DI’s longest standing restaurant Laura Alberts turns 20

From the quaint dining rooms to the beautiful outdoor courtyard, Laura Alberts Tasteful Options has been a fixture on Daniel Island for 20 years. Two decades later and they’re still serving strong.

 

When Laura Alberts opened on Sept. 12, 2002, there was a one-page menu along with eight tables inside and eight outside. The restaurant thrived thanks to the farm-to-table menu brimming with “tasteful options” —full of traditional southern favorites with a unique twist.   

 

Laura Alberts was started by third-generation Charleston native Laura Leppert and her daughter Karen Elsey. One evening over wine, the mother-daughter duo discussed their desire to open a cafe. They decided to build on Daniel Island because it felt like the land of opportunity.

 

“We liked the concept of a ‘Live, Work, Play’ community,” Elsey said. “The opportunity to get in on the ground floor was appealing and to be a part of a small neighborhood community. So we purchased the property and worked with a local architect to design our first commercial building.”

 

The business was named after Laura and her late husband, Albert. Over the years, it’s expanded to include a bar, gift shop with specialty wine selections, meetings and event space. 

 

“We have watched the Daniel Island community grow since we have been here since 2002,” Elsey explained. “Everyone has been very supportive of our business concept. The small town feel of Daniel Island has been very conducive to the growth of our business.”

 

Along with lunches and weekly dinners to go, Laura Alberts caters and is open Wednesday nights for dinner. Leppert is retired, but at 87 she still makes her famous pies and pimento cheeses. 

 

Comptroller Carol Voigt said Laura Alberts’ key to longevity and growth is the appetizing menu along with their customer service. “I think it’s the consistency of our product that has led to our expansion over the years. During COVID, we were open only for take-out. We increased our dinner to-go menu from one to two features per night. That decision helped us survive until we could open again.” 

 

Voigt said relationships created over the years is another key to success. “We have seen families grow, hosted their children’s wedding rehearsal dinners and their baby showers… On any given day, we will have a full lunch service, a meeting luncheon upstairs in our event space and a dinner party catering.”

 

Daniel Island resident Chris Nicely has consistently patronized the Wednesday night dinners since moving to Daniel Island 15 years ago. “It’s almost the only place I consider going to dinner on Daniel Island… My admiration for Karen Elsey’s business plan and the way she has executed it is certainly one of the reasons why I like to patronize Laura Alberts. She kind of epitomizes to me the small business ethic.” 

 

About 12 years ago, Nicely began using Laura Alberts to cater the opening night dinner for the RHS invitational golf tournament. “The Wednesday night opening dinner is one of the highlights of that week, with the help of Karen Elsey and crew. Something different every year.”

 

Beth Wallace of Scientific Research Corp. has used Laura Alberts’ catering services for more than 10 years. “I would and have referred Laura Alberts to many people. I have never once been disappointed by their food or their service. Karen is so accommodating and I never worry when I put my catering needs in her hands.” 

 

To find out more about DI’s longest standing restaurant, visit lauraalberts.com.