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Customshop Handcrafted Food
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Seafood American (New), Seafood [Edit]
1601 Elizabeth AveCharlotte, NC 28204
Neighborhood: Elizabeth
(704) 333-3396
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 11 pm
Sun 10:30 am - 2 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Andrew S. said: "We made it to Brigs for a breakfast. And I must say, I was a little bit dissapointed... So you might ask, Why 4 stars? Well I rounded up because of their service they provided. The food was good, but nothing that I believe I will…" read more »
49 reviews for Customshop Handcrafted Food
Review Highlights
"I hardly resist the bread pudding."
(in 9 reviews)
"Meat and cheese and wine, oh my."
(in 5 reviews)
"I had a boneless short rib for my entree, and I thoroughly..."
(in 3 reviews)
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49 reviews in English
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Review from Travis W.
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was so excited to try this place and I must say I was very impressed the minute I walked in. The girlfriend and I popped in for a quick bite before an event and decided on some appetizer dishes to do the trick.
I chose the pork belly skillet dish and while the pork belly was great it was luke warm. Maybe that was the presentation intent but when I read "skillet" I think it's going to be hot. Didn't really matter, I devoured it :) It was really good.
The decor is full of metal, glass and warm wood influence and very appealing in general.
The service was incredibly good which is why I pushed this review to the 4 star level. Our waitress knew all the cheese lingo and was very knowledgeable and accommodating with the drink menu as well. -
Review from Stephen N.
Charlotte, NC
1/1/2012 1 photo
Its just easier for me to break the review down in chronological parts:
Drinks: 4/5
(tasty local beer (Farmer Ted's)....good wine selection, cocktails, experienced & knowledgeable staff)
Cheese & Charcuterie plate: 5/5
(As mentioned later, this was the highlight. We went with Prosciutto, Chorizo, Chicken Liver Pate, with Manchego & Mimolette cheeses; It provided a great way to open the meal over initial drinks.)
Starter: 3/5
(We had the Pork Belly (awesome), although the bed of beans it was served over were pretty undercooked..)
Pasta: 4.5/5
(all Pasta made in house, we had Ricotta Gnocchi which was great in our opinion)
Main Course: 3.5/5
(We had Pork Chop, Duck, Short Rib, Lamb, & Whole Fish. Only complaints were execution...I hate to sound critical, but the Pork was a little chewy and definitely overcooked; same with the Duck...The Short Rib/Lamb & others were amazing though, and the review would have been higher had there not been the 2 critical temperature mistakes on the big ticket items)
Dessert: N/A
So, we had to stop somewhere!....Looked amazing though (Pumpkin Creme Brulee & Brioche bread pudding), that will be next time.
The Charcuterie & Cheese plate(s) were definitely the highlight of the meal.
I thought the wine was fantastic (2007 Row Eleven Pinot Noir), server was knowledgable with the pairings, and overall a great dining experience.
This is a great place to go in Charlotte whether you're a culinary expert or an aspiring foodie; they really leave no doubt that they want the food/ingredients to be the focus. -
Review from Kenny R.
12/13/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
I hate to do this. I love the idea of this place, but wow did I get the wrong end of the deal. My long dissertation here has been sent to management and they are assuring me that the problems will be resolved.
I wish this letter was to inform you of what a great experience it was, but regrettably it isn't. I've had better service from Mad Marge at Waffle house and most of the meals I've eaten at Applebees were much better.
We came in on the day after a holiday to a pretty much empty restaurant. The hostess seated us immediately, but next to the only other people in the place, which was a group of loud old ladies. We were a having a business meeting, but didn't mention anything since they were obviously about to leave.
Next we were greeted by our waiter(Tim G), we looked rather casual, so he acted casual which is fine to a certain extent. When my business partner ordered a bottle of prosseco our waiter intruded you know thats sweet sweet champagne right? In a somewhat condescending voice. I felt no need to correct him and say it was just an Italian white sparkling that is normally drank before the main meal. As we waited for our bottle, we drank our just recently for the first time filled water. Once the bottle was finally brought I ordered some charcuterie and cheese. With 2 people to a table late in the eve the bottle was still put on a table away from us.
We drank our first glass quickly, but it was a good 5-10mins+ and many walks by by our waiter, before I decided to just stand up and grab the bottle and pour some drinks ourselves. This entire time we still had no more water and not our first bread. Once he finally showed back up to take our orders he asked if it was ok to put a bottle in reaching distance of 2 people in a booth. This is where things started to get much worse.
I then asked about what type Oyster mushroom was used in the saffron fettucini. He said that he didn't understand what I was saying. I repeated myself, and he stated that my question didn't make any sense. I repeated myself one more time and he stated that there was only one type of oyster mushroom in yet again a condescending voice. I was under the assumption that the customer was always right when ordered, especially when he was actually right. I was also under the assumption that your facility had some knowledge of mushrooms. I felt no need to teach a taxonomy lesson, but I did briefly explain that there are blue, phoenix, golden, tarragon, etc... mushrooms. My fungi knowledge is vast, I guess I should expect the same of others. He never offered to ask the chef, as he "knew" he was right. After that encounter I just ordered the whole fish(most expensive entree?) after I asked about it and found out it was close to a "red snapper". When I was told there was only one left, I had no idea that that meant it wasn't really even servable but if you wanted to order it, we charge you for it. My cohort ordered the potato gnocci with the lamb ragu.
Our charcuterie finally came. The "hot" chorizo, was neither temperature hot or spicy hot, so I have no idea what your intentions were. It was small shriveled up little pieces with not much distinctive flavor. My Prosciutto di Parma was not what it was supposed to be but was something like a salami. Ironically, I liked it, it was thick and the pepper chucks were a little much, but still had good flavor. The Parmesean was good, but I'm not sure if it should be automatically served with honey. The salt/sweet vibe worked, but would have worked fine with our "sweet, sweet champagne".
