What To Do This Bank Holiday Weekend 28.05.21

PICK UP A PICNIC: Bombay Bustle

Looking for an al fresco lunch with a difference? Paying homage to the flavours and culture of Mumbai, Bombay Bustle’s Surender Mohan has created two picnic baskets for customers to collect or have delivered: the ‘Bustle Basket’ for one and the ‘Bombay Bustle’ for sharing. Alongside a selection of snacks, larger dishes include hot malabar chicken wings with curry leaf and ginger; duck chettinad samosa with tomato chutney; and slow-cooked lamb biryani. Taking centre stage is a choice between four buttery paos – we love the sound of the ‘KFC’, which comes with kerala fried chicken and BBQ sauce on a curry leaf pao; and the ‘Kanda Bhaji’, filled with onion fritters.
 
29 Maddox Street, Mayfair, W1S 2PA
 
Visit BombayBustle.com

HEAD TO A NEW MUSIC NIGHT: The Standard

The Standard in King’s Cross has relaunched its music programme. Ground-floor restaurant and bar Double Standard will kick-start the weekend with ‘Love-In Fridays’, featuring eclectic house party jams from some of London’s freshest talent. Taking place at Decimo, the hotel’s top-floor restaurant, ‘Live On Ten’ invites up-and-coming musicians to curate a month’s worth of shows for a weekly Saturday live music lunch. Accessible by its exterior red-pill lift, Decimo offers floor-to-ceiling views of the city and serves a menu created by Peter Sanchez-Iglesias. Expect a taste of Mexico, with dishes including chistorra tacos with black beans and marinated red peppers, plus meat and seafood cooked over an open fire. This bank holiday sees the inaugural ‘Sunday Vibrations’, a monthly live music gathering in The Library Lounge. Launching the series is the Total Refreshment Centre family, who’ll be presenting the Yohan Kebede Trio.

10 Argyle Street, King’s Cross, WC1H 8EG
 
Visit StandardHotels.com

TRY A NEW DRINK: Mr Fogg’s Secret Garden

Mr Fogg’s opens its secret English Victorian garden this week. The covered and heated space seats over 100 guests among pergolas wrapped in growing vines and wheelbarrows overflowing with flowers. As well as a Pimm’s rose garden, guests can discover the Tanqueray Orangery, where walls will be covered in blossom and oranges, and of course gin will be served. Meanwhile, the Potting Shed will feature a selection of seasonal garden-themed tipples including ‘Free as a Bird’ (Don Julio Blanco tequila, Aperol, fresh grapefruit, lime juice and agave syrup, topped up with Franklin & Sons pomegranate and hibiscus soda) and the ‘Constant Gardener’ (Tanqueray No. Ten gin, Belsazar rosé vermouth, pear purée, cloudy apple juice, fresh lime juice and ginger and lemongrass cordial).

15 Bruton Lane, Mayfair, W1J 6JD
 
Visit Mr-Foggs.com

DISCOVER A NEW READ: Hay Festival

The 34th Hay Festival will be another digital affair, bringing writers and readers together for an array of conversations, debates, workshops and performances from now until 6th June. More than 200 authors, historians, poets and pioneers will take part, celebrating the best new fiction and non-fiction. Landmark conversations will consider a series of momentous anniversaries and ongoing global issues: one year on from the killing of George Floyd, poet Lemn Sissay presents a three-part series exploring racism and the systemic changes we need to see around the world; 300 years after Great Britain appointed its first prime minister, a series of PM300 panels will explore issues of leadership and the global crisis of democracy; ahead of COP26, the festival’s Hay-on-Earth programme spotlights what’s at stake; and Everyday Sexism founder Laura Bates leads a trio of discussions on gender equality.

Visit HayFestival.org

GO SHOPPING IN STYLE: Electric City

Leadenhall Market has featured as a film location for everything from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Designed to inject a blaze of colour and joy back into the capital following the latest lockdown, Leadenhall Market has collaborated with Gods Own Junkyard on Electric City, an immersive technicolour production involving multiple units and installations. Gods Own Junkyard has worked on filmsets for over 40 years and the exhibition will include signage highlights from Eyes Wide Shut, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Dark Knight. In addition to the actual movie signs, the team will display film stills of the pieces in the windows of Leadenhall Market’s shopfronts. Electric City is part of a programme of events and activities to celebrate the full reopening of the district’s 35 retailers, bars, restaurants and cafes. Although the movie signs are not for sale, selected pieces are available to purchase online via Shopify.

Gracechurch Street, City, EC3V 1LT; until 31st July
 
Visit ElectricCityLeadenhall.com

TRY A FRESH PASTA DELIVERY: Otto

Top chef Phil Howard (Elystan Street) has launched a collection of at-home pasta kits. Otto has a seasonal menu with eight rotating dishes to choose from: options currently include rigatoni with slow cooked oxtail, mushrooms, olive oil and red wine; pansotti with asparagus, nettles, ricotta and herbs; bucatini with a spring vegetable and almond bolognese; plus a range of snacks and store cupboard essentials like olives, pesto, burrata, focaccia and antipasti. Dishes start from just £8.50 and delivery is free to selected west and south-west London postcodes.

Visit OttoPasta.com

SEE A LIVE PODCAST: Saturn Returns With Caggie

In her popular podcast Saturn Returns, Caggie Dunlop and guests explore the challenges and opportunities that come with change and our individual quest for authenticity. The podcast aims to bring calm and clarity during times of transition – underpinned by the astrological transit known as your Saturn Return. This week, she’ll be recording the podcast live from Clapham Grand, where she’ll be interviewing Catherine Gray, author of The Unexpected Joy Of book series.

