Category: CITIES

100 years of Negroni: Strazzanti London hosts a new supper club in the city

Fratelli Fresh Negroni cocktail drink Sydney 2

Updated: 30/05/2019

Over an exclusive four nights from 24-30 June, Strazzanti – London’s Italian restaurant haven – will host an homage to the humble Negroni; the drink of champions. 100 years ago, the drink was concocted for the first time, cementing itself in the history books as a drink of refinement and taste and the prime use for Italy’s most renowned export (other than pasta), Campari. Chef Emilia Strazzanti has collaborated with Campari and Gin Ondina to coincide with Negroni Week (24th-30th June 2019) in east London’s drinking den TT Liquor, where they’ll host an Italian-inspired supper club, complete with a four-course dinner, cocktail pairings and bespoke Italian installations. From 26-29 June, The Sicilian Supper Club will be an intimate and relaxed setting to celebrate the evolution of the Negroni, amongst decorations by McQueens Florist that’ll transform the space into a botanical wonderland, filled with delicate trailing foliage, potted herbs, prickly pear plants, and a window display of lush greenery. Menu for the four days includes the best of this season’s produce along with showcasing the fresh, diverse and yet the simplicity of mediterranean flavours from Italy. Think, an assortment of Aperitivo and Stuzzichini, including Zucchine with Almonds, and heavenly deep-fried Primo Sale cheese, with honey and Sicilian oregano, which will be enjoyed with an Ondina Basil G&T. Other antipasti plates will include crowd-pleasing wild fennel, pork belly and mozzarella croquettes, Capulitatu & fresh tomatoes with Sicilian oregano & fresh buffalo Ricotta cheese; served with E5s Hackney Wild Bread. The sharing plates will be served with an… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, ITALIAN FOOD, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: London cocktails, London cocktails guide, London negroni week, London Negronis, negroni, Negroni Strazzanti London, negroni week, Strazzanti London

Eco-friendly apple brandy Avallen Calvados hits London

by James Banham

Posted: 30/05/2019

If there’s one thing the world needs more of, it’s bees. So when Tim Etherinton-Judge and Stephanie Jordan discovered a world where orchards, cows, birds and bees work in perfect harmony, they knew they could do something that improved the sustainability of the world of alcohol as well as the world of bees. Together, they’ve launched the new, sustainable brandy label Avallen Calvados; purposed to be delicious and drinkable, as well as promote the message to #beepositive. Born out of a shared passion for traditional spirits and sustainable products, it’s been founded with the intention to re-ignite Calvados, one of the world’s great brandies, and have a positive impact on the wild bee populations in the markets where it is sold. Their program helps bee populations around the world with their #BeePositive message by donating €0,50 of profit for every bottle sold to organisations dedicated to restoring and protecting the most important of insects as well as a commitment to plant 100,000 wild flowers over the next 3 years across the globe in aid of helping our forever declining bee population. The new batch is fresh, fruity and proudly apple forward in its flavour profile. Aged in French oak barrels for two years and bottled at 40%, it’s a drop made from nothing but real apples, water and time. See more about Avallen Calvados at their website or head to sustainable London bar, Nine Lives to try it for yourself.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Apple brandy, Avallen Calvados, Bee Brandy, brandy, London blog, London Brandy, London food blog, New brandy

Feel Good Festival, London: Geffrye Museum gardens in Hoxton come to life in June

by James Banham

Updated: 30/05/2019

The Geffrye Museum might be shut until next year because of extensive renos and upgrades, but that doesn’t mean everything comes to a halt. On Saturday 1 June from 10.30am – 4pm (free entry), the gardens out the front of the museum will come to life with the Feel Good Festival, a free event for anyone who’s into wellbeing and feeling fine. The festival will encourage people to feel good moving, making, eating and relaxing and celebrating primarily Turkish, Cypriot and Vietnamese culture especially as it champions working in partnership with the local community. On offer will be activities for everyone like building up an appetite doing tai chi, yoga or Zumba; origami, Turkish marbling or planter making, outdoor games or just chilling out with something tasty on hand. The event has been programmed in collaboration with the museum’s local community partners: Centre 151, Derman, Hackney Cypriot Association, and Islington & Shoreditch and Lien Viet Housing Association. Head over to the Geffrye gardens at 136 Kingsland Road, London, E2 8EA.

