Pip Jamieson
“I live on a houseboat called Horace on the Regents Canal in Kings Cross, London. May is such a glorious month where we can stop stoking the stove, and throw open our doors and hatches. I’ve completely fallen in love with the London Canals!
Now it’s (most definitely!) spring, my husband and I love nothing more than jumping on bikes and exploring all the incredible cafes, shops, pubs, parks and restaurants that make the Regents Canal their home. The all-time best thing to do now the weather is warmer, is to take to the water and learn to paddleboard with Paddleboarding London”
- Pip Jamieson
RESTAURANT: Endo at the Rotunda
The old BBC Centre in White City has recently undergone a HUGE transformation, opening up a new Soho House, restaurants, bars, offices, flats and more. With such grandiosity there, it was nice to read about a more intimate venue opening up. Endo at the Rotunda is brand new high-end Japanese restaurant seating just 16 people, from Endo Kazutoshi, a third-generation sushi master. So it goes without saying, this guy knows what he is doing and the food is nothing short of perfection. The 15 or 18 signature course options aren’t cheap but can you really put a price on perfect sushi? If you feel that you can, then fear not, there is an a la carte menu option too which includes hot dishes, nigiri and tempura. The simple Japanese aesthetic to the venue is perfectly stripped back allowing you to indulge in watching the master at work around the chef’s preparation table. You must also make sure to look beyond to the views of London from their top floor location. If you need any more persuading, then Giles Coren said “It’s the most perfect meal he’s eaten in 20 years as a restaurant critic”. Can’t get better than that can you!
EXPERIENCE: Otherworld
Another month, another immersive experience. However, something tells us this could be the most unusual yet. What happens is you turn up to Otherworld in Haggerston with a bunch of mates, looking to socialise and hang out. But instead you are each popped into your own chamber with VR headsets and multi-sensory widgets. You can still communicate with your companions but one of you may be climbing Everest, one may be cutting fruit with a samurai sword, one fighting a zombie apocalypse and everyone else is doing equally random and bizarre things. Like, we are legit not even joking. Otherworld is a new virtual reality bar offering all this and more. The neon lit arcade (railway arch) is a playground for the senses, hosting sixteen unforgettable experiences for us to enjoy. Alongside the quirky experiences you can knock back craft beer or a cocktail and tuck into poké bowls or Hawaiian pulled pork tacos from Lord of Poké. Are you as intrigued as we are? Then find out more here.
FUNDRAISING: Lady Garden Foundation
It’s that time again….the Lady Garden Foundation run is back! This is the first run where we have partnered with KX and are proud to be inviting you to join the first ever KX & KXU Lady Garden Run, supported by Chucs Restaurants and Oakley Capital. Open to all genders and ages, we will once again be hosting both the 5k and 10k run options in London's flagship park, Hyde Park on Saturday 18th May so stick that date in your diary immediately. The routes will take you past landmarks of the park including the Serpentine, and will be another fast-paced and fun-filled event with an additional race for the kids if they are coming along to cheer you on. Sign up here for either of the races and on the day registration opens at 9:30am, with the races beginning at 10:15am. Once registered you will receive a running top – jazzy pink in case you were wondering- as well as a goody bag *collective cheer*, plus there is an optional picnic in the park available after the run to replenish your energy and allow you to make the most of your time in this glorious green space. All is set for another fabulous year and we can’t wait to see you there.
EXHIBITION: Edible Goods - Tender Touches
We were always told not to play with our food but what if we were to say you could do just that, as well as observe it, admire it, discuss it, explore it and ultimately then eat it. Yeah, we’re up for all that too. Edible Goods is a new exhibition series with Open Space Contemporary and their first project is Tender Touches. Taking place at the AMP Gallery in Peckham, Tender Touches blurs the lines between the gallery, the studio and the dining room, creating a multi-sensory experience where visitors are encouraged to see food as they might view art. There is a series of talks, dinners, readings and performances between the 17th May and the 30th June. Several emerging artists are involved, however, at the helm is artist Inês Neto dos Santos, a Portuguese born, London based multi-sensory artist whose food based work uses our surroundings to make us question it and encourage discussion. Food for thought, you could say...
