Beachside Delights: Leone's Authentic Italian Ristorante
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — In June 2024, when a new deli opened at the intersection of Fourth and Main Streets right in the middle of downtown Conway, locals were thrilled. Their enthusiasm was such that demand soon grew for additional locations.
The customers requested dinner services from me, but I lacked the space, chefs, and tables," explained Jim Leone, co-owner and chef of Leone’s Italian Ristorante. "Every day, I looked at this Filipino restaurant next door and thought, 'Wow, that would be ideal for what they’re asking.'
After having the deli open for six months, Leone took a chance and officially opened Leone’s Italian Ristorante right across the street.
“To be across the street from Tavern Two on the fourth and Main, here with the park and the theater. I mean, I don’t even know how I got so lucky,” he said.
With their Sicilian heritage, they take great pleasure in serving genuine Italian cuisine.
Leone mentions that his customers refer to this as their cozy Italian eatery.
Featuring dishes ranging from lasagna and meatballs to lobster ravioli, every meal is crafted fresh and bursting with flavor.
“The most compliments I get is the quality of the food and the freshness of the food,” Leone said. “We are using recipes from Italy, so it makes a difference.”
Their top-selling item happens to be their chicken piccata.
The chicken is dusted lightly with flour, cooked in a pan with lemon, butter, and white wine, seasoned with salt and pepper, and garnished with capers and freshly chopped parsley. It’s served atop a pile of sautéed spinach.
Each bite of the chicken piccata was fresh, bright, savory and delicious.
I simply hope that people will enjoy the food and share their experience with someone else," Leone stated. "That's really the essence of it.
So when you come to Leone’s Italian Ristorante, you’ll be immersed in a small, intimate setting, all in the heart of downtown Conway.
You can find Leone’s Italian Ristorante at the corner of Fourth and Main Street. They are open seven days a week from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Leone’s Italian Deli is just across the street as well. They operate every day of the week from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Gracie is a multimedia journalist for News 13 and hails from Cleveland, Ohio. She became part of the team in June 2023 following her graduation from the University of Alabama in May. Keep up with Gracie’s updates. Facebook , Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, & explore more of her writing here .
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