Lisi Italian

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Name with a Story

Lisi Italian takes its name from Letizia Reale — "Lisi" to family and friends — the grandmother whose kitchen shaped everything owners Jim and Mickey Reale put on the table today. Jim grew up in that kitchen, spending hours gardening, canning, and learning recipes that have since become the foundation of this casual, regional Italian eatery in the Village of Pinehurst. Mickey, the youngest of eleven children, brings her own deep understanding of what it means to gather people around food. Together, they've built something that feels less like a restaurant concept and more like an extension of family life.

Jim's more than 40 years in the restaurant industry give the operation its backbone, but it's the personal heritage behind every dish that gives Lisi Italian its character.

The Food

The menu is straightforward and honest — exactly what the name promises. Starters include house-made fried meatballs in homemade tomato sauce, arancini stuffed with prosciutto and peas, and a Carciofi Crostini with artichoke hearts in a creamy garlic cheese dip. Pasta runs from Orecchiette with broccoli rabe and spicy sausage to a Rigatoni Bolognese slow-simmered with ground beef, pork, and a touch of cream. The Porcini Ravioli — wild mushroom filled pasta with a porcini reggiano cream — stands out as a more indulgent option. Thin-crust square pizzas, including a pepperoni version finished with Calabrian hot honey, round out a menu that covers familiar Italian ground without veering into excess. Cannoli, hand-rolled in-house, close the meal on a classic note.

The wine list has earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for multiple consecutive years, a recognition that reflects genuine care in curation rather than an afterthought list.

The Place

Lisi Italian sits inside the Theatre Building in the Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina — a warm, cozy space described by the restaurant itself as a "home away from home." The atmosphere is casual without being careless, the kind of room where friends linger over appetizers and the staff keeps things feeling personal.

What started as a single Italian dinner spot has grown into a small family of concepts sharing the same address and the same values. The Market at Lisi, opened in 2021, offers fresh sandwiches, curated wines, and Italian imports. Augie's at Lisi Market, which followed in 2023, is a cocktail bar designed for a more intimate evening. A café offering espresso and breakfast rounded out the picture in 2026. Each piece connects back to the same idea Jim and Mickey put simply: food brings people together.