Restaurant Month: Get on yer bikes to eat

Cafe Hanoi chef Nathan Houpapa rides a bike around Britomart. Photo / Michael Craig

Downtown Auckland is the place to be next month if you love dining out. Heart of the City's American Express Restaurant Month promises more than 100 dining offers and 30 food-inspired events throughout August.

In one of Restaurant Month's new events, Dinner by Bike, 12 diners will explore Auckland's streets and flavours from a new perspective - a progressive dinner by bicycle. Diners will pedal from Britomart on a route that serves the flavours of Europe, the Middle East and Asia - the entree is at The Black Hoof, main at Ima Cuisine, dessert at Cafe Hanoi and a post-dinner drink at Fukuko. Dinner by Bike is supported by Auckland Transport and guides are from Next Bike. The two organisations have worked together in the past to run cycling art and antique tours, but dining-by-bike is a first. Kathryn King, Auckland Transport walking and cycling manager, says her team is keen for people to have positive experiences and enjoy cycling as part of everyday life, wearing everyday clothes, not just lycra. "Auckland has a fantastic food scene and good food is a popular interest for people," she says. "We wanted to give people who love food a reason to try cycling, something they might not normally do." Cycling novices need not be afraid, though. The Dinner by Bike route is 4km, takes in mostly quieter roads and paths where possible and a safety briefing will be given first.

All riders are expected to understand the road rules and have good basic bike control. Along for the ride will be Auckland Transport walking and cycling team member Anja Vroegop, who has worked with Heart of the City for the past few months to get the event underway.
Check out more about cycling and walking in Auckland here.

Other Restaurant Month highlights

Marvel Grill and Inedit Damm present Hartsyard Sydney
Tuesday, August 4 and Wednesday, August 5, 6.30pm

Head to North Wharf, where Marvel Grill and Inedit Damm are collaborating with Sydney chef Gregory Llewellyn of Hartsyard. The menu has been designed by Llewellyn exclusively for this two-night event and will feature canapes and cocktails followed by four courses. A matching beverage will be served for every course. Inedit Damm is a sophisticated malt and wheat beer created by world-famous chef Ferran Adrià and Estrella Damm's master brewers.

• Marvel Grill, North Wharf, 1 Jellicoe St
• Tickets are $150 per person and can be booked by emailing info@marvelgrill.co.nz or phoning Kim Curtayne (09) 377 8828.

Wine AKL
Friday, August 14, 5pm-8.30pm and Saturday, August 15, Noon-3.30pm and 4.30pm-8pm

The wine buff's ultimate day out returns, featuring drops from more than 80 top New Zealand wineries. Taste your way around the country's vineyards and varietals.

Winemakers will also be at hand to discuss the finer points of each wine. Learn food and wine matching tips from the city's leading restaurateurs and sommeliers, grab a bite to match what you're drinking from the pop-up Euro restaurant on-site, plus catch up with international wine experts.

• Shed 10, Queens Wharf, Quay St, Auckland
• Tickets available from iTicket. Advance sales $25, door sales $30 - including a tasting glass, your first five tastings and a wine guide.

Bollywood Night at iVillage
Saturday, August 22, 6.30pm

Gear up for a glamorous fun and food-filled Bollywood night-themed evening with music and Bhangra dance at IVillage Indian restaurant at Victoria Park.

• 210-218 Victoria St West, Auckland. Includes three courses.
• Tickets $65, available from iTicket.

Street Eats
Saturday, August 29, 10.30-8pm

It's loud, it's busy and it's a whole lot of foodie fun. Auckland's Street Eats returns and has more space and food for you to enjoy. A diverse line-up of central city restaurants will serve their favourite street food in a gourmet hawkers' market, complete with beer and wine bars, live art with Resene, kids' entertainment and live music. Follow your nose and the aromas of exotic spices and grilled meat will lead you towards tasty eats from Mexico, Israel, India, France, Italy and more.

• Shed 10, Queens Wharf, Quay St, Auckland
• $5 entry on the door for adults and free entry for supervised children.

Win a double pass to Dinner by Bike

Dinner by Bike is now sold out, but Living has a double pass prize pack for one lucky reader and their guest to enjoy (both must be aged 18-plus). It includes two tickets to the 5.50pm Dinner by Bike session on August 18 (not transferable) worth $138, a $50 double pass to Wine AKL and Cateye Volt bike lights valued at $180. To enter, visit winwithheraldonsunday.co.nz and enter the key word "Bike". Entries close 5pm on Wednesday, July 29.

Plus:
You could win a $300 double pass to Marvel Grill and Inedit Damm present Hartsyard Sydney on August 5 (you must be 18-plus). To enter, visit winwithheraldonsunday.co.nz and enter the key word "Marvel". Entries close 5pm on July 29.