Despite being a five minute drive from where I work, it took me far too long to try Flour Shop, one of Charlotte’s more unique and undoubtedly delicious restaurants.
Having finally tried it this past week, I am already eager to go back.
A small yet inspired menu, and a cozy yet modern ambiance makes Flour Shop particularly alluring, though from the outside it may not look like much. They source their ingredients locally, and are frequently changing their menu – which, mind you, consistently includes house-made pasta and bread. Bless up.
The thing that makes this spot notable apart from the food is the fact that their kitchen is fully exposed to the diners. There are plenty of places that implement an open-style kitchen concept, but none that I have seen have gone as far as Flour Shop. There are no walls separating you from watching the cooks work, and if you get a seat at the bar – which I highly recommend – you are essentially getting a show along with your meal. My friend and I opted for the bar over a table without hesitation and we were not disappointed. It is fascinating to watch them prepare and plate everything you’re about to eat.
After months of following Flour Shop on Instagram, I knew I would be ordering the burrata to start before we even stepped through the door.
The burrata is served with different ingredients depending on the season – you may go and have your burrata served with marinated figs or spring peas instead.
We decided to split a bottle of wine, and chose based on the recommendation of the bartender. The staff was evidently knowledge when it came to wine, and I could tell the bartender was a huge wine-nerd (I say this with genuine admiration).
We went with Chardonnay – to go with my burrata and my friend’s salmon belly, as well as our main entree (we both got the same) and overall highlight of the meal: THE RAVIOLI!
I honestly don’t have the words to describe this ravioli – or the gorgonzola sauce which I no doubt could have eaten an entire bowl of, as if it were soup. This dish made me feel like I was being wrapped in a warm blanket, the flavors were cozy and ingredients satiating. If I had to recommend just one dish from Flour Shop, it would be their ravioli.
Though our server insinuated their bread pudding was the star dessert, my friend wanted to split their chocolate tart.
And thankfully we split this thing – richer than Jeff Bezos, the vanilla ice cream was definitely needed to balance out the intensity of this tart. Delicious nontheless, though without the sweet graham cracker crust and ice cream it might be recommend for those who love a “Death by Chocolate” experience. I look forward to exploring their other dessert options next time.
Overall, Flour Shop is definitely worth checking out if you live in Charlotte or are simply passing through. By the end of the meal, you’ll be planning your next visit just like we were.
Sydney is a 29-year old American living between France and Italy. She has a WSET Level 2 certification in wine, along with a degree in environmental engineering and an MBA. She loves exploring local farmer’s markets, haunting her favorite wine bar, and discovering new restaurants.