1969 ad for the "Alpine" Chateau
Another 1969 ad for the "Alpine" Chateau
1972 ad
Mid-70's ad noting pianist Gabriel Kucko
1981 ad
Another 1981 ad
1972 interior photo
1976 interior photo
1977 interior shot
1981 interior photo
1984 interior photo
1994 photo of manager Dee Atkins days before the closing
Front, back, and inside of original matchbook (courtesy of Robert McEwen)
Lunch menu from 1978
Dinner menu from 1978
Super 1960's photo when the building was a Shoney's
Currently inhabited by Frankie's Italian Restaurant
The Chateau is considered to be one of Charlotte's greatest upscale, elegant restaurants. It was known for its New Orleans atmosphere and French haute cuisine.
The Chateau began in the late-60's on Morehead St near the intersection of Kings Dr. At the time it was called the Alpine Chateau and was more of a casual restaurant. In 1970, the restaurant was purchased by Forrest Collier who immediately began the transformation of turning the Chateau into a high-class restaurant. Dinner was marked by tuxedoed waiters (waitresses were used for the more casual lunch service), fresh-cut flowers on every table, gold tablecloths, low lighting (mostly provided by candles), and the popular Gabriel Kucko on piano.
In 1981, the restaurant was moved west up Morehead St to the former location of the famous Shoney's drive-in (near the intersection of Dilworth Rd). The Chateau continued its run through the early '90's. Its last day was Saturday January 15, 1994. The building currently is home to Frankie's Italian restaurant.
My very favorite Charlotte restaurant. Every "event" was celebrated there. My grandparents preferred The Epicurean, but I loved the Chateau!
ReplyDeleteWhat I wouldn't give for a Chateau burger!
ReplyDeleteAll buildings are soon to be torn down from Myrtle Ave to Oriole St and replaced by the Duke Endowment headquarters. Old buildings that housed everything from Winn-Dixie to Shoneys/Chateau/Frankies will missed but area should be improved.
ReplyDeleteWho keeps the pictures / old ads / memorabilia of the Alpine Chateau as seen above...
ReplyDeleteI have an old Stock Certificate issued in 1969, 24th day of April for the Chateau... it would fit nicely with the above pics.
John Cameron Morrison
jcm9026@bellsouth.net
I am sad to learn that Chateau closed so many years ago. I've been trying to locate it on the internet for a while now. I lived in Charlotte very briefIy and went to Chateau only once. It was 23 years ago this most recent June and on that evening that my husband presented me with a beautiful diamond solitaire for our engagement. I wish I had a photo of us from that evening and I had hoped perhaps to return there one day to reminisce and take a photo. I do still have the diamond and most importantly the husband!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know anyone who worked there? I've been trying to make my own "Ham Jubilee" ever since it closed, with minimal success. Anybody know what the "Choctaw Indian sauce was"?
ReplyDelete