Customshop in Elizabeth has been a neighborhood stalwart since it opened in 2007. But changes have been quietly underway over the last year and a half since chef-owner Andres Kaifer bought the restaurant from founder Trey Wilson. My wife and I decided it was time to check it out. What we experienced was much more than a simple succession of dishes (and a break from our own kitchen duties).

On the menu, there’s familiarity with an international flair. Yet, there’s more on tap here than an uber-talented chef preparing dishes with heart and soul, attentive service from a staff of career restaurant professionals, and a knockout bar. Underlying each component is a rare hospitality factor — a genuine emphasis on relationships.

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