Customshop

"Walking into Customshop feels like strolling into a New York City restaurant, but instead, it’s in the heart of Elizabeth. The much-appreciated dark lighting, splashes of brick, and the familiar staff that has been around for a good while make it so. Chef Andres Kaifer combines ingenuity with seriously simple ingredients — the squash gnocchi in a herby, tomato-ey lamb sauce, or the tender duck with a sweet-and-sour cherry demiglace. While Customshop has certainly been a tried-and-true spot for a special occasion over the past 15 years, it’s arguably a really ideal go-to spot as well, for splitting a generously-sized pasta or sipping on a mezcal and coffee-washed Campari cocktail or a bright matcha gin drink at the bar for first-date vibes." - Kayleigh Ruller

"Customshop has been serving farm-to-table dinners since 2007, which is around the same time that people across the country realized their food comes from farms. We’re only sort of joking, but this is one of those restaurants that celebrates North Carolina’s extremely good and varied produce. Come for dinner and definitely get a vegetable-focused small plate or two before moving to a seafood or pasta main. If the menu has a pasta dish with seafood, and it usually does, you legally have to order it (or we’ll appear out of nowhere and attempt to make a citizen’s arrest). The restaurant stays true to the organic theme, with fresh flowers on the wood tables, stoneware dishes, and a general, upscale granola energy." - tess allen

"Customshop has been serving farm-to-table dinners since 2007, which is around the same time that people across the country realized their food comes from farms. We’re only sort of joking, but this is one of those restaurants that celebrates North Carolina’s extremely good and varied produce. Come for dinner and definitely get a vegetable-focused small plate or two before moving to a seafood or pasta main. If the menu has a pasta dish with seafood, and it usually does, you legally have to order it (or we’ll appear out of nowhere and attempt to make a citizen’s arrest). The restaurant really stays true to the organic theme, as they always have fresh flowers on the wood tables, stoneware dishes, and a general, upscale granola energy." - Tess Allen

"On an idyllic Elizabeth Street corner lives the buzzy, candlelit Customshop. Some couples dine outside with small plates (like any of the three impressive crudo dishes) and a bottle of red for a relaxed street-style experience, while others pop inside to the granite bar or snug tabletops for pear butter burrata and a shiso lemongrass cocktail. Split whichever fresh catch that chef/owner Andres Kaifer grills that day, and conclude with his mom’s custardy flan recipe. It’s a menu that celebrates North Carolina’s produce, meat, and seafood (sourced from all of the purveyors listed at the bottom of the menu) with the technical style and romantic ambiance of coastal European fare." - Kayleigh Ruller

"Customshop is an elegant eatery that became a date-night staple in Elizabeth over the span of 12 years. The staff shut the doors in August for a facelift on the 115-year-old structure, before reopening this month. The interior features warmer decor tones, a new bar, and new tables, with a menu featuring American dishes with Italian, Spanish and French influences. Sample dishes include potato gnocchi with octopus, chorizo and corona beans; duck breast with candied beluga lentils and dates; and more." - Katie Toussaint