Restaurants

May 09, 2012-Jun 30, 2012

KOFLER & KOMPANIE PRESENTS: PRET A DINER “ITALIANS DO IT BETTER”

Kofler & Kompanie returns to London this May with the next installment of the internationally acclaimed dining experience, PRET A DINER. This specific series of dinners will be spearheaded by Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli who will create traditional-style Italian menus. Diners will also be able to enjoy a delicious range of cocktails from the 69 Colebrooke Row bar area. Locatelli has selected five other Italian Michelin-starred chefs, including Accursio Craparo, Cristian and Manuel Costardi, Norbert Niederkofler and Viviana Varese, and set them the challenge of creating fresh innovative style dishes, which will give guests a chance to compare old-world Italian cuisine to newer forward-thinking dishes. Marrying both concepts will be the authenticity, passion and, of course, the fresh ingredients of Italy.

50 St James’s Street

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Must-Sees

Apr 01, 2012-Jun 30, 2012

Noises Off

Winner of both Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Comedy, Noises Off celebrated its 30th anniversary on 23 February this year. This much loved play serves up a riotous double bill – a play within a play. Hurtling along at breakneck speed it follows the backstage antics of a touring theatre company as they stumble their way through rehearsals to a shambolic first night and a final disastrous performance.

Novello Theatre, Aldwych
020 7300 5500
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May 04, 2012-Oct 07, 2012

Leonardo Da Vinci - Anatomist

Following hot on the heels of last years sell out exhibition at the National Gallery comes a collection of Leonardo's works which deal with his anatomy studies. Expect shorter queues than the major exhibition but equally fascinating discoveries.

The Queens gallery, Buckingham Palace
020 7766 7301
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May 27, 2012

Soho Flea Market

Held on Dean Street in Soho, London on Sunday 27 May 2012 from 12:00 until 20:00, this cool new event in the heart of London will showcase emerging creative talent. From fashion to furniture designers, glass sculptors to games developers; all will be exhibiting and selling their works at ‘creative market stalls’ the length and breadth of Dean Street. There’ll be musical showcases, too, from exciting new artists on the City Showcase outdoor stage.

Dean Street, Soho

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Feb 09, 2012-May 27, 2012

Lucian Freud: Portraits

Lucian Freud was one of the most important and influential artists of his generation. Paintings of the artist's lovers, friends and family, referred to by the artist as the 'people in my life', were central to his work and this major exhibition, spanning over seventy years, is the first to focus on his portraiture. Featuring 130 works from museums and private collections throughout the world, some of which have never been seen before, this is an unmissable opportunity to experience the work of one of the world's greatest artists.

National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place
0844 248 5033
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Apr 27, 2012-Jul 28, 2012

The Sunshine Boys

Thea Sharrock is to direct Danny DeVito and Richard Griffiths as the aging vaudevillian team Willie Clark and Al Lewis in Neil Simon’s award-wining comedy, The Sunshine Boys. Kings of comedy, Willie Clark (Danny DeVito) and Al Lewis (Richard Griffiths) aka The Sunshine Boys haven’t spoken to each other in years. When CBS calls for the vaudevillian greats to be re-united for a nostalgic History of Comedy, past grudges resurface as they take centre stage once more. Aging ailments aside, can this legendary double-act overcome their differences for one last show? Old rivalry and vintage hilarity abound in Neil Simon’s classic comedy of showbiz and friendship. Book early for this one - it is sure to be a sellout!

Savoy Theatre, Strand
020 7300 1400
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Feb 09, 2012-Jun 05, 2012

Yayoi Kusama

The nine decades of Yayoi Kusama's life have taken her from rural Japan to the New York art scene to contemporary Tokyo, in a career in which she has continuously innovated and re-invented her style. Well-known for her repeating dot patterns, her art encompasses an astonishing variety of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, film, performance and immersive installation. This is a varied, spectacular exhibition of a truly unique artist. There has never been an exhibition of this size of her work in the UK and this is an unmissable opportunity for both Kusama fans and those new to her work.

Tate Modern, Southbank
020 7887 8888
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Feb 15, 2012-Jul 15, 2012

Picasso and Modern British Art

Picasso and Britain is the first exhibition to explore Picasso’s lifelong connections with this country. This major show will examine Picasso’s evolving critical reputation here and British artists’ responses to his work, demonstrating the depth of British engagement with Picasso and his art. Comprising over a hundred and fifty works from major public and private collections around the world, the exhibition charts Picasso’s rise in Britain as a figure both of controversy and celebrity, tracing the ways in which his work was exhibited and collected here during his lifetime.

