01-05-2025
Customshop chef cooking up new dining spot with Rally owners
The owners of popular pickleball spot Rally and one of Charlotte's best restaurants are teaming up to open a restaurant this summer.
Why it matters: Andres Kaifer, the chef-owner of Customshop, will develop the menu for the new spot, located adjacent to the popular pickleball facility.
Driving the news: The new restaurant, which does not yet have a name yet, will be located at 117 Southside Dr., the bar/restaurant adjacent to Rally. It will be revamped and will have a separate identity from the pickleball complex.
The 2,000-square-foot space can accommodate up to 80 people across its dining room, which features U-shaped booths and an indoor-outdoor bar overlooking Rally's outdoor pickleball courts.
Context: The space, previously known as The Annex at Rally, has been mainly used as a private event venue since Rally first opened.
What they're saying: "We love the social aspect of food, and this restaurant will help us share our passion for cultivating community, similar to the energy felt at Rally every day," Rally's co-founder, Barrett Worthington, said in a release.
Dig in: Expect rotating seasonal dishes designed by Kaifer, who is also the chef-owner of Marianas Tapas, and a new wine bar opening in Dilworth this fall.
There will also be a full bar and cocktail list.
"Andres's incredible talent and expertise alongside our personal love for Customshop made the choice to work with him clear," said Worthington.
Between the lines: The new restaurant's menu will not affect Rally's menu, which was crafted by chef Cory Chunn, a former Top Chef contestant and previously the executive chef at La Belle Helene.
What's next: More information, including the name and menu, will be released in the coming weeks.
