Ristorante LIDI to bring authentic, affordable family-style Italian food to Daniel Island

Daniel Island resident owned restaurant to open in space formerly occupied by Sienna
Staff report
Chef/Owner Jason Colon recently announced that he will open Ristorante LIDI at 901 Island Park Drive at the corner of River Landing Drive in the space formerly occupied by Hammets Landing and Sienna. Projected opening is late this fall.
The interior and exterior of the building are being renovated by Stumphouse Architecture + Design who will also monitor construction, and will feature murals of pastoral Italy by local artist Sophie Nemethy. Inside, the clean and contemporary redesign will include family and community tables, booths, bistro seating and a separate bar area. There will also be outdoor seating.
LIDI will serve authentic, affordable Italian cuisine from regional Italian traditions. Dishes will focus on finest quality handmade, sustainable and local ingredients. Among traditional selections will be simply prepared basics like Chicken Marsala, Shrimp Scampi, Bolognese and Spaghetti and Meatballs. Many of the pastas will be made in house and a selection of menu choices will be offered family style. There will be an extensive wine list, cocktail and dessert menu to complement the dining experience. Bar patrons may order from the full menu or choose lighter fare.
"My wife and I recently moved to Daniel Island because of the community's family atmosphere and all that is offered here. We're raising our 16 month old daughter to appreciate quality table food that is freshly prepared instead of relying on children's menu standards like chicken fingers and fries. That's what we want to develop at LIDI, a place where families can enjoy good, simple food together," said Colon.
Colon also referenced the growing food community on Daniel Island, "With the new Agave Restaurant and others on the way, I see the island becoming a food destination."
Jason Colon's world travels and culinary experiences have made him a proficient chef in ethnic fare. Classically trained in French cuisine, he constructed Italian café dishes while living in Asia and Italian Chinese fusion while living in Hawaii. He has a passion for local ingredients and attention to the uniqueness and similarities of the way each culture eats.
Colon graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Cambridge, MA and worked at the acclaimed Armani Café on Newbury Street in Boston. He assisted in the opening of Gusttimo di Roma, a chain of Italian cafés in China, Korea and Japan, and Sarang, a Korean restaurant in Singapore which has since expanded into other areas of China. He was sous chef for the acclaimed Ciao Mein Restaurant in Hawaii.
Back in Boston, Colon spent four and a half years at Mare, a restaurant rated one of the "Top 10 tables to dine in the world" by Conde Nast Traveler during Colon's residency. He helped to open Market by Jean Georges at the W Hotel, as well as ABC Kitchen in New York City, and took on the role of executive sous chef at Miel in the Intercontinental Hotel.
The team of Jason Colon and Sous Chef Steve Davison will develop the menus and the cuisine of Ristoranti LIDI.