All You Can Eat Oysters, Exciting Pop-Ups & More Food News To Snack On

Viva
The tiradito from Madame George. Photo / @sarukrishh Instagram


Sandwich Pop-Up
A tasty sandwich pop-up takes over shared workspace Chairs in Grey Lynn this Sunday with all profits going towards Australian Bushfire relief. Ruby White, formerly known as Miss Changy, ex-owner of cafe Small Fry at Te Tuhi, is serving the small menu including a vegan sando on beetroot focaccia along with Coffee Supreme, and Almighty juice. Sunday March 1, 9am-3pm. 376 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn

Euro Bluff Oyster Lunch 
Slurp down as many Bluff oysters as you can possibly fit at Euro's lunch. $195pp includes a glass of champagne on arrival, all you can eat Bluff oysters and a main course. Book at Eventfinda.co.nz. Thursday March 5, 12-3pm. Shed 22 Princes Wharf, CBD

Nespresso Coffee Pop-up 
Blame it on the Italians if you fancy a sweet treat with your coffee. Or better yet indulge in a classic cannoli alongside your morning brew on the house at a pop-up next week. Nespresso is taking over Ponsonby Social Club serving complimentary cups of Nespresso's two new Italian-inspired blends and homemade cannoli from Farnia. In true European style the outdoor cobbled lane will be a standing-only spot and joined by some Italian tunes to get your morning buzzing. March 26, 10am-12pm, March 27-28, 7am-12pm. 52 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby

Eat dinner in the garden at Kelmarna Gardens farm dinner pop-ups. Photo / Supplied
Eat dinner in the garden at Kelmarna Gardens farm dinner pop-ups. Photo / Supplied

Kelmarna Gardens Farm Dinners 
Ozone Coffee is up next for Kelmarna Garden's on-farm pop-up dinners. The summer shindigs invite local chefs to create a plant-led feast using their homegrown produce a few steps away from the dinner table. Ozone will serve four courses (vegan options available), plus a garden-inspired drink on arrival. Tickets are $90 and 50 per cent of proceeds go towards supporting Kelmarna's community work. Book at Eventbrite.co.nzMarch 4-5. 12 Hukanui Cres, Herne Bay

Oysters, Wine & Jazz at Akarana Eatery 
Waterfront spot Akarana Eatery in Okahu Bay is hosting an oyster and bubbles special on Friday nights. There's live jazz music on the cards too. Fridays, 6pm-8.30pm. Hyundai Marine Sports Centre, 8-10 Tamaki Dr, Orakei

Learn how the make a perfect margarita at Besos Latinos in March. Photo / Supplied
Learn how the make a perfect margarita at Besos Latinos in March. Photo / Supplied

Besos Latinos Margarita Class
If you love a margarita this event is for you. Besos Latinos in Elliot Stables is celebrating the opening of their new seafood and ceviche bar in Wynyard Quarter (132 Halsey St) with a masterclass using acclaimed Patrón tequila. Hosted by owners Luis Cabrera and Cecilia Mijangos tickets are $75 and include a Patron margarita on arrival, tequila tasting and Latin tapas to nibble on. There's also an upgrade ($145pp) to taste the brand's ultra-premium Patron Tequila. March 3, 10 and 17 from 6pm-9pm. To book, email Besos Latinos at 132halsey@besoslatinos.com

Auckland Vegan Food Festival
Tuck into a vege burger at Auckland's Vegan Food Festival next Sunday. Run by the Food Truck Collective, the event celebrates all things plant-based with food trucks Wise Boys, Bun Hun, Double Dutch Fries, Hapunan, Jo-Bros and more on the line-up. Plus stalls, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations and wellness talks. $10 on the door. Sunday March 8. Corban Estate Arts Centre

Get a taste of all three of chef Sid Sahrawat’s award-winning restaurants at  Sid at The French Cafe Tuesday Test Kitchens. Photo / Supplied
Get a taste of all three of chef Sid Sahrawat’s award-winning restaurants at Sid at The French Cafe Tuesday Test Kitchens. Photo / Supplied

