Chef Nico Romo’s culinary journey has led him down many different paths, one of which spans from Italy all the way to Summerville, South Carolina, where Laura, the newest of his three restaurants, resides. The concept is inspired by the traditional cuisine of Arprino, the small town in the foothills of Central Italy where his grandmother, named Laura, lived. Inside the restaurant, a large red pizza oven juxtaposes white table linens, moss-green walls, and soft, sage-colored chairs. The main dining room looks into an open kitchen, just as Romo looked into Laura’s kitchen while she cooked, while a covered patio is the perfect place for a refreshing aperitivo.
The signature house cocktail, appropriately named “The Laura,” is an easy-drinking, effervescent combination of limoncello, elderflower, prosecco, and a single scoop of lemon sorbet. “The Laura was an obvious choice for a signature cocktail because it uses some classic Italian components, and it’s perfect for the South Carolina temperatures,” says Romo. “It is light and refreshing, a perfect way to start your dining experience.” He shares the recipe below.
