At a loss for what to do this weekend? Well 5cc the uber secret cocktail club have bars tucked away in a host of hip venues in London and they’re just about to add a new location to the mix. Singer Tavern: 1 City Road is a Grade II listed pub bang in the heart of Old Street, but behind the traditional façade and down in the basement, lies the newest venue kitted out with the best of East London’s design inspirations.
If you’ve serious about your cocktails make sure you hot tail it down here to try a smashing selection of traditional cocktails and also innovative twists on classics which pack a serious punch. Perfect for after work drinks or a hot date with large booths and hidden little nooks. Watching the skilled barman mix up the drinks is a spectacle itself. All of the cocktails are served in different glasses with their own panache and edge.
I tried the Old Fashioned, Margarita and Montgomery Gin Martini, a few times, which was by far the freshest Martini i’ve tasted in a while. Other than whats on the menu, the highly skilled barman aim to please by making whatever you like however you like. Thumbs up all round. This is a hidden gem in the heart of the city. If you’re looking to escape the corporate bar vibe this joint has some serious soul.
As well as Old Street, 5CC have locations in Hoxton, Exmouth Market, Bethnal Green and Farringdon all with different menus.
The Mayfair Pizza Co is in a truly beautiful part of Mayfair, Lancashire Court. One of those little hidden gems of London. I arrived on a sunny day with a friend to review. The restaurant is beautiful, refined and classy. It is a happy and relaxing setting. I order a coke and my friend has some water and we order some olives to get us going. The olives are delicious and fresh and come with salted almonds.
To start I have the Dorset Crab Salad with Apple, Avocado and my friend has the Salt & Pepper Squid with Saffron Aioli. My crab salad is very unique and comes in a crab shell. It has lots of different textures and ingredients that go together wonderfully. It is unique and tastes great. My friend, Lynn, is a fan of her squid and says it is good. She would have liked a plate however. Overall presentation is great and the service is first-class.
What we don’t have for our mains is the hottest pizza in town. The Mayfair Pizza Co have the spiciest pizza going at the moment. I didn’t try it as I am heavily pregnant and didn’t want to go into labour but it sure looked good. Read all about it via the above link. Executive Chef Michael Lecouter’s latest creation is must-try for any discerning pizza connoisseur.
For our mains I have the Chicken Milanese with Rosemary Potatoes, Red Onion Jam & Tender Stem Broccoli. Lynn has the
Fiorentina pizza which comes with Mascarpone, Spinach, Soft Boiled Egg, Parmesan, Ex Virgin Olive Oil. My chicken is good, the rosemary potatoes are perfect and so yummy, the red onion jam goes well with everything and is delicious, as is the tender stem broccoli which is perfectly cooked. Lynn loves her pizza. The soft boiled egg, rather than the traditional fried egg on top throws us initially, especially as it is cold. The pizza is good however and the soft boiled egg gives a different touch.
For dessert I have a Trio of Gelato. The ice cream is delicious. It tastes home made and if I wasn’t so full I could have had seconds and thirds. Lynn wimps out and doesn’t have dessert. In her defence she is going swimming later and I have eaten so much I would sink.
The Mayfair Co is a wonderful place to eat. Beautiful, classy and relaxing. Even the loos are beautiful. The food is top-notch and the service is impeccable. Go and see for yourself.
During late winter I take myself off to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.
‘What?’ I hear the protests. ‘Stomping through 300 acres of bare trees, empty flowerbeds and mud with temperatures dipping the wrong side of double digits?’
Ah, but think of the sprinkling of purple crocuses amongst trampled grass and, further on, the daffodils.
These flowers herald that a new season is on its way, one that means colour and warmth and the hope that things are changing for the better. A few days ago I went along to see the garden’s annual orchid display. The display promised ‘a floral feast to seduce the senses.’ In many ways, it delivered.
The orchids were nothing short of stunning with their vibrant colours and intricately engineered petals. Even their scent was alluring: nothing too heady, just a gentle waft to keep tourists (and pollinators) interested.
Kew made the display intriguing, even sexy, by using spotlight ultraviolet lighting to reveal the orchids’ patterns and markings, used to attract insects and hence propagate themselves.
I wondered, however, if it wasn’t enough just to walk through the display and be awed by the variety and sophistication of the flowers? Having said that, I was fascinated to learn in a video presentation that there is an orchid that traps insects inside its flower, curling its petals around its prey, like a cage, until the plant is pollinated.
I looked for this orchid, touching the tip of my finger to the centre of each purple plant as illustrated in the video, without success. So, perhaps better signage wouldn’t have gone amiss?
