• A new buffet: As reported in an Aug. 11 online article by the Concord Monitor, a new buffet restaurant will move into the former Red Apple Buffet on Loudon Road in Concord.City Buffet, which will reportedly feature Asian, Chinese-American, and Italian foods, is expected to open in October.
• Third Thursday: Nashua’s Third Thursday event for August, organized by Downtown Nashua Association (6 Main St., Nashua, 883-5700, downtownnashua.org) will take place Thursday, Aug. 20, from 3 to 7 p.m. Enjoy a walk downtown and shop exclusive deals from participating downtown businesses. Participating businesses this month will include Coffee and Kindness, Local Street Eats, San Francisco Kitchen, Stella Blu, Surf Seafood, and Union Public House. Visit downtownnashua.org/third-thursdays.
• Bark you can bite: There will be a bark-making class at Van Otis Chocolates (341 Elm St., Manchester, 627-1611, vanotis.com) Thursday, Aug. 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Participants will take a tour of the Van Otis Chocolate Factory, make their own nutty chocolate customized with their favorite flavors and mix-ins, and eat chocolate. Each guest will take home roughly eight ounces of chocolate bark. Tickets are $49.87.
• Couples cooking class: The Culinary Playground (16 Manning St., Derry, 339-1664, culinary-playground.com) will host Date Night at the Bistro on Friday, Aug. 21, and again on Saturday, Aug. 22. Learn to make a puff pastry tomato tart, blue cheese steak and endive salad, and white wine-poached pears with sweet mascarpone cream. The cost is $180 per couple through the Culinary Playground website.
• Shaken, not stirred: Learn the secret to making outstanding shaken cocktails at Tuscan Market (Tuscan Village, 9 Via Toscana, Salem, 912-5467, tuscanbrands.com), Saturday, Aug. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. Beat the heat with a lineup of impressive seasonal spirits designed to wow your friends. Guests will shake, stir and sip their way through three expertly crafted, seasonally inspired cocktails. Tickets are $60 through the Tuscan Brands website.
• A new Nashua tiki bar: The new Mesozoic Tiki Bar & Lounge (97 Main St., Nashua, 204-5236, mesozoictiki.com) will be open to the public starting Saturday, Aug. 22, from noon to 11 p.m. With a prehistoric decor, Mesozoic will focus on innovative, tropical drinks and sharable small plates. Its formal grand opening and ribbon cutting are expected in September.
• Spirit tasting: There will be a spirit tasting at NH Liquor and Wine Outlet Store #34 in Salem (liquorandwineoutlets.com) from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20. Featured spirits will include Aspen Vodka, Luxardo Espresso Liqueur, and Luxardo Decaf Espresso. This 21+ event is free.
• How to make a classic negroni: Manchester Distillery (284 Willow St., Manchester, 978-308-2867, manchesterdistillery.com) will host The Art of the Negroni on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. This interactive negroni cocktail class will be led by Max from Black Feather Bar. Whether you’re new to classic cocktails or looking to refine your bartending skills, this hands-on class will teach you the techniques and history behind one of the world’s most iconic drinks. The cost is $24.99.
• Knife sharpening: There will be a knife-sharpening class with Alex Roy at Tuscan Market (Tuscan Village, 9 Via Toscana, Salem, 912-5467, tuscanbrands.com), Sunday, Aug. 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. A sharp knife is the cornerstone of any culinary adventure. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to properly sharpen your own kitchen knives using Japanese waterstones with step-by-step guidance. Bring up to two non-serrated knives from home. Knives will be supplied to those who do not have them. Tickets are $50 through the Tuscan Brands website.