Let real estate agent, Britney Kensmoe, take you on a stroll inside Holly Springs and introduce you to the amazing small business owners of Holly Springs, North Carolina. Holly Springs is the city of southern charm that boasts an abundance of local businesses, an up and coming downtown scene along with delicious eats along the way.
Ciro Formisano has been a chef, manager, and restaurant owner for over 45 years. Born in Naples, Italy, Ciro grew up in his family’s restaurant learning time-honored recipes from his mother Leonilde and savvy restaurant management from his father Michele. Ciro dedicated himself to learning and honing his skills and became head chef of one of his family’s four restaurants and one of Naples’ most famous restaurants, Il Transatlantico, by the age of 18. He moved to America when he was 33 and spent several years working in restaurants along the east coast, making connections within the industry, and refining his culinary art. Ciro opened his own restaurant Mamma Mia Italian Bistro in Apex, North Carolina in 2004. Carrying on family tradition, he sold a portion of Mamma Mia to his daughter in 2019 and turned his attention to founding a sister location in Holly Springs which he opened on June 7, 2021.
Located at The Block on Main, Mamma Mia Italian Bistro brings the authentic flavors of Ciro’s family home and history to Holly Springs. The menu will transport you with mouth-watering dishes like Clams Posillipo, Old World Baked Ziti with homemade tomato sauce, Stuffed Shells with Ricotta and topped with pink sauce, Zuppa di Pesce comprising clams, mussels, calamari, and shrimp sautéed with garlic, oil, and marinara sauce, Lasagna, Veal Saltimbocca, Chicken Piccata, and the New York style Mamma Mia Supreme Pizza. Be sure to pair your savory dish with a glass of wine from their tailored wine menu or top off your meal with something sweet on their dessert menu. Mamma Mia Italian Bistro is open for lunch and dinner and has dine-in, carry-out, and catering options available.
Under the altruistic guidance of Ciro Formisano, Mamma Mia Italian Bistro takes joy in giving back to Holly Springs and our surrounding communities by supporting charities that aim to give food, clothing, financial aid, education opportunities, and housing assistance to those most in need. The restaurant donates a portion of their proceeds to multiple organizations including Western Wake Crisis Ministry, Brown Bag Ministry, and Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina.
Learn more about them here:
Holly Springs Location:
Mamma Mia Italian Bistro
300 S. Main St., Ste. 200, Holly Springs, NC 27540 • (919) 766-8000
Mamma Mia Italian Bistro Holly Springs
Apex Location:
Mamma Mia Italian Bistro
708 Laura Duncan Rd., Apex, NC 27502 • (919) 363-2228
Mamma Mia Italian Bistro Apex
