Photography: Peter Frank Edwards
Photography: Peter Frank Edwards
Photography: Peter Frank Edwards
Photography: Peter Frank Edwards
Soft pastel colours, raw plaster finishes, and bold Italian flavours suffuse the interiors of the new Charleston restaurant, Legami.
The 80-seat venue is located at 492 King Street and is the brainchild of brothers Tyler and Eldredge Ropolo, of New England’s Pasta Beach chain. The interiors, envisioned by creative director Tyler, blend Italian elements with gemstone tones, evoking the charm of an Italian villa. Textured, rough-plastered walls, created by Italian fresco specialist Flavio Bragaloni, are adorned with hand-drawn palms, symbolising the connection between Charleston and Italy. (The restaurant’s name, Legami, also means ‘ties’ in Italian.)
These elements complement distressed wooden windowsills, raftered ceilings, and expanses of patinaed brickwork, highlighting the heritage of the space.
While the exterior has a deliberately weathered appearance, the finishes and furniture inside are timeless. Picture white Carrara marble tabletops, plush green banquette booths, and wooden chairs upholstered in turquoise. Tyler imported fabrics, furniture, and lamps directly from Italy, adding authenticity to the experience.
Upstairs, a lounge offers drinks and snacks, featuring a horseshoe bar in emerald green and brass accents, and an outdoor seating area resembles a courtyard, enclosed by brick walls and tropical palm fronds.
At the helm of the kitchen is Chef Andrea Congiusta, formerly of Michelin-starred Il Pagliaccio in Rome.
His menu celebrates modern Italian cuisine with French influences, a nod to the Ropolos’ roots in northern Italy. Pasta offerings include cappelletti with goat cheese and butter pecan sauce, sautéed mushrooms, king crab tagliolini, and ravioli al pomodoro. For mains, guests can enjoy veal Milanese, Mediterranean lamb, and black grouper with Moscato-marinated grapes.