THEATRE: Dido
The Unicorn Theatre is the UK’s leading children’s theatre, based over in London Bridge on the arterial Tooley Street. They provide performances for young audiences from six months through to 18 years of age aiming to “connect artists and audiences through a broad range of work that is honest, refreshing and international in outlook, across a range of disciplines.” Dido is their latest performance kicking off on the 11th May and is an opera for teenagers and young adults in a production run in collaboration with the English National Opera. Dido tells the tale of teenage girl Dido and her mother Belinda and their relationship forms the heart of the story as Dido sees her mother ‘heroine, feminist icon, modern parent’ slowly start to fall apart, with tragic consequences. This is a raw, honest and powerful story and performance that will touch its audience in many ways. The opera is sung in English and accompanied by a 7-piece orchestra, adding to the emotion of the entire production. Tickets start at just £8 and you can book via the website here.
BAR: Lyaness
Any serious London cocktail fan would have mourned the loss of Dandelyan when it closed down in March. Having been voted the world’s best bar, there was big shoes to fill. But now, from the proverbial ashes, rises Lyaness, a brand-new cocktail bar from the same people that were behind Dandelyan. Phew! They want to continuously evolve and innovate, hence its predecessor shutting its doors to make way for the latest venture from founder Ryan Chetiyawardana, aka Mr Lyan. He said “Lionesses are the leaders, the hunters, the badasses – that’s what we’ll be focusing on. We want to sharpen it up, give it an edge, increase the energy and buzz.” Based in the same location at the Sea Containers on London’s Southbank, Lyaness has a heavenly signature electric blue colour theme with mirroring, gold accents as well as the stunning original marble green bar. With areas for private events as well as the main social space, you can go to Lyaness for a civilised cocktail themed afternoon tea right through to more boisterous DJ nights. As for the main event, the cocktails, each drink on the menu features one or more of their 7 signature ingredients. Names include Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Onyx, King Monkey Nut and Morning Glory Fizz but if you can’t find one to suit your fancy then you’re in the VERY capable hands of some of the world’s best mixologists who can rustle up the cocktail of your dreams. This is cocktail making in the purest art form and we can’t wait to head over there to try one….or three.
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OUTDOORS: The BBQ Club: Patch & Picnic
From the 3rd May until the end of September, South Bank Centre pop-up The BBQ Club returns. *Summer klaxon*. Hosted by chef Jimmy Garcia, bag yourself a picnic spot on one of the long tables and tuck into Jimmy’s six course interactive barbecue wonder on the rooftop terrace with a craft beer or two to wash it all down with. “What the heck does interactive barbecue menu mean Halpern??” Well, guests are encouraged to become tong masters and cook up elements of each of the six courses themselves on the Big Green Egg barbecues built into the tables. With chefs on hand to help guide you through the ingredients and the best cooking techniques, the process makes for a fun and collaborative approach to a meal out with friends or family. All that flame supervision gets tiring for the staff so Monday nights sees guest chefs take the helm to cook up treats and also offer butchery classes for those serious about their meat. This is just the latest brilliant way to make the most of our city’s wonderful summer vibes, in the heart (and heat) of the action surrounded by your fave people.
Charity of the Month: Red Cross Week
The British Red Cross help communities and individuals in crisis around the world. Founded in 1870, they are committed to helping people without discrimination, regardless of their ethnic origin, nationality, political beliefs or religion who are dealing with natural disasters, wars, conflict, asylum and also loneliness, accessibility issues and homelessness. In summary they are an incredible network who do invaluable work. The 6th -12th May is Red Cross Week and they are looking for volunteers to help them ‘shake things up’ by picking up a bucket and taking to the streets to help them raise much needed funds (sign up here). You can help in other ways by donating your pre-loved but unwanted clothes to your local Red Cross Shop or maybe even host a bake sale or other fundraising events to raise money. Let’s all get together and help them help others.
APP OF THE MONTH: Good On You
Do you ever get dressed in the morning and wonder where your clothes came from? The materials and fabrics and most importantly who made them? For those of you wanting to live a more wholesome lifestyle, supporting the right brands and ensuring your purchases are ethical, then download Good On You. A group of campaigners, fashion professionals, scientists, writers and developers came together to create this app and drive the change in creating a more sustainable industry. They pull together expert analysis and information to give fashion brands an easy to understand ethical score so you can make sure the threads you wear have been created in a fair environment with minimal pollution, waste and human rights abuse.