Local Shrimp And Fregula Stew Recipe

During busy months of the year, guests at this sleek, cosmopolitan Northern Italian–style eatery have to negotiate the bump and grind of tourists near the entrance, which happens to flank the northern side of the popular Old City Market. It's a small price to pay. Inside awaits a deep red and tan marble oasis of urban tranquility and some of the best food the city has to offer, crafted by executive chef Eddie Moran. The San Francisco native is a recent transplant to Charleston and Mercato, but he espouses old-fashioned classic technique in his kitchen. “First and foremost, I’m a cook, and I like to cook like they cook in Italy, using seasonal ingredients at all times,” says Eddie. Simple, maybe, but amazingly subtle and layered, Eddie’s interpretations of the likes of Veal Cheek Ravioli with Wild Mushroom Sugo and soothing Baked Gnocco of Semolina and Parmesan and Fontina Cheeses with Fried Rosemary testify to his spot-on culinary instincts and his use of best-quality ingredients. This dynamic dish borrows from North Africa’s cupboard. Fregula, a Sardinian semolina wheat pasta that recalls Israeli couscous, wraps around a heady tomato sauce spiked with enticing notes of sweet and savory, balanced by the buttery qualities of always local shrimp. Best of all, it comes together in minutes. Adapted from "The Charleston Chef's Table" by Holly Herrick.