We didn't talk to our waiter for a while after that. It was still well before 10 and him and the apparently only other waitress on duty were too bust closing down for the eve. When he did finally show up with our plates the presentation was pathetic. So it was obviously not just an off night on the wait staff. My whole fish was a little burnt in the face and covered with greens, very interesting way to present(I have pictures). My buddies dish looked edible but at first bite I could tell he wasn't happy. He was paying for the bill so I was trying to play it up and enjoy myself the entire time, but as soon as I dug into the fish, the reality set in. This fish was nasty. Burnt on the head, not even a chunck of cheek left. The middle was chewy and of a strange texture. The lemon jam was pungent, but other than that not usable.
We obviously didn't like our food but felt no reason to complain, if anything we shouldn't have had to, we deserved an apology, but I assume no person that had financial interest in the place was working that day. The waiter did take time from his cleaning job to ask his last table if they wanted dessert, by this point we just wanted out of here quickly. We discussed another bottle but got one else where. The bill came and we were overcharged, it was only a buck or 2 so, we let that go as well. Paid/tipped and walked out pretty pissed off I must say.
I'll try it again at some point. -
Review from Doctor B.
New York, NY
12/12/2011
This place is ROCK SOLID. (3 stars is very good from me, I'm trying to fight star inflation)
Really good restaurants are really really scarce in Charlotte, but Customshop is squarely on the list of really good ones (a very short list).
We went in on a rainy Monday and while it wasn't packed they were doing a good business.
The cheese/olive/charcuterie selections are very good. They could have probably parted with a little more of the prosciutto but what the heck.
Terrific wine list. Some excellent selections at almost every price point. Two spots that they did fall down on in this area were vintages that are not up to date on the list, and high end red wines are served at room temperature. We had an excellent 2006 Palacios that was as warm as bathwater. This even after I specifically asked if the reds were kept in a cooler? Management should address this issue immediately.
We split a butter lettuce salad, it was simple and excellent.
My date had the saffron fettuccine with shrimp, it was delicious. I had the crispy duck breast and it too was very good. Some of the reviews here seem to indicate that people think the duck breast isn't "crispy" enough, I thought it was fine. In addition, our server was aware of this issue and talked with us about it up front. Speaking of servers, ours (nice young NYU grad) did a fine job and was very pleasant (but I was disappointed about the temperature of the wine).
The room is very very well done from an ambiance perspective.
Net/net, the people at Customshop should be proud. I do not live in Charlotte full-time but am often there. I can't remember the last time I left a restaurant in Charlotte thinking "you know, that was really really good"....Customshop fills the void!
By the time we finished they were ready to close so can't comment on the desserts but I will be back another time to check those out!!
Keep up the good work. -
Review from Stephanie K.
Charlotte, NC
Updated - 9/28/2011
I came back to Customshop on a double date and this experience was perfection.
We were able to sit outside on the small patio--it was the perfect temperature for males and females alike. Unlike my last trip, our waiter was very friendly and not at all Oscar the Grouch-esque.
The food: let me just say it was one of those meals where everyone was audibly mmm'ing. Not much talking = culinary success.
I loved the complimentary bread, generously drizzled with olive oil and cracked pepper. We ordered a charcuterie plate to start with a selection of meats and cheeses. Notice a trend here?
After ogling a delicious roasted okra concoction at the table beside us (not on the menu) we asked our waiter for one of those as well. It was outstanding, a bit spicy, a lot smoky. Spying can really pay off.
The softshell crab with collards and polenta took home the blue ribbon that night. The crab was so lightly breaded, with a delicate crunch that no crab lover could ever resist. The beef carpaccio appetizer was also a standout. A much larger portion than I had during my Restaurant Week visit.
The same can be said about the brioche bread pudding. Good God this dessert is delicious. Just thinking about it makes me weak in the knees!Listed in: Best Desserts in Charlotte
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/31/2011
I've got good news and I've got bad news. Why not start with the good?
I've eaten at Customshop a… Read more »
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Review from Josh J.
Huntersville, NC
10/30/2011
My wife and I consider ourselves aspiring foodies, so its no big surprise that we really like Customshop. I can understand that a bad experience there could really turn you off -- it isn't an inexpensive night out, and I suspect the food they serve could alienate the Groupon crowd that they have cultivated (I count 3 or 4 Groupons in the last year). But we've had nothing but really exceptional meals.
We have alternated cheese/charcuterie and crudo for two the last few times, and enjoy them both. I have succumbed to the pork chop several times because it is awesome, but have also enjoyed their specials.
It would be a five-star restaurant except for the jacked-up wine prices (nearly 200% -- $14 bottle for $39) and the occasional snooty server experience. But neither have distracted us from making this one of our "Top-5 Restaurants in Charlotte." It would be 4.5 stars if such a rating existed. -
Review from Michael E.
Charlotte, NC
9/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
So having not been here since the last Yelp event, we decided to check out the place and have a little dinner. Having not checked out the menu before we went in, we discovered the pricing to be a bit on the high end, though all the food and dishes are made via Slow food and local fare, we sat there wondering if droping close to $80 on food and drinks made sense?
So instead we opted for small plate items and side dishes and in the end we were full, had some nice cheese, meats, and side dishes along with the mussels all for a lot less than the $26+ entrees they have on their menu.
Server wasn't sure what to do with us when we ordered that way, but in the end came around and did a good job waiting on us.
Nice place, lovely space, great food. -
Review from Tricia O.
Customshop is the type of place where you shouldn't get food "to go". The ambiance and service is too good to miss. The space and food quality are reminiscent of a Charleston Maverick restaurant, but more intimate and uniquely Charlotte in the commitment to locally grown fruits, vegetables and meats. Oh, and their WTF meats listed on the menu are actually from Wild Turkey Farms in China Grove, North Carolina, and does not stand for the other WTF you potty mouths were thinking.
The cheese plates are lovely, and servers are well-versed in the choices and wine pairings. Try the Blu di Bufala (Water Buffalo) with local honey and Cremont Double Cream (Cow & Goat) cheeses for a pungent spin on typical cheese board offerings.
