Category: LONDON

There’s a new street carnival coming to London: The New Street Summer Carnival

New Street London festival 1

This Friday, just before the madness of World Pride descends onto London town, New Street Grill, Fish Market, Old Bengal Bar and New Street Wine will join forces to host a fiery fiesta of fun to launch their two new summer terraces, The Backyard BBQ Garden and Chippy in the City. They’ll be keeping the whole set up open until September, but keeping it fresh with a number of residences taking over so they can transform the spaces into summertime havens and a retreat from the hustle and bustle of nearby Liverpool Street. From 5 July, the space will take on a carnival vibe, complete with bottomless booze, delicious street food, live entertainment, gin and vodka masterclasses and wine tasting. Complete with DJs in the evening to other entertainment, food will be plentiful with food truck Chippy in The City serving up seafood plates with Moet & Chandon whilst the The Backyard BBQ Garden will feature STAKEhaus specials and classics alongside Peroni beer. If that’s not enough, Old Bengal Bar will be serving up The Backyard BBQ Garden Menu with Peroni beers, too. The BBQ menu will consist of Aberdeen Angus & Hereford beef burger; Suffolk Texel cross lamb shoulder with minted yoghurt and the Buttermilk marinated chicken. There’s a lot more going on, too, check out the full spread at the New Street website.

Mr Fogg’s London and Penhaligon’s launch a new cocktail

Mr Foggs Penhaligons cocktail 1

Mr Fogg’s is not just an establishment, it’s an experience. Much like Penhaligon’s don’t just do scents, they do olfactory adventures you never want to end. Join the two together and you’ve got one insane combination of two of Britain’s leading brands in lifestyle that are making some serious magic for everyone to enjoy. Mr Fogg’s Residence in Mayfair along with Penhaligon’s has a new limited edition, Liquid Gold cocktail inspired by the historic brand’s newest fragrance, Cairo.  From 26 June, the drink will be available in Mr Fogg’s Residence for one month only. Inspired by Cairo – part of Penhaligon’s new Trade Routes collection – it’s a vibrant perfume centred on the richness and sensuality of the fabled Egyptian city. Using iconic ingredients from the ancient spice trade route – saffron and woods – the scent takes inspiration from perfumer Christophe Raynaud’s recent travels to Egypt.  The Liquid Gold cocktail features a muddle of Henricks Gin, Fernet Branca, lemon juice, vanilla syrup and egg white. it all makes for a light, super smooth cocktail, the concoction is garnished with edible gold vanilla spray, patchouli incense which is set alight before being served, and hibiscus powder, mirroring the floral and earthy notes found in the fragrance.  To try it for yourself, make a booking at the Residence now.

Morty & Bob’s London team up with Patty & Bun do toasties right

Mprty Bobs toastie 3

For a while now, Morty & Bob’s have been doing their Melt Collaborations, partnerships of awesomeness that mean they pump out some seriously delicious food alongside other people who do the same. The latest in the line up? Patty & Bun who’ve joined forces to create a special, drool-worthy burger-inspired toastie for the month of July. It’s called the Jose Jose Grilled Cheese and will use flavours from Patty & Bun’s Jose Jose Burger, available at Morty & Bob’s in Coal Drops Yard from 1 July.  The new piece will combine sobrassada – a raw, cured sausage from the Balearic Islands – along with paprika, capsicum and pickled onions with the end result being similar, and as tasty as Patty & Bun’s Jose Jose Chilli Burger with the addition of Morty & Bob’s secret recipe of oozing melted cheese.  It’s the kind of thing you need in your mouth, in your life and on your mind; so go, while it lasts. Find Morty & Bob’s here.

