Mama Ricotta’s, the 30-year-old restaurant, reopens after major facelift

The remodel added more seating and expanded their kitchen, as first reported by Unpretentious Palate.

Why it matters: Mama Ricotta’s celebrated its 30th anniversary this year but hasn’t had any remodeling in two decades. “Since 2002, we’ve had the same number of cooks on the line and our volume has tripled since we first moved here,” owner Frank Scibelli said. The added space and equipment “should help with quality and speed,” he said.

[Related story: Mama Ricotta’s celebrates 30 years. This is what owner Frank Scibelli would order there]

What’s new: Additional seating (32 to be exact) in a new private dining area and a bigger kitchen are the major changes, but longtime Mama’s fans will notice new light fixtures, new furniture and a more spacious takeout waiting area. 

• “The vibe is really warm,” Scibelli said when I asked him what visitors might notice the most.

Zoom in: Something diners may get to see firsthand is the massive remodel inside the kitchen. There is now room for eight cooks (before there were five) plus a chef inside and outside the kitchen.

The Menu: The menu will mostly stay the same at first with the addition of a few dishes — Milanese onion soup with fontina, and fresh pasta (tagliatelle and radiatori).

• Eventually, the restaurant will add more fresh pasta — similar to Little Mama’s fresh pasta menu. 
• Some other new menu items to look forward to in the new year: porchetta, short ribs, Chicago beef and arancini. 

What’s next: As part of the renovations, Mama’s added a draft system and will eventually have cocktails on draft.

Details: Mama Ricotta’s is located at 601 S. Kings Dr. It’s open 3-9pm today and back to normal business hours tomorrow.