There were several entrées that made the main portion of the meal difficult to choose; however, the house made Potato Gnocchi, Lamb Ragu & Merguez Sausage was ridiculously full of savory win. The Braised Beef Boneless Short Rib was gorgeously tender and flavorful, and nicely complemented by the Kale and Marmalade.
Attentive service and intimate upscale digs round off the feel of Customshop, which in its entirety is an experience in which you'll want to paddle around within the lazy river of yum.
Customshop is located at 1601 Elizabeth Avenue in a building that is over 100 years old, and amazingly hasn't been torn down and replaced by a big bank building and filled with men wearing blue button downs, as is the usual Charlottean custom.Listed in: Date Night, Buttoned Up, Fat Wallet
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Review from Sydney A.
9/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
It hurts me to give this place a 4 out of 5 stars. It really does. Probably one of my favorite restaurants in Charlotte.
That being said, the last two times I've been there I've made poor choices in ordering. I would recommend steering away from the crispy duck breast any entree specials that include veal. The duck breast was anything but crispy. Try a half inch layer of fat. And the last time we went the waitress raved about the veal special they were having. My boyfriend and I being regulars to the Custom Shop and knowing their typical portions, both ordered the veal plate. Let me tell you, this thing was offensive. It came out looking like a pizza pie. Pounded veal, wrapped in prosciutto over a "bed of greens". Thinking about it now makes me a little queasy. We both felt sick for the next 24 hours after only finishing half of our plates. Greasy, heavy, flavorless and in general very unappetizing.
Now, the veal episode aside... the Custom Shop usually never disappoints. Their scallop dish is to die for and their beef carpacchio with fresh ground horse radish is my favorite in the world.
This place has the ambiance of New York City with an industrial building feel coming through. The wait staff is always knowledgeable and friendly - really making it their goal to make sure you have a good experience.
Overall we really do love this place and I'm sure you will too! -
Review from Jules S.
8/27/2011
Wow, Customshop had a busy week this week in reviews! The hubster took me here for my birthday, and we had a 5 star experience so I am sad to see Diana's bad experience. We didn't have a reservation so we snuck in early and were lucky enough to get a booth, which are definitely more comfy than the interior tables (just like any restaurant).
I have always loved their interior, lighting and vibe. To me, this is the perfect size of a restaurant- cozy, small, neighborhoody, exclusive. It is not a place you go everyday because of the cost and small menu size which is the reason I docked it a star. They change up the menu and this time there were only 2-3 entrees I could eat because of my rule that I won't eat an animal I've had as a pet and I've had a lot of pets.
Anyway, our wonderful waiter Bill was friendly, funny and attentive. He introduced us to Black Slate piorat wine which became my husband's new favorite wine! We noshed on the delicious bread drizzled with divine olive oil and fresh crushed black pepper- OMG. Then we ordered the scallops and I had the whole fish special (snapper) with preserved lemons and pesto tossed arugula which was heaven on a plate. Hubby's scallops were perfect for someone on a diet, and definitely a "chick" dish so it was good that my fish was large enough to share. And he had a big cake at home for me. If I were planning to have scallops next time, I would also order the beef carpaccio or another starter. At the end of the night, the bill was $125. I enjoyed it immensely so we were happy paying it.
I have had their squid ink pasta before with a different prep and it was wonderful. Unfortunately I'm not a charcuterie/cheese person at all, so that specialty is wasted on me entirely. That's OK, I enjoy every other part of it. I don't think I've ever had a dessert here (shocker) because I tend to get homemade ice cream next door at Elizabeth Creamery. -
Review from Andi M.
8/26/2011
We tried Customshop for the first time with a Living Social coupon. The food was good--but not great--and I'm not sure if we will return.
We started with a meat and cheese tray, and here's where they shined. We had three meats (chorizo, genoa, and prosciutto), and two cheeses (hooks cheddar and manchego). The tray also had great accompaniments, like crackers and honey. I only wish they had more varied cheese options, like sottocenere and tallegio.
For our entrees, I had the lamb ragu over gnocchi. The flavors were Moroccan--which I liked--but the dish didn't wow me. It was too saucy and there were several pieces of fatty meat in the dish that really turned me off.
My hubby had the rabbit. The portion size was really small, although the flavors were good.
Service was very good. The restaurant is small inside, so it was really hard to get a reservation on a Saturday night. I recommend planning ahead if you want to go! -
Review from Trey G.
Greenville, SC
8/20/2011
Had dinner at Customshop last night with a friend. We were seated promptly. The wine list was decent though some of the by glass options were grossly overpriced. (Granted, most wine by the glass is overpriced, but in this case I was somewhat shocked.)
The main reason I was brought here was to try their charcuterie. Three meats (salame Toscana, prosciutto, and sweet dry sausage) along with two cheeses - Roaring 40s blue and Manchego. The meats were excellent and well portioned. The cheeses were good, but the portions were minute. When compared to Good Food, even the now gone yet venerable Las Ramblas - it was very disappointing. During this time our server started to really pressure us into making our decision for a main course, siting an 11-top that would delay our dinner if we got stuck behind them. We looked after he left and there was no such group at that time. However, we placed our starters and main orders asking them to take their time.
My friend had the Ambrosia Corn salad and said it was excellent. I had the carpaccio which was divine. If you're a beef person, and you like carpaccio - this is some of the best I've ever had and it was very well presented. Normally I get worried when I see "horseradish" on a carpaccio because it is usually way more than necessary. Customshop put just enough that it is discernible on the palate but it doesn't over power or burn. It was far more in the nose than on the tongue.
