Long-vacant space on King Street reopens as Italian restaurant

Legami, a new contemporary Italian restaurant, is now open at 492 King St. Legami is part of Washington Street Hospitality, the group behind Pasta Beach and Mr. Beach restaurants.

The space at 492, which once housed a restaurant of the same name (and had a long and structurally unsound history of abandonment prior to this occupation), has been vacant since 2018.

Old City newspaper food editor Mary Scott Hardaway asked in 2019, “How does one become a successful restaurant on this (King Street) corridor? If it only takes a minute to walk from 492 to the Vintage Lounge, why is one empty and the other being praised in a glossy magazine?

Apparently, the space just needed some fresh eyes — in this case, in the form of owner Tyler Ropolo, who designed the two-story, 180-seat restaurant.

Mix of Italy and Lowcountry

Inspired by Italian culture and historic Charleston, Legami’s first floor features “a mix of rustic wicker chairs, pastel green Charleston-inspired banquettes, and white-stained Carrara marble tables, with walls adorned with antique mirrors and wood carvings.” Indonesians”, according to a press release.

The second floor is a more intimate dining area – velvet seats and marble tables – and complements an upstairs terrace. The ground floor also has an outdoor patio.

Executive Chef Andrea Congiusta (Washington Street Hospitality group chef) is preparing shareable plates and homemade pastas inspired by the team’s collective training in Turin and Rome. Legami features a “playful” cocktail menu, designed by James Ruggiero, and an Italian-leaning wine program.