An Italian bodega is opening soon in Uptown, with fresh pasta, biscotti, snacks and more
You may have seen Mano Bella Artisan Foods’ authentic, artisanal Italian foods around Charlotte, at local farmers markets like the South End Farmers Market, North End Farmers Market and Uptown Farmers Market.
By spring 2022, the concept’s made-from-scratch food will be available at its new storefront at The Market at 7th Street in uptown.
Co-owners Raffaele and Madison Patrizi are excited about not only the company’s growth but also the relationships they’ve made with customers, local farmers and other producers since its initial opening in 2021. While they’ve seen success with operating from The City Kitch in University and offering local pickup at the commercial kitchen and local farmer’s markets, the move to The Market at 7th Street offers more room for growth.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Think Italian bodega. You’ll be able to connect with your food in a way you haven’t before now. “We’re just trying to draw awareness to that important connection between people, the food they’re eating, who grew it and who made it,” Madison told CharlotteFive.
LOCAL FARMS: The co-owners will continue to partner with local farmers that includes Garden Window Farm, Coldwater Creek Farms and more. The owners are excited to continue highlighting local farms in their products — both packaged foods and prepared.
PREPARED FOODS: The new venture means more space for chef Raffaele to use his innovation and his knowledge of Italian cuisine to create a limited menu of fresh prepared items, with fresh meaning the oldest your pasta would be is 12 hours or so. Pasta will be made daily. “This is a little stepping stone,” he said. “We want to give good food, a good experience and share a connection.”
Current products include:
Fresh Gemelli, Fettuccine, Campanelle pasta and more.
Dried Rigatoni, Orecchiette, Campanelle, Gemelli and Maccheroni.
Dried seasoning mixes — Primavera, Norcina and more — that are cut and dried in-house.
Maple Pecan, Snickers, Cranberry Pistachio and Orange Anise Biscotti.
Taralli — tiny rings of sourdough — with flavors like peperoncino, sea salt and rosemary.
People can also get inspiration for what to do with the food once they get home.
“People can make something for themselves,” Madison said. “I think that’s part of the charm of what we do is allow people to have that kind of satisfaction and ownership over what they make for themselves at home.”
MORE SPACE, MORE PRODUCT: With the move to The Market at 7th Street, Mano Bella Artisan Foods can expand its product line, which means more options for customers.
“When you share a meal with somebody that instantly creates a really profound connection, Madison said. “At the very essence of what we’re trying to do is to provide that for the city of Charlotte — to provide a connection with their foods.”
Mano Bella Artisan Foods
Location: 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Neighborhood: Uptown
Cuisine: Italian
Instagram: @manobellaartisanfoods
This story was originally published January 18, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