For our main course - my friend had the potato gnocchi with lamb ragu and i had the duck confit. The duck was superb. Well cooked, tender, worked well with the salsify, fingerling potoatoes, and fig reduction. My friend, however, did not have an ideal experience. The gnocchi was overcooked, and the sauce was tasteless- with the lamb well past being over cooked even for a ragu. It lacked any type of salt in the dish. Our waiter, noting that the bowl of ragu wasn't being touched, asked what was going on. To Customshop's credit, they sent out the ricotta gnocchi with rabbit and tomato. It was amazingly good. A far cry from the mess that was previously there.
Dessert comes around chocolate soufflé and bread pudding are ordered. The bread pudding took the prize. Custard-y and delicious it was one of the best bread puddings in Charlotte. The chocolate soufflé, however, lacked any serious depth to it. The chocolate was there, and the sugar was there - but once the taste on the front end left, it was gone. It also seemed rather undercooked in places. During dessert, the server placed the check on the table - not even asking if we might want more wine or coffee. Again, the rushed feeling.
Somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars seems fair. The food was hit and miss. When you got something good - it was excellent, but when you got something bad, it wasn't worth eating. The service, for the most part was good - but the rushed feeling was not. As we were getting ready to leave, the 11-top was just coming in. -
Review from Will H.
3/31/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Having had a handful of dinners here and now (most recently) a stop in for brunch, this intimate restaurant remains near the top of my list for upscale places to visit with foodie friends and out of town guests. While partially subscribing to the locally-sourced ingredient movement, Customshop gets creative in the kitchen and the result is serious flavor in a very cool atmosphere.
As mentioned in other reviews, the appetizer menu is not to be overlooked. Specifically, the cheese (and meat) boards are a must do as there are selections here you will not find at even the local specialty grocer. Each cheese is paid with a honey, marmalade, or other side that complements the pairing. The board is also served with large crunchy crackers that contrast nicely with the creamy smoothness of most cheeses. Pair these with a glass a wine from the trim but sufficient wine menu and you may not make it to the main courses- a very happy problem to have. You can bring your own wine, but there is a corkage fee of $20 per bottle- typical, but a bit disappointing.
The main course menu does vary according to the seasons, but they usually have at least a couple of house-made pastas that deserve your attention. Squid ink linguni, for example, might first look like tentacles lurching across your bowl, but when paired with a chili pepper-based sauce and rock shrimp with mint you'll trust in your taste buds as you tame that beast with your fork. Gnocchi based dishes and their pairing were also worthy of attention. But don't be afraid to venture beyond pasta, as the others mains will tempt you with unexpected but most tempting combinations of flavors- all waging a mini-war for the attention of your taste buds.
Brunch is equally a feast for your eyes as much as for your hunger. You will find an upscale collection of both traditional breakfast items as well as main dishes for those more on the "lunch" side of the equation. The wife and I both had dishes that utilized poached eggs and hollandaise sauce, which were both expertly executed and decadent when paired together. Sadly, the small side of home fries seemed bland and uninspired compared to the main dish. Portions sizes were adequate, and refreshingly not made to fill a buffet-style plate. Bonus for offering counter culture coffee in a french press. Bottomless mimosas are also a popular choice.
Love the old yet modern feel of the space- from the booths to the little tables tucked along the wall and cloaked in primarily candlelight after dark. Even the bar feels rustic yet private, like a speakeasy tucked into a back alley. Smoothly cool, yet creative and expertly executed- Customshop is a serious gem to be savored.Listed in: Charlotte Originals for…, Endearing Elizabeth
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Review from Katy L.
Charlotte, NC
8/18/2011 2 photos
We've been to Customshop a couple of times and each time we're blown away. The food is just amazing and the service is attentive without being overbearing.
We recently went for my husband's birthday and had a fabulous dinner. We started with the 3 cheese plate and the crudo trio (you must try!) We were a party of four and just couldn't decide on 4 entrees so we got 5!!
Everything was so delicious and well prepared.
We love this restaurant and are always excited to go back!! -
Review from Elisabeth P.
Charlotte, NC
11/9/2011
I measure every place I eat against Customshop. Fresh, local delicious- special unique. This is my favorite special occasion place in the area. Its upscale without being pretentious- always impressive. I have a special place in my heart for places that shop local whenever possible and Customshop never disappoints. Have the chocolate souffle and bask its delicious.
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Review from Stephen W.
Atlanta, GA
7/11/2011
Yet again, I'd fall somewhere in the 3.5 option if that were available. I'm an infrequent visitor in Charlotte, so I can't say much about the neighborhood, but it seemed like it had potential. So the positives:
I ate here on the later side of a Sunday evening, and was pleased with the crowd at this place. Most of the tables were full, the lighting was good, and the interior gives off a rustic/rehabbed kind of vibe, which made for a decent ambiance. I think this is the general aesthetic of this neighborhood, as a lot of the buildings look like old industrial spaces that have been cleaned up and turned into store-front retail, restaurant, and office.
The service was attentive, and unrecognizable, the way it should be.
Now for the negative:
The cocktail. Note that this is singular, as I think it would have been wasteful to go for more than one. I ordered a Gin sling, and it didn't have the depth or bulk that a good cocktail, particularly one with these ingredients, should have. When I drink a good cocktail, I feel like I'm getting substance, and there are usually layers of flavor/aromas that coincide. When I drink a vodka & soda, I feel like I'm getting something that someone splashed together and slid across the bar. The cocktail here was, unfortunately the latter.
Now for the not positive, but not negative:
The food. I had the tuna sashimi app, that was bathed in olive oil. The flsh was fresh, but the abundance of oil took away from the natural flavor which was a disappointment. I followed up with the duck breast, which was pretty good. Cooked perfectly, soft and savory, with a nice crisp.
The service and the duck saved this place, and there is a lot of potential here if they fix a few things, starting with the apertifs. -
Review from Danielle P.
Charlotte, NC
2/20/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
After getting a taste of Customshop at a Yelp even last fall we decided to go back for a Valentine's Day special occasion. In both ambiance and cuisine they delivered in spades.