21-25 St John's Hill, Clapham, SW11 1TT; 27th May
 
Visit ClaphamGrand.com

HEAD OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS: Between The Bridges

Opening on the South Bank this weekend, Between The Bridges is a new venue with a programme of eclectic entertainment, top-tier street food and London’s largest outdoor drinking area. From the organisers of Winterville, Brockwell Park Festivals, Field Day and Peppermint Bars, Between the Bridges’ entertainment line-up kicks off with electronic titans Crazy P, alongside funked-up disco duo Silk. Later in the summer, expect sets from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard and Jay Carder, Normal Jay and Madness’s Suggs, while Glastonbury and Marrakech favourite The Beat Hotel will join forces with Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy and Nabihah Iqbal in late June. Lining the riverside location will be food stalls from festival favourites including Club Mexicana, Burger and Beyond, and The Cheese Wheel. Weekly themed craft markets will include upcycled, retro and vintage finds, jewellery and fashion stalls, wellness and mindfulness sections and a dedicated plant market.

Queen’s Walk, South Bank, SE1 7PG; from 27th May

Visit BetweenTheBridges.co.uk
 

VISIT THIS POP-UP: Worn, Bicester Village

This weekend, luxury resale platform Worn launches its first pop-up shop in Bicester Village. From Friday, shoppers can browse a selection of pre-loved designer clothes, shoes and accessories from brands like Alaia, Emilio Pucci, Alexander Wand, Jacquems and Ganni – all available for a fraction of their RRP. Created two years ago by Lily Fortescue and Bella Bunchanan, Worn aims to reduce waste in the fashion industry and help shoppers choose sustainable options that won’t break the bank. We’ll be heading straight for the jewellery aisle.

50 Pingle Drive, Bicester, OX26 6WD; from 28th-31st May

Visit TBVSC.com

CHECK OUT A COMEDY FESTIVAL: Alexandra Palace

This weekend, Alexandra Palace presents Hullabaloo, an al fresco comedy festival. The event’s line-up includes Ed Byrne, Nina Conti, The Cuban Brothers, Ed Gamble, Russell Howard, Flo & Joan, Milton Jones, Nish Kumar and Henning Wehn. Hullabaloo will take place on the Terrace Bar, which has panoramic views across the city and Ally Pally’s 196-acre park. Fully outdoors, with table-service drinks and plenty of street food on offer, the team has made sure the area is safe for social distancing and strict hygiene rules are followed.

Alexandra Palace Way, Alexandra Palace, N22 7AY; 28th-31st May
 
Visit AlexandraPalace.com 

UPDATE YOUR SUMMER WARDROBE: Seraphina Pop-Up

British ethical fashion label Seraphina is opening its first London pop-up shop on the King’s Road this week. The store will feature a selection of the brand’s eco-conscious clothing, including four exclusive pieces that won’t be available to buy anywhere else. Founded by Fiona Hodges, Seraphina makes its stylish dresses and separates from natural fabrics with ‘slow fashion’ in mind: its factory is Sedex certified and aims to help preserve the ancient traditions of the artisans and craftspeople it employs. Each Seraphina collection is complemented by a children’s collection in fabrics and styles designed to allow mothers, aunts, friends and godmothers to match or clash with their little ones. 

340 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UR; until 30th June
 
Visit SeraphinaLondon.com

HAVE A G&T: Angler

Angler has partnered with No.3 Gin to create a selection of cocktails that will be served on the restaurant’s terrace throughout the summer. The exclusive list will include the ‘Amarena Sour’ (No.3 Gin, ginger bitter, Amarena, mint-infused syrup and lemon juice), ‘Sweet No.3’ (No.3 Gin, white peach purée, violet liqueur, rosemary syrup and lime juice) and ‘The Classic’, a No.3 G&T made with Fever Tree Tonic. Following Angler’s full reopening earlier this month, head chef Gary Foulkes’s menus are available both inside and on the terrace, and include the likes of tartare of Cornish mackerel with oyster cream, green apple and shiso; roast Newlyn cod with new-season morels, line-caught squid and grelot onions; and black forest cake with cherries, chocolate, and cherry blossom.

3 South Place, City, EC2M 2AF; until 31st August
 
Visit AnglerRestaurant.com

PRETEND YOU’RE AT GLASTONBURY: Glastonbelly Box

Glastonbury itself has been cancelled for a second year running, so Colman’s has created a taste of the festival with a limited-edition ‘Glastonbelly’ food box. Each package is filled with produce from local food suppliers and on-site vendors, all paired with Colman’s signature condiments. Priced at £30 and delivered nationwide, all proceeds will be going back to the businesses who’ve missed out on another year of work at Worthy Farm. From Proper pies, which pair deliciously with a dollop of Colman’s Original Mustard, to Greens of Glastonbury cheddar, each dish is designed to be washed down with a sip of Glastonbury Brewing Co’s refreshing Magog cider.

Visit Colmans-Glastonbelly.MyShopify.com

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CINEMA: Ammonite

Francis Lee’s Ammonite was meant to get the big screen treatment last year. Instead, it landed on streaming services this March. But now it’s back at selected cinemas this week. Following his acclaimed God’s Own Country, Lee’s second feature film is every bit as immersive, tactile and emotionally powerful, aided by Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan. Interested? Check out our full review here.

Visit Picturehouses.com