Resilience in the Rubble

RALEIGH, NC – January 10, 2011 – The Oxford Gastropub in downtown Raleigh announced their excitement in hosting a Haiti earthquake anniversary event.  On Sunday, January 16, 2011, the Oxford and the Hope for Haiti Foundation will collaborate in efforts to raise money for the nation that suffered the effects of a devastating earthquake one year ago.

A silent auction will take place from 4pm until 8pm, accompanied by live music from several local musicians.  Also, 10 percent of The Oxford’s food sales will go directly to supporting the cause. There is no charge for admittance to the event, but there will be a suggested $5 donation at the door.

“Anytime there is devastation of this magnitude in an underdeveloped nation, it is our duty to lend a hand and continue the outreach programs until that nation becomes self-sufficient,” said James Park, Director of Operations for The Oxford.

Hope for Haiti Foundation is a nonprofit organization incorporated in North Carolina with subsidiaries and volunteers all over the United States and Haiti.  The foundation primarily focuses on the health, education and community development of Haitians in the Sud-East department.  The foundation’s work impacts individual Haitians, consequently empowering them to act and change their own nation.

“We are looking forward to taking the time to remember the victims of last year’s tragic earthquake at the event this weekend. It is also a great opportunity to show the progress we’ve made in the past year, as well as our plans for the future,” said Stephanie Brooks, Hope for Haiti Foundation’s marketing and PR representative.

This anniversary event is one of a series of events hosted by The Oxford’s parent company, Eschelon Hospitality, in 2011 to reach the company’s goal of raising $50,000 for Hope for Haiti Foundation by year’s end.

About The Oxford Gastropub
Raleigh’s first Gastropub opened in October 2008 and has since become a favorite spot for locals.  With high quality pub food and great specials all week long, The Oxford has become the ideal spot to dine.  Featuring live music throughout the weekend, all the best sports games and excellent food, The Oxford is truly a multi-faceted establishment.

New Year’s Eve Dinner in downtown Raleigh!

Sono Sushi Bar

Sono is right in the heart of downtown Raleigh’s New Year’s Eve celebration!  This year, Sono has an amazing set menu for 50 dollars per person.   Call today to make your dinner reservations: 919-521-5328!

New Year’s Eve Set Menu

50 dollars per person

1st CourseChoice of:

SEARED TUNA Fresh avocado crème fraiche, baby arugula, balsamic ponzu, garlic chips.

SASHIMI SPECIAL Red snapper carpaccio, seared salmon with Japanese mustard vinaigrette, bonito shoyu marinated tuna.

SUSHI TRADITIONAL 6 pieces chef’s choice nigiri sushi.

WHITE TUNA POKE Fresh white tuna, masago, chives, layu chili oil, tobiko caviar, nori chips.

PAN SEARED SCALLOPS U10 diver scallops, honey baked butternut squash soup, dark mushroom soy balsamic glaze.

2nd Course Choice of:

TUNA “WELLINGTON” Konbu soy marinated tuna, shitake duxelles, bonito infused prosciutto, sage butter miso, puff pastry.

SAUTÉED SHRIMP & UNI RISOTTO Jumbo white shrimp, uni puree, shari risotto, cilantro tempura.

GRILLED CHICKEN Kalbi marinade, house teriyaki, wasabi infused Japanese sweet potato puree.

SKIRT STEAK SSAM Asian pear infused anticucho marinade, onion relish, garlic chips, grilled romaine.

SPECIAL ROLL COMBINATION Your choice of any two rolls on our sushi menu.

SUSHI COMBINATION 7 pieces sushi and your choice of a roll. SONO SASHIMI SPECIAL Assorted chef’s choice sashimi served on “glowing glacier” and dry ice effect.

3rd Course Choice of:

GREEN TEA CHEESE
CAKE HOT FUDGE BROWNIE WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM
TRIO OF ICE CREAM

Sono Sushi Bar
319 Fayettville Street
Raleigh, N.C.  27601

Ring in 2011 at The Oxford Gastropub in downtown Raleigh! The capital city’s main celebrations (the acorn drop + fireworks) all take place on Fayetteville Street and you can be in the heart of the party.

We have dinner and late night celebrations.  Dinner has limited seatings and we are offering a set menu. Call for reservations: 919.832.6622.  Late night, we have live music from Aftershock, no cover, and a free champagne toast at midnight for everybody!

