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Tired of Soho? Time to Go Retro

A gem of a pub light years from Soho’s aspirational candy-coloured, pecs ‘n’ pop gay scene, the Retro bar remains the only alternative gay pub in London – as much a refuge for misfits of the gay scene as London is the refuge for the misfits of the provinces.

The Retro is down-to-earth in its ethos, laid-back in atmosphere and broad in its appeal. Though officially a gay pub, the clientele – from punks and goths to suits-without-ties – is not always so. All sorts come here and sling their shiny pounds into the excellent jukebox (on which Dolly Parton’s Greatest Hits nestle side-by-side with Rude Boy Revival). All the popular lagers and ciders are on tap, plus an exhaustive array of bottled booze, all at the relatively lowest prices that Central London will allow. Bar staff are friendly and something of a visual treat – on my last visit the barmaid and bar man looked like they’d been timewarped, respectively, from 1973 and 1981.

There’s a quiz night on Tuesday, plus rockabilly and Glam Rock nights. The upstairs bar is smaller and mellower, with booths. Probably the only pub – gay or straight – in the impersonal West End with a ‘local’ feel. Go Retro!

Retro Bar

Address: 2 George Court, Strand, London WC2N 6HH

Nearest station: Charing Cross underground

Category: Food and Drink

Sub-category: Pubs, Bars

#WC2N 6HH #Retro #Gay #Strand

World wine indulgence in London Bridge

I first stumbled into Wine Wharf after a rather delightful afternoon being trained in the art of wine tasting at Vinopolis.

In fact Vinopolis own this cunningly situated establishment, so I imagine many do the same, having tottered up the cobbled streets to realise that they are without drink, and must indulge in a glass of something spectacular using their newfound ‘shlurping’ expertise. Once a Victorian warehouse, the industrial chic design has an earthy London elegance perfect for its vast and eclectic menu of new world and fine wines from all over the globe. Nearly half the wines are available by the glass so the temptation to try several varieties of grape is not one worth fighting. Prices vary and do not start particularly cheap, so this is somewhere to visit when feeling perhaps a little decadent (or in my case, tipsy). The daily menu serves Bistro fare, however I am far more excited by the bar menu, which offers the usual wine friendly nibbles and a choice of seven sharing platters – the Wine Wharf Platter being perhaps the most devilish, but surely the most divine. Wine Wharf Address: Stoney Street, Borough Market, SE1 9AD Nearest Station: London Bridge (Underground and Overground) Website: www.winewharf.com Category: Food and Drink Subcategory: Wine Bars

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#Wine #Vinopolis #Platters #Bistro #London Bridge

Bombay breakfast in Covent Garden

I am a big fan of breakfast. It is, after all, the most important meal of the day, and when the weekend comes I want the perfect location for a long, lazy brunch.

Rather than go for a bog-standard British fry-up with the usual sausage and bacon, I recently opted for Dishoom, which does a daily Indian-inspired Bombay-style brekkie. Swapping builders tea for beautifully sweet chai tea, I perused the menu for inspiration. Having been to Mumbai, I was mildly disappointed not to find the Vada and Idli I came to know and love there, as at Dishoom the choice is certainly tailored towards an English palate. The breakfast bake and omelette came with a choice of sausage and egg, so it looked like I was going to get my usual after all. Nonetheless, both were beautifully spiced and flavoured, and the bacon naan roll is a delicious and inventive improvement on the bacon butty. Also recommended is the Dishoom Frankie, spicy minced lamb in a naan roll. Finish it all off with ginger, mint and Bombay spiced Bhang Lassi, which comes with an optional shot of rum, which I felt no urge to refuse. It was nearly lunchtime after all. Dishoom Address: 12 Upper St. Martin's Lane WC2H 9FB Nearest station: Leicester Square or Covent Garden underground www.dishoom.com Category: Food and Drink Sub Category: Restaurant

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#breakfast #brunch #WC2H #Indian #Covent Garden

Try Blind-Tasting Sessions in South Kensington

A mainstay on the ever-changing Old Brompton Road, Handford Wines hosts a number of interesting events, from blind tasting of famous champagnes to informal sessions about natural wines. With prices from £15, it’s worth getting onto their mailing list to see what’s on offer. Sessions do fill up quickly, so you need to book ahead. Each tasting covers 10 wines or more, whether it’s an informal, standing session or a seated dinner. The crowd tends to be older and more experienced than you find at other wine tastings. You’re more likely to be learning about the specifics of recent vintages of Burgundy than doing a general introduction to wine. The shop itself holds an incredible selection of Old and New World wines. France, Italy and South Africa predominate, followed by Spain, the USA, and Australia. The staff are good at dealing with all types of buyers, from the novice to the repeat customer who probably buys en primeur as well. In fact, if you are wine savvy and are looking to make an investment, then Handford is one of the top places you would come for advice.

