Highlights of Auckland Restaurant Month 2016

By Rebecca Barry Hill
Viva
Street eats. Picture / Supplied.


GO GLOBAL
Travel around the world in 80 dishes at Street Eats (Shed 10, August 6). Enjoy Mexican, Thai, Indian, Middle Eastern, Spanish and Vietnamese cuisine and more. Head to Besos Latinos for a Brazilian Long Lunch (August 7), enjoy Gallic flavours at Le Chef for Tour De France (August 8 and 22) or visit Vivace for their annual Italian Long Lunch (August 13). Ela Cuisine is putting on their annual Onam Vegetarian Festival (August 28), a degustation with 15 South Indian dishes.

EAT WITH THE STARS
There'll be no need to choose which Federal Street eatery to visit when the laneway joins forces for A Taste of Federal Street at MASU (August 3). First course is by Sean Connolly of The Grill, second by Nic Watt of Masu, third by Al Brown of Deport, with Neil Brazier of The Sugar Club (natch) serving dessert. Or head to Raise the Bar (each Thursday in August). Botswana Butchery, Clooney, Fish, Gusto at the Grand, Harbourside, Masu and Soul Bar are offering a small dish and wine match for $25.

He's no vegetarian but you'll be bound to get your nutrients when Melbourne chef Matt Wilkinson comes to town for A Taste of Pope Joan at Odettes presented by Viva (August 10). Originally from South Yorkshire, Matt worked under Michelin-starred chef Martin Wishart before founding cafe/restaurant Pope Joan in East Brunswick. He brings his love of seasonal produce to the banquet-style dinner.

You'll recognise Melbournite Guy Grossi (pictured above) as the guy from My Kitchen Rules, where he's part of the wider judging panel. But he's perhaps better known across the ditch as the man behind several restaurants (including Grossi Florentino). Grossi joins Josh Emett for A Taste of Grossi Florentino at Ostro (August 24), presented by Fine Dining Lovers.

Finally, Californian chef, baker and author Nancy Silverton brings her take on Italian cuisine to Soul Bar for a collaboration with Judith Tabron and chef Chris Law in A Taste of Osteria Mozza at Soul (August 31). Nancy was a pastry chef at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, founded both Campanile Restaurant and La Brea Bakery, and is now co-owner of Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, San Diego and Singapore.

Picture / Supplied.
Picture / Supplied.

GET AMONGST IT
Check out the demos and sample bites at the Social Kitchen pop-up in Britomart's Takutai Square (August, 19-21). Head out on a Dessert Degustation Walking Tour, (August 1 and 2) of the CBD with food writer Delaney Mes. Burn off a few calories between dishes at Dinner By Bike (August 11), a progressive dinner starting with an entree at Odettes Eatery, followed by a main at The Culpeper, dessert at Miss Clawdy and a drink at Brothers Beer. Or stick to the footpath at A Roaming Feast, Britomart's Progressive Dinner (August 18), featuring drinks and courses at TSG, Ostro, Ebisu and Cafe Hanoi.

Guy Grossi. Picture / Supplied.
Guy Grossi. Picture / Supplied.

TRY A TASTE OF LEFT-FIELD
Fans of brie, cheddar and gouda have much in common The Grill's Sean Connolly, host of The Big Cheese (August 27), a lunch inspired by and featuring New Zealand artisanal cheeses. Stimulate at least four of your senses at Dinner in the Dark, Vivace, (August 29 and 30), a meal served entirely in the dark. And if you've ever muttered that you have Nothing for Dinner (August 2), you can put that to the test at Misters Real Food when The Cult Project get creative from what was otherwise going to waste. Meanwhile OperaNesian on O'Connell (August 11) celebrates South Pacific cuisine and culture at an evening of opera, food, fashion and art.

BE FASHION-FRIENDLY
Yvonne Bennetti will showcase her Summer '16/17 collection over a three-course menu at Soul (August 17), and Hudson Boutique presents a dreamy Sunday afternoon at Hotel DeBrett for a special High Tea & Fashion event (August 21).

• Go to heartofthecity.co.nz for ticket information and more event info.

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