By TM Petaccia

Mama’s Ricotta’s Restaurant, FS Food Group’s flagship restaurant, will be undergoing a remodel at the end of the month. The result will be a more open space which will expand capacity from its current 162 seats to approximately 234.

“The last time we expanded, people still remembered what the Y2K bug was,” says FS spokesperson Remy Thurston. “Some of our strongest numbers were the last three years. We knew it was time to upgrade so we can better serve our longtime guests as well as the new clientele who discover us every day. This is mostly to meet demand and to bring Mama’s into a new era with a rapidly evolving city.”

Local firms Peadon Finein Architecture is handling the design, while Gais Construction is doing the build out.

In addition to the dining area, the kitchen will also be expanded to add more ovens, a dedicated space for pastry, and a new fresh pasta machine imported from Italy.

Although the restaurant will have a new look, very few changes are expected for the menu. “We aren’t equipped to deal with the revolt that would come with changing the menu,” says Thurston. “Charlotte has so many memories around our food. We don’t want to mess with that. If anything, the expansion will allow us to add a few things to the menu here and there to show off Chef Tom Dyrness’ chops.”

The remodel is expected to take approximately three weeks. The last day of service will be Saturday, October 29. Mama Ricotta’s will close on October 30 and reopen sometime around the end of November.

“We are excited to be able to offer even more capacity for Charlotte to create memories and eat delicious pasta, pizza, and drink lovely wine – especially ahead of the holidays,” says Thurston.

In addition to Mama Ricotta’s, FS Food Group also owns Little Mama’s Italian, Midwood Smokehouse, Paco’s Tacos & Tequila, Calle Sol Latin Cafe & Cevicheria, and YAFO Kitchen.