Chef Mark Bolchoz will open Cane Pazzo, a neighborhood osteria, in Hanahan later this spring.
Until then, the former culinary director of Italian concepts at The Indigo Road Hospitality Group will offer pop-ups of the new venture at four restaurants around town, giving folks a taste of what to expect soon.
The first pop-up takes place April 23 at babas on meeting. Diners can look forward to what Bolchoz described as “bar, snacky” dishes that folks can find at Cane Pazzo’s separate barroom.
Then the Cane Pazzo pop-ups slowly move up the peninsula, closer to Hanahan. Find Cane Pazzo at The Tippling House May 7 and Stems & Skins May 14. The final pop-up will take place May 15 in Hanahan at Brew Coffee, Wine and Craft Beer.
Bolchoz said the pop-up locations share similar “energy and vibes” with Cane Pazzo, ones that are European-inspired and focus on really good wine and small plates that pack a big punch.
Cane Pazzo’s Hanahan location is purposeful, not just because Bolchoz lives in the area, but because his grandfather owned a screenprinting business in Hanahan that operated for over 25 years. He’s got roots in the town and he sees a lot of growth in its future, too.
“I think it [Hanahan] got leapfrogged over for Nexton and Summerville,” Bolchoz said. Now, though, people are realizing that Hanahan (situated just north of Park Circle) is somewhat of a not-so-hidden gem.
“We’re kind of at a point where people are realizing there’s an untapped area here with a ton of great housing and a super tight, small community right here — close to Charleston, but still with the old, small town feel,” he said.
Cane Pazzo is located in Yeaman’s Hall Plaza next to Piggly Wiggly and near the popular new brunch spot, Kooben Café Mexicano. Bolchoz said Hanahan city planners hope to turn the old plaza into a new kind of mini city center.
“To be at the forefront of that, I was definitely excited,” he said.
A place for the people
“I’ve always loved cooking Italian food,” Bolchoz said. “I grew up eating Italian food. I love making Italian food for people. I’m a huge pasta guy and I’m a huge hometown guy … I was born and raised here. My family’s been here for generations and generations.”
The name “Cane Pazzo” is actually Bolchoz’s childhood nickname, Mad Dog, given to him by his grandfather.
Bolchoz said he plans on capitalizing on freshly fished, farmed and grown ingredients from local purveyors at Cane Pazzo, where “refined yet approachable” small plates will also highlight Bolchoz’s love of handmade pastas.
The wine program will be Italian-focused, but with plenty of flexibility to include wines from Portugal, Spain and America, too.
“For the most part, it will be an enjoyable, approachable list that kind of makes sense to have a couple of different glasses and not really sweat it,” Bolchoz said.
The space will be approachable, too. Bolchoz hopes to marry Hanahan’s small, neighborhood vibe with the restaurant’s literal location as a cornerstone in both the plaza and the community.
“What’s a cornerstone restaurant for a community?” Bolchoz said. “I feel like you go Italian — it’s the old Italian restaurant with the big leather booths… I picture everybody just kind of hanging out, eating and chilling, drinking amaros, drinking some wine by the carafe.”
Bolchoz said he’s spent a lot of time in Italy and that he admired the more relaxed environment you find in bars and restaurants in Europe.
In that same relaxed vein, Bolchoz wants Cane Pazzo to be affordable for people, too.
“I would like for people to stop by on a Tuesday and have some snacks or maybe have a quick after work pasta and go home and not even think twice about coming back on Friday with the family,” he said. “The outright and upfront and on-purpose community restaurant is definitely the energy.”
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