafted dishes like pecorino ravioli, Wagyu beef cheek tortellini with braised octopus, and Carabinero shrimp. With Charleston’s rich bounty of fresh seafood, local flavors are imparted in a raw bar, along with dishes like the raw red shrimp with Meyer lemon sorbet and Neonata shiso.
His dishes are drawn from his own Italian family’s traditions. The menu is meant to be shared among friends and family, both new and old. “Like clockwork, our family gathered around the table every Sunday for an Italian dinner. We’d all contribute to the meal, putting out dozens of dishes, sharing plates, and enjoying each other’s company. It was a special experience I look back on fondly, and I’m eager to offer our guests an environment as much as a meal meant to be savored,” says Chef Vinson.
IN VINO VERITAS
Costa*’s curated beverage menu features a diverse wine list with over 350 bottles, including rare boutique varietals from regions across the globe, like Cerbaiona, Giuseppe Quintarelli and Bartolo Mascarello. Inspired by a love for the diversity of Italy’s wine regions and beyond, the wine program will focus on producers who prioritize thoughtful farming practices and intentional vinification.
The cocktail menu comprises apéritivi and digestivi influenced by Italian culture and a comprehensive roster of spritzes, each reminiscent of an Italian beach day. The spirits menu will highlight small producers who forage herbs, citrus and other ingredients carefully and handcraft their infusions and distillations. Traditional Italian spirits – aperitivi, vermouth, gin, amari and others – will complement seasonal and signature cocktails. Guests can also expect unique presentations such as a tableside amaro cart, showcasing the restaurant’s extensive selection of Amari that will elevate the after-dinner experience. The beverage menus are curated by Mina, drawing on several years of expertise leading Easton Porter Group’s wine and bar programs.
WHERE CAPRI MEETS CAROLINA
Easton Porter Group partnered with New York-based and James Beard Award restaurant architecture and design company Glen & Co. to create an interior that encapsulates sprezzatura, the studied practice of grace with ease. The ambiance remains light, breezy, and touched with whimsy, with floor-to-ceiling windows illuminating the natural, rich wood and pearlescent tile textures. The open kitchen concept transforms the dining room into a theater, with diners actively viewing the culinary artistry. Costa*’s serene interiors are accented by waterfront views of the Ashley River in Charleston’s iconic Harleston Village neighborhood.
Costa* is located at 320 Broad Street on the ground floor of The Jasper, the 12-story landmark luxury residence developed by The Beach Company. Costa* is the second of Easton Porter Group’s concepts to join The Jasper, accompanying Alcove Market, an upscale café, which opened next door earlier this year. Costa* will be open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday, and reservations can be made via Resy.
