After traveling as a consulting chef and working in Anguilla, James Beard Award–nominated Chef Roberto Leoci is ready to make his Savannah comeback with a new concept.
Leoci, who previously owned Leoci’s Trattoria in Savannah, is now preparing to open Nico Angelos Italiano at 309 W. Congress St. alongside partner Jay Trikha.
“I have known Chef for a very long time and he reached out and asked if I wanted to partner with him and open an Italian restaurant,” Trikha said.
He continued, “We found the space and decided that we were going to name it after his youngest son, Nico. His son wants to be a chef, so this is also going to be training grounds for him. We have a 25-year lease, so we’re hoping that at some point, the transition happens where Chef Leoci passes the reins over to Nico Angelo Leoci.”
The restaurant will feature traditional Italian cuisine, highlighting fresh homemade pasta, house-made sauces and a rotating selection of specials.
“Everything is from scratch–Italian flours, no artificial flavors, no additions. Everything is farm-to-table and made from scratch every day,” Trikha said.
He continued, “He makes a Bolognese ravioli that I am a big fan of. It’s definitely going to be on our specials menu, so people should look out for that one. It’s a very labor intensive dish. It takes three days to create.”
Nico Angelos will also feature a curated cocktail program and local wine pairings. The team is transforming the restaurant’s basement into a wine cellar designed to hold more than 1,000 bottles.
“I’m a foodie through and through so I’m excited for the food,” he said. “Governor [Brian] Kemp honored him as one of the top four chefs in Georgia. I’m very excited to be working with him and excited to bring the flavors of Italy to Savannah.”
The restaurant’s design will evoke a rustic Italian feel, featuring Venetian plaster, marble accents, and warm yellow lighting creating an old-world ambiance.
While the restaurant remains under construction, Chef Leoci will host a series of pop-up events featuring the restaurant’s cuisine, with the next one set for October 22. Tickets are available on the website.
“We’re doing a series of dinners all over town. It’s a series of 10, so we have six more coming. We basically take over a local downtown restaurant, cook in their kitchen, serve in their kitchen, but we serve the flavors that we plan on serving once we open,” Trikha said.
The team plans to open Nico Angelos Italiano in early 2026, though an official date has not been announced. For updates, visit the restaurant’s website and follow along on Facebook.