Tate Britain, Millbank
020 7887 8888
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Sep 20, 2012-Sep 29, 2012

Mademoiselle Julie

Juliette Binoche stars in a new production of Mademoiselle Julie . In this modern-day production of Strindberg’s naturalistic text, the timeless themes of love, lust and desire are set against a backdrop of social conventions worth challenging. The tragedy of the three main protagonists unfolds under the watch of an ensemble of performers. The piece is framed by striking, contemporary staging, breathing new life into a classic play. In French with English surtitles.

Barbican Hall, Barbican Centre, Silk Street
020 7300 1400
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Scene

Mar 31, 2012-Dec 01, 2012

The Orphanage Masked Ball

Come Chatter, Drink & Dance the Night Away at The St. Valentine's Orphanage Masked Ball. The Last Tuesday Society is back with their most decadent event yet which takes place on selected dates throughout the year at Adam Street private club. If you are rusty on your Waltz, Swing or Pole Dancing don't worry, lessons are given 1 hour prior to the event - lessons from Viktor Wynds Academy of Modern Dance! 2012 dates are 31st March, 26th May, 7th July, 15th September, 27th October and 1st December.

9 Adam Street
08444 771 000
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Stay-In

agua

A hedonist’s delight, the 10,000 square-foot agua spa in London provides pampering, spiritual relief, and tranquility to all who enter.
Reserve a treatment online here.

Sanderson, 50 Berners Street
+44 (0) 20 7300 1414
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Light Bar

Let there be light. It’s all about illumination at this cozy niche of colorful rays and luminary clients. Come weekends, DJs electrify the guests.

St Martins Lane, 45 St. Martin’s Lane
020 7300 5588
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Restaurants

Briciole

The newly opened sister restaurant to the outstanding Latium has opened in Marylebone and its already a neighbourhood hit! Expect a more casual trattoria style affair specialising in breads and home cooking from across Italy.

20 Homer Street
020 7723 0040
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Cinnamon Kitchen

After the Cinnamon Club and Cinnamon Kitchen comes Vivek Singh's third London restaurant. Cinnamon Soho serves small plates, Indian tapas style from the already accomplished kitchen!

5 Kingly Street, Soho
020 7287 6080
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The Seagrass - Occupy London

This summer sees the launch of The Seagrass, a part time ‘squatter’ restaurant in Chapel Market, one of London’s most established foodie areas. Pie and mash shop by day, this hidden Victorian gem transforms into a gastronomic delight by night. Open only Thursday to Saturday evenings, the restaurant has a seasonal menu that changes every week and specialises in fresh seafood sourced from the surrounding suppliers in Chapel Market and game from The Wild Game Company.

@ Manzes, 74 Chapel Market, Islington
07902 015 200
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La Bodega Negra

Will Ricker (E&O and Eight Over Eight) brings New Yorks favourite Mexican La Esquina to London - La Bodega Negra is already one of Soho and London's coolest restaurants with the cafe and bar on the ground floor - entrance on Moor Street - and the basement restaurant on Old Compton Street. Expect more street food style in the cafe with excellently made fillings, whilst the basement provides additional larger plates including steaks and stews.

16 Moor Street
020 7758 4100
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Lobster and Burger

So there you have it, Lobster OR burger. Actually that was a lie - you can also have your lobster as a burger! From the famed Goodman's steakhouse family comes a new NO RESERVATIONS restaurant and cocktail bar in Mayfair. Quality ingredients at reasonable prices guaranteed the restaurants instant success. Open from Monday to Saturday from 12 noon till 10:30pm. Visit outside peak hours to avoid the queue!

29 Clarges Street
020 7409 1699
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Ducksoup

There's no duck soup on the menu at Ducksoup and modern European broadly describes the menu... It is of the same mould as several other new Soho restaurants, bare lightbulbs, bar seating with a chef behind it, stark decoration and no bookings taken in the evening. Inspired by the recent vogue in Manhattan and Brooklyn the trend seems to work just as well in Soho as it does in Shoreditch. The food here is about very good ingredients, presented thoughtfully and served to share - sounding familiar?