The official orchid display runs from February to March every year, but if you’re quick you might still spot them in bloom at the Princess of Wales Conservatory. And there is plenty more to see during the transitional months: the desert and savannah plants, arboretum, the world’s oldest potted plant – a rather wonky palm – and the tree top trail 18 metres up (empty branches, but a great view).
The Alpine house is certainly a highlight with its crags and waterfalls; the mountain plants exhibit more determination than parents queuing for coffee in the café. And speaking of cafés, I was thrilled to find gluten- and dairy-free soup and cakes on offer, making Kew not only a feast for the eyes but my stomach as well.
Upcoming events at Kew include the International Garden Photographer of the Year Exhibition (now until 5 April) and ‘Shaun the Sheep’ will be visiting for the children during the Easter Holidays.
Restoration theatre was a revolution in itself, staged anywhere that was available – from disused tennis courts to ancestral family homes. In light of this, forward thinking theatre company Go People are bringing John Vanbrugh’s The Provoked Wife to intimate venues across London; and see they have an amazing opportunity to explore a revival of this idea, making new and unusual spaces our playground in the delivery of a brilliantly alternative theatrical experience. Their current bookings include both private and public performances happening in living rooms, member’s clubs, churches and hotels and run from 10th March – 23rd March.
The spring tour sets it’s main venue (for 4 nights) in the beautiful 1733 church building of St-Giles-in-the-Fields is a perfect setting in which to view this startling exploration of Restoration morality. The play is also being perfromed in Hoxtorn Holborn Hotel and Private Member’s club Home House.
Additionally, for the first time in history, The Ivy – famous for dining the media, celebrities, actors, directors and theatre goers themselves in it’s exclusive and luxurious setting – will be providing theatre in it’s own premises with Go People’s production. Tickets are available both for the public and for Ivy Club Members and dinner and drinks can be enjoyed in the Club before or after the performance.
Go People’s snappily-cut 90 minute production distills the best of playwright Vanbrugh’s 1697 original play, foregrounding the fabulously funny narrative whilst keeping his deliciously drawn characters firing on all cylinders. Sexy, silly and sumptuous, this contemporary interpretation of a restoration classic showcases the finest of London’s upcoming professional theatrical talent.
BBC young composer of the year 2012 Alex Woolf has written new incidental music for the piece and has also composed a number of original songs for the production’s musical moments.
Director Ollie Kaderbhai is the Artistic Director of theatre company :DELIRIUM. Credits include ‘Go to Your Grave Like a Soldier’ for the Old Vic Tunnels and ‘From Where I’m Standing’ for Pegasus Theatre. Ollie has a long-standing association with the Old Vic Theatre and has directed numerous projects on behalf the Kevin Spacey Foundation, both in the UK and internationally.
Designer Emily-Jane Swanson experience covers theatre, film and editorial. She was awarded the NSDF and Methuen Drama Emerging Artist Award for Design at Edinburgh Fringe and also runs a successful online fashion business, popular with celebrities as diverse as Caitlin Moran and Nikki Minaj.
About Go People:
Go People are a theatre company formed of three professional actors who first met at Cambridge University, aiming to bring under-appreciated or undiscovered plays – as well as talent – to the London theatre scene. They believe that theatre belongs equally to the people making it and the people who watch – and that this can happen anywhere, from a traditional theatre to a living room, church or hotel bar.
Go People make having a group of actors come to your home to perform solely for you and your guests an utterly unique reality, offering exclusive performances of plays for private parties and corporate events – the full theatre experience without having to leave the house!
The production company aim to recapture the fun and excitement, energy and surprise that private, live theatre can add to any occasion, whether you are planning a celebration for hundreds of people or an intimate soiree with close friends, Go People will work with you to create something truly magical and memorable.
Go People can tailor the event to suit your needs – you might like to select something from their extensive repertoire of modern plays and old favourites, or maybe you already have something particular in mind you would like them to adapt. And, what’s more, they can perform in any space you choose – from a spectacular garden to a cosy living room, every seat is top price quality – no more restricted views or struggling to hear every line!
2015 is the year of Mexico in the UK and to celebrate there is a wonderful and vibrant pop up Mexico exhibition which opened yesterday in Potters Fields. I went along to take in the culture and the fun experience.
As I headed towards Potters Field I heard beautiful Mexican music and already saw the bright colours and statues. There were crowds everywhere. The exhibition had certainly caught the attention of Londoners who were having lots of fun. There was a huge queue at the Wahaca truck for burritos and nachos. But it is not all food, statues and music. There is an immersive pop-up pavilion in London’s South Bank. It is a multi-media experience and is not just educational but also tons of fun. You learn all about Mexico through state-of-the-art innovation, using cutting-edge modern technology. Best of all, it’s free!
