Restaurant Review: Zebra in South Park

Whoever says there aren't New York City quality restaurants in Charlotte hasn't been to Zebra. This gem in the heart of South Park has a solid menu that rivals any NYC eatery.

It was our wedding anniversary, so we opted to splurge on the 10 course tasting menu accompanied with the wine pairing. At $84 per person (without wine), this is certainly not the cheapest route, but it gives you the opportunity to see the true talents of the chef.

The decor is what I would call elegant English safari. Lovely pine hugs the walls with beefy and intricate moldings. A beautiful zebra painting graces the back dining room with big impact, and much of the artwork on the walls is for sale if you've got the wallet for a $2,500 framed sketch that looked like it was drawn by DaVinci. The only thing marring the look is the tacky drop-down celing with acoustic tiles and strange Christmas ball lights hanging out of the can lights. Odd for sure.

The tasting menu changes daily, and ours included a fabulous foie gras, and unspeakably divine lobster tail on a creamy bed of lemon risotto and a flaky halibut. Each dish arrived with a well chosen wine--and Zebra claims to have one of the largest cellars in North Carolina. The chef/owner, Jim Alexander, came to our table several times as well to inquire about our meal--a nice touch!

All plates were truly well thought out and not over the top. Only a rabbit dish was tasteless and features a rubbery portobello mushroom. The portions are all small, but when one is dining on that number of courses you will certainly not leave hungry. As a finale, a cocunut souflee came with a boat full of fresh, warm chocolate that proved a tremendous pairing. At the end of the meal, I was certainly struggling to get any more in, so be sure to skip lunch that day.

If the tasting menu is too big for your pocketbook or belly, then other artful dishes on the menu include bison, pheasant and Florida Pompano. Salmon, chicken, steak and other traditional fare are also up for grabs with great flair.

There's a small bar and a charming outdoor area where you can dine if you choose. The place is frequented by banking executives, and the waitstaff seemed happy to chat with a customer who wasn't of the usual ilk. Matt, our waiter, did a fine job making sure we were taken care of without hovering or being intrusive--a fine art for a waiter for sure. He managed to be chatty enough without being overbearing.

Zebra is worth the splurge.