ESO Artisanal Pasta, an Italian concept from now-married chefs AJ Sankofa and Kristina Gambarian, is getting ready to move to Charlotte’s Optimism Hall at 1115 N Brevard St.
The New Jersey-based concept recently announced it would join the 26 other tenants at the food hall later this year, moving into the space next to Schreiber’s on Rye and Zukku Sushi. Gambarian tells What Now Charlotte they hope to be open by the end of September. Food Network fans may recognize these chefs, as the two once took ESO Artisanal Pasta on the road with “The Great Food Truck Race,” while Sankofa has also appeared on “Chopped.”
“We are beyond ecstatic for this next chapter of ESO and to return to the city of Charlotte, where I spent some of my childhood,” Sankofa said in a news release. “Optimist Hall is an exciting opportunity for us and felt like the perfect place to bring ESO Artisanal Pasta to the next level. We’re looking forward to creating some of the most authentic pasta in the city by using fresh ingredients and familiar flavors with interesting twists.”
Before the Food Network fame, the two opened the concept in Morristown, NJ, at 92A Elm Street and closed at the end of last year. While the original storefront has been closed, the two have continued providing private chef services, such as tasting menus, catering, birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. When ESO Artisanal Pasta opens in the food stall, customers can expect an edited menu focused on freshly made food, including Arancini, Polpette, and Sicilian Fried Chicken.
“Our mission at Optimist Hall is to bring the community together through food, and AJ and Kristina are doing just that through their concept ESO Artisanal Pasta,” Merritt Lancaster, Optimist Hall partner, said in the release. “With the wildly popular following they have built, we’re excited to see how they continue to grow at Optimist Hall as Charlotteans are introduced to AJ and Kristina’s talent and high-quality offerings.”
