A family of famed restaurateurs is opening a second location of their popular Nashville restaurant in Charleston.
Theresa and Anthony Scotto Jr., along with their son, Anthony Scotto III, are gearing up to launch Pelato in the former Butcher & Bee space at 1085 Morrison Dr.
After relocating from New York to Nashville, the Scottos opened Pelato and their other restaurant, Luogo, to embrace their new Southern roots. Now, they’re excited to bring Pelato’s authentic Brooklyn-Italian fare to Charleston.
In a press release shared with What Now Charleston, it was noted that “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.”
The restaurant will offer an “approachable, small plate-style dinner service” showcasing cherished Brooklyn-Italian family recipes like Potato Croquettes, Brooklyn-style Calamari, Chicken Parmigiana, and house-made pastas such as Radiatori Vodka, Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, and Orecchiette with Italian Sausage.
The Charleston location will feature “exclusive regional specialties” that connect Brooklyn flavors with Charleston’s local produce and seafood. Desserts will include three-layer Rainbow Cookies, Peach Melba, and Dark Chocolate Budino, complemented by signature cocktails such as the Frozen Espresso Martini and Limoncello Margarita.
At Pelato, Sundays rival the lively energy of Friday and Saturday nights, thanks to the Scottos’ “Sunday Sauce”—a family tradition of slow-cooked meats served with Fusilli pasta. This special dish will be available on Sundays in limited quantities and is ideal for large gatherings.
The Scotto family is working with daughter Gabriella and local architect David Thompson to create a welcoming ambiance for the restaurant. Pelato will seat over 180 guests across the main dining room, bar, private dining area, and an outdoor patio with a four-season pergola. A mural wall will display original photographs celebrating the Scotto family’s Brooklyn heritage.
Pelato is slated to open in spring 2025, offering dinner service seven days a week, with weekend brunch following the initial launch.
“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.”
