The paparazzi will be out in force tonight for the opening event of Auckland Restaurant Month. Taking place in the new (and much improved) Imperial Lane and Everybody’s restaurant (off Fort Street), the Official Launch Party is set to draw more celebs than SPQR on a Friday night.
Billed as a “walking degustation”, the party will offer five dishes created by five top Auckland chefs – Simon Gault (Euro), Al Brown (Depot), Sean Marshall (Roxy), Warren Turnbull (District Dining) and Ben Bayly (The Grove). The dishes will be matched with fine New Zealand beer, cider and wine; there will also be entertainment courtesy of superstar DJ Chris Cox, and The Dozen Duo.
The party has a Garden of Eve theme – which puts forward the interesting idea that when Eve tasting the forbidden apple she became the first every epicurean. It’s quite a concept – I expect there will be some partying of a Biblical proportion taking part as the night proceeds.
The launch party isn’t the only great Auckland Restaurant Month event taking part this week. Tomorrow night (August 2) will see Britomart restaurants flinging open their doors for a new millennium take on that most 70s of concepts – the progressive dinner. Entitled a World of Flavour at Britomart, it will showcase the great cuisine this hot new precinct has on offer. Starting at at Tyler Street Garage, diners will “progress” to Cafe Hanoi, before heading on to District Dining. Japanese restaurant Ebisu will follow, and the night will end at the members-only bar at 1885 Britomart.
Two great events will be taking place on Saturday night. Cassette Number Nine will be a Moveable Feast with a 1920s theme. The bar will be transformed into a “speakeasy” for the night; with silent films and burlesque dancers providing entertainment. If you are after something more family friendly, Soul Bar will be putting on a 5-course family dinner that will have you home by 9pm.
Here are the Auckland restaurants taking part in Auckland restaurant month.
Check out our guide to Auckland Restaurant Month.