ONCE MORE, WITH
GUSTO Hilton Head Island has a new hot spot for truly authentic Italian food, and a restaurant with a story to tell. BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN
It began on a busy street in Rome, Italy, 30 years ago. Nancy Balestra was visiting from her native New Jersey, in the city for just one day, and she was helplessly lost. “I asked this tall, handsome gentleman how to get to the Sistine Chapel. It was Giancarlo,” she said. “We’ve been together ever since. It’s been a good match.” From the serendipity of that moment Giancarlo and Nancy Balestra built a loving marriage based on a shared passion for food, wine and travel, and a stellar restaurant career based on their complementary skill sets. “I’m a chef and she has spent her life in the industry. She was front of house, management, like everyone else she’s been bartender and a server; she knows every aspect,” added Giancarlo. 16
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