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Most of the residents of Mooresville are familiar with the shops, boutiques and restaurants on Main Street in Downtown Mooresville; however, have you tried Acqua Ragazza located at 201 North Church Street Suite 102 and their incredible menu that will satisfy even the most selective foodie!
The ambience is inviting. Upon entering the restaurant you are instantly greeted with a smile.
Fresh cut flowers are on every table. The lighting is cozy, calming and comfortable. Pictures on the wall evoke thoughts of Venice, Naples, and Rome. Even the music plays an inviting role as Frank Sinatra songs periodically fill the air. Before customers are seated, they are already magically transported to Italy.
“Acqua Ragazza is exactly what Mooresville has been missing!” explains Denise Takes, a frequent patron of the restaurant. “The ambiance is trendy and cool and the food is authentic Italian cuisine served by fabulous attentive servers. The owner, Tara, literally stops by each table to personally meet her customers. We loved meeting her and hearing her story.”
The food is delicious — each plate is presented as a work of art.
“Since we serve only fresh cuisine at Acqua Ragazza,” says owner Tara Cottone, “the clientele who know how to cook and know what fresh food tastes like truly appreciate the cuisine we are offering.”
Chef Sergio is the “secret ingredient” to the success of Acqua Ragazza. He is an expert at pleasing the palate. Every item on the menu is a delectable masterpiece.
Sergio was born in Argentina; however, his parents are from a small town outside of Venice. They came to America in 1987 and Sergio landed in Mooresville in 2021 – the same year construction began on Acqua Ragazza.
“I believe Acqua Ragazza will be around for a long, long time!” states loyal customer Karin Jackson. “The Ravioli and tiramisu are must trys! And don’t forget the craft cocktails — all natural ingredients and AMAZING!”
“We offer mature cocktails, with every ingredient prepped as a chef would,” states owner Tara Cottone, “sous viding fruit juices and using natural flavorings and less sugary liqueurs, which anyone over 30 can appreciate!”
Acqua Ragazza offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Now that the summer heat is over, the idea of eating outside with a lovely view enhances any meal on the menu.
“For over a year now, I have loved the food, cocktails and service at Aqua Ragazza!” states loyal customer Jill See. “Tara & her team create stupendous culinary delights. Your taste buds are never disappointed!”
The literal translation of the Italian words Acqua Ragazza is ‘Water Girl.’
Numerous Italian restaurants in the United States use an easily recognizable Italian word (such as acqua – which – spelled in a slightly different manner — means water in English) to showcase that the restaurant is a true Italian cuisine.
Ragazza is the Italian word for young woman or girl. Consequently, Tara Cottone – who is the sole owner of the restaurant – wanted to spotlight her leadership with the fact that Mooresville is a lake town – hence – the creative combination of water and girl – Acqua Ragazza!
Mill One is a combination of luxury apartments and retail shopping/restaurants. It is a true ‘hidden treasure’ in Mooresville. The complex is located on Church Street across from the parking lot behind the Charles Mack Center and the gorgeous Mooresville Mural painted and dedicated to the town for its 150th birthday.
The entire first floor is dedicated to retail businesses.
The upper floors are apartments ranging in size from 816 to 1,447 sq ft, Mill One is perfectly located in Mooresville – within walking distance to shops, The Charles Mack Center, Liberty Park, Richard’s Coffee Shop, the Mooresville Public Library – and, of course – Acqua Ragazza.
In 2021, Mill One was under construction with a vision of enhancing Mooresville with a cluster of small businesses and luxury apartments. Simultaneously, Tara Cotonne – who had a dream of owning her own restaurant — was the first to sign a contract in the retail section of the complex.
Tara Cottone is a third generation Italian-American who loves good food.
She has been in the industry since she was 14-years-old. By the time she was 18, she had been trained in almost every aspect of the restaurant world, including in the kitchen. Once she turned 21, she began tending bar and quickly became a bar manager. Then she became a general manager. For the last ten years, she has been everyone else’s bar and restaurant manager.
Cottone’s vast training and experience in the industry gave her the courage to follow her dream of owning a restaurant. “When COVID happened, I decided this was the time to take the plunge!” Cottone exclaims with confidence. “The seed was planted in my teens! Once I learned every aspect of a full service restaurant, I felt like I could do it with my eyes closed.” As a result, she moved forward in order to make her DREAM COME TRUE.
Acqua Ragazza opened its doors in 2023 and recently celebrated its first anniversary. The restaurant has thirty employees and the word is spreading – this is the place to enjoy a great meal. Tara Cottone’s dream is alive and flourishing.
“I absolutely love to cook!” states Tara Cottone with enthusiasm. “When I choose to eat out, it has to be better than what I can make at home. I run Acqua Ragazza with this standard in mind.”
Tara Cottone is the sole owner of her restaurant. However, she is not the only business owner in her family. She is surrounded by successful entrepreneurs. Cottone lovingly credits her grandmother Nonnie (now deceased) for inspiring her in her youth. It was her grandmother’s restaurant in South Florida that initially “planted the seed” for Cottone to dream of owning her own restaurant one day.
“Nonnie was a great business woman and was not afraid to take big risks,” states Cottone proudly. “Speaking of the entrepreneurial spirit, ALL of my siblings are also small business owners. I guess you can say we all love taking risks!”
In addition, Cottone’s father Mike and step-mother Candace Bongiovanni also own businesses: Greentree Financial and Coco Couture (respectively.) Both of them are off of Exit 28. Plus, her sister Angie is a well-known make-up artist for TV in the Charlotte Metro area. She works up and down the East Coast and has worked on the set of “The Hunting Wives” filmed in Mooresville in 2024 and “Love is Blind” in Charlotte in 2023. Her other siblings own a fitness center in Wilmington, an insurance company in Texas and a business in South Florida. It’s obvious that this family knows how to dream big, take risks, work hard and be successful!
Food is a major passion for Tara Cottone; however, she also loves any water sport or activity that involves the lake or the beach . . . and she loves rescuing animals from the local shelter!
In her spare time, Cottone professes, “My perfect day consists of a cold beverage with my feet in the water and the sun shining on my face – with my dog Honey lying next to me.”
Periodically, Acqua Ragazza hosts creative events at the restaurant. Check out a sample of three opportunities to merge great food with entertainment. Call for more details (704)-360-1015 or connect through email at [email protected]
Article and Pictures by Tesa Jones
Tesa Jones is a graduate of Elon College, now Elon University, a mother of two, a grandmother of five, and she currently resides in Mooresville with her husband. She is a published author, an avid blogger, and a passionate photographer. Learn more about Tesa Jones at www.booksbytesajones.com/book and contact her via:
https://www.facebook.com/booksbytesajones
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