Charlotte’s top dining destinations: The Fig Tree Restaurant
The Chef: Chef Greg Zanitsch
Greg Zanitsch is the executive chef, as well as the co-owner of The Fig Tree. He received his culinary training at the New England Culinary Institute, and worked at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua on Maui, and Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley. Zanitsch calls his cooking style “country European,” a blend of French and Italian. Chef Zanitsch is recognized as one of the top chefs in the country for food and wine pairings.
Winemakers and winery owners travel from all over the country to host wine dinners at The Fig Tree Restaurant. His wife, Sara, who is General Manager and co-owner of The Fig Tree Restaurant, holds wine specialist certifications. Every day they work together to ensure the restaurant’s extensive wine list and dinner menus are the best they can provide. The couple opened The Fig Tree Restaurant in 2005, and look forward to another year of providing exquisite food, wine and service to Charlotte diners.
The Look: Historical Roots
The Fig Tree Restaurant exudes history. Housed in the Lucas House, a 1913 Craftsman-style bungalow, The Fig Tree Restaurant is one of the finest dining establishments in Charlotte. The restaurant’s commitment to exquisite food and customer service shines through in the five dining rooms, which are situated in five former living areas and bedrooms of the home.
Each room has a different design theme, allowing diners to get a different experience with each visit. The hardwood floors in the foyer and bar are original, as is the wood staircase.
The restaurant owners have upgraded several other areas of the home, including adding modern light fixtures and an onyx bar top that is lit from underneath. But, each design and architecture decision is made with precision, as the home is a registered historic landmark.
The Fig Tree Restaurant’s attention to detail, both in design and cuisine, makes it the perfect place for your next special occasion with family, friends and colleagues.
The Dish: Elk Chop
One must not dine at The Fig Tree Restaurant without indulging in the Elk Chop. The wild game dish has been on the menu nearly a decade, and has easily become the restaurant’s most popular item. The dish, which is a grilled New Zealand elk chop over horseradish spaetzle with smoked bacon-braised purple cabbage and boursin-dijon sauce, was created by the executive chef, Greg Zanitsch.
The Fig Tree Restaurant is the only restaurant in Charlotte that offers elk as a regular menu item. The dish is not only rich, but also full of flavor. The accompaniments of the dish are light, allowing the meat to be the highlight of the entree. Try this on your next visit, then make reservations for the restaurant’s annual Wild Game dinner in October.
The Fig Tree Restaurant: 1601 E 7th Street, Charlotte.
This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 1:10 AM.