For an appetizer, we split the fried goat cheese balls. The sweetness of the honey complimented the warm richness of the cheese wonderfully. I followed that up with pumpkin gnocchi. The crunchy walnuts and wild mushrooms added texture and the salty perfection of the chucks of blue cheese was the perfect compliment to the tender gnocchi. If I didn't feel so classy in the low-lit, chic space I probably would have licked the bowl. Toss in a choice of two local beers on tap and bread that literally melted in my mouth and you have a dinner that I won't soon forget.
Some of the earlier reviews cited service issues, but I saw no such problems. The hostess was polite and friendly and the server was attentive and engaging while still giving us plenty of privacy to be all gushy between ourselves (it was Valentine's Day after all). Yes, the prices are a bit higher than I would usually seek out, but I an a touch cheap. They are well within reason and the food was definitely worth it. Everything was so fresh and tasty. I used the Open Table feature on the Yelp mobile app to make a reservation and the system appears to work wonderfully.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Customshop to anyone looking to grab a classier bite in Charlotte while steering clear of uptown. I know I'll be back.Listed in: Queen (City) Elizabeth
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Review from Stephen K.
1/30/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Restaurant Week rarely introduces you to the best that a place has to offer, but I'm not sure how they could improve. We had a bit of a wait for our table, but I liked that the maître d' didn't rush the people in front of us. We sat happily at the bar with a couple of drinks and a cheese plate until they finished.
The service was great (exceptional, really) but the food stole the show. My pork shoulder, a temporary Restaurant Week addition, was unbelievable. I am sure that it will be seen again on their fixed menu: there's just no way that they could discard a dish that good. Our waiter was also nice enough to mention that they had added their famous scallops to the prix fixe menu, which made my girlfriend's night.
But I would go back just for the dessert. The chocolate something-or-other was nice, but the bread pudding was the best I've had in Charlotte. It even tops that decadent creation at Dandelion Market. I don't have the words. Stop in and try it - you won't be disappointed.Listed in: Delicious
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Review from Liz D.
Charlotte, NC
9/21/2011
I have been to Custom Shop multiple times with girlfriends, parents, date night, wine tastings, restaurant week and just for a glass or 2 of wine (weekends and weekdays).
Every experience has been AMAZING! The guys who wait on you are very charming (if you like that sort of thing) and helpful. I LOVE the ambiance. The giant mirrors with rows of candles below create a calm and relaxing feel great for any romantic night or friend gathering.
The Ricotta Gnocchi is heavenly, I have ordered this multiple times..Love the Crispy Duck Breast and you always have to order the cheese plate to start or the Beef Carpaccio or the Scallops...I could go on and on about each item...You would be a fool not to order the Bread Pudding or the Chocolate Soufflé (or both). There is an amazing chef in that kitchen. I left off the PEI muscles with Chorizo, fantastic!!!
I have only had two let downs- Chicken Liver Paté (was ordered by someone else in my party, but of course had to try it. People do rave about this item) and my grilled Wahoo was very dry (I should have returned it and I'm sure they would have prepared another piece)...
They do change their menu frequently which can be a let down when you have your heart set on something that is now gone and never to be seen/tasted again! But it's also great to try their new items.
It is a bit pricey but worth every dollar... -
Review from Shauna H.
2/28/2011
The first time I went to Customshop I wasn't super impressed. My food was overly salty and just flavor-wise it was off. Went on Friday for a Birthday dinner and I have to say they really pulled it together this time.
The venue itself is awesome- beautiful candles line the walls and big comfy booths are there to relax in. This is the type of restaurant where you stay and relax for awhile.
Started with some excellent wine selections - our server was more than accommodating in this arena.
Wasn't very impressed with the fried goat cheese. They were sort of bland and I was hoping for a savory dish rather than sweet.
The Ahi tuna and scallops were amazing - as were the two gnocchi dishes I tasted.
So while they missed the boat on the appetizer, they definitely made up for it with the entrees. The meals were both creative and tasty, so I look forward to my next visit! -
Review from Brady H.
2/9/2011
Fantastic!
My coworkers and I ate on a weeknight - the place was just about empty, which I found suprising since the food turned out to be awesome.
Nice ambiance, while our waiters were knowledgable and efficient and friendly, not a fan of wait staff that aren't cross trained or authorized (?) to handle all requests.
We tried a bunch of dishes - we started with the olives. Excellent. We then had a meat and cheese platter - the items with their accompaniments were all excellent. We especially liked the chorizo and the country pate.
I ordered the WTF pork chop with spaetzel - solid dish, though the pork chop could have been a bit more juicy. overall the dish was solid. I also tried my coworker's dishes - pumpkin gnochi was delicous as was the ricotta gnocchi with eggplant. My other coworker's ribeye deckle was also delicious, though still not entirely sure what part of the cow is the deckle. Nice to see some interesting cut.
We ordered a side of brussel sprouts which were delicious. Even the people at the table who didn't like brussel sprouts loved them. I swear, brussel sprouts taste much better now than they did when I was a kid. The only dissapointment of the night was the potato fingerlings with horseradish. No heat - just some boring roasted potatoes.
Wine service was solid with a lot of interesting choices.
I'd highly recommend this place for a comforting meal. -
Review from Kristin G.
Charlotte, NC
12/17/2010
My second time eating here, it was --- literally --- the best meal of my life.
Not necessarily the best entree or appetizer or dessert I've ever eaten, but as a whole, this meal kicked all the others' asses!
I'll just list what we ordered and if you have similar tastes, you will understand.
We asked Chip, our waiter extraordinaire, to recommend a bottle of red under $40. He chose a Super Tuscan and it was delicious. Perfect for the meat and cheese plate we ordered next.
We started with the meat & cheese plate. We chose 3.
- A hot sopprasatta from North Carolina.
- A French blue (cheese). Very blue, very rich & creamy texture. Served with dried, whole figs. Delicious. Perfect pairing.
Chip described it as "exactly what you'd expect from a high quality French blue". Spot on.
- A smoked sheep's milk from Spain. Also exactly what you'd expect. Very good. Served with roasted tomatoes.
