Brooklyn-Italian Restaurant, Pelato Scheduled to Open in Charleston, SC Spring 2025

BROOKLYN-ITALIAN TAPAS COMING SOON TO CHARLESTON  

Pelato, the acclaimed Brooklyn-Italian restaurant from restaurateur Anthony Scotto Jr., is set to open in Charleston in Spring 2025. A family venture, the Scottos are longtime restaurateurs who opened restaurants, Pelato and Luogo, in Nashville after relocating from New York to pursue new Southern roots. Now, after successfully serving up their favorite Italian fare in the Music City, the Scottos are proud to expand the Pelato brand further South and offer an authentic experience for locals and visitors with the opening of Pelato in Charleston. Led by Theresa and Anthony Scotto Jr., along with their son Anthony Scotto III, Pelato will occupy the former Butcher & Bee space on Morrison Drive.  

The restaurant’s name, Pelato, derives from the Italian term for a “peeled tomato,” and is also slang for a bald head – a playful nod to Anthony Scotto Jr. Paying homage to the Scotto family’s Brooklyn upbringing, guests can expect an approachable, small plate-style dinner service featuring an array of house-made, Brooklyn-Italian dishes and recipes that have been passed down for generations. The menu will mirror that of the Nashville location, including dishes that have been in the Scotto family for decades such as their famed Potato Croquettes, Brooklyn-style Calamari and Chicken Parmigiana, along with fresh house-made pasta like Radiatori Vodka, Bucatini Cacio E Pepe and “Little Ear” Orecchiette & Italian Sausage. Pelato Charleston will also introduce exclusive regional specialties that ties Brooklyn to Charleston’s local produce and seafood. The dining experience will be complemented with classic desserts like three-layer house-made Rainbow Cookies, Peach Melba, and Dark Chocolate Budino along with an impressive drinks program featuring signature cocktails such as the Frozen Espresso Martini, Limoncello Margarita, Sangria and various refreshing spritzes. 

Sundays are especially significant at Pelato, rivaling the bustling atmosphere of a Friday or Saturday night. The Scottos have a longstanding family tradition of preparing “Sunday Sauce,” a heaping portion of assorted meats cooked overnight and served with Fusilli pasta tossed in the meaty tomato sauce. Served exclusively on Sundays, Pelato prepares a limited quantity of Sunday Sauces for dinner service only. Designed to serve two or more people, it is the perfect draw for family gatherings or get-togethers with friends.  

The Scotto family is personally curating every detail of the space, with daughter Gabriella, teaming up with local David Thompson Architect for the overall design and décor. Boasting an inviting elevated design, Pelato will accommodate over 180 patrons between the main dining room, bar seating, private dining room, and an outdoor patio with an expansive four-season pergola for alfresco dining. A standout design element will be a mural wall showcasing the Scotto family’s Brooklyn roots through a series of original photographs (no stock images of Frank Sinatra here!).   

“We’ve been making our way south for years now and are proud to call it our home,” said Theresa Scotto. “The people here feel like family, and we’re excited to bring a real taste of Brooklyn to one of our favorite cities.”  

With a background managing some of New York’s most renowned Italian restaurants, the Scotto family brings extensive hospitality experience to Charleston. Following their successful ventures in Nashville, they are excited to expand in the Southeast with Pelato’s second location coming to the Holy City. Pelato will operate within the Scotto family’s new restaurant group, Avenue T Hospitality. 

The restaurant will offer dinner service seven days a week, with brunch service on the weekends following the initial opening.  

Location and Social

Pelato l Opening Spring 2025 – 1085 Morrison Drive, Charleston, South Carolina 29403 

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