Mother's Federal Hill Grille, whose Purple Patio has been ground zero for some of Baltimore's most energetic gatherings of sports fans, has begun a major, months-long renovation at its Charles Street home.
The renovations, which began this week, include the construction of a new bar, the installation of new windows across the front of the building on Charles Street and the removal of the brick stairwell from the middle of the main dining room.
The changes, which were first announced on Mother's Facebook page and detailed on SouthBMore.com, a website that reports on business developments in Federal Hill, were confirmed by Mother's co-owner Dave Rather.
"The quality of our food sets us apart from the competition in Federal Hill," Rather said. "Now we want to put more emphasis into our dining environment, The new room will be bigger, light and airy, with a more open feeling."
The new windows, Rather said, will be the popular "accordion-style" contraptions that can be folded open, on a moment's notice, to create a single wide unobstructed opening that runs the width of a building.
The renovations, which Rather said should be completed in time for the Orioles' home opener on April 10, will have Mother's closing for lunch all day Tuesdsay (except on St. Patrick's Day) and for lunch on Wednesdays during construction.
Rather opened Mother's at the corner of South Charles Street in the fall of 1997. The following year, the owners began inviting Ravens fans to tailgating parties on its side parking lot, which they dubbed the Purple Patio. Over the years, the Purple Patio, which now has a football field painted on it, has turned into one of the most popular gathering spots for Ravens fans to meet before, during and after home games.
Rather said it's time for the food at Mother's to get its due.
"We get pigeon-holed as a rowdy Ravens bar, but we have a scratch kitchen and we wanted to emphasize it more," Rather said.