A new restaurant will soon fill the space left by the former Playwright and Broad and River Pub. Larkin’s Restaurants, which owns the long running Larkin's on the River and Grill Marks in downtown, will open an authentic Italian restaurant concept this fall in the space at 401 River St., Greenville.

The restaurant will be called “Limoncello,” evoking a "warm, comfortable, Italian dining experience to the corner of Broad and River streets," according to a release from the restaurant group. Limoncello will focus on authentic Italian cuisine from the Calabria region of Italy, where both Larkin's Restaurants owner, Larkin Hammond's grandparents and mother, and Larkin's Restaurants chief operating officer, Bob Munnich's grandmother grew up.

“We are creating a real Italian experience complete with an outdoor piazza,” Hammond said in a statement. “Our guests can step away from the streets of Greenville for a moment and enjoy lunch or dinner in a park-like setting. You’ll feel like you’re on vacation — even if it is just for an hour.”

The restaurant's around 5,000 square feet will be transformed to reflect more of a trattoria feel, Munnich said. This includes changes to both the interior and exterior spaces.

Plans for inside include changing the former pool room to a wine room and making the front room a wine bar with a more casual feel, and transforming the back room into a more white tablecloth, experience, Munnich said.

"It’ll be good for families, it’ll be good for couples, it will be good for happy hour after work, everyone," Munnich said.

The large outside space will become a piazza-like area with comfortable seating and a fire pit or fireplace and landscaping reminiscent of a cozy trattoria, Munnich said.

The menu will center on authentic dishes inspired by Calabria. The region is known for a wide variety, Munnich said, including seafood, red sauce, meatballs and fresh pizzas.

Limoncello is slated to open in the fall.