When Chianti South closed in 2024 after more than 25 years in operation, the expectation was that Little River would have to say goodbye to its beloved Italian restaurant. But now there’s good news for everyone who loved Chianti’s wines and house-made pastas: the restaurant is returning this fall under new ownership.
“Chianti South Is Coming Home,” says an announcement shared with What Now by Allison Szafarski, the Operations Manager for the team bringing the restaurant back. “We are incredibly proud to share the return of Chianti South in Little River. A name that has long held a special place along the Carolina coast, Chianti South is returning with a renewed vision while honoring the charm, flavor, and hospitality that made it so iconic.”
Headed up by James Lane, the team bringing back Chianti South is also known for restaurants like Lucca Italian Chophouse, Oak & Palm Waterfront Dining, and La Volte Oceanfront Dining & Venue in North Carolina. As it happens, Chianti South isn’t the one coming home: for Lane, it’s a kind of homecoming as well.
Lane’s career was influenced greatly by restaurateur Angelo Bertolozzi, who once owned Chianti South, Szafarski says. Lane and Bertolozzi collaborated on Angelo’s Pizzeria & Bistro Shallotte, NC, and Bertolozzi’s influence lives on in the names of several of Lane’s restaurants, like Lucca Italian Chophouse (named for Bertolozzi’s birthplace) and Maria’s Pizzeria (named in honor of Bertolozzi’s wife).
With Chianti South occupying such a principal place in the hospitality group’s story, longtime guests can be assured the restaurant is in good hands.
“Our goal is simple: to bring back the feeling of truly being wined and dined,” the announcement says. “Expect thoughtfully prepared Italian cuisine, exceptional wines, beautiful surroundings, and an elevated level of service centered around genuine hospitality. We want every visit to feel like an occasion — whether you are joining us for a quiet dinner, celebrating something special, or simply enjoying an evening around the table.”
No set opening date has announced yet, but Chianti South is expected to make its return before the start of winter.