7 very London ways to get around Wimbledon this summer

Social Servce tennis 1

It’s always a good time for tennis, but there’s no time as perfect for it in London than summer – because, Wimbledon! The tournament of all tournaments sees the world’s top tennis player descend on London for all the good stuff until one of them outdoes them all. Wanna watch the carnage? Of course you do. Wanna eat tennis-themed desserts? Who doesn’t. Here’s where to go in London: The Colton Arms in West Kensington From 1-14 July, they’re doing a picnic hamper equipped with everything to make the day extra special, like salt beef Scotch eggs, fennel and apricot sausage rolls; artichoke, sun blushed tomato and goats cheese pasties; smoked chalk stream trout, cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches; topped off with a traditional mini Eton mess. Get it for £25 – to pre-order your hamper for collection please call 0203 757 8050 or email info@thecoltonarms.co.uk – you can even drop by in person The Hayden in Notting Hill The movie didn’t do this joint enough justice, so head to The Hayden in Notting Hill to try The Ace cocktail. It’s all about a combination of Eristoff vodka, Midori, sweet & sour mix, topped with egg white and a cucumber ribbon garnish. The pub will also be screening the tournament, so you never have to miss a match. get it for £10.50 from 1-14 July. The Waterway in Maida Vale They’re putting on ‘The Smash’ cocktail, a delicious blend of crushed fresh strawberries shaken with Beefeater Gin, velvet falernum, coconut water, lime juice, monin grenadine and cream. Yum! Get it for £9 from 1-14 July. Brasserie Blanc all over London They’ve made a Strawberry Smash dessert… Read More

Rainbow brunch for London Pride: VIVI Restaurant and Bar goes gay

VIVI_Pride (19 of 32)

As rainbows descend on the city of London for Pride this month, you can’t hide away from the fact that as sure as gay is here to stay, you need to eat. So, with that in mind, VIVI Restaurant and Bar in London – see more of it here – is putting on a spread worthy of a kween. Kicking off at 11.30am, VIVI will open up the menu for anyone to enjoy three courses of delicious colourful brunch dishes and bottomless bubbles, Bloody Marys or Aperol Spritzes alongside live music from London’s hottest DJs playing the best of Cher, Gaga and much more! Tickets are £35 for the three-course brunch, and you can go bottomless for just £17.50 extra. VIVI will donate £1 from each ticket to LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity akt. Get your ticket at this website.

Bluebird Cafe London is putting on a frozen afternoon tea with Halo Top icecream

Halo Top Bluebird

This American Independence Day, we’ll be celebrating in our own way across the pond in London: Bluebird Cafe is doing something new. Renowned as one of the places to go in Chelsea and White City, Bluebird Cafe is joining up with the American icecreamers, Halo Top, to put on a frozen afternoon tea you want to try. It’s all for National Icecream Month and will be all about dazzling locals combining classic cakes with playful ice cream flavours. The two names in food have worked closely to create a special take on the traditional afternoon tea, fusing unique ice cream flavours with classic desserts. Complete with heart-stoppingly sweet ‘freak shakes’ of cookies ‘n’ cream with whipped cream and a chocolate slice, or a boozy iced tea for those wanting to spice things up, it’s a far cry from your regular Thursday wind-down bevs. Here’s more of the menu to look forward to: Gateau Opera Birthday Cake: an elegant, sprinkled cake layered with a vanilla sponge and birthday cake flavoured ice cream Strawberry Cheesecake Stick: a strawberry cheesecake ice cream stick dipped in white chocolate and topped with dried strawberries Cinnamon Roll Royale: an ode to another very special British/American pairing, this cinnamon roll ice cream treat is lined with candied apples, piped into a ginger snap cylinder and topped with burnt meringue, similar to a classic American pie flavour in a crisp British ginger snap Candy Bar Macaron: a luxe ice cream sandwich in the form of a macaron filled with candy bar ice cream… Read More

Celebrate World Pride London at the LaLit Hotel

LaLiT Pride brunch 3

London’s gone rainbow for World Pride 2019, which will hit the city this Saturday, 6 July and what better way to celebrate than with food and drink? Hotel icon the LaLit London will put on a spread across two days, one for celebrating and the other for lamenting how hard you went; ideal for any party-goer. Friday 5 July will see them turn their Indian offering at Baluchi into an explosion of gay goodness, featuring drag, dining and debauchery. Think, a decadent four course dinner, canapes and drinks, all curated by chef Santosh Shah and an-hour-and-a-half of free-flowing prosecco, wine or beer. Star studded acts include trans icon Amanda Lepore, and the wildly distorted and ever avant-garde Hungry, plus many more. Diner’s £130 per person and you can grab tickets here. Meanwhile, the morning after wouldn’t be complete with a stylish simmer session, putting on all kinds of glamorousness to help ease the headache away. A hearty brunch comprising hair of the dog, the Pride brunch menu will include the likes of samosa chaat with sweet yogurt and tamarind chutney, and slow-braised pork belly with honey and chilli glaze. All from 12-2 it’s £40 a pop. Get tickets here.