Inside the dome is a very cool colourful car, clothes, the opportunity to experience Mexico City, lots of art and lots of other immersive media. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. I had a great time and I learned a lot. I definitely want to head to Mexico now. It has made its way onto my bucket list as it is so beautiful. Mexico has a lot going for it.
2015 marks the beginning of an exciting collaboration between Mexico and the United Kingdom. For twelve months, the two countries will create new connections in the areas of culture, arts, education, science, innovation, trade and investment. There will be a series of events taking place across the UK, all of which are designed to address the preconceptions people have about Mexico. Mexico is not about mariachi, tacos and guacamole anymore.This is all about the modern and contemporary Mexico that has everything to offer: wonderful culture, great food, nature and art. In fact, Mexico is the only nation to have its cuisine designated by UNESCO as of Intangible Heritage of Humanity so after checking out the exhibition enjoy some great food by acclaimed Mexican restaurant, Wahaca.
If you don’t live in London, don’t worry, you won’t miss out. Later in the year the dome will be travelling north to Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh. This is a great day out for all of the family. Pop along before it closes on the 12th March.
The dome is open to the general public: 26th Feb – 12th March, Potters Field Park next to City Hall, 10am – 8pm. Entry is free.
We have reviewed Hakkasan before and are never disappointed. This michelin-starred restaurant feels like the centre of everything. People talk about Hakkasan in hushed tones in office, they pull happy faces when you say you have been, talking about how delicious the food is. Hakkasan on Hanway Place, the original Hakkasan, is the place to see and be seen. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to relax however. There is no pretension for all its class and the staff are very friendly and know their stuff. Hakkasan is, without doubt, the best of London. Hakkasan is where to go for traditional Cantonese cuisine.
For Chinese New Year, the year of the sheep, Hakkasan will be honouring the Chinese “Wishing Tree” tradition by collecting wishes from around the world as well as offering a nine dish festive feast perfect for family and friends. The wish collection and signature menu will be available to guests from Sunday 8th February to Sunday 1st March.
This nine dish menu starts with small eats to start.
Dim Sum, Spicy lamb lupin wrap and Golden fried soft shell crab with red chili and curry leaf.
The starters are stunning. The Dim Sum is always brilliant. Scallops, crab meat, prawn: they are just heavenly. The spicy lamb lupin wrap is perfect, there is a good heat from the sauce and the lamb is expertly cooked. It has a delicious soft texture. The fried soft crab with red chilli and curry leaf is superb. The crab is amazing and the curry leaf goes well, a wonderful and original dish.
To go with our food we have a Kumquatcha, a specialty cocktail representing good fortune, prosperity and happiness, I have a virgin one and my colleague has the real deal. Both taste amazing. A brilliant combination of Germana cachaça, Campari, Kumquat and lime.
The mains include a number of signature Hakkasan items like their Spicy prawn, Stir-fry black pepper rib eye beef with Merlot and Grilled Chilean sea bass in honey, We also have Stir-fry Lily bulb and garlic shoot and Abalone and dry scallop fried rice,
The spicy prawn has generous and delicious prawns in a yummy sauce, the Stir-fry black pepper rib eye beef with Merlot is just perfect and Grilled Chilean sea bass in honey is definitely one of the best sea bass dishes I have ever had. The Stir-fry Lily bulb and garlic shoot is as tasty as it is original and the Abalone and dry scallop fried rice is the best rice ever. I still have dreams about it. There is no bum note in this menu: all of this food is just one mouth-watering dish after another.
The desserts are as amazing as the other dishes. Stunning in their originality, a Kumquat Wishing Tree: chocolate, caramelised macadamia and cocoa rocks, and delicious chocolate treats hanging off a Kumquat tree end the meal. The dishes are out of this world. Not all Asian restaurants do dessert well. I am glad to say that Hakkasan is definitely an exception.
I also have another mocktail. Hakkasan do mocktails very well. Perfect if you don’t want to drink. If you eat from the Chinese New Year signature menu you will receive a red envelope with special gift of a complimentary cocktail or mocktail. More reason to indulge.
Hakkasan’s limited edition menu created by Michelin-starred Executive Head Chef Tong Chee Hwee includes a selection of its acclaimed signature dishes as well as a contemporary interpretation on authentic Chinese New Year fare.The Chinese New Year menu is available for £88.88 per person. A la carte items will be individually priced, starting at £12.88.
For more information on Chinese New Year at Hakkasan, please visit hakkasan.com.