Then we had a watercress salad with roasted beets, crushed pistachios and a ricotta salata vinaigrette, which was very, very light. But perfect!
For the mains:
- I ordered the pumpkin gnocchi, topped with a full POUND of lobster (!!!), oyster mushrooms, in a tomato sauce. (Check the menu for a better description, but it was divine.) All of their pastas are made in-house, too.
Oh, and it was priced at $25, which is totally reasonable for a dish that includes a pound of lobster (and homemade pasta)!
- My partner ordered the braised boneless short rib with tuscan kale & cipollini marmalade & loved it. His only complaint was that the portion of meat was perhaps too much relative to the kale. Some might find this a plus!
And to finish the meal off, we ordered the chocolate souffle. DIVINE. This is my favorite dessert, so maybe I'm biased, but they nailed it. Perfect darkness of chocolate (if that's what you'd call it...) --- not too sweet, not too bitter. Served with vanilla icecream.
I will DEFINITELY be going back, and will always request Chip, if he's working. He was the perfect waiter. -
Review from Hailey H.
I've eaten here for dinner & brunch. Dinner was delicious, but my brunch visit is what will keep me coming back.
I wish I could recall our server's name, she was amazing. She seemed to be the the only one on, (besides a male filling waters and seating guests) & even though she had so many tables, the moment she came to ours it was as if the rest of the guests didn't exist & she was under no stress whatsoever. kudos to her.
When you sit down they serve you scones w/butter & honestly I could have just eaten a plate of those for breakfast & been content, but then I would have missed out on my rancheros. Poached eggs on pancakes with beans and salsa and oh my goodness. My friend had an egg white omelet & both of ours were cooked perfectly, I don't think I've ever been served such egg perfection.
I did notice that their brunch menu was very heavily accessorized with hollandaise. Not that it isn't an item you can't request to be left out, or that it is necessarily a bad thing, it just seemed odd to me.
But go, and enjoy! -
Review from Mark W.
Charlotte, NC
8/19/2011
I don't understand the hype. We went there on a Living Social coupon as first time diners. Couldn't book on Open Table and restaurant was empty when we arrived. Despite making a reservation, we we seated at a small table that barely held our four person party. To say that the wait staff was ambivalent is giving them credit. Our waiter spent more time conversing with the bartender than he did with us. Despite informing them we were headed to a theater show and needed to leave by 7:15, our order was not taken promptly and the food was not delivered until 7:05. My wife's tune was inedible, with lots of sinew throughout. Given the time, we couldn't even order a replacement. The waiter took the tuna off the bill, begrudgingly. The other meals were really just average at best.
What peeves me the most though, was that when I called the manager to share our concern, from my car as we were now running late to our show, she indicated she would phone me back and resolve our concerns, the next day. I've not heard back from her since then.
Don't go to Customshop. There are many other great restaurants in Charlotte with far better attention to customer service, far better food, a more comprehensive wine/beer/drink list. -
Review from Stephanie N.
Charlotte, NC
7/29/2010
I'd certainly classify myself as a "becoming foodie". I find that you can see true passion in food from the person who's crafted the dish to those who you surround yourself to eat the dish.
Going on my 3rd year here in Charlotte, I've had a chance to try most of my research. I read food blogs, food magazines and keep up with whats new, hot and always good in Charlotte.
If I had to suggest a solid, experienced, delicious and great atmosphere to a local or outsider - Customshop falls within my top 3. I go to Customshop with girlfriends, family, my beau and who ever else may way to. There is something beautifully rustic and natural about Customshop!
Staff all around has always been great! Food is always superb and each experience leaves me with something else.
Looking forward to the next visit! Who's ready? -
Review from chris n.
Los Angeles, CA
2/2/2011
Now I would say the biggest highlight of this place is the decor, very charming and rustic feel to it. Low light and will have set you in the mood right off the bat.
Visited here for restaurant week and although sitting at the bar may not have been the best idea, in the end our bartender "Chip" was very attentive and explained the menu to us fully and made up for the entire evening.
Onto my main course. The yellowtail tuna (imported from hawaii) Deliciously seared with pepper and some other fine marinates. Delicious and well proportioned. My date enjoyed the tuna meatballs and pasta dish which was also delicious and was served with house made pasta. Both dished were delightful
I had the bread-pudding desert and all I have to say is HOT DAMN THAT SHIT WAS GOOD!!! -
Review from Diana M.
Charlotte, NC
8/25/2011
Customshop was the first restaurant I ventured out to when I moved from DC two years ago. I was very hesitant as I had become quite a foodie, but I was so impressed with the service, the quality of food, and the overall experience. It has been my go to place when friends come into town or for a special occasion.
Well last night was one of those special occasions in which my boyfriend and I had planned a romantic evening. They had changed the seating in the restaurant so we actually were seated right next to another two top and basically had dinner with them we were so close, and let's just say they were not the type of couple we wanted to have dinner with on our romantic evening. We asked to move and were given a quick no response, along with attitude from the person at the front. When it came to ordering entrees it became a hot mess.....the waiter informed me that the fish I wanted was no longer available that evening and my go to scallop dish was not on the menu. I initially ordered saffron fettuccine. The waiter came back ten minutes later to inform me they no longer had the saffron fettuccine. I then ordered the gnocchi with shrimp. Fifteen minutes later he came by to inform me they were out of the shrimp for that dish. He said I could combine the gnocchi with my original order and make that happen. I said fine----however, he came back yet again informing me that he could not do that either. I ordered squid ink fettuccine with calamari at that point because it was my only other option. So we have now been at the restaurant for well over an hour with nothing to eat....we had to ask for bread- which they usually bring in heaping portions and a major highlight of the restaurant. At one point when the table next to us asked about their appetizer (they had been waiting for well over half an hour for mussels), the waiter walked away throwing his hands up in the air! The food was no where near as good as it has been in the past, including their always delicious crudo.