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Feel Good Festival, Geffrye Museum, Geffrye Museum London, THE F Feel Good Festival, The F London

There’s a huge Leonardo da Vinci exhibition coming to London

by James Banham

Updated: 29/05/2019

From June to September this year at the British Library, one of the biggest collections of things to come from the hands of Leonardo da Vinci is going ton display. And you can see it all. Leo died over 500 years ago this year, so to commemorate the man, there’s a bit going on around London to shed some light on the great man and mind. The exhibition, Leonardo da Vinci: A Mind in Motion will reveal how Leonardo believed motion to be the ‘cause of all life’. Known first and foremost as an artist, Leonardo’s notebooks reveal his close observations, detailed recording and systematic analysis of movement in nature, with a particular emphasis on water in motion and the exhibition will explore how this relates to his work as an artist and inventor. It’ll be one hell of a coming together of work by the man, renowned for so much, hailed by so many and honoured by even more for so much of what we understand and appreciate today. See the exhibition from 7 June to 8 September at the British Library, 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Imaginary Cities: The new exhibition at the British Library

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

There’s a new, free exhibition open at the British Library in London that’s all about four fantastical, technology-based art installations inspired by historic urban maps. By artist-in-residence, Michael Takeo Magruder, the work is staged in the Library’s Entrance Hall gallery and explores the creative potential of archives and collections in the digital age. The works are creative pieces based off four 19th-century maps of London, Paris, New York and Chicago from a collection of 50,000 images found within the British Library’s One Million Images from Scanned Books collection. The whole thing is about the coming together of digital technologies and traditional fine art processes. It also includes a virtual reality cityscape based on New York City which is generated anew each day to reflect the live, ever-changing visitor data. See the exhibition for free from 5 April to 14 July at the British Library, 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: art, British Library, British Library London, London art, London blog, London blogger, The F London

Gin and exploration: Mr Fogg’s London turns the clock back by 100 years

by James Banham

Posted: 29/05/2019

There were no Google maps, no iPhones, no EPIRBs, no satellite tracking, bags weren’t make of tough stuff, shoes weren’t as advanced as they are now and – let’s be honest – people just weren’t as fit as we are today. This situation – and even more disconnected if you go even further back – indicate the conditions under which most of the world was discovered, trekked through, divulged and unveiled to one or many explorers through history and this summer in London, Mr Fogg’s is giving you a chance to learn all about it. It’s called the Mr Fogg’s Explorer Series and this June, it’ll host two dudes called the Turner Twins, modern day explorers who’ll be discussing how hard it was to be an explorer 100 years ago compared to the modern day. On 3 June, you’ll be taken on a journey as the two of them look back at the challenges faced by explorers all those years ago, battling against the elements with almost none of the technology and equipment explorers have today. With stories from their latest mission of reaching the world’s eight poles of inaccessibility, you can sit back and listen to the highs and lows of the adventure so far, with Tanqueray No. Ten gin cocktails in hand. The Turner Twins are charitably-minded modern day explorers who’ve made it their life’s mission to chart the unconventional life path that has seen them searching for answers by embarking on a series of challenges that combines pioneering medical research and unique studies of… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Exploration, London bars, Mr Foggs, Mr Foggs London, Turner Twins

Panama House on Bondi Beach: Mexican inspired food by the beach

by James Banham

Posted: 27/05/2019

For the times you need a decent feed, inspired by South America but without the effort of having to travel, think Panama House. Right on Bondi Beach, it’s open plan, airy, got views for days and a menu that’ll have you wanting to come that often, too, serving up Mexican-inspired goods that are simple, honest, easy and delicious. They specialise in brunch and dinner, honing in on what makes the best of their menu worth the seaside trip and why their dining room is in such high demand. With a menu that stars the likes of huevos rancheros with flour and corn tortillas, scrambled eggs, cheese, veracruz beans, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo; fajitas of spiced beef cheek, green mole chicken, confit pork jowl, slaw, veracruz beans, pico, guacamole, sour cream, flour tortillas as well as bourbon-smoked corn fritters with avocado, poached egg, ranch dressing, it’s pretty whole and damn nice. For those after something a touch more substantial, think buttermilk fried chicken burgers with mixed leaf, apple-cabbage slaw, american cheese, lime aíoli, hot sauce, hand-cut fries as well as tacos, salads and a full range of cocktails with super fun names. The creative cocktail list stars winners like “Once Apon A Time in Jalisco” made of vanilla tromba blanco tequila, pampelle grapefruit aperitif, passion fruit, pineapple, lemon, egg; “Caught In The Rain” concocted from plantation pineapple rum, passion fruit curd, coco-pina puree, tempus fugit banane liqueur; and a sweet, kicky “Beneath The City Lights” made with waqar pisco, lillet blanc, pierre ferrand curacao,… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: bondi restaurants, Mexican food Sydney, Mexican Sydney, Pamana Hosue Bondi review, Panama House Bondi, Panana House, sydney restaurants, the f sydney