Oxford Raleigh

See full details on dinner + late night below…

The Dinner Menu

$45 per person during our 6pm or 7pm early dinner seatings
$55 per person during our 8pm or 9pm late night seatings

First Course
choice of:

ELK CARPACCIO & TARTAR
reggiano | arugula | truffle | cold pressed olive oil | red onion | dijon mustard

FRIED PUMPKIN GNOCCHI
bleu cheese butter | toasted pumpkin seeds | arugula

BRUSCHETTA
onions | fresh mozzarella | white truffle oil | roma tomatoes |
basil | balsamic reduction

OXFORD HOUSE OR CAESAR SALAD
choice of dressing: grain mustard vinaigrette | balsamic |
smoky chipotle ranch | bleu cheese

Second Course
choice of:

COLORADO LAMB RACK
curried chick peas | lentils & leeks | mint yogurt

BRAISED PORK SHANK
white bean ragout | duck confit | parsnip |
bing cherry gastrique

BLACKENED SALMON
orzo pasta | tasso ham | lump crab |  asparagus |
tarragon cream | five pepper butter

RISOTTO
butternut squash | zucchini | parsnip | sweet peas | arugula |
yellow squash |  grated parmesan

HERB ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST
cranberry & pecan rice pilaf | grilled asparagus | thyme veloute

GRILLED NEW YORK STRIP
roasted root vegetables | lump crab | caviar béarnaise

Third Course
choice of:

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE TIRAMISU

WARM APPLE CRISP

WHITE CHOCOLATE & CRANBERRY BRIOCHE BREAD PUDDING

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Late Night – Ring in 2011!

Join us at the Oxford to enjoy the Triangle’s Premiere 80′s rock cover band, Aftershock!  Playing from 10:30pm-2am you can rock out and sing along to popular songs of the 80s rock era.  NO COVER! Free Champagne Toast at Midnight for everybody!

Call for reservations: 919.832.6622

The Oxford
319 Fayettville Street
Raleigh, N.C.  27601

Friday, May 14th

ZSpotlight.com and Mura of North Hills hosted one of the Triangle’s most exclusive outdoor evenings last night in North Raleigh for a capacity crowd of 300 plus.  With a winning combination of high end sushi, great music, and exciting ambiance, ZSpot added a fashion show into the mix with the runway surrounding the beautiful outdoor fountain in North Hills.  With tickets selling out well before the event, Mura and the ZSpotlight plan to expand this unique event series for the next party June 3rd, 2010.  This ZSpot concept will continue to thrive in North Raleigh throughout the summer.  For photos, visit the ZSpot Photo Galleries.  Last night’s photos are uploading now onto Z.

Event Link:  ZSpot Sushi Tasting Party

If you want to get invited to this event or be informed weekly on all the best dining and entertainment events, click here and sign up for our newsletter!  Z-Weekly Weekend Update

For other great event tickets, and AMAZING DEALS, visit these pages!  ZSpot Great Deals

Every month from May- September ZSpotlight will have a Summer Sushi Tasting Party at Mura of North Hills. All events will be 21 and up to enter. Ticket prices are $10 to party and eat, or party after all sushi tasting tickets are sold out.  We will have multiple cash bars and food stations set up throughout the patio where you can enjoy the best sushi in town!  Every year we have brought something new and exciting to each event and this year will definitely not disappoint!  Dates and themes are listed below so save the date and start planning that perfect outfit to fit our themes!

These events are very popular so please do purchase your tickets in advance!  We want you to be a part of this amazing experience!

Tobacco Road Cellars Wine Series Set to Begin

Billed as “Not Your Typical Winemaker Dinner”

January 25, 2010; Raleigh, NC – Boutique winery, Tobacco Road Cellars, is hosting a wine
series at Solas in the Glenwood South entertainment district of downtown Raleigh beginning
Wednesday, January 27th and following on February 24th and March 24th.

Winery owner Jason Earnest will walk the dining room and introduce Tobacco Road Cellars to diners as well as offer special pricing for some of his winery’s highly acclaimed vintages like Tobacco Road ‘s deep red with soft purple rim, lifted bright fresh berry fruit showing red currant and blueberry notes. Rich mouth filling weight that swamps the palate with ripe, juicy flavor that runs through to a long and fine tannin finish.”

Also featured on January 27th is a Pinot Noir from Santa Lucia Highland, one of California’s up and coming viticulture regions. In fact, many wine writers and enthusiasts agree that the Santa Lucia Highlands stands shoulder to shoulder among the top names in Pinot.   From Santa Barbara’s White Hawk Vineyard, Earnest is introducing a beautiful Syrah created through a 100% signature single vineyard. This region is quickly being recognized by wine connoisseurs the world over as a top producing wine region.

“Drinking good wine is an experience, something special; it’s a celebration of sharing, connecting with someone and making memories,” says Earnest. The North Carolina native started Tobacco Road Cellars in 2004 after going to Napa Valley on a whim to create own wine to give as holiday gifts. After bottling 25 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and tasting his bounty, Earnest was bitten by this new passion. Earnest has not lost sight on what brought his vision to where he is today. He plans on keeping Tobacco Road Cellars very intimate, keeping it a oneon-one personal experience that is lacking in today’s world.

