Leaf to become Michael Toscano’s Le Farfalle

Way back in November 2014, we began speculating about the arrival of three New York City chefs and their potential Charleston projects. One of them was James Beard semi-finalist Michael Toscano. Now the rumors have been confirmed. The former chef of New York City’s Perla, Montmartre, and Jeffrey’s Grocery announced today that he and his wife Caitlin will renovate Leaf (15 Beaufain St.) and reopen it as an Italian restaurant called Le Farfalle.

According to a press release from the couple’s publicist Nicole Albano, Le Farfalle will retain Leaf’s outdoor seating and offer Italian fare such as “agnolotti al sugo d’arrosto with roasted chicken and fungi misti,  a non-traditional porchetta with a pickled cherry pepper glassato, and a house made couscous alla trapanese with saffron, lobster, crab and swordfish.” Caitlin, who worked at Per Se and Craft, will run Le Farfalle’s front of house.

Visitors to the Daily’s Short Grain ramen pop-up got a taste of Michael’s food this weekend when he served homemade alkaline spaghetti alla chitarra. 

The Toscanos hope to have the restaurant open this spring. 

Alkaline Spaghetti alla Chitarra for my Beef Rib Ramen with Mushroom Miso Brodo, Bitter Greens, Smoked Pork Jowl, Soft Boiled Egg. Come get it at the @shortgrain Ramen Pop-Up tonight @thedailychs from 8pm-1am. @insta_shuai @corriegram #italian #japanese #charlestonsc

A photo posted by Michael Toscano (@mjtoscano) on Jan 9, 2016 at 6:17am PST

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