Restaurant Month 2021 returns more world-class than ever before!
Viv Beck, Heart of the City Chief Executive, says, “The chefs and restaurant talent we have right here in Auckland’s city centre are of superb international quality. Chefs like The Lodge Bar & Dining’s Matt Lambert, La Maree’s Marc de Passorio and The Grove’s Ryan Moore have all led and worked in a number of Michelin-starred venues and dozens more chefs, matre d’s and sommeliers are at the top of their game. In the past, we have flown in international chefs for Restaurant Month, but this year’s local line-up holds its own.”
Now in its eleventh year, Restaurant Month is serving up some fresh additions in 2021.
Appearing for the first time is The Social Hour, a perfect cocktail and sharing plate-matched opportunity to catch up with friends in your choice of 19 of the city centre‘s finest bars.
With pairings like an Oolong tea-infused whisky cocktail matched with dim sum or a Negroni imbued with smoke and chardonnay matched with kawakawa gouda croquettes, The Social Hour will please the palate, the mind and the wallet at just $40 for two cocktails and a sharing plate.
Also new on the menu for 2021 are three Extraordinary Evenings of dining – including an immersive and imaginative tour and dinner at Weta Workshop Unleashed, a chance to eat your way across the Italian Alps and an exclusive Logan Brown reunion dinner celebrating with the only two head chefs to have led the esteemed kitchen since its opening 25 years ago.
Plus, there are many more restaurant events serving everything from drag queen realness to margarita making classes.
On the table once more are 100+ specially created menus at the price points of $25, $40 and $55+, and the chance to get up close and personal with some of the city centre’s amazing culinary talent via six Chef’s Table Series dinners.
Beck says that Restaurant Month gives diners a great opportunity to get out and experience the city centre and its restaurants.
Chef’s Table Series
Get up close and personal with six of the city centre’s exceptional chefs for an evening of gourmet grandness.
Experience the dishes these chefs have loved and been inspired by throughout their own gastronomical journeys.
- 5 August – Chef’s Table at Euro with Gareth Stewart and Uelese Mua
- 10 August – Chef’s Table at Lodge Bar & Dining with Matt Lambert
- 11 August – Chef’s Table at The Grove with Ryan Moore
- 12 August – Chef’s Table at MASU with Nic Watt
- 18 August – Chef’s Table at La Maree with Marc de Passorio
- 19 August – Chef’s Table at Mr Morris with Michael Meredith
Extraordinary Evenings
Logan Brown Reunion – with Des Harris and Shaun Clouston at FISH Restaurant
Diners can expect champagne, opera and most certainly the return of the Wellington restaurant’s paua ravioli.
It’s estimated the kitchens at Logan Brown have dished up more than 1 million servings of this iconic and quintessentially Kiwi dish.
12 August – Eating the Italian Alps – with Gavin Doyle and Giapo Grazioli at SOUL Bar & Bistro
The culinary minds behind the waterfront-favourite SOUL Bar & Bistro and Giapo haute ice cream parlour join together in celebration of Italian cuisine finishing with an exclusive, never-before-seen Giapo creation!
27 August – MASU Unleashed – with Nic Watt at MASU
Expect the unexpected in this Weta Workshop Unleashed dining event where the super-cool meets the super weird in a world where flavours, fantasy, and reality collides.
Restaurant Hosted Events
1st & 8th August – Margarita Masterclass at Ceviche Bar by Besos Latinos
Learn how to create your own Patron Perfect Margarita while nibbling on delicious treats from Chef Luis
4th August – Culprit Trolly Dollies
Drag Race meets trolley service with Anita Wigl’it and friends; each introducing a course inspired by themselves
Every Thursday to Sunday, throughout August – Contemporary Afternoon Tea at Bellini Hilton Auckland
Step into the dreamy surrounds of Bellini and enjoy a divine afternoon at Auckland’s most indulged afternoon tea, complete with a selection of teas and deliciously crafted sweet and savoury treats.
14th August – Vivace’s Annal Long Lunch with Paolo Pancotii
A long afternoon of Tuscan dining, starting with a complimentary drink on arrival along with four delicious courses
29th August – Soul Punch – Up to Snow Good
SOUL Bar & Bistro are embracing the cooler months in the most perfect way – food, fun, a license to chill – your beverages that is – and of course dancing on tables.
Tickets and more information about Restaurant Month can be found here, it is recommended to book tickets to events early and making reservations with restaurants to avoid disappointment.
