Zebra Restaurant and Wine Bar

Owner/Chef Jim Alexander is an artist in the kitchen. His contemporary French stylings—with a dash of the Carolinas—result in dishes with layers of flavors that sometimes almost look too pretty to eat. But go ahead and dig in—it's worth it. Service here can be on the mercurial side, but the staff has largely overcome the stuffiness from its early days. The wine list is one of the most prodigious in town.

Zebra on the Cheap
Zebra's menu is designed so that each night includes three courses from the menu for a not-so-cheap $44 tab. However, you can save some cash by joining the e-mail list. Look for coupons for $25 off a meal, half-price bottles of wine, or $10 wine tastings.

4521 Sharon Rd., 704-442-9525, zebrarestaurant.net