I left so disappointed last night- it has gone from being my favorite restaurant in Charlotte to I'm not sure I'll ever go back again! -
Review from Nicole W.
Meat and cheese and wine, oh my! Customshop is the place the hubs and I will visit for a hefty serving of all of the above. While we've had a full meal here, I think they shine with their appetizers and wine selections. Their meat and cheese boards as well as their crudo, are fantastic. If you're a Kobe beef fan, their carpaccio is very good, too. The menu items are definitely not cheap, but I'm ok with that because of their local focus and quality.
I know that they update their menu with seasonal (and usually local) offerings and each app has been delicious. Definitely ask your server or bartender about wine and cheese/meat pairings. The servers are certainly educated and each one has been very friendly. Their bartenders are also very talented - I had the most amazing Blood Orange martini that the bartender made off the cuff.
Inside Customshop is, as Veronica O. says, a great dark bistro. It's definitely got some mood lighting, dark wood booths and a plethora of candles. Romantico!
On a few side notes, I've also been there for brunch and I wasn't overly impressed. I had their brioche french toast with marscapone and it was lacking in the marscapone department. Major bummer for a cheese and sweet lover like myself.
Also, I think this restaurant was really hurting the past year due to all of the construction on Elizabeth Ave. - now that the trolley work is done, I'm really hoping they pick back up. I'll definitely head back over to Customshop for a martini and a big slab of proscuitto and cheese. -
Review from Todd W.
7/29/2010 4 Check-ins Here
If you're looking for a fun, casual meal at a place where seasonal menus are embraced, then you'll love Customshop. Whenever I go here I always grab a seat at the bar and start with a glass of wine (heavy pour in a mini-carafe) and the meat and cheese plate, which they usually make right behind the bar for you by a chef. Bartenders are very knowledgeable and will strike up a conversation with ease. Take their advice on the new wines or drink specials, you won't be disappointed.
Gnocchi is great, as well as the desserts are awesome. I hardly resist the bread pudding. They sure put the love in the food! This is a local place that had some challenges with the trolley construction and deserves to stay and be a local vibrant joint in the Midtown/Elizabeth scene.
PS - you'll enjoy the scenery in the restrooms :)Listed in: Date Night
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Review from Chris H.
1/9/2008
As a New York City native craving haute cuisine on an extended tour of Charlotte, I was excited to hear about Dave Pasternack's Customshop restaurant. Mr. Pasternack earned his chops under the tenure of Mario Batali, and I have previously enjoyed his excellently prepared dish of "guitar cut" spaghetti with sea urchin roe at Esca in NY.
I started with a crudo of (if memory serves me right) flounder and pine nuts. For $10, 3 little bits of fish is extravagant, even by New York standards. Our entrees of monk fish and salmon fell completely flat. The salmon tasted like it had freezer burn, and it went unfinished. The monk fish was well cooked, but uninspired and insipid. Our side dish of "custom hashbrowns" were burnt and also went unfinished.
The only dish that was a hit in terms of taste, was the squid ink spaghetti, though it was incredibly overpriced for the portion that was served.
The menu, which sounds absolutely delicious, was poorly executed and overpriced, especially considering the market it serves. Despite the fact I was on an expense account, I left feeling completely unsatisfied by the food. Had I been paying out of pocket, I would have been outraged.Listed in: The FAIL List, Star F*cking
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Review from Meghan S.
Charlotte, NC
4/7/2009
I really enjoyed the Customshop.
The service was great and the atmosphere was pleasant. I had a glass or 2 of the red the waiter recommended and was happy with the selection.
For starters I had a Kobe beef carpaccio with homemade flat breads, micro greens and fresh grated horseradish on top. I would order it again in a heartbeat. Although I might ask for more horseradish since I am rather fond of it.
Main course I had a braised short rib along kale sauteed with maitake mushrooms. The plate was garnished with a small drizzle of a balsamic reduction. The beef was very tender. I did not have to pick up my knife once. The kale was not at all bitter and not overcooked. I like seeing kale on a "trendy" menu. I would order this again as well.
I tried my friend's salmon that was crisp seared on the outside and juicy in the middle. It was served over a cream sauce that I think had a touch of marscapone in it. It was nicely done even though said friend ordered it medium-well and not my normal rare or med-rare. =)
For dessert, I have to admit, I skipped since Elizabeth Creamery is right next door.
This place is not known for massive portions. I was satisfied when I left. Not stuffed which was good. It is pricey but the relaxed atmosphere and tasty food make up for that. It is near the top of the list when I get to take out business associates for local flavor. -
Review from Mike M.
Charlotte, NC
1/5/2009
I had a better experience than the previous two reviewers, but not by much. I went with my girlfriend EARLY on a Saturday. Early - like 6PM. I've never eaten dinner that early on a Saturday.... Needless to say, we did not need a restaurant. We were the only people in the reservation. We were, thankfully, seated properly.
OK - I'll get the bad out of the way.
The fish crudo. It's overpriced. Was it good? ehh. It was OK. In fact, the fish was still frozen. I would not order this again.
A cocktail off of their list - it was $12 if I recall and completely not worth it. Seriously - $12 for gin and juice? Pass.
The good - I had a really good glass of wine. Was not completely overpriced. I think it was about $10 - good for the price.
I had a braised meat pasta. It was very good and not overpriced at all. I would absolutely get this again. I really don't remember what my girlfriend had... sorry!
Service - Our waiter was nice and pretty attentive. I guess he should be, given we were the only ones around. I would still go back again.
Good tip - I have heard they have the best brunch in town. Can't confirm, just a rumor.... -
Review from Laura L.
2/3/2011
The ingredients are creative and, all but one time I've been there, the flavors are blended beautifully. Seared Ahi with butternut squash, apple, and carmelized pearl onions...so perfect. It's nice to have a chef in Charlotte willing to be more risky. The atmosphere is elegant, but down to earth and the servers are friendly and know their stuff. Really, I couldn't ask for more. PS. Bottomless mimosa brunch is where they really win my heart.
