Luigi’s Combines Tradition and Innovation
By Becky Billingsley
Classic Italian dishes and specialties, an inviting and romantic ambiance, fine wines and attentive service make Luigi's Trattoria in Myrtle Beach a cozy spot for lingering over meals.
Chef proprietor Dorian Terova is an Italian native with a reputation for injecting innovation into traditional recipes. His love of fine wines and jazz enhances lunch and dinner dining experiences.
Lunch is served six days per week, and service can be adjusted for diners who need to get back to work within an hour, or for those lucky enough to have time for multiple courses and a glass of wine.
Pizzas with hand-tossed crusts and house-made marinara are a feature of the lunch menu where guests are welcome to design their favorite pies from a list of choice toppings, or try one of the four specialty pizzas. The Vegetarian Pizza has plum tomatoes, olives, onions, peppers and fresh mushrooms and basil; The Bianca is a white pie with Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan Reggiano; Brooklyn Pizza is loaded with sausage, pepperoni, meatballs, ham, ground beef and mozzarella; while the classic Margarita offers simplistic beauty with fresh mozzarella, Parmesan, tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil.
Italian sandwiches come with a side, and there are several hot and cold choices that combine Italian meats like Genoa salami and prosciutto with Italian cheeses, roasted red peppers and pesto. Some hearty sandwiches are like an entree in a bun, including Chicken, Eggplant or Meatball Parmesan. A light sandwich choice is the Bacon/Lettuce/Tomato with turkey, and the Crab Cake sandwich reminds diners they're at the coast.
Several lunch pastas are less than $10 including Lasagna and Manicotti, and they can be paired with Caesar, Italian, Greek or Cabbage salads.
An early dining menu available from 3-6 p.m. offers entrees priced at $10 or $13 and include Grouper Franchese, Chicken Marsala, Fettuccine Alfredo and Linguine with mussels or clams. Also during that time period, glasses of house wines are $4 each, while domestic beers are $2.
Photo Gallery
The bar at Luigi's is a nice spot in which to enjoy those drinks. It's designed with flair to combine chic elegance with comfortable convenience, and beside it is an intimate lounge area with tables perfect for romantic tête-à-têtes.
The menu expands for dinner with the addition of appetizers including Clams Casino, Mozzarella Caprese, Eggplant Rollatini, Bruschetta a la Pomodoro and Calamari. Delectable Beef Carpaccio is shaved thin and served on a chilled plate with tender artichokes, Kalamata olives and a drizzle of mushroom aioli.
Dinner entrees feature classic recipes like Spaghetti with Italian Sausage, Penne a la Vodka topped with prosciutto and Veal Saltimbocca, but the chef's special recipes add intrigue.
Mahi Mahi Mediterranean has a fresh fillet in marinara served with an abundance of vegetables over pasta, while Crab Cake Luigi is accompanied by Tuscan Risotto. For Steak Pizziaola, the chef grills a 12-ounce Black Angus New York Strip and serves it over penne pasta with marinara, peppers, onions and Portabello mushrooms. The Seafood Combination Italiana combines mussels, clams, calamari, jumbo shrimp, scungilli and fresh grouper in creamy marinara.
Children can enjoy specially sized servings of pasta, pizza or chicken fingers, and the whole family can partake in desserts like Tiramisu, Cannoli, Sorbet, Spumoni and Chocolate Bomba, where a chocolate shell encases chocolate and vanilla gelatos, cherries and almonds.
On the weekends there is often live jazz, and each month there are featured dining and drink specials.
Luigi's Trattoria is at 503 61st Ave. N. in Myrtle Beach. It's open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 4-10 p.m. Sundays, and the number is 843-497-7080.
Comments
Add a comment