Valentine’s Day is almost upon us; the time where it’s customary to celebrate the love of our lives in ways that truly matter. If there was ever something invented to capture a woman’s heart, then its jewellery and its things that sparkle. In the 21st Century, flowers and chocolate can only ever be the ‘bubble wrap’ to something with bigger, deeper meaning. For the 21st Century woman size doesn’t necessarily matter but quality does. Some of the sharp readers amongst you may have seen the title and thought the spelling of King was some kind of typo, but it is in fact the name of a new and upcoming artist K.ing with her latest jewellery Collection “Diamond K.ing”. A brand with an outspoken mandate in that it promises to treat each and every wearer as a Queen.
Model: Frances Lane Jewellery: K.ing Photography: Active 8 Images
Diamond K.ing is the gemstone of Inga Klabyte, who chose to employ everything that life threw at her to polish and reveal her inner diamond. Now under the artistic name of K.ing she makes a living by helping others to do the same. I find it astonishing to think that out of all the different types of companies one could create, the one she chose was jewellery making. However upon meeting her it is easy to see why; just like a diamond, the brand K.ing embodies and accentuates all her key strengths. For example, the number of hours that Inga puts into each design, the immaculate attention to detail which goes into each and every piece and the importance that she places on having each piece unique to the wearer.
The value of not taking things for granted is reflected in the “Diamond K.ing” logo. What appears to be a playing card of the ‘King of Diamonds’. Possession of this card can mean the difference between winning and losing and is essential in a hand of ‘Royal Flush’. In the same way K.ing jewellery is designed to be truly exclusive to the wearer and that absolute possession of the wearer is essential.
Model: Meriely Araujo Jewellery: K.ing Photography: Active 8 Images
I find myself pondering on why since time began jewellery has held such an elevated position with the sole purpose of making someone feel special. Why, Inga sparkles even talking about it, she truly believes that every woman is a Queen of someone’s heart and should be treated as such. Listening to her I find myself drawn off into a different world that as a man I had never truly appreciated: “Jewellery is the Queen of every woman’s wardrobe, it’s the jewel of Queen’s crown. There is no Queen with no jewels, simple as that. The truth is women love a good fairy tale crowned with dream come true relationships promising a sparkling future. If you manage to wake up the Sleeping Beauty inside her, you are and will always be her Prince Charming. So is she “Her Grace of Lace” like Queen Victoria or irresistible Scheherazade of “One Thousand and One Arabian Nights”? Is she romantic “Queen by Nature” or your personal Muse of “Eternal Inspiration”? Is she “The Conqueror of Your Heart” like Cleopatra or simply “The Fairest of Them All”?
“When I was a child, I saw people treating my mum as someone ordinary, when to me she was Special, a one off, someone who could never be replaced. From that moment K.ing was almost born to say: “You are the Queen of my Heart”.
Hence K.ing started out by making her mum feel special by creating unique pieces hand-made especially for her. Her mum must have been deeply touched as she took K.ing straight to Arts college entrance exams. This was followed by a Degree in Visual Arts and a Masters in Arts and Cultural studies as well as work placements all over the world. While specialists may have thought she was ‘Ace’ Inga knew she was actually a ‘K.ing’ by proving that everyone can be special and should be treated as such. There’s something in that message for everyone out there who questions their own uniqueness.
Today, Diamond K.ing is limited edition, unique wear. It is bespoke in that it is created directly for the wearer with your choice of metals, certified diamond cut Swarovski Element Crystals in all colours. There is also a ready-hand-made collection ready for you to take home or order to be posted to you straight away. The whole Collection is also there for you to rent for specific events so that you too can be feel like a celebrity on night out or even in your own home.
I have to admit I am smitten by the collection, seeing Swarovski Crystals Elements which have a unique sparkle and brilliance magnified by a choice of gold and silver. Looking at the various sets there is almost an endless variation of colours, shapes and sizes that range from earrings, to bracelets and necklaces to headpieces that can only be found at Diamond K.ing.
At a moment like this being a typical man, one’s thoughts turn to cost. I ask the question; expecting to hear rhetoric along the lines of ‘if you have to ask then you can’t afford it’. Instead, her response is much less faint inducing. For individual unique wear her prices are incredible, the smallest pieces start at just £20 and can go up to ten or hundred times more depending on the project in mind.
Why diamond-cut and not diamonds? “Genuine Crystal Jewellery has got more advantages to me as an artist and a woman than the offcuts of diamonds found on the high street. If a man brought me a diamond big enough to being able truly appreciate it though I would feel obliged to call the authorities, the price people paid for diamonds, and not only monetary, is far too high, I am a Queen with a heart and I chose not to work with diamonds who are associated with pain not love. That’s why I love what authentic diamond cut Swarovski Crystal Elements stands for.”
So what was the reaction to Diamond K.ing’s wares? Well, Jewellery was invented to conquer woman’s heart and that is exactly what K.ing does. The reaction of her other customers was evident; each woman’s eyes lighting up, instinctively reacting to the sparkle and wanting to touch and try on the items.
Inga smiles at her customers with real genuine sincerity “I’ve never seen a woman who is not a “jewellery person”, even if some said so at first. She breaths in, her chest and chin rises and her eyes start sparkling more than any man-made jewel; especially when time is taken to match the jewels to her inner character, her dreams and her aspirations for the future.”
When you put it like that I have to agree, even if just for one day where all the other distractions and mandatories of life are put aside, Valentine’s should be like the fairy tale your loved ones deserve. If there is a dream worth chasing then it should be the one where we all live ‘Happy Ever After’ the closer we can get to making that fantasy a reality the brighter the future can only be for us all.
So, have you got a Queen of your Heart?
Are you looking for the ways to keep the sparkle in her eyes?
OK, so it’s the middle of winter, the wind is hurtling along the Thames, and you’re crossing Waterloo Bridge, head down, unaware that the bridge was rebuilt in the 2nd World War, and the workforce included women. The only thought in your head is food and shelter.
Such was the situation a couple of years ago as Penny Deacon and I (writers and organisers of Words for the Wounded) reached the Strand, and there it was; this beacon in a sea of misery, the fantastic, fantabulous Wellington on the Strand. Straight across the road we powered, and hit the stairs to the restaurant at a run, resembling nothing as much as drowned rats.
That was the start of our Wellie adventure: within a few months it was the Graham’s London ‘local’. Penny lives in the West Country so looks on enviously, but I’m in High Wycombe, which is just a hop skip and jump from town. Often I meet Jan Speedie (besties since we were nine and she is also an organiser of Words for the Wounded). We spend an inordinate amount of time in the National or Portrait Galleries, in St Martin’s in the Fields poking about, or at the theatre, or exploring the City. Where do we eat? The Wellie of course.
Sticky slow-braised pork belly.
But why? Isn’t one pub much like another? I think, quite frankly, that whoever said that, needs to go and wash out her/his mouth with soap, as my mother would say.
The Wellington has the knack of becoming special to everyone we’ve brought along; the ‘grands’ love it, our friends too. It dates from 1903 and its neo-gothic exterior is a bit of a landmark. It is named after Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington whose historic victory over Napoleon in 1815 ended the Napoleonic Wars. (If you haven’t been to Apsley House, home of the first Duke of Wellington and his descendants, you should. It stands right in the heart of London at Hyde Park Corner.)
The Wellingon sits next to Covent Garden, a name derived from the Convent Garden, which belonged to Westminster Abbey. It was to Covent Garden that I went to buy a gift for my granddaughter with money presented by Jose on behalf of the staff, as she was having a serious operation that day.
The staff are gorgeous. There’s the manager, Ruth, from Australia, Jose the team leader, (Spanish) who wins the rosette for character. There’s Michal, assistant manager, who grows a moustache for charity from time to time and who has read Maeve’s Afternoon Delight, so has a big tick from me. There’s our lovely pal Eszter from Budapest who we love because of her great kindness, and Thomas from Krakow who I’m trying to get to write a feature with me about Krakow for Frost Magazine.
The ambiance is smart as a button, especially after its recent makeover but so many of the original features are still there that it’s hard to go wrong. One of the highlights for me is the Art Nouveau windows.
So, now we come to the food, of course. My favourite is the belly pork, Dick seldom strays from the sausage and mash, but Jan plumps for the fish fillets or seafood pie. We invariably add a large glass of Pino Grigio each. It’s always the right temperature, always rather too nice.
Let’s not forget the bar… The Wellington boasts a gorgeous long bar, and that brings me to the ales, which Dick and his bestie, Tim Norman, swear by.
The ales change seasonally so the Wellie rotates between 18 seasonal ales 4 times per year and also rotates between 19 National favourite ales. Nicholsons Pale Ale is always stocked – it is a classic English-style Pale Ale and brewed exclusively for Nicholson’s by St Austell Brewery. It is brewed with the finest Cornish Maris Otter barley.
If you’re after a super friendly attractive venue, with great food and drink, you don’t need to be freezing. Just head to the Wellie (The Wellington on the Strand, 351 Strand. London) www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/thewellingtonstrandlondon
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