Chef Anthony Marini Transforming Popular Sandwich Shop in 'The Italian Boy After Dark'

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer / Food & Beverage Review

Noted local Charleston chef Anthony Marini, who has proved himself at by creating one of kind artisan sandwiches with his downtown shop 'The Pass' is set to embark on another long time passion of his. Beginning December 4th Marini will transform his 700 square foot eatery at 207-A Saint Philip St. into 'The Italian Boy After Dark', a nightly (Wed-Sat) dining experience blending family style home cooking in a fun dinner party style atmosphere. 

Marini has come a long way since he dipped his toe into the food & beverage pool in his early 20's. A graduate of the famed Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, the Philadelphia native has put his skills to work for nearly three decades at some of the finest restaurants across America, finding a longer stay in Birmingham Alabama, becoming a senior chef instructor at Culinard, before opening his first restaurant back in 2004.

It was at AMBA, a four-star fine dining establishment featuring American food with international influences that Marini began to shine. For several years running Marini and AMBA were voted among the 'Top Three Chefs' and 'Top Three Restaurants' in greater Birmingham.

His mastery would further be celebrated when he was one of the winners on CNBC's competition series 'Restaurant Startup' in 2015. Marini's concept of Crudo and Sous-Vide (a unique cooking technique centered around raw fish) caught the imagination of the celebrity judges.

Fast forward several years later and Marini was back in the 'city of brotherly love' throwing open the doors to Rarest, a modern American restaurant with sections of the menu dedicated to rare and raw dishes. Sadly, the 2017 venture was short lived. However, often when one door closes another opens, with Marini seizing an opportunity to take over the kitchen at Porch & Proper in neighboring Collingswood, New Jersey.

Despite taking Porch & Proper to another level, neither Marini or the owners could foresee an impending worldwide pandemic, which crippled many businesses, putting the biggest hurt on the food & beverage industry. With NJ and PA incurring some of the strictest regulations for restaurants during COVID, Marini opted to relocate to Charleston where ordinances were less stringent.

Whether it was fate or divine intervention Marini admits he dodged a bullet. "I was in the process of buying Porch & Proper, and was set to sign the papers on a Tuesday, and the pandemic hit on the preceding Friday." He adds, "I wrestled with the decision all weekend, but ultimately decided to not do it."

After visiting a friend in Mount Pleasant, that's when the low country of South Carolina came into focus. "I didn't want to put my culinary life on hold, so I made the move to Charleston in January of 2021. It had everything I was looking for at the time, warmer weather and it was close to the beach. Even now, I live 15 minutes from the beach."

He'd planned on getting right back on the food & beverage horse. "Absolutely. I was going to buy 41 Bogard Street, but again I had an epiphany in the eleventh hour, and this location became available, and I decided to open a sandwich shop." Marini says it was a complete 180. "It wasn't on my radar, because all I had done prior was fine dining my entire life." 

Marini threw open the doors to The Pass in August of 2021. To distance himself from the everyday sandwich shops he offered up an eclectic menu. "I wanted reason for people to come in. Charleston has a strong food and beverage community especially along King Street. I didn't want to be doing what everyone is doing."

The response was overwhelming. "Honestly, I didn't know what to expect. But I got support right away. And not long after I opened, I said to myself 'there's something about this sandwich shop'." 

More than three years later The Pass has become a go to destination for many who live downtown including students at the College of Charleston. "There's a lot kids at the college from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and they are familiar with the types of sandwiches were making here."

He does admit to tweaking the menu somewhat since its debut. "Originally it wasn't as Italian as it now." With sandwiches called 'Italian Boy', 'Italian Girl!', 'Southern (Italian) Hospitality', and 'Foccacia del Capo', The Pass carries a particular theme. "It's evolved into an Italian thing." 

The only bump in the road (pun intended) for The Pass happened on Feb 13th of 2024, when the driver of a Maserati didn't quite make the turn at the intersection of Spring and St. Philip Streets and crashed into the eatery. Marini admits the luxury car 'hit a sweet spot'. "It basically destroyed the entrance and interior area where patrons order. The kitchen and prep area were not damaged."

Although he was inundated with local support from fellow businesses in the food & beverage industry, Marini turned a negative into a positive, and was up and running four days later, deciding to use the window nearest the kitchen as a service window. "My main objective was to keep my staff employed and to continue to serve loyal customers."

Focused and undeterred by the accident, Marini kept The Pass open while renovations were being done. Just over seven months later the sandwich shop welcomed patrons inside.  He has the Maserati hood emblem hanging in The Pass as a reminder of that day. "Peeled it off the car myself."

With business back to normal he decided to revisit an endeavor he had previously tried. Beginning December 4th Marini will host 'The Italian Boy After Dark' a nightly lively dinner party more in line with what one might enjoy at an Italian friend’s Philadelphia neighborhood rowhouse. By definition rowhouses are one to four-story homes occupying a narrow street frontage and attached to adjacent houses on both sides. 

More than 70 percent of Philadelphia is comprised of rowhouses, fostering a tight knit community. Check out the movie 'Rocky' if you want a better visual on rowhouses.

Dinners at 'The Italian Boy After Dark' will run from 7-9pm Wednesday through Saturday and consist of a multi-course family-style menu using seasonal ingredients, featuring an assortment of antipasti, crudo and pasta. Guests can expect at least two panini imbottiti-inspired courses, from Marini’s take on his hometown classic hoagie to a fun, more modern sandwich interpretation.

“Sandwiches aren’t typically thought of to be worthy of culinary acclaim, and in theory, a 700-square-foot shop shouldn’t serve as home to a multi-course dining experience, but we have never followed the rules at The Pass, and I don’t plan to start now,” shares Marini. “I can’t wait for Charleston to try our ‘restaurant within a restaurant’."

Having owned and worked in upscale restaurants, Marini felt it was time to return to his roots. "I'm loving the sandwich shop, and it's doing great, but I still enjoy doing fine dining. With The Italian Boy I can do that in a more intimate setting. I'll be open at nighttime, but only for a few hours, so I won't be here late."

Marini adds, "It will be a good mix. Less tasting, more of some plated dishes and some family style offerings, very similar to a fun friends and family dinner gathering."

Given the size of his corner eatery, with only a panini press and toaster oven behind the counter Marini admits he faces obstacles. "True, I don't have a restaurant style kitchen. If I had an oven and grill I'd need a hood (ventilation system). So I've always had a challenge, but I welcome that. I feel certain guests will be amazed at what I can do with die-cut (absorbent) and hand-made pasta, paired with really great sauces."

Wine from The Pass’ retail offerings will be available with no corkage fee, and guests will also be treated to a complimentary cocktail during the meal. Due to the intimate nature of the space, parties of more than six cannot be accommodated.

For more on The Italian Boy, to make reservations for upcoming nightly dinners and for more on The Pass (open Wed - Sun 10-3pm) including their eclectic array of artisan sandwiches that come teeming with fresh ingredients and ample portions of meat than visit their website.

For more incredible culinary experiences in Charleston, check out our guide to the city's best dining destinations. From fresh seafood to Southern classics, there’s something for every palate! View more Charleston dining options here.