I recently had the pleasure of dining at Acqua Ragazza in Mooresville, North Carolina, and it was an absolute delight from start to finish. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm hospitality and a cozy ambiance. Our server Kai went above and beyond to ensure our experience was memorable, providing insightful recommendations and impeccable service throughout the meal. The attention to detail and genuine care from the charming owner, Tara Cottone, truly elevated the dining experience. Each dish was expertly crafted and bursting with flavor, showcasing the culinary expertise of the kitchen team. Acqua Ragazza is a gem of a restaurant, where exceptional service and delectable cuisine come together seamlessly. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Oh boy, what an Italian treat! Four of us spent a couple of hours, Italian style, relaxing with fine food.
We tried 3 different dishes and found the sauces to be outstanding. I had the Cod -- it was perfectly done with the best tomato /caper /olives /anchovies sauce ever! Brandy cream sauce with the shrimp was also to my liking, since it was light on the cream. Nice selection of wine. Great service, and a chance to chat with Tara, the owner. Limoncello cake was excellent!
The atmosphere was very accommodating -- tables spread far enough apart to keep the noise level low.
We ate there on a Thursday evening -- no empty tables -- a very good sign that this restaurant has made an impact since it's opening last year.
My wife and I moved here a year ago and have been in search of just this kind of Italian spot serving authentic Italian fare -- kudos to Tara and her chef and staff -- now we've found it!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
First time dinner here for our group of 2 couples. My husband and I love Italian food and have a lot of experience dining in Italy over years of traveling there. We have been searching for high quality Italian food since we moved here last May and we found it at Acqua Ragazza! Outstanding very fresh food, flavors and combinations and still very true to Italian cooking. Excellent, friendly service including a wonderful chat with Tara the owner who seems very hands-on. Good wine list at reasonable prices too. Servings are very generous. The cod special was over the top with a tomato sauce flavored with capers, onion and a faint hint of anchovy. Delicious desserts too -- we tried the Limoncello Cake ! We will definitely be returning to Acqua Ragazza many times in the future!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
What a happy, delicious dining experience! Our 1st time at Acqua Ragazza and we will bring everyone we know back there! The food is soooo fresh and locally sourced; I would go back just for the Della Casa salad! Salvatore, our waiter was exceptional and very attentive. We met Tara, the owner, whose passion and pride in her establishment makes you just want to see her succeed!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Our service and waitress was very attentive, knowledgeable and kind. Unfortunately, There was a very loud table across from us with a waitress (with very short hair) that was encouraging and participating in the obnoxious behavior ultimately ruining the atmosphere for us and everyone else in the restaurant (it almost made you feel awkward to be there). I could barely hear the conversation from the people that were at my table that we’re less than an arms width away. It was almost like you were at a bar rather than a Italian restaurant. You would expect a pleasant and low-key atmosphere in a restaurant that you pay $26 for a pasta dish. I can get you can’t control patrons but your staff should not be participating and encouraging that type of behavior.
I come from a very large Italian family. I thought the charcuterie board was overpriced and underwhelming for $21. It had very little meat and cheese and a few olives. The focaccia bread was so dense it was like eating a brick.
I did really enjoy my pasta dish, which was the Orecchiette pasta with the broccoli rabe and sausage. This is a dish my mother has made me since I was a child, so I had very high standards as to what it should taste like. It was the executed very well and flavorful.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I will be back. The food was hit or miss and the atmosphere just completely turned me off.
Food: 2
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3