A 315 year first: The National Gallery London brings Titian’s work back together

by James Banham

Posted: 26/05/2019

The National Gallery in London is doing something that hasn’t been done in a very, very, very long time. They’re bringing five works by Titian back together for their latest exhibition, Titian: Love, Desire, Death from 16 March to 14 June next year. MORE: The National Gallery’s celebrating Artemisia Gentileschi What does it mean? Well, five of Titian’s greatest works – he was regarded as the most important member of the 16th-century Venetian school – of large-scale mythological paintings, known as the poesie, will be brought together for the first time since 1704 at the National Gallery, which for fans of the period is quite the thing. The pieces were painted between around 1551 to 1562 and are amongst the most original visual interpretations of Classical myth of the early modern era and are touchstone works in the history of European painting for their rich, expressive rendering. The paintings that’re being brought together are: Danaë (1551–3, The Wellington Collection, Apsley House) Venus and Adonis (1554, Prado, Madrid) Diana and Actaeon (1556-9) Diana and Callisto (1556-9) Rape of Europa (1562) from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston. The National Gallery’s own Death of Actaeon (1559-75), originally conceived as part of the series, but only executed much later and never delivered, will also be included in London. See more about the exhibition to come and plan your visit to the Gallery at their website. Feature image credit: Apollo

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: National Gallery exhibitions, National Gallery London, National Gallery London Titian, National Gallery Trafalgar Square exhibitions, THE F art blog, The F London, Titian artist

How to picnic in London: The Arch London’s posh picnic hampers

by James Banham

Posted: 26/05/2019

Is there anything more quintessentially English than a picnic in the park? Probably not. Which is why the The Arch London has done all the thinking for you and is offering the experience up at a park of your choosing – Hyde Park is probably easiest – with their new posh picnic hampers. The Arch’s picnic hampers offer up a nice taste of Hunter 486 restaurant’s critically acclaimed Best of British-inspired menu. Think, a chilled bottle of sparkling wine and gourmet delights including homemade chips with sea salt, lemon and sage; a selection of sandwiches including English cheddar with apple and raisin chutney with sun blushed tomato salad; coronation chicken with baby gem, and coriander cress salad; smoked salmon with lemon butter and cracked black pepper on brown bread; Jersey royal potato salad with apple and mustard dressing; raspberry and pistachio trifle; battenburg; and homemade muffins. If that’s not a spread, what is? Get it for £100 for two from 28 May to 9 September 2019, it’s a posh little hamper that covers all bases for a chill Sunday afternoon, a romantic proposal or any celebration that requires major cuteness. Get them from The Arch London, 50 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London W1H 7FD. To book, head to thearchlondon.com

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Best picnic spots, How to picnic in London, London picnic, Picnic hampers, Picnic in London, The Arch London, The Arch picnic hampers, The F London

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is coming to London

by James Banham

Updated: 28/05/2019

This June, London will come alive to the tune of its collection of Hong Kong boats that’ll do battle for top honours in the middle of town. The dragon boat festival takes place each year at the London Regatta Centre in the city’s Docklands, with up to 40 teams battling it out for top honours. The festival also includes live music, dragon dancing and much more. On top of all that, it’s food, food, food around the city, offering fans of Asian cuisine one hell of a spread in the way of sticky rice dumplings, abalone and mushroom dumplings and heaps of other Chinese staples at the Royal China restaurants that’ll offer traditional Hong Kong Chinese dishes. And if that’s not enough, the Royal China Club will provide an exclusive experience combining European ingredients within the authentic Chinese cuisine. Find out more and make a booking at the Royal China website.

Category: ASIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: best dumplings London, Dragon Boats, Dragon Boats London, London dumplings, Royal China London, Royal China London Dragon Boat challenge, Where is Royal China London

ARTS & CULTURE

Yayoi Kasuma makes more history at NGV Melbourne

22/11/2024

By James Banham

This summer, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne invites you to lose yourself in the extraordinary universe of Yayoi Kusama.

Why rush to see The Great Mughals at V&A: a celebration of opulence, art and culture

22/11/2024

By James Banham

Today, the Victoria and Albert Museum opens the doors to a landmark exhibition, The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence. For the first time in a major show, the monumental artistic achievements of the Mughal Empire’s ‘Golden Age’ (c. 1560–1660) take centre stage, showcasing the splendour, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange that defined one of the world’s greatest empires. The Glory of the Mughals The Mughal dynasty, rooted in Central Asia, was founded in 1526 by Babur, a Timurid prince who carved out an empire stretching from modern-day Afghanistan to the edges of southern India, and from Gujarat to the borders of present-day Bangladesh. At its zenith, the empire was known for its staggering wealth, progressive governance, and artistic innovation. Focused on the reigns of three of the dynasty’s most celebrated emperors—Akbar (r. 1556–1605), Jahangir (r. 1605–1627), and Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658)—the exhibition illuminates a period when the Mughal court transformed into a cultural powerhouse. These were the rulers who commissioned masterpieces like the Taj Mahal and fostered an artistic legacy that blended Persian, Indian, and European influences. Unveiling the Court’s Creative Mastery At the heart of the exhibition are over 200 objects, breathtaking in both their beauty and their historical value. Visitors can expect to marvel at exquisite paintings, intricately illustrated manuscripts, luxurious textiles, vibrantly hued carpets, and dazzling objects crafted from mother of pearl, jade, rock crystal, and precious metals. Many of these treasures have been hidden from public view for decades, making this a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in the artistry of… Read More

