Look, if anyone understands the urge to hibernate during the winter, it's me. As an introverted homebody (and Virgo) who now considers two cocktails a rowdy night out, it takes a lot to coax me out of my comfies these days, particularly when the weather is wet, windy and best avoided.
However, while Auckland - a city renowned for its pristine beaches, stunning scenery and active lifestyle - can often seem uninspiring during the winter doldrums, there are still a number of events one can enjoy; the hardest part is dragging yourself away from Love Island long enough to make it there (Davide and Ekin-Su for the win).
There are a number of pop-ups running in the Super City throughout the following month, so if you're feeling uninspired and want to beat the winter blues, never fear: we've rounded up a few of our top foodie picks for a good time in Tāmaki Makaurau. Just pull on a parka, grab a brolly and off you go.
Bon Appétit with Stella Artois
If a romantic Paris getaway isn't quite feasible, this pop-up series with Stella Artois could be just the ticket - bringing the taste of Parisian cuisine to Auckland's iconic Karangahape Road.
Bon Appétit with Stella Artois marks a delicious collaboration with K Road's Atelier, a casual yet refined wine bar and restaurant known for its cocktails and French sharing plates. Bringing an immersive Parisian experience to you and yours, the dining series pays homage to Stella Artois' European heritage and aims to recreate a romantic French-inspired feast, perfectly paired with a pint (or two).
Running over four weeks on consecutive Tuesdays throughout July and August, Bon Appétit with Stella Artois aims to transport its guests from wintry Auckland to a Parisian oasis, providing a night of conversation and connection.
Guests are ushered into Atelier's romantic, dimly lit restaurant and served a series of dishes focused on French techniques and flavours while heroing local produce. To encourage conversation and reconnection with your loved ones, guests are supplied with 'connection containers'; small boxes for phones or other distractions to help you focus on your food and companions.
The bespoke service costs $80 per head and includes dining and entertainment alongside two chalices of Stella Artois. Bon Appétit with Stella Artois will be at Atelier for eight public sittings and bookings are essential.
Bon Appétit with Stella Artois sittings:
- Tuesday, July 26: 6pm – 8pm, 8:30pm – 10:30pm
- Tuesday, August 2: 6pm – 8pm, 8:30pm – 10:30pm
- Tuesday, August 9: 6pm – 8pm, 8:30pm – 10:30pm.
Tanabata at MASU
House of Suntory's Haku Vodka has teamed up with MASU by Nic Watt to bring the traditional Japanese festival of Tanabata to the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau throughout July and August.
A mainstay of Auckland's culinary scene, the lauded Japanese eatery is situated beneath the Sky Tower in the Central Business District and has cultivated a reputation for its delicious barbecue dishes and locally sourced sushi. MASU founder and restauranteur Nic Watt, who lived and trained in Japan for a number of years, has a deep-seated affinity and adoration for the culture and is known for his passion for the art of Japanese cuisine.
As ancient legend tells, star-crossed deities Orihime and Hikoboshi were once banished to opposite sides of the Milky Way and were only allowed to reunite once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month - translated, Tanabata means "evening of the seventh". For over 1000 years, the observance of their annual union in the skies above Japan has been marked by colourful decorations throughout towns and villages, along with parades, banqueting, drinking and games.
To capture the essence of the traditional Tanabata festival, MASU has undergone a transformation with beautiful light displays, fukinagashi streamers and customary Tanabata bamboo 'wishing trees' to create a vibrant celebration of Japanese mythology. One of the most iconic symbols of the festival - long strips of colourful paper known as 'tanzaku', to be inscribed with guests' wishes - are also on display.
The limited-time event provides an immersive experience for guests, including a new Fuyu (winter) menu featuring contemporary Japanese fare and bespoke Haku vodka-based cocktails, crafted by MASU's award-winning mixologist. The creations include the Tanabata bamboo – cacao-infused Haku with mango and strawberry - and Orihime – cherry blossom mirin, strawberry and vanilla.
Tanabata runs from July 1 to August 13, 2022 and bookings are essential via MASU.
The Curious AF Bottle Shop: Curious Collection Week
Officially opening in Ponsonby Central last month, The Curious AF Bottle Shop has almost run its course, but is open for just one more week until Sunday, July 31 - so best to get in quick.
In a bid to combat the social stigmas surrounding sobriety, Lisa King, the founder of Eat My Lunch and AF Drinks, opened the pop-up shop to offer sober curious or teetotal Kiwis a more diverse range of alcohol-free options.
Providing patrons with the opportunity to sample some of the newest and finest alcohol-free refreshments being served around the globe, the pop-up features a carefully curated selection of zero-alcohol beverages for customers to see, try and buy, offering a modern take on the traditional grog shop.
Patrons heading to the pop-up can expect to enjoy a curated path of discovery that introduces them to some of the best alcohol-free pre-mixed drinks, spirits, wines, beers and ciders on the market, delivering an inviting and aesthetically pleasing experience.
More than 34 different drinks are available to sample or purchase, including bubbles from Italy and Australia, wines from Sweden and South Africa and beers from Canada, the US, the Netherlands, Germany and England - as well as AF Drinks' alcohol-free gin, whiskey, rum and sake-based drinks.
Each week, the team has offered visitors a different tasting experience: while weeks one to five have already passed, week six - Curious Collection Week - is open from Monday, July 25 to Sunday, July 31.