Handford Wines

Address: 105 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, SW7 3LE

Nearest Station: South Kensington underground

Tel: 020 7589 6113

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.handford.net

#South Kensington #Wine Shops #Wine Tasting #SW7

Try an Amazing Range of Good English Wines in Borough Market

London’s first shop to stock solely English wines is tiny, generous and very popular. Whether you’re local or a tourist, it’s worth a visit. Wine Pantry’s owners, Julia and Dominique, are full of knowledge, drive and enthusiasm for their product, and want people to come away with an informed appreciation for local wines. On Friday afternoons, they’ll be outside in the market with a magnum, offering tastings of award-winners like the Ridgeview Estate Blanc de Blancs 2000. Otherwise, just drop in and sample a range of sparkling, white, rosé and red. English sparkling wines (think Chapel Down) are pretty well known, but Wine Pantry offers you the chance to try wines from smaller estates that you might not have heard of and won’t find anywhere else. Samples cost £1 or £1.50, or you can get six for £5 - recommended for comparing different styles. A full glass begins at £4, but the real value is in learning about the sheer variety of English wines – from soft pétillant red to complex, fresh whites. The approach here is very relaxed, so you won’t feel subpar for not knowing what you are trying – the point is to get a feel for what’s great about the local varietals and methods. Plus the girls' links to the industry mean you know your comments may have an effect on future winemaking efforts.

Wine Pantry

Address: 1 Stoney Street, Borough Market, SE1 9AA

Nearest Station: London Bridge underground

Tel: 020 7403 3003

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.winepantry.co.uk

#Wine Shops #Wine Tasting #SE1 #Borough Market

Gourmet Self-Service in the West End

Vapiano is a canteen-style gourmet restaurant serving an authentic Italian menu featuring thin-base pizzas and freshly made pasta. Situated on Great Portland Street, this bustling place has a vibrant atmosphere, decadent cuisine and just the right amount of novelty to make it stand out – namely, canteen-style self-service.

From the outside at night it looks a bit like a nightclub (suit-clad bouncers, red neon sign, dim-lit interiors) and inside it’s a hive of activity: kitchens abuzz with orders, queues forming at the various stations and diners spread out across two floors.

The queues are part of Vapiano’s unique gourmet offering: the idea is that you visit the kitchens yourself, pick out the dish you fancy and wait while it’s prepared in front of you. Take your pick from authentic Italian pizza - from traditional Margarita to delicious Barbecue Chicken - with a variety of fresh toppings, or pasta freshly rolled in your choice of shape. You can combine your pasta with a sauce, and add in extra ingredients to create an authentic signature dish to your liking. Simply present your personal Vapiano card (handed to you at the door) and charge it.

But before you go, try the Tiramisu with an Illy coffee cappuccino for a soft, creamy dessert that adds the perfect finish this unique dining experience. Pizza and pasta start at £6.10, salads at £3.80, and desserts at £2.50.

19-21 Great Portland Street, Soho, London, W1W 8QB

Tel: 0207 268 0080

Nearest Tube Station: Oxford Circus

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#Restaurants #W1W #Soho

Landscapes of Mayfair

Photo courtesy of the John Martin Gallery.

Located on Albemarle Street, Mayfair’s art gallery mile, the John Martin Gallery provides two perfect floors of bright commercial gallery space in the heart of this rarefied enclave of central London. Although it has a respectable reputation, it has yet to fully capitalise on it – so it is certainly one to watch. I admit I first heard of the gallery when I met one of the artists, but I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in painting. John Martin specialises in showcasing mainly British and Irish artists, including Andrew Gifford and Richard Cartwright. The gallery hosts rolling solo shows but also features periodic group shows, which offer art-lovers the opportunity to see excellent samples of contemporary landscape painting. Exhibitions of 20th-century painters who have been the subject of exhibitions at John Martin include Gwen John, Terry Frost, Samuel John Peploe, Lara Knight and Feliks Topolski. Contemporary art has been provided by Farina Alam, Melita Denaro, Keith Rand and Olivia Musgrave. The gallery underwent refurbishment in 2011. On my last visit the gallery assistants were very informative and helpful, even to the casual visitor. The majority of the shows are free entry and the gallery is open six days a week (closed on Sundays).

John Martin Gallery

Address: 38 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, W1S 4JG

Nearest Station: Green Park of Piccadilly Circus

Tel: 020 7499 1314

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.jmlondon.com

#Art #Art Galleries #Mayfair #W1S

Showstoppers in Southwark

Ordinarily it might make more sense to recommend a single show rather than an entire theatre, but this venue has so captured my heart and consistently impressed me that I firmly believe it deserves recommendation all of its own.