“From the succulent grapes that we hand pick, to the high-end French oak barrels we use for aging, to the delicate hand-dipped wax seal, we pay attention to every single detail and demand the highest quality at every level,” remarked Earnest. Today, Tobacco Road Cellars has a halfdozen bottlings under its belt, a host of loyal collectors and wine enthusiasts vying for a bottle of their limited production, and the endorsement of Gary Vaynerchuk of the nation’s best-known wine aficionados. Tobacco Road Cellars also was just named “Winery of the Month” by Amanda Hagood of The

 Reservations are recommended for the Tobacco Road Wine Series at Solas where diners also will enjoy an award winning meal from Executive Chef Cliff Vogelsberg.

What: Tobacco Road Cellars Winer SeriesSharon Delaney McCloud; 919-810-5085; sharondmccloud@gmail.com

When: January 27th, February 24th and March 24th

Time: 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Where: Solas – 419 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh

Reservations: Call Solas now at 919-755-0755

Sono Sushi Bar of Raleigh is starting its new Lounge Nights with a kickoff weekend! On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, Sono will be open late night from 10pm-2am.  The dining room will close off and the front bar area will be transformed into a lounge, with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, live music and great drink specials.  Fayetteville Street’s newest late night red-hot spot launches in January 14, 15, and 16!

Remember, you get 10% off everytime you use your ZSpotCard on all food items inside Sono.

10% Off With Your ZSpotCard!

Mondays

4 course dinner for 25 dollars
Tuesdays

½ price bottles of wine
Wednesdays

$5 martinis

Thursdays

½ price drafts and hot sake
Sundays

½ off apps with purchase of entrée

Lunch Specials Everyday
2 Special Rolls for $14

$9 Lunch Everyday: Soup, Salad, and a Roll                              

miso soup, house salad, and your choice of one special roll

For more information, visit ZSpotlight.com or SonoRaleigh.com

See You On Z Town!

Since the completion of Fayettville Street a couple years ago, Fayetteville Street has become the home for every single street festival in Downtown.  And now that the street is open from the Capitol Building to Progress Energy Performing Arts Center, the options for holding street festivals like Raleigh Wide Open are infinite.

To see all of Raleigh/Durham’s New Year’s Eve events,  Click Here.

The next upcoming major event hosted by Raleigh’s on this popular main street is First Night, to celebrate the new year.  Event starts at 5pm and will last until midnight. Various performers and activities will be live throughout the local businesses that make up Fayettville Street and the surrounding area, including live music, dancing, and more!  Visitors can admire the Raleigh City Museum,  enjoy discussions at the Urban Design Center, or listen to music concerts at local churches and the Progress Energy Center.

This night will climax on the main stage with the band Annuals followed by fireworks and the annual dropping of the Raleigh Acorn.

The First Night Event Map can be viewed here and more on the performers and activities here.

Download the full First Night Downtown Raleigh Schedule here (PDF).

Step out of Raleigh and experience  all the glamour and sophistication of NYC.  Upon entry you will immediately transform to an: Empire State of Mind.”  Start out with Manhattan’s hottest new concoction, The Stoli Red Apple Martini debuting only on New Years Eve here at ESS Lounge.

Ess is a facility featuring the urban and nouveau styles of Manhattans upper west side. 

You don’t need to leave Raleigh, to get out of town.  Our $50 all-inclusive (call drinks, appetizers, and champnage toast, etc) Deal is the best ticket in town to bring in 2010.  Click Here To Purchase Tickets

Top 40 Ranking Bars and Nightlife Venues in Raleigh, N.C.

Raleigh is growing so fast, and with so many new and exciting nightlife hotspots, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with all of them.  So we’ve decided to develop and present a weekly top 40 list of the area’s favorites.  This ranking is completely based on viewer page views on ZSpotlight.com and also the number of positive comments to this blog with reasons why your favorite bar or nightlife spot should earn extra points.  So post your thoughts every week and let us know what you think!  If your favorite isn’t listed just yet, then let us know also!  Enjoy!  We will begin adding information on the top 40 as we receive it!

This week’s features

1. Solas
2. Noir
3. 606 Lounge
4. White Collar Crime
5. Red Room Lounge
6. Sullivan’s Steakhouse
7. Lucky B’s Sports Bar
8. Hibernian Irish Pub & Restaurant
9. Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub
10. Mosaic Wine Lounge
11. Buckhead Saloon
12. Cashmere
13. Legends
14. Carolina Ale House (Brier Creek)
15. Michael Dean’s
16. Black Flower Bar
17. Bogart’s
18. The Oxford
19. Oliver Twist Lounge
20. Raleigh Times Bar
21. Ess Lounge
22. Tir Na Nog Irish Pub
23. Vivace
24. Hi5 Sports Bar
25. 42nd Street
26. Amra’s Stogies & Spirits
27. Lynnwood Grill & Bar
28. The Point
29. The Pourch
30. The Big Easy
31. Foster’s
32. Mura
33. Club Dolce
34. The Busy Bee
35. Tantra Dance Lounge
36. Flying Saucer
37. The Bassment
38. Rudino’s Rooftop Bar
39. Sono Sushi Bar
40. The Downtown Sports Bar & Gri