Burgers and beats this Friday night at Williams Eatery
In anticipation of warmer weather to come, Auckland cafe Williams Eatery is hosting a series of Friday night pop-up events – starting this week on August 18. By night, the team will reopen under the name Benny the Jet, serving a concise menu of cheeseburgers, Impossible cheeseburgers and fries. Photographer Petra Leary will be showing some of her recent works, with a rotating roster of local jazz musos entertaining the crowds. Sawmill Brewery will provide refreshments. August 18, from 5pm. 85 Daldy Street, Auckland.

Coffee Supreme turns 30
Coffee Supreme has been a pioneering presence in Aotearoa’s coffee roasting scene since it was founded in 1993. It officially celebrated its 30th birthday on August 16, and in typical Leo spirit is stretching the celebrations out for the entire month. Grab yourself some special-edition merch including an “expresso” cap, a limited-edition coffee blend (including a coffee tin to keep your beans fresh), and an e-copy of their coffee table book Open Sesame, filled with archival photos and memories from Coffee Supreme’s journey. coffeesupreme.com

A new independent wine shop for Mount Eden
Founded by sommeliers and brothers, Pete and John Connell, and marketer Ashley Roberts, By The Bottle is a wine shop dedicated to organic, small-batch and artisanal wines and beverages. Until now, the store has been virtual – but today they're raising a glass to their next step with the opening of a bricks-and-mortar shop on Mount Eden Road. Head along for your next bottle of pét-nat, orange wine or chilled red, and By The Bottle also stocks a growing selection of boutique non-alcoholic wines such as the very popular Non. By The Bottle opens today at 811 Mount Eden Road.

A fiery event at QT Auckland’s flagship restaurant Esther
The kitchen at Esther, the ground floor restaurant of Viaduct Harbour hotel QT Auckland, is backed by a large open fire – but chef Sean Connolly is taking flame-grilled to the next level at the end of this month with Bonfire at Esther. He’ll be joining the Auckland team on the ground for the ticketed event, to host and cook a four-course dinner over open flames. A bonfire will be set up in the middle of a dinghy in the open courtyard outside the restaurant, and smoke-infused dishes will include
Cloudy Bay clams with prosciutto and samphire; a huge whole lamb and spit-fired pineapple with Amaretto and vanilla bean ice-cream. There will also be mulled wine and live fire-themed entertainment. 6:30pm-10pm, August 31. From $250 per person. Tickets and more details here.

A coffee and chocolate festival is coming to Auckland
On September 9 and 10, more than 50 local chocolatiers and coffee roasters will come together at Queens Wharf venue The Cloud to celebrate the world of expertly crafted sweets and carefully roasted beans. Over the two-day festival, attendees will be able to sample and explore innovations in chocolate and coffee created by craft, artisan and boutique producers. This year’s exhibitors include award-winning craft chocolatier Foundry Chocolate, Baron Hasselhoff’s (which has just opened a new cafe in Wellington) and many more. Find tickets here and more information here

Visa Wellington on a Plate’s Burger Welly festival is on now
Having started on August 11, Visa Wellington on a Plate’s Burger Welly festival is in full swing until August 27. Events we’ve got our eye on include Shepherd Elliot’s Food of the Future at Willis Street restaurant Cinderella – a discussion about what the future of burgers (and cooking them) may look like from a sustainability standpoint. Plus, Beervana is happening this weekend on August 18 and 19 – the ultimate craft beer lovers’ festival. Keep an eye on Visawoap.com for all the latest events.