Southwark Playhouse is a venue to which the oft-used term ‘unique’ can genuinely be applied. Right now there is a real struggle for new generation theatre, and thank the lord, this is what Southwark Playhouse is all about. It paves a path for some of the most interesting and innovative theatrical talent in London, with tickets (and, of course, a bar) at a fraction of the sometimes astronomical West End prices.

There is a real earthy quality to this venue. It’s like Dalston of theatre – quirky, imaginative and far, far away from elite crowds, taste-makers or box-ticking tourists. Southwark Playhouse is a true representative of London fringe, where the real heart of theatrical art still beats and thrives. The Changeling is currently playing in the main house, with Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (directed by Che Walker) in the Vault. See either. See both. My top recommendation is to buy five tickets for £37.50 and see whatever the hell you want. You won’t be disappointed. Southwark Playhouse Address: Shipwright Yard, London, SE1 2TF www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk Nearest station: London Bridge rail or underground Category: Shows and Nightlife Sub Category: Theatre

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#Theatre #Southwark #SE1 #Fringe

Sensational Shaka and South African Cuisine

Shaka Zulu, the gourmet megalopolis, is a cultural homage to Southern Africa. Every inch of the 27,000 sq. ft. space is decorated with hand-carved panels, statues and beaded regalia to create a unique restaurant offering in the heart of Camden Town. With an open-plan kitchen on the second level, a stunning bar on the third level, and cosy nook-dining on the first, there’s something for everyone at Shaka Zulu.

There are a number of different menus available to choose from, and you can expect to find South African favourites on all of them. Their stellar ‘Braai Menu’ (barbecued, or flame grilled) features culinary greats such as Malay-spiced Springbok loin, Grilled Boerewors Sausage (a traditional South African sausage made with a unique blend of spices) and the Shaka Zulu Sample Board which offers diners 900g of carnivorous decadence with cuts of springbok, ostrich, kudu and boerewors.

There are also finer dishes on offer such as Bobotie and Steamed Rice served in a miniature potjie pot, and the Truffled Ostrich Egg served with toasted brioche. For dessert you can sample some of the best melktert this side of the equator, as well as traditional koeksisters and chilled rice pudding served with African Banana Jam.

I had the lentil and plantain salad starter which was particularly delicious, and sat downstairs on the lowest level next to the kitchen. The dishes were prepared quickly and delivered with a short history lesson on their South African connections, making for a rather entertaining dining experience. I also tried the Sirloin Steak with peri peri fries - which was good and delivered on taste - but I was later disappointed that I hadn’t gone for something more adventurous. I finished off a caipirinha and koeksisters which were rich and citrusy.

If you’re after a cosy sundowner or drink with friends then head down to the main bar on the mezzanine level or the lounge bar downstairs and sample one of their 40-strong cocktail combinations. Their cocktails are priced around £10.50 each, a sample board from the bar will set you back a mere £15.00, and the mains start around £14.00.

With a menu to please with new taste combinations, a venue that will delight your senses (and your imagination!) and a location that is enviable in the heart of Camden, this is a fantastic restaurant that is worth the visit.

The Stables,Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AH

Tel: 020 3376 9911

Email: [email protected]

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#NW1 #South African #Restaurants #Camden

Bespoke Vintage Menswear in an Endangered Enclave

Before the grim march of Clonetown Britain reached it, Greenwich was once full of offbeat shops and market stalls. The Emporium however has thankfully avoided the corporate cosh and continues to purvey quality vintage menswear to those who care about their flair.

This is not a typical vintage store. The majority of the stock is menswear for a start (although there is a densely-stocked ladies’ corner, heaving with satin, lace and Lurex) and some of it is unworn: it’s not unusual to find still-packaged 40-year-old Brutus Trimfit shirts. You’ll also find seasonal clothing, and formalwear is stocked all year round.

The clothes are all hand-selected, with attention given to great British tailoring, inevitably a dying art in an era where few men seem to give a hoot about their appearance. But you won’t pay through the nose for this level of attention to detail – a suit will set you back a mere £75, slightly more if it’s Savile Row.

There’s dark denim and leather for latter-day Ton-Up Boys, plus Harrington jackets, Sta-prest, polo necks and vintage Chinos - imagine a New Mod smoking a Gauloise outside the Top Rank circa 1980 and you’re on the right track.

