Anthony Scotto Jr. comes from a long line of Italians who immigrated to New York City more than 100 years ago. The restaurateur led prominent Big Apple eateries for about three decades before selling his stake and moving to Nashville to open two more. Charleston came calling next.

Scotto, alongside his wife and children, is preparing to open Pelato in the former Butcher & Bee space this year. The family chose Charleston for their next restaurant after vacationing in the Lowcountry for years, likening the “NoMo” area in the northern portion of the peninsula to their Nashville restaurant’s home in the Germantown neighborhood.