Restaurant Constance
Restaurant · Wesley Heights
2200 Thrift Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Highlights
Farm to table restaurant serving inventive seasonal dishes and NA drinks
Farm to table restaurant serving inventive seasonal dishes and NA drinks
"Restaurant Constance is one of just a few farm-to-table spots in Charlotte, and they’ve mastered the art of making every dish perfectly, neatly splittable. For date night, divvy up the soft-shell crab bao buns and the cast-iron jalapeño cornbread (which is really just a savory shovel for Constance’s house pimento cheese dip, rosemary honey butter, and pepper jelly trio). Solo, you could build a three-course seafood dinner out of the bluefin tuna nori wraps, an asparagus and blue crab salad, and Nantucket scallops or sake-marinated swordfish. The only universally wrong decision is not saving space for the chocolate miso tart. Enjoy it all to the sounds of Steely Dan and Fleetwood Mac, and if the conversation lulls because everyone’s full, cast an eye to the back wall, where a surprisingly unobtrusive projection silently showcases the farms that provided your meal." - tess allen, g clay whittaker
"Restaurant Constance is one of just a few farm-to-table spots in Charlotte, and they’ve mastered the art of making every dish perfectly, neatly splittable. For date night, divvy up the soft-shell crab bao buns and the cast-iron jalapeño cornbread (which is really just a savory shovel for Constance’s house pimento cheese dip, rosemary honey butter, and pepper jelly trio). Solo, you could build a three-course seafood dinner out of the bluefin tuna nori wraps, an asparagus and blue crab salad, and Nantucket scallops or sake-marinated swordfish. Regardless of your party size, you will have tough decisions to make. The roasted wagyu flank and red wine-braised beef short ribs will remain on the menu longer, so it might be better to have the housemade cavatelli with fresh asparagus tonight (we didn’t regret it). The only universally wrong decision is not saving space for dessert, specifically the chocolate miso tart. Enjoy it all to the sounds of Steely Dan and Fleetwood Mac, and if the conversation lulls because everyone’s full, cast an eye to the back wall, where a surprisingly unobtrusive projection silently showcases the farms that provided your meal. photo credit: Jonathan Cooper photo credit: Jonathan Cooper" - G. Clay Whittaker
"Chef Sam Diminich is listed with this Charlotte restaurant as a 2025 James Beard Foundation semifinalist in the 'Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton' category, highlighting the chef's role at the property in the nomination." - Erin Perkins
"January 2023 saw the start of a new chapter in Charlotte food, and specifically, Wesley Heights, thanks to chef Sam Diminich, who exults local produce and farmers with a fervor that’s almost infectious. The quaint restaurant is full of light and antique-y touches, while Diminich literally walks the walk, touring around tables. Diners are bound to be surprised by something hyper-seasonal, from a fig tartlet or barbecue eggplant to an apple cider bread pudding or kombu-cured sashimi. Restaurant Constance has a comprehensive nonalcoholic beverage list, largely shaped by Diminich’s own sobriety journey, and is the most inspired NA list in town, using tea, herbs, and shrubs. Kindly share the small plates to start. Selfishly hoard the entrees and desserts to finish." - Kayleigh Ruller
"Unlike typical date-night spots, Restaurant Constance has a light atmosphere — white walls with natural light seep into this quaint 10-table restaurant in Wesley Heights. The menu focuses on hyper-seasonal dishes using local produce, including oysters with a yuzu mignonette, pork belly dumplings with collards, and fall-apart-tender short ribs. Occasionally, chef Sam Diminich will step out of the kitchen and chat with guests tableside. While there are no cocktails on the menu, there is a delightful wine list and a scattering of thoughtful nonalcoholic beverages." - Kayleigh Ruller
