Scotch, 'cue and Zoe's

The Scotch Society of Ballantyne at the Ballantyne Hotel gathers folks monthly (6-8 p.m. on a Friday) to sample three to four Scotches, with accompanying small plates, for $40. The year at a glance, in which you’ll see they’re a little more eclectic than one might expect of a Scotch Society:
March 28: Irish whiskey.
April 25: Tequila/mezcal.
May 30: Highlands (This one comes with a pig roast dinner for $65 -- reservations required at 704-248-4100 or cbrobst@theballantynehotel.com.)
June 27: Unique barrels.
July 25: Macallan.
Aug. 29: Our favorite “Glens.”
Sept. 26: Bourbon (for National Bourbon Month).
Oct. 31: Islay and the Scotch Islands.
Nov. 21: Johnnie Walker.
Also coming up at the Hotel, its restaurant Gallery will offer a weekly barbecue plate lunch special (and on the bar menu at night) for $15 throughout National Barbecue Month, which is May.

Zoës Kitchen, a Mediterranean fast-casual chain, plans to open a location (its 112th) Feb. 20 at 6100 Fairview Road. Signature dishes include chicken kabobs and rollups, hummus, and vegetarian and vegan options. The company plans to give away 500 meals at the new location in a Facebook contest here, and one person will win food for a year. Menu and all that stuff: zoeskitchen.com.