A Golden Adventure awaits at the Australian Museum with new Machu Picchu Exhibition

21/11/2024

By Danielle Kirk

Sydney, prepare yourselves for a cultural gold rush. From November 23, the Australian Museum is rolling out its latest blockbuster, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. This dazzling exhibition is your passport to ancient Peru, featuring 134 priceless treasures from the land of the Incas and 14,000 years of history. Think glittering jewels, royal tomb artefacts, and a VR journey to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s more than a history lesson—it’s a time machine with all the bells, whistles, and human sacrifice relics you could dream of. Following the success of the Ramses Exhibition at the Australian Museum (fun fact, it became the highest grossing exhibition in the State’s history, selling over 500,000 tickets!), Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is created in partnership with Peru’s Museo Larco, Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon, and Neon Global, taking you on a journey through five ancient Peruvian empires, spanning over 3,000 years of rich history. Parts of the collection have only been shown in four other cities around the world, in fact, some of the artefacts have never left Peru before, and now we’re lucky to set sights on them in Sydney. Expect to see the most opulent Andean gold collection to ever leave Peru, intricate ceremonial masks, and objects that whisper secrets of long-lost rituals. For the tech-savvy explorers, the Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor VR experience will transport you above the clouds for a bird’s-eye tour of the legendary citadel. Guided by the… Read More

NGV Architecture Commission 2024: Home Truth by Breathe

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In a bold reimagining of Australian home design, Home Truth by Breathe has been announced as the winner of the NGV Architecture Commission for 2024. This captivating installation takes the form of a labyrinthine house-within-a-house, challenging the notion of ever-expanding home sizes in Australia. At the heart of this design is a powerful message: rethink how we build to create more sustainable, higher-quality, and community-orientated living spaces. Home Truth invites visitors to step into a space that questions the ethical and ecological ramifications of the sprawling, oversized homes that have become prevalent across the nation. An external frame mirrors the silhouette of the average Australian home, which, at 236 square metres, ranks as the largest globally. Nestled within this silhouette is a serene timber structure, representing a smaller, more sustainable living footprint. This juxtaposition of scales is not just an architectural statement but a call to action. By contrasting these two structures, Home Truth shines a light on how smaller, more considered homes could help reduce suburban sprawl, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance community wellbeing. It is a thought-provoking invitation for audiences to consider alternative, sustainable housing models that could lead to positive lifestyle changes. Visitors entering through the expansive garage door of the larger house find themselves navigating a maze of rooms and corridors, eventually arriving at the intimate timber retreat. This wooden haven offers a space for meditation and reflection, presenting a tangible vision of a more sustainable housing future. Constructed from framing pine and Saveboard, Home Truth uses materials emblematic of current… Read More

LOEWE PRECO SS25 SUNA FUJITA CERAMICS RGB CROPPED 4X5 3 5

Suna Fujita, LOEWE & Melbourne Art Fair to exhibit works

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In an exciting fusion of art and fashion, Melbourne Art Fair has announced a groundbreaking partnership with LOEWE, the esteemed luxury fashion brand renowned for its dedication to craftsmanship since 1846. This collaboration brings to life an exquisite preview of Jonathan Anderson’s renewed partnership with the Kyoto-based ceramist duo, Suna Fujita, marking a world-first exhibition in Australasia. The LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection made its debut with an intimate showcase at LOEWE’s Melbourne Collins Street store, offering an exclusive viewing experience of twenty whimsical ceramic pieces. These delicate works, celebrated for their intricate hand-painted scenes featuring ocean creatures and cosmic animals, seamlessly blend artistry with everyday function, transforming accessories and ready-to-wear items into enchanting works of art. Fair Director Melissa Loughnan expressed her enthusiasm for this creative union, stating, “This partnership is a reflection of Melbourne Art Fair and LOEWE’s shared commitment to supporting living artists and creatives, and an exciting precursor to the 18th edition of the Fair, which promises to be one of our most dynamic and anticipated showcases yet.” The collaboration not only highlights the playful essence of Suna Fujita’s ceramics but also underscores the vibrant art scene that Melbourne Art Fair champions. Launching today, the LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection is available both in stores and online at loewe.com, continuing until 29th December 2024. This artistic venture paves the way for the 18th edition of Melbourne Art Fair, set to take place from 20-23 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair will present a remarkable assembly of… Read More