The Ten Best Ways to Enjoy Restaurant Month
A month-long celebration of food.
Food is a glorious necessity. We all have it on the daily, but besides a select few (namely Josh Emmett, Al Brown, Nic Watt, Sean Connolly & Co.) most of us do not have the skills, resources or willpower to create regular edible masterpieces. Or ever. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't appreciate it.
So why not take some time off from cooking (and washing up), and leave it to the experts to shower you in culinary delights during August's Restaurant Month?
WARNING: The images below may induce some Homer Simpson-like drooling.
1. OFFICIAL LAUNCH PARTY
Launching into things on Thursday, July 31 at Queens Wharf's Shed 10 is Restaurant Month's Official Launch Party. The night will include four Asian fusion dishes from chefs Nic Watt (Masu), Des Harris (Clooney), Nick Honeyman (Lava Dining) and Shane Yardley (FISH). Alcoholic and entertainment accompaniment provided.
When: 6:30pm on July 31
Where: Shed 10, Queens Wharf
2. A TASTE OF SALT
Luke Mangan is the quintessential Australian celebrity chef - having cooked for royalty, ex-presidents and even designing menus for airlines. Trained under Michel Roux of the 3 Michelin-starred Waterside Inn in London, Mangan now runs the contemporary Asian-inspired Salt restaurant empire which spans across Australia, Bali, Singapore, Japan and even has a few branches on cruise ships.
Mangan will be joined by Ebisu head chef Murray Wiblin and sushi master Yukio Ozekei.
When: 6pm on August 27
Where: Ebisu
3. STREET EATS
One of Restaurant Month's thriftier options, Street Eats lets you meander through an array of city restaurant stalls serving their favourite street-friendly dishes. Stall holders include the Middle Eastern-inspired Ima, chef Michael Van de Elzen's The Food Truck, Merchants of Venice and their Tuscan fare, and Latino-style Mexico and Besos Latinos. The event is free to enter.
When: 10:30am - 8pm on August 23
Where: Shed 10, Queens Wharf
4. A TASTE OF FEDERAL STREET
Not to be confused with a cheeky lick of Federal Street's concrete road, Taste of Federal Street will be featuring the street's finest chefs - Al Brown (Federal Deli), Sean Connolly (The Grill), Nic Watt (Masu) and Peter Gordon (The Sugar Club) in a unique four course joint meal - every dish reflecting each chef's distinct background and style.
When: 6pm on August 13
Where: Masu
5. A WORLD OF FLAVOUR
Inspired by the popular progressive parties of the 70s and 80s, A World of Flavour is a restaurant hop across Britormart's dining district - starting at Tyler Street Garage, passing through Cafe Hanoi, Ebisu and Ortolana, and finishing up at 1885.
When: 6:30pm on August 14.
Where: Tyler Street Garage
6. WINE AKL
Dionysus is taking on Auckland city and bringing with him a sample of wines from 60 wineries across New Zealand. Take a crash course in food and wine matching, learn about Pinot Noir, dessert wines, organic wine; or just while away the day imbibing.
When: 2- 3pm, 4 - 7pm on August 16 & 2 - 6pm on August 17
Where: Viaduct Events Centre
7. A TASTE OF CODA
Melbourne chef Adam D’Sylva is bringing a French x Vietnamese menu to Auckland's Soul Bar. The menu includes options like the Hervey scallop, pearl tapioca, salmon caviar and Crystal bay prawn and chicken salad, beans, peanut and chilli.
When: 6pm on August 20
Where: Soul Bar & Bistro
8. TASTE OF MOVIDA
Executive chef Frank Camorra from Melbourne's ever-popular tapas bar MoVida is bringing a Spanish-influenced menu to Restaurant Month. Born in Barcelona, Camorra's menu is inspired by traditional and more contemporary aspects of Spanish cuisine.
When: 6pm on August 6
Where: Ostro
9. LATE: THE CULT OF FOOD
The LATE series is a set of unique and inspiring talks and performances held at the Auckland Museum. For The Cult of Food edition, held on August 11, speakers like Wairarapa-born celebrity chef Al Brown and Anne Thorp from the Maori TV series Kai Ora will look into local eating habits as well as the culture of food in the past, present and future.
Megan May, the co-founder of Little Bird Unbakery, will also be hosting a live cooking demo.
When: 6pm on August 11
Where: Auckland Museum
10. FIESTA DEL SOL
One of Auckland's favourite latino restaurants Besos Latinos is having a Mexican street fiesta - all with some pretty authentic street food, Hispano-American cocktails like the Chilean Pisco Sour and some cumbia music.
When: 10pm on August 2
Where: Besos Latinos
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