Pickleball, then plates: What’s behind this intriguing new restaurant in Charlotte
The co-founders of Rally and the chef/co-owner at Customshop and Marina’s Tapas are teaming up to bring a new food option right next door to the lower South End pickleball club this summer.
Imagine a cozy, neighborhood-style restaurant nestled in what was formerly the Rally Annex. And it will be an entirely different space than what you’ve come to expect at Rally.
But make no mistake, community-building vibes will still be the focus.
In this yet-unnamed restaurant venture bringing together Meg Charity and Barrett Worthington of Rally and chef Andres Kaifer, the trio is looking to create that comfortable sense of a spot where you belong — a “third place” for you to make a habit of stopping by.
“This restaurant is really going to be all about how can we create community over shared plates and fantastic beverage in a really neighborhood-feeling space,” Worthington told CharlotteFive.
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The food and drink
Chef Andres Kaifer — known for crafting small plates, comforting entrees and tapas that highlight his Spanish heritage — is the kitchen mastermind in this partnership.
“Customshop is arguably our favorite restaurant in Charlotte, and we’ve been big fans of his for a while,” Worthington told CharlotteFive.
The menu — and its focus — is still under development. But you can expect a rotating menu of small and large plates that will switch up quarterly, leaning heavily on what’s seasonal.
“We feel very strongly that the food needs to be fresh ... farm to table,” Charity said.
Funny enough, the chef is also a pickleball player, so he fits right in with the Rally vibes.
“Small, small world — but very convenient, obviously, for us,” Worthington said.
“Getting to build something with like-minded entrepreneurs like Meg and Barrett while sharing my passion and philosophy on food is something that I love and feel privileged to do,” Kaifer said in a news release.
“I’m super impressed by what they have built at Rally and the vision for this restaurant, which will be an expression of our shared values. We look forward to creating meaningful experiences through locally-sourced and awesome food.”
On the beverage side, the group is aiming for an “inventive” cocktail program and wine program that leans on the strengths from Kaifer’s team, who are also working on opening a new Dilworth wine bar.
“The key is always going to be keeping it approachable,” Worthington said.
The restaurant space
The look of the standalone restaurant will hold onto “bits and pieces” of the current Rally Annex design — now set up for private events — but with a new color palette and a “fresh, vibrant vibe.”
The space will incorporate a combination of booth and banquet seating, high-top tables and lounge seating for cocktail service.
“The whole idea is to have a lot of variety and create sort of a dynamic space,” Worthington said.
Amid a neighborhood stacked with breweries, you’ll be equally comfortable in the space whether you’re coming to dine in your pickleball gear or your date night fit.
“My favorite things when we go out to dinner is places that you can be dressed up or dressed down and still feel like you match the vibe well. So that’s really a key driver for us in designing the space, the menu, the service model — all of that is around the idea of creating a space that feels both elevated and familiar at the same time,” Worthington said.
“We would like for people to feel like they’re ... at a dinner party at their friend’s house — that sense of community and familiarity.”
Never fear, however, the food program at Rally will remain in place.
“It was always part of the intention from the inception of Rally as a whole to have a standalone restaurant that that is more catered to people who just want to come for great food and drink. ... It’ll draw a completely new audience — people who love good food and drink and looking for the next great food and awesome drink [spot],” Charity said.
Rally
Location: 101 Southside Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217
New restaurant location: 117 Southside Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217
Instagram: @rallypickleball
