New Downtown Italian Restaurant Opening on Wednesday

Legami, the new contemporary Italian restaurant from Washington Street Hospitality, the team behind Pasta Beach and Mr. R. Fusion in Newport, RI, opens in Charleston on Wednesday, October 9th at 492 King Street. The menu includes shareable dishes and housemade pastas inspired by the team’s collective upbringings in Torino and Rome, alongside a cocktail menu and Italian leaning wine program.

The restaurant says the expansive, bi-level space, designed by owner Tyler Ropolo, is "inspired by the history of his family’s hometown of Torino and the charm of Charleston," with multiple spaces for dining indoors as well as a patio and terrace.

Legami is led by brothers Eldredge and Tyler Ropolo of Washington Street Hospitality. Italian-born and raised chef Andrea Congiusta brings with him 10+ years of experience from multiple Michelin starred restaurants including of Michelin-starred Il Pagliaccio under chef Anthony Genovese in Rome and Il Reale CasaDonna under acclaimed chef Niko Romoito, and Lo Spazio in Milan. James Ruggiero (formerly of Castle Hill Inn and Matunuck Oyster Bar in Rhode Island) leads the beverage program at Legami as well as all Pasta Beach locations.

The menu starts with a selection of ‘Piattini’ including smaller bites like the Beetroots filled with goat cheese served with a kale and vegetable root salad in an almond cream and mustard dressing; Tomato Glazed Fish Skewers with San Marzano tomato, oregano bread crumble, and sun dried tomato; Shrimp & Caviar made with shrimp pieces in the shape of noodles in a lemon vanilla sauce; and Gnocco Fritto made with Emilia Romania fried dough accompanied by a variety of Italian cold cuts. The ‘Piattini’ section also has some more traditional sized appetizers such as Scallops that have been pan fried and are served with a roasted corn sauce, sundried tomato oil and truffle butter; Filet Mignon Tartare with capers, pickles, pickled onion and honey mustard zabaione served with homemade brioche bread and marinated egg yolk butter; and a daily Fish Carpaccio paired with charcoal olive oil, tomato, balsamic grape reduction.

The ‘Paste’ section features housemade pastas, such as Cappelletti with goat cheese and herbs, served with a butter pecan sauce, onion, and mushrooms; King Crab Tagliolini with mussels, garlic, olive oil and chili flakes; and Tortellini in Crosta with mortadella tortellini, meat ragu, and bechamel wrapped in puff pastry served with parmesan cream.

The ‘Piatti’ section features meats and poultry like Roasted Lamb Chops with mustard sauce, fig leaf emulsion, fried mini artichokes, and an olive and hazelnut tapenade; Filet Mignon alla Wellington served with confit potatoes; Roasted Grouper Filet with laurel and salmon caviar, moscato-marinated grapes, and asparagus; and Scallop Risotto with bone marrow roasted scallops, pollen powder, juniper and Parmigiano Reggiano. Desserts such as Raspberry Tiramisu; Roasted Pineapples with cinnamon, star anise ice cream and sugared cashew nuts; and Legami’s Cake, a Choux pastry with Italian creme round out the meal.

The cocktail menu, developed by Ruggiero, features spins on the classics and Italian-leaning ingredients. Cocktails include the Amuse Me with champagne, Aperol, tomato shrub, lime, and white balsamic, accompanied with a fresh New England oyster; Legami Martini with calabrian chili olive oil washed vodka, Castelvetrano olive brine, microplaned parmesan, and burrata-stuffed olives; The King’s Smoke with jalapeno infused tequila, sicilian blood orange liqueur, cilantro simple syrup, lime, and a splash of Peroni; Genepy In a Bottle with butterfly pea blossom gin, strawberry-infused genepy liqueur, Antica Rosso, and egg-white; and Espresso Thyself with Rhode Island coffee syrup served on the rocks. The Italian leaning wine program showcases a list from small producers and new imports.

The 180-seat restaurant, designed by owner Tyler Ropolo, is heavily influenced by Italian culture and style as well as the charm of historic Charleston. Upon entering the two-story space, guests are greeted by an open kitchen and hand painted plaster walls, detailed with lifelike palms by artist Flavio Bragaloni. The downstairs dining room features a mix of rustic, rattan chairs, Charleston-inspired pastel green banquettes and white speckled Carrara marble tables, with walls adorned with antique mirrors and Indonesian wood carvings. On the second floor of the restaurant, guests find green velvet seating, marble tables, floor to ceiling windows and custom lighting from Torino based artist, Vocaturi, as well as a social lounge for late night drinks and music. Additionally, the restaurant boasts two outdoor dining spaces – an outdoor patio adorned with jasmine vines and brick flooring and an upstairs terrace with views overlooking Mary Street.

Legami is open Wednesday through Sunday from 4 pm until close. The restaurant’s upstairs lounge will also be open late night on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations can be made on Resy.

For more information, visit legamichs.com and follow @legamichareleston.