This is the before picture of Mia Carolina in northwest Baltimore County, now a little more than two years old. (It's where Mezzanotte Bistro used to be.)

I've heard good things about the restaurant, although it's slipped under my radar. Apparently it does the true Italian trattoria thing very well. Everything, including the rustic bread, is made in house.

 Major remodeling should be finished by mid-September, says owner-chef Jay Cohen. He's thinking in terms of a wine-centric restaurant and liquor store like the Wine Market downtown. His wine list will double, to more than 100 bottles, and the menu of contemporary and traditional Italian food will be updated.

"It will be more of a food and wine lovers destination," he says.

(Photo courtesy of Mia Carolina)