New Italian market, restaurant now open in Dilworth
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From left: 10-inch capricciosa pizza and alla vodka pasta. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Mano Bella Artisan Foods recently opened a new space in Dilworth called Ardente Kitchen.
Why it matters: Ardente is the latest venture for husband-and-wife Madison and Raffaele Patrizi. What began as the duo cooking out of their kitchen and selling their goods at local farmers markets has grown into three locations across Charlotte.
Catch up quick: Mano Bella took over the former Capishe space at 500 E. Morehead St. near Wildroots Coffee.
What to expect: Ardente is a dine-in restaurant and a neighborhood Italian market.
- The 5,200-square-foot open space facing Morehead Street includes a bar, plus patio seating with a skyline view. There are 136 seats total: 100 inside, plus 12 at the bar and 24 on the patio.
- Lunch is counter service only, but at 4pm the restaurant switches to sit-down dinner service.
- The market includes everything from boxed pasta and jarred sauces to ready-to-heat frozen meals for busy days.
Dig in: Ardente serves organic handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, meats, seasonal vegetables, homemade sauces, plus sandwiches, salads, soups and small plates. Pizzas are 10 inches or 15 inches.
- There are also cocktails, including Aperol spritz and limoncello spritz, plus beer and wine.
- The focus will be on ingredients from central Italy, where co-owner Raffaele Patrizi is from.
Context: Mano Bella has locations at the Market at 7th St. (224 E 7th St.) and in SouthPark (721 Gov. Morrison St.). You can also find them at farmers markets.
If you go: Ardente is open daily (11am-9pm Sunday through Thursday; 11am-9:30pm Friday and Saturday).
Take a look around.
Editor's note: This story was originally published on May 26, 2026 and was updated on June 15 to include additional photos and opening details.