Listed in: I heart the bartender
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Review from Veronica O.
Charlotte, NC
12/13/2009
I found Customshop to be a really good restaurant. The ambiance was great- a dark bistro, traditional yet modern. I love their commitment to supporting local and organic farms and sustainable seafood. Black grouper with sweet potato and pesto, outstanding.
I think it deserves 4 stars but I have to give it three :( for the horrible service. The server had no interest in our table whatsoever. I hope to go back with a better service experience. -
Review from Carrie A.
11/4/2010
Like Molly mentioned earlier, I hadn't even thought to go to Customshop until the Living Social Deal pretty much forced me to buy the coupon and give it a shot!
The place is relatively small, so you should make reservations early if you want a "normal" dinner time. 5 days in advance, I was able to reserve a table at 8:30pm. We arrived 30 minutes early (movie got out sooner than expected) and were promptly seated, despite the time discrepancy. The hostess was very nice about it and lessened my awkward feeling about being so early. Fortunately, they do have a small bar in case you're early and a table isn't available.
The ambiance of Customshop is wonderful. It's just small enough to feel cozy and the candles throughout bring a warm feeling to an otherwise stark building. It also has this great quality to it where EVERY table was full the night we were there, but it never felt crowded or loud.
They start you off with some delicious, soft bread drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with freshly cracked pepper. I wished the bread was "crustier", but all-in-all, it was really good. Our water glasses were always full and the initial pour of wine was quite a pour!
For dinner, I had the pumpkin gnocchi in brown butter and sage and the BF has the scallops on mushrooms and a pumpkin sauce. My gnocchi was incredible. Perfectly cooked and nicely spiced. The sauce was great also. I typically cannot stand seafood; however, the scallops were perfection. Soft and buttery, yet light and creamy. The pumpkin sauce they were atop was also perfect. Nicely seasoned but the flavor of the pumpkin still came through.
Customshop knows what's up. The food is great, the ambiance is fantastic and the service is about as good as it gets. If you have a Living Social coupon, go ASAP! You will not be disappointed! If you don't, go ASAP! You will not be disappointed!Listed in: Places You Should Definitely…
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Review from Lauryn C.
1/22/2011
A great way to start out Charlotte's Restaurant Week...this place has been on my list of too try restaurants for awhile now. I don't know why I waited so long LOVED it. After just returning from a trip to NYC I felt like I never left Manhattan and that is a compliment. I actually haven't had the chance to participate in restaurant week in the past and was very surprised by the unbelievable choices Customshop had to offer. First off I love that they included a glass of wine with the meal, then an appetizer of kobe beef carpaccio - I consider myself a carpaccio snob I order it in every restaurant that serves it..this was definitely one of my favorite versions of this dish. As an entree I went for the flounder..I'm still dreaming of it a perfectly executed dish. Last but not least and apple walnut brioche bread pudding with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with carmel. I know your mouths are watering now so call up and get a reservation NOW!
*side note I called for a last minute reservation and as busy as they were they accommodated me - I had incredible service.Listed in: Martini Time
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Review from Christina L.
San Francisco, CA
3/25/2011
We stumbled upon this gem while on a business trip. Excellent food, unique ingredients, great staff who took the time to provide thoughtful suggestions, charming space.
This restaurant would fit in any foodie city (think NYC, San Francisco, etc.) -
Review from Cynthia G.
Charlotte, NC
6/13/2010
It's been about three years since I've been in Customshop. My sister and I went there for brunch. We both had a magically delicious brunch entree called "rancheros", consisting of poached eggs, delicate tender little corn pancakes, black beans, white cheese, and fresh salsa. The price was reasonable, the size of the entree was perfect -- we didn't roll out feeling overstuffed -- and the coffee was tasty and the waitstaff friendly and attentive. All around win -- except maybe the 80s nostalgia radio that showered us with G&R, Oh Sherry, Duran Duran, etc. And we couldn't have bottomless mimosas what with it being Sunday before noon and all. But that's not Customshop's fault.
Comment from Trey W. of Customshop Handcrafted Food 6/17/2010
Glad to hear you enjoyed your visit, Cynthia. We'll have to… More » -
Review from Ryan B.
12/15/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Customshop is all about ingredients you think you know prepared with a thoughtfulness and creativity that takes those ingredients to a new place. Customshop supports local (by which I mean N.C.) farms and fisheries and promotes those businesses by including information on the menu. The service is elegant and attentive. Also, not to be missed is the Sunday brunch bottomless mimosa for $12.
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Review from Amy P.
Matthews, NC
7/27/2008
We went to Customshop as a birthday dinner -- I found these previous reviews after making reservations, and was concerned, but nonetheless ready, taking into consideration both previous reviewers backgrounds (one an nyc diner, another with a "culinary" background) and also very aware of the genuine lack of outstanding dining choices in Charlotte.
I was pleasantly surprised. While yes, the prices are high, I was not offended by a $10 crudo plate or salad. The wine, a Volnay, was delicious, and our crudo plate for one (scallop, tuna and one other) was very good and if I were to be picky, the scallop was a little fishy. We ordered it to get a sense of the restaurant, and I think it was an accurate representation. We also ordered a fig salad with wilted spinach, pine nuts and a blue cheese vinegrette and a calimari plate with a delicious tomato sauce and caper berries. While the spinach salad was uninspired, it was still good. The calimari, however, was very good.
I ordered the squid ink spaghetti with king crab and mint, and my husband ordered duck with cherries. The duck was extremely rare, which my husband enjoyed (it was less appealing to me...) but the squid ink spaghetti was fantastic.
I found the food to be good and our waiter, Jack, was fantastic -- very attentive and ready to offer suggestions when we had a difficult time deciding.
The worst part, by far, was the noise volume. Both my husband and I like loud places, but this restaurant hurt our ears. This is not the place for a romantic dinner, but more for a boisterous party of friends or a place to hop to before going out.
