Chez Georges Family to expand into Bluffton with Radici Italian Chophouse
If I’ve learned anything in the 15 years we’ve been documenting the food scene in this area, it’s the fact that when one door closes on a restaurant, it is typically not long at all before another one opens. In this case it was immediate.
There’s a new tenant at 4376 Bluffton Parkway going into the space formerly occupied by Pour Richard’s.
Truth be told, it feels awkward even writing that.

The new restaurant going into the space will be called Radici Italian Chophouse and will be part of the very popular Chez Georges family of restaurants. The news was confimed to us earlier this week by Chez Georges owner George Casalicchio.

The Executive Chef will be Mattia Bianchi, a long time friend of the Casalicchio family. Mattia is a native of Torino, Italy who moved to the area last year with hopes of eventually opening an Italian restaurant.
“Mattia and another chef there (in Italy), plus his fiancee came here, got their permits and they’ve been here at Chez Georges for the last few months.” Casalicchio said. All the while, Chez Georges had been hoping to expand, but only if the timing and situation were right.
“We were looking. We weren’t rushing. We were just keeping abreast of things, which I do anyway. We saw that a listing for Pour Richard’s came up. We went there, met with them.” he said.
That initial meeting happened just before Christmas. From that point, it all moved very quickly. The deal was finalized on Friday.
“The open kitchen-which always was kind of a dream for us. So when this came around, it seemed to fit.” he said.
George says they are going in almost immediately to begin a makeover of the space. Those who are familiar with the Pour Richard’s ‘Chef’s counter” will be happy to know that the bar seating will now extend beyond where it has been all the way to the front of the restaurant where coolers have been to this point. This new group are big fans of the open kitchen.
“We’re going to keep the guts of the kitchen, per say” George says “But production will be the main feature of the restaurant.”
Speaking of production, George tells us Chef Mattia is looking forward to sharing some of the flavors of his native Northwest Italy. Hence the name “Radici” -Italian for ‘Roots’.
“They want to show what they believe and love in. Handmade pastas, steaks and fish. Appetizers all done with love and attention.”
George says Mattia will still be involved-to a smaller extent-with Chez Georges. There will be collaborations in their future. All the while, George will act as a ‘partner and mentor’ to a younger couple hoping to realize the American dream with their own restaurant.
Sounds like a win-win to me.
“I feel great.” George says. “Italian is very important to me. It’s why Chez Georges happened, I wanted to showcase Italian the way I wanted to. I feel very lucky and blessed that I can act as a partner but also as a mentor to this couple.”
Sooooo, when? “I am realistically hoping for April. April sounds good to me.”
Of course, we will keep you posted.
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