The Emporium

Address: 330-332 Creek Road, Greenwich, London SE10

Nearest station: Greenwich Cutty Sark DLR

Category: Retail and Services

Sub-category: Clothing

#SE10 #Second hand shops #greenwich #vintage clothing #men's fashion

Dance Music's Training Academy Hides Out in Marylebone

If Music’s owner is a smart character. And you will be too if you spend some time in his magic music lab, just north of the Soho crush. In fact, If is the place talented young music geeks want to work, and it’s almost entirely built on the skills and reputation of owner Jean-Claude. Up a couple of flights in a deceptively plain building, this place feels less like a shop than a studio where you just hang out and talk about music. And listen to music. All while sat in a big leather armchair, surrounded by art on the walls and someone with decades of experience showing you the latest Kentuckian wonder Milyoo, or someone from the Hessle Audio stable. Or getting you all enthusiastic for Demis Roussos, Isaac Hayes or Brainchild. There’s little about producing, DJ’ing, playing and selling music that you can’t find out when you spend a few minutes at If. For anyone who likes sounds that don’t give dance music a bad name, If Music is the place to come to. You’ll find that it’s worth talking to a producer and vinyl junkie who knows that even if the game may be up for records, the music will keep going.

If Music

Address: 36 Langham Street, Marylebone, W1W 7AP

Nearest Station: Oxford Circus underground

Tel: 020 7580 3338

Website: www.ifmusic.co.uk

#Record Shops #Marylebone #W1W #Underground Music

The Fastest Way to Bordeaux and Burgundy from Parsons Green

Whether you know your fine wines or you’re a complete novice trying to impress, Friarwood Fine Wines should be your first stop to find that top drop. Simon Mckay is the owner, and usually found in-store. He’s a long-standing expert on the wine trade and, though Friarwood stocks wines from both the Old and New World, he specializes in Bordeaux and Burgundy; from Pomerol to Cote de Nuit, and everything in between. For those who can’t do without their Argentinian Malbec or New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, you are in for a rare treat. Friarwood sources its stock of these popular wines from small vineyards with reputations for creating award-winners. If you are planning a wedding, sports event, or party, then it’s worth getting advice on wine and champagne here, as well as checking what discounts they can offer. You can rest assured your guests will be happy with the selection. The shop itself looks sleek and elegant, with lots of dark wood, heavy barrels and crates, and fine wines on display. The best bit is that you can come here for a heavy-hitting wine from a big-name vineyard or an unknown – they will both have been chosen with the same care.

Friarwood Fine Wines

Address: 26 New King's Road, Parsons Green, SW6 4ST

Nearest Station: Parsons Green

Tel: 020 7736 2628

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.friarwood.com

#Wine Shops #Fulham #Parsons Green #SW6

Prime Minister in the West End? Yes Please

Clearly, there’s never been a better time to stage a show about blundering politicians. In September, Yes, Prime Minister, winner of the Whatsonstage Best New Comedy Award, extended its run this thanks to sell-out audiences.

The play is brought to us by the superb satirists Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn (the fine minds behind the original television series Yes, Minister) and pokes fun at a pithy parody of British parliament. I was not quite old enough to appreciate the television show back in its day, but I do remember my parents laughing like drains, and the live show does not disappoint. Prime Minister Jim Hacker, head of the coalition government, ducks, dives and dodges his way through economic and ethical crises in a hilarious plot involving the Foreign Minister of Kumranistan. Sir Humphrey Appleby, played by the acerbic Simon Williams, plays the PM like a pawn in a chess game as the team of advisors attempt to save parliament from scandal. Pompous politicians running around like headless chickens and a series of beautifully sharp and witty one-liners have the audience in a constant buzz of amusement. Yes, Prime Minister closes at the West End’s Gielgud Theatre on 19 November, so get in quick!

Yes Prime Minister Address: Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6AR

www.yesprimeminister.co.uk

Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus underground Category: Shows and Nightlife Sub-category: Theatre

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#Theatres #West End #W1D #Shaftesbury Avenue #Comedy

Select Shoreditch Underground Art Space in the Air

Photo courtesy of Village Underground.

Partly made up of disused tube trains and partly a Victorian warehouse-come-mechanic’s-garage, Village Underground is a constant work in progress. I like this place because the original idea was to create free studio space for artists amid rising Shoreditch rents. Far more than just a gallery, this renovated, formerly derelict warehouse plays host to concerts, club nights, exhibitions, theatre and live art. Strictly not-for-profit, the decommissioned Jubilee line trains and shipping containers accommodate up to 50 artists, writers, designers and filmmakers (spaces are, unsurprisingly, like gold dust). The minds behind this place are currently researching and engineering further sites in Lisbon and Berlin. They’re also proud members of Trans Europe Halles, an international network of independent cultural centres. There is a regular 1940s themed club night (The Blitz Party) gigs by avant and underground bands, offbeat theatrical events and the Moