Marina's Tapas will open in Optimist Hall this summer

Marina's Tapas is a new Spanish tapas food stall opening at Optimist Hall.

Why it matters: It's the newest project by the owners of Customshop, one of Charlotte's best restaurants.

---

"I take a lot of what I've learned about cooking, and my foundation, from my mom cooking a lot when I was younger. " Andres Kaifer, chef-owner of Customshop and Marina's Tapas

Dig in: Kaifer, whose family is of Spanish descent (and most still live there), is eager to share recipes passed down through generations at Marina's.

• Expect traditional Spanish tapas like bocadillos (sandwiches), shareables like croquetas and patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce) and other Spanish classics like tortilla española (Spanish omelet).
• Its beverage menu will have sangria, wine and other Spanish-style drinks like "tinto de verano," which is wine and soda.

My thought bubble: If you've tried his mother's flan at Customshop, you know Kaifer's family recipes hold up.

Manchego and jamon serrano bocadillo, croquettas and flan. Photo: Courtesy of Black Wednesday

The restaurant is named after his great-grandmother, who used to own a restaurant called Casa Alvarín in Asturias, Spain.

"She is the only other person in my family that owned and operated a restaurant." Andres Kaifer, chef-owner of Customshop and Marina's Tapas Kaifer's great-grandmother Marina, his uncle and mom. Photo: Courtesy of Andres Kaifer

The vibe: The former Velvet Taco food stall will be transformed into a rustic-looking Spanish tapas bar from the '50s or '60s.

• It'll also have a small market section with meats and cheeses for carry-out.
• Tapas will range from $9-$15.

What they're saying: "If you and four friends wanted to try half the menu, you would be able to do that and be very full and not feel like you spent a ton of money," says Alex Bridges, managing partner of Customshop and Marina's Tapas.

(L) Andres Kaifer and (R) Alex Bridges. Photo: Courtesy of Black Wednesday

Flashback: Kaifer and Bridges met in 2019 working at Vidrio, in downtown Raleigh.

• In 2022, Kaifer took over as the majority owner and chef of Customshop, originally owned by chef Trey Wilson (of Flour Shop and Pizza Baby). Shortly after, Bridges bought the rest of Wilson's stake in the business.
• The duo says they have several ideas for restaurants they want to open in Charlotte. When it came to Marina's, the location came first and the concept evolved from there.
• Chef Adriana "Dre" Cavazos, who is currently the pastry chef at Customshop, will be the chef de cuisine at Marina's.

What's next: Marina's is expected to open this summer between Village Juice and Boxcar Betty's.

• It joins ESO Artisanal Pasta , an Italian food stall, opening later this year.

Go deeper: Everything you need to know about Optimist Hall

Sign up for Axios Charlotte for free.