Sid at The French Cafe's Tuesday Test Kitchens
Soak up culinary inspiration at Sid at The French Cafe's Tuesday Test Kitchens. Diners get a taste of all three of chef Sid Sahrawat's award-winning restaurants Sidart, Cassia and Sid at The French Cafe all under one roof with first-time dishes on the menu. $175pp including canapes, six dishes and a glass of champagne, Seedlip cocktail or beer. The first Tuesday of each month from March 3. Book at Sidatthefrenchcafe.co.nz

Hāpi International Beer Festival
Beer lovers from around the country will unite at Wellington's Hāpi International Beer Festival on April 4. The event brings together the best local and international brewers for a mammoth day of tasting. Saturday April 4Tickets on sale now from Eventbrite.co.nz

NEW OPENINGS

Hyderabad Hotel: The new pop-up from Satya's Sammy Akuthota and Garage Project is the place to be over summer. The 1970s Indian hotel lobby-inspired pop-up Hyderabad Hotel dishes up street-food snacks such as Indian-style sloppy joes and toasties, plus biryanis and curry on weekends. Plus Garage Project beers on tap, natural wine, and spiced cocktails. Be sure to try the Beeryani a special rice lager in collaboration with Garage Project to celebrate the opening. Open Wed-Sun. 42 Pollen St, Ponsonby

The courgette sourdough pizza from Clay; fish and chips at Fish Kitchen on Devonport Wharf. Photo / Supplied
The courgette sourdough pizza from Clay; fish and chips at Fish Kitchen on Devonport Wharf. Photo / Supplied

The Oyster Inn: Not technically a new opening but Waiheke Island institution The Oyster Inn is in-store for a freshen up with world-class chef Josh Emett the new owner. The new menu will feature oysters prioritising local Te Matuku Oysters fresh salads through summer, cured or raw fish dishes, and crowd favourites such as fish and chips. The Oyster Inn, 124 Ocean View Rd

VIVA TEAM MENU PICKS

I keep dreaming about going back to try the tiradito from Madame George. Described as the perfect combination of Peruvian ceviche and sashimi, this dish features raw fish covered in housemade citrus chilli sauce. Be sure to pair it with their little sourdough rolls to soak up all the sauce, plus a pisco sour doesn't go amiss either. 490 Karangahape Rd. Saru Krishnasamy, digital editor

I ate this pizza from Clay three nights in a row when they first put it on the menu. Courgette ribbons with sorrel pesto, almond cream and shiso topped with pecorino, it satisfies both the craving for something green and something moreish like pizza. And let's face it, with a sourdough base it's practically a health food! 366 Karangahape Rd.  Rosie Herdman, assistant fashion editor

World-class chef Josh Emett the new owner of Waiheke bistro The Oyster Inn. Photo / Supplied
World-class chef Josh Emett the new owner of Waiheke bistro The Oyster Inn. Photo / Supplied

The fish (with or without chips) at Fish Kitchen on Devonport wharf is good and right now harbourside is the place to be. If you ferry over you can easily join us locals enjoying summer's best addition to the peninsula dining scene. Help those snapper stocks by sampling some other varieties as I've been trying to do lately. Accompany with an inventive cocktail outdoors, looking up to Takarunga/Mount Victoria, or settle back into a booth in the evening for a beer or wine from a short but smart selection. 1 Queens Parade, Devonport.  Janetta Macka, beauty editor

I've wished Janken to forever remain Herne Bay's local secret but it's now packed on any given night. Mercifully it's one of those rare Auckland joints you can actually book. You can't go wrong here; meticulously plated and nourishing Japanese fare with vegetables and vegan mains equally the star. I've recently had the Shojin tofu a house-made variety with a silky, cloud-like interior and crunchy coating of quinoa puffs mopped up with an umami-bomb sesame sauce and a little delicately prepared salad. Utterly delicious. 158 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay. Sarah Downs, writer

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