This award-winning, upscale French establishment has earned its stripes.
Nightly Tasting Menu
Over 800 Selections Of Wine
In the Heart of Southpark
Welcome to Zebra Restaurant and Fine Catering, fine dining in the style of the French Laundry. Zebra offers a world-class dining experience similar to the restaurants of New York, San Francisco and London. From our 800 bottle wine list, to our four diamond award-winning service staff, to our a la carte and nightly gastronimique grand tasting menu, Zebra consistently delivers the best Charlotte has to offer.
Certified executive chef and owner Jim Alexander invites you to join us at Zebra to enjoy that special occasion or event, or, to just celebrate the good life.
The Scene Tucked away in an office building, Zebra would be easy to miss if its excellent reputation didn't precede it. The charming, intimate interior, with gorgeous woodwork and warm lighting, belie the concrete exterior. Relax in the lounge--the first room you enter--before dinner. A Charleston-style patio charms in warm weather.
The Food Creative, contemporary French cuisine; presentation is spectacular, an array of colors and textures that reflect the talent of chef and partner Jim Alexander. Start with a bottle from the 40-page wine list, along with a sampling of foie gras, a smooth flan, and torchon, served with a toasted baguette. Treat yourself to sweet and tender Maine lobster with savoyarde potatoes, asparagus and tarragon white wine sauce. Finish with a chocolate soufflé covered in vanilla-raspberry sauce or a traditional creme brulee. Amuses-gueules ("complimentary tidbit") served at the start and finish of the meal add a nice touch.
Expensive restaurant. The food was decent. But the service wasn't appealing. It was three of us at the table and they charged our account extra $70 dollars. When confronting them about this error via phone, they had an attitude. Was disappointed in the service.
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In my professional I travel extensively and eat at fine dining establishments all over the world. This little bistro is in the top 3 in the country for service and quality of food. This is a do not miss when in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Lee Wilson
Tucson,AZ
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i recently went to zebra with my family and friends for my birthday dinner. we of course made a reservation as there was a group of us and it was a saturday night. first, we waited 45 minutes for our reserved table and the hostess could only tell us, "just a few more minutes" and roll her eyes. then the server was horrible. he failed to tell us the specials until we asked and was very short with us. we had to ask twice for our waters to be filled and our salad plates were not cleared before our main course arrived.
we should have stayed home. i would never recomend this restaurant to anyone.
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My experience at this restaurant was truly appalling. I can't even recall if I was able to enjoy the cuisine, as the service was like nothing I have ever experienced, and I am a part of the industry. Upon walking in, instead of a pleasant greeting, we were welcomed with a highly pretentious and rude individual that rendered our entire group speechless. As if his behavior weren't obscene enough, this individual ended up serving our meal and I am disappointed to report that it only got worse. Again, I've never witnessed nor experienced such a wildly obnoxious individual in all of my years of dining out. Beware of this restaurant. There are too many fabulous restaurants to enjoy in Charlotte. I wouldn't waste a minute of my time or another penny in this establishment.
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The chef & serving staff were extremely professional, accomdating, & friendly. We used their fine catering in our home, for our son's wedding. They exceeded our expectations. The presentation of the food in their signature baskets was done in our home, as it is in the restaurant. The food not only looked beautiful, but tasted even better. I would highly recommend their catering service if you are looking for fine dining catering. Bravo Zebra!
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This is the highest quality restaurant that I have encountered in Charlotte. From the physical setting, to the attention to detail in presentation and service, there has never been a disappointment here for me or my guests. Don't put off going for only special occasions. Elegant understatement!
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Zebra Restaurant & Fine Catering offers a great 3 course lunch special for only $17.50. The food is seasoned to perfection. With your lunch you can enjoy another Zebra special which includes delectable 2 for 1 souffles. You have to try of of the many hot souffles of the day, the frozen grand marnier souffle is the best.
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Latest reviews by Citysearch:
(read all 20 reviews
on Citysearch)
Nowhere near as good as anticipated
By amontgom
We visited Zebra for the first time on a Friday night. The restaurant was half empty the entire evening and we expected better service as a result, but our waiter disappeared for long periods of time without coming to check on us. (Other waiters nearby, however, checked more frequently on surrounding tables.) The food was ok but not memorable. We will not likely return.
Pros: Free and plentiful parking; ambiance Cons: Service; prices
Posted 06/06/09
Very nice atmosphere and great food
By trysports08
We really love going there. Small and cozy with great food and great service. Very fresh ingredients as well.
Pros: Great service and food Cons: small - hard to get a reservation
Posted 05/17/09
not very good
By noujamellitus
They have the table arranged together like the people on the next table were on our table, we couldn't even talk. It was very noisy and not very clean. Target's bathroom's are nicer than theirs. The food was ok but it definitely wasn't worth the money at all.
Pros: food was fine Cons: ambience, service
Posted 01/09/09
World Class Dining Experience
By Gourmetman
Having traveled and dined in some of the best restaurants in the world including
The French Laundry, Per Se, Daniel, Marco Pierre White in London and on and on,
I have found a gem in Charlotte North Carolina!
Zebra seems an unsung hero in a world of mediocrity, from their 900 bottle wine
list to the chef's grand tasting, Zebra has everything a foody could expect.
Our grand tasting included salmon tartare in tiny funnel shaped cones with creme fraiche,
seared foie gras with peach compote, butter poached lobster with avocado and tomato confit,
seared yellow tail with white truffle risotto, an amazing lychee sorbet floating on a thin sheet of
ice ( how could they do this??? ) squab with chanterelles and lamb tenderloins with the tastiest
celeriac puree I've ever tasted...still going....authentic french sheeps milk roquefort with micro
arugula, sugar roasted walnuts and pear, then on to desserts including a perfect grand marnier
souffle...this tasting was as good or better than any five star restaurant I've dined in...
Also, did I mention this was on a Friday night, their bar was full with an informal wine tasting ( which
they only charge 10.00 for, sorry we missed this one... ) and a completely full restaurant, and we had
no reservation.
They were gracious, informed and efficiant on the floor...Can't wait to next time...
Pros: Food, Service, Overall feeling of experience Cons: need a Zebra in Nashville!
Posted 09/11/08
snoring snob
By licious13
OK....So we are new to Charlotte and trying all sorts of new places. Keep in mind we came from NY where restaurants are supreme. I'm used to paying a lot for a meal and leaving hungry. I am NOT used to spending a fortune and having the arrogant owner critique my order. PLUS, we had a gift certificate as a house warming gift. NOT a coupon but a "same as cash" certificate. And because we bought into the wine special for the night, the owner would not honor the certificate! That is ridiculous as our bill was several hundreds even without the certificate! Food was fine, ordinary really, but you still leave hungry. I am a tiny person, so I don't even have a big appetite to begin with. Won't be going back. Too much attitude there for a place that's mediocre at best. The servers were fine. The owner needs to stay in the kitchen or at home.
Pros: Good location Cons: Owner is rude. They made our first visit, and last, totally unenjoyable.