Where to eat the best oysters in London this summer

Oyster Chop House 1

For the times you just need the flavours of the ocean and you’re nowhere near one to get your fix, the Butlers Wharf Chop House is calling your name. Combined with fine English sparkling wine, Nyetimber, the two brands are bringing London what they’re calling The Oyster Shack. It’s open from 5 June – 31 August and will live in the foyer of the restaurant. They new pop up will specialise in the world-famous Colchester Rock Oysters with their meaty and firm texture, served alongside Nyetimber’s high-quality and complex sparkling wine. They’re also doing packages, of the likes of: Four Colchester Rock Oysters with a glass of Nyetimber Brut (£21.50) four Colchester Rock Oysters and two glasses of Nyetimber Brut (£32); dozen Colchester Rock Oysters and a bottle of Nyetimber Brut (£95); and a seasonal seafood platter (£46).  For more or to make a booking to visit, head to the Chophouse’s website, or find it at 36e Shad Thames, London SE1 2YE.

Autumn literature season at London’s Southbank stars Louis Theroux, Nadiya Hussain and more

Louis Theroux

Southbank in London, right along the Thames is where the city’s cultural centre really shines. From the National Theatre, to the Southbank Centre and the current Underbelly Festival that’s on right near The London Eye, there’s a lot to choose from; and now, thanks to the Southbank Centre, there’s even more. They’ve just announced their most jam-packed literature season to date with more than 35 events taking place from September to December 2019 across its three auditoriums: the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room as well as in its National Poetry Library, Hayward Gallery and foyer spaces. It’s a whole season of non-fiction talks and discussions with leading writers and thinkers on topics from atheism to parenting to talking to strangers. It’ll also come with a raft of activities by leading authors who’ll talk about all things fiction, TV faces and comedians, reflecting on their careers with the launch of new books, live readings, panel discussions and new creative writing and poetry courses. Here are some of the highlights to look forward to: Talks and in conversation events with leading writers and thinkers including psychotherapist Philippa Perry, science writer Richard Dawkins, cartoonist Randall Munroe, writer Will Self and journalist Malcolm Gladwell Appearances from TV personalities including documentary filmmaker Louis Theroux, Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski and The Great British Bake Off’s Nadiya Hussain who launch new books Comedians Richard Ayoade, in conversation with Adam Buxton, Sara Pascoe and Lenny Henry discussing new books whilst Hannah Gadsby brings her live show Douglas to Royal Festival Hall London exclusive appearances from award-winning fiction writers Malorie Blackman, Etgar… Read More

Movies on the beach in London: Fulham Beach Club Cinema opens

Fulham Beach Club cinema

Think bottomless popcorn, prosecco and a little ‘beach’ action, right in the middle of London: the Beach Club Cinema is here. Fulham Beach is being turned into a full cinematic experience, complete with al fresco set-up, to host weekly film nights, taking place every Tuesday throughout summer.  Complete with spectacular views over the London skyline, the Beach Club Cinema also comes with comfy deckchairs with blankets to keep the evening chill away, as well as the usual sound quality, food and quality movies you’d expect of a night at the cinema.  Each screening starts at 7:30pm, and is limited to 50 tickets. From award-winning movies, to cult classics and weepy rom-coms, the schedule features: the best damn romantic motion picture to grace the big screen, The Notebook; Cameron Diaz’s breakout role in There’s Something About Mary; leather pants and slicked back hair galore in Grease; 80s iconic film Dirty Dancing; and early noughties favourite featuring babyface Leo Dicaprio, The Beach, plus many more.  See more about tickets and get your own here, or here’s the info you need to know: Price: £15 for entry, film and seat and bottomless popcorn£30 for entry, film, seat, glass of prosecco, bottomless popcorn and a pizza£45 for two people with entry, film, seat, bottomless popcorn, pizza to share and glass of prosecco eachUnder 10 yrs: £10 for entry, film and seat and bottomless popcorn and soft drinks for under 10’s Schedule: 18th June The Notebook25th June There?s Something About Mary 2nd July Grease9th July Dirty Dancing 16th July The Beach 23rd July A… Read More