41 Dean Street
020 7287 4599
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St. Ali

Friendly service, good food and good coffee... sounds like a winner! The second branch of this Australian coffee house and cafe could not have opened further away frmo the original (Melbourne Australia). The setting is typically Cherkenwell - modern, industrial and also featuring a living wall (think Anthropology on Regent Street). It's hard to pin down the cuisine - Modern Australian springs to mind, with its mix of European, Asian and Middle Eastern flavours.

27 Clerkenwell Road
020 7300 1400
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North Road

Named after the ‘Great North Road’ linking Edinburgh to London, Christoffer Hruskova’s new restaurant NORTH ROAD reflects his Danish roots matched by his extensive travels and experience in some of the leading kitchens throughout the world. The menu at North Road is innovative ‘modern European’ and the classic Scandinavian-influenced interior is sleek and minimal, without being cold and the front of house team is one of the friendliest in town!

71-73 St. John Street
020 3217 0033
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Must-Sees

Christian Louboutin Exhibition

The Design Museum presents iconic French shoe designer Christian Louboutin, celebrating a career which has pushed the boundaries of high fashion shoe design. This exhibition celebrates Louboutin’s career showcasing twenty years of designs and inspiration, revealing the artistry and theatricality of his shoe design from stilettos to lace-up boots, studded sneakers and bejewelled pumps. Be taken on a magical journey of style, glamour, power, femininity and elegance. At the core of the exhibition is a unique exploration of Louboutin’s design process, taking the visitor through every stage of the design journey, revealing how a shoe is constructed, from the initial drawing and first prototype through to production in the factory.

The Design Museum, 28 Butlers Wharf, Shad Thames
0870 833 9955
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Scene

Project London

The Luxx team is back in the space that was once Crystal and the Merah. Project London is themed around a glitzy crowd featuring world famous DJs performing live. One to watch after its opening at the end of Feburary 2012.

78 Wells Street
020 7060 1111
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Le Baron

Embassy is back and its better the ever! Retaining its underground vibe in the heart of Mayfair and still attracting a fashion and showbiz crowd, Le Baron continues the success of this legendary London venue. The music policy is non-commercial, expect to be dancing the night away to an eclectic mix of anything from The Doors to John Lee Hooker with a glamorous crowd direct from the restaurant above. Entrance by guest list and invitation only.

29 Old Burlington Street
020 7494 5660
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Playboy Club

Heff and the bunny girls are back in London and we love the newest club/casino to open in in Mayfair. 24 hour gaming is he main draw but here is so much more to Playboy's new house of fun. An all weather, 24 hour terrace is the best place to enjoy a cigar! Salvatore's bar is also back after the closure of the club Fifty and it looks better than ever - the return of the mestro Salvatore Calabrese to the London scene - the bar is an elegant lounge space perfect for pre or post dinner drinks, and some amazing cocktails.The club was rocking on our visit with guest DJ set by Fearne Cotton and the hottest crowd in Mayfair - and that was without the body painted hunks and bunnies! Thered is also a gentlemans salon in the club and a dining room featuring US Iron Chef Judy Joo recipes.

14 Old Park Lane
020 7491 8586
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The London Cocktail Club

The London cocktail club is an amalgamation of everything that is classic British hospitality. Warm, discreet and charming, they have drawn inspiration from drink, food, music, design & history to create a truly unique feel for an independent bar venture.

6-7 Great Newport Street
020 7836 9533
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Goods

Make Me Fabulous

Shopping tours just got FABULOUS! Make Me Fabulous is superb for anyone looking for that insider style and shopping advice and a must for style savvy shoppers with limited time in what can seem like a vast retail city. Tailored tours by qualified stylists to suit every need run alongside themed tours which include - "London Calling" the best of the high street, "Britain's Best" the department stores, "Best of Vintage", "Market Mayhem", "Sole Sisters", "Accessorama", "Mall Madness" and "Discount Dizziness" - there is surely something to suit every need and budget.

50 Berners Street
07968 393 022
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Atelier Mayer

Atelier-Mayer is a concept dedicated solely to the global phenomenon of 20th century vintage. The company started as a luxury e-boutique and now has a stunning gallery boutique in Connaught Village near Marble Arch. The collection is sourced globally and each piece has been handpicked for its exceptional beauty and unique style. To add to the luxurious shopping experience, purchases are wrapped in bespoke packaging and visitors are invited to browse the collection and peruse the vast library of fashion related literature at their leisure.

47 Kendal Street
020 7706 7200
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