by TM Petaccia

For 2023 UPPY Food Artisan of the Year Raffaele Patrizi, there was always some type of restaurant in his plans. “From day one,” he says, “it was really one of the things I wanted to do.”

Patrons at his Mano Bella Artisan Foods inside The Market at 7th Street have had a small taste of his cooking at the food kiosk’s pasta bar and via special events like the popular “Italian food tour” series conducted in association with Assorted Table Wine & Shop. This coming January, they will get what he refers to as an “authentic Italian bistro” experience when Mano Bella Bistro & Market opens in the former Bit by Seoul Food spot in SouthPark’s Morrison Place.

“Customers kept asking for more dinners and special events,” he says. “I tried to deny and say no for as long as I could. This bistro will bring those special event dishes to our customers who love what we are doing.”

Service at the bistro will be fast-casual in operation. Customers will order at the counter and then be served at their table. QR code menus will also be tableside for additional ordering.

While the full menu is still in development, Patrizi anticipates a series of fresh and fried small plates, a “pick your pasta bowl” setup (you choose the pasta shape, protein, and sauce), and a selection of Italian dishes highlighting one of Italy’s culinary regions. “We expect to switch regions every six months or so,” he says. There will also be a selection of about a half dozen Italian desserts.

One of the dishes planned is a North Carolina trout crudo that’s based on Patrizi’s grandmother’s recipe, marinated in olive oil with locally sourced herbs. Another is a Carbonara Croquette, a breaded and fried ball, which when opened, releases a creamy pasta along with a house-made pancetta.

Patrizi plans to take advantage of the restaurant’s large glass facade by putting the pasta-making operation in the window. “Everybody who walks by can see us making tortellini and all other kinds of shaped pasta,” he says.

Mano Bella Bistro & Market will also house a full bar featuring Italian cocktails, a curated wine list, and a selection of local craft beers. The restaurant will be managed by Bradley McClain, formerly at Rosemont Market & Wine Bar.

The market portion of the restaurant will offer all of the Mano Bella fresh and dry pastas, sauces, house mozzarella, take and bakes such as lasagna, and other items sold at the 7th Street location and local farmers markets. It will also offer a curated set of hard-to-find imported Italian items, such as colatura di alici, an anchovy fish sauce that has its origins in ancient Rome, also known as garum.

Currently, Patrizi is looking at a soft opening sometime around January 20. It will be open for lunch and dinner service.

“It’s going to be an experience. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” he says.

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