This ‘picturesque’ Bolingbroke restaurant is transforming into a new American bistro

After The Red Tomato closed in Bolingbroke, Miss Hattie’s Kitchen & Bakery took its place in the charming house at the end of Alexander Court until it too was shuttered in March of 2018.

Soon a third restaurant will open in the house, one of the only full-service restaurants in Bolingbroke.

Owners Cesare Mammarella and Jamie Waters plan to open Marrow 41, a casual American bistro, in the fall.

“It’s a picturesque setting, but we love the building. When the other two restaurants were there, I used to go just because of the setting up there,” Mammarella, the owner of Bearfoot Tavern, said. “I’m super excited because, like I said, I’ve loved that property for over 20 years. When I first came here, I used to go up there just because I loved the setting at that property, and it’s always been a goal of mine to open up a restaurant in a house, essentially.”

First in the area

The closest eatery to the location is either on Bass Road in Macon or in Forsyth, Mammarella said, and the restaurant will be Bolingbroke’s first bar and grill, according to Marrow 41’s Facebook page.

“Jamie and I are both super excited to really try to bring something really interesting and new for that area,” he said.

The restaurant has around 50 seats for customers, so Mammarella said they will employ around 12-15 people.

Previous experience

Mammarella is a former owner of HotPlates Restaurant Group which had several restaurants, including the Tic Toc Room, Ginger Stir-Fry & Grill and Brasserie Circa.

“I feel like I’ve got a pretty good and loyal customer base. I think people are familiar with the type of product and service level that they’ll receive at this restaurant, and I’m hoping that that translates into the execution and the design and everything else with the restaurant,” Mammarella said.

Opening date TBD

Waters, the former executive chef at Grits Cafe in Forsyth, said Marrow 41 will be his first venture into owning a restaurant.

“It’s very exciting. It’s just an opportunity to learn another side of the business, which is also one of the things that Cesare presented to me in the beginning that made it so interesting. It’s not just being a chef,” he said.

They have started renovations on the restaurant, which has been vacant for more than a year, and Waters said he would like to open before the end of the year.

“I’m looking forward to it, just to be a part of the community again and be contributing and seeing people’s faces and watching people enjoy good times and share good times at the restaurant,” Waters said.

This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 7:00 AM.