In Summerville, Chef Nico Romo isn’t just opening restaurants—he’s building legacy.
By Pamela Jouan, Photographed by Andrew Cebulka
With Laura and Kersey House, Romo brings more than French culinary pedigree to the table; he brings intention, hospitality, and a deep sense of place. “My goal with both properties in Summerville is to continue to see downtown getting more walk-in-friendly spots,” Romo says. “To help create a fun, exciting downtown where people can explore diverse restaurants and enjoy the atmosphere.” For a chef born in Lyon, France, and trained at Michelin-starred La Pyramide, the South may seem an unexpected destination, but Romo found something here: a sense of community, of tradition, and of shared stories. “I have always been attracted to the South because of the people. Their kindness, their pride in country and heritage, their politeness.”
One of only 66 French master Chefs in the United States, Romo opened his first concept, NICO, in 2017. Shaped by a commitment to sustainable seafood and local sourcing, he quickly established the Mount Pleasant restaurant as a barometer for imaginative French fare. After opening a second restaurant, Bistronomy, in downtown Charleston, he set his sights on Summerville.
Laura, named after his grandmother, channels the warmth and memory of family kitchens and rustic Italian cooking. “She had six daughters and 20 grandchildren. She loved getting us together to cook,” Romo recalls. “Even though I have four restaurants, I still love having friends over to my house to cook and hang out. Hospitality is just in our blood,” he adds, connecting the dots.
Just down the street, Kersey House brings Romo’s career full circle. Though he once swore off weddings after a decade at Patrick Properties Hospitality Group, the beauty of the historic home changed his mind. “This property deserves to host a celebration,” he says. Now reimagined as a catering and events venue, it offers something new: a space where food, family, and future come together. “When you marry people, you become part of something bigger in the service industry.”
Through these places, Romo is helping shape what downtown Summerville can be—a walkable, welcoming destination that honors tradition while carving new ones. And for him, that’s the true reward: being part of people’s stories, whether it’s a first date or a wedding day. We’re here to create a place that feels like home,” Romo says. That spirit carries through in every dish, every table, every interaction—because to Romo, a restaurant is more than a business; it’s a backdrop for life’s milestones. And Summerville, it seems, is more than ready to welcome him in.
Visit Chef Nico Romo’s full portfolio in the Lowcountry from Laura and Kersey House in Summerville to NICO and Bistronomy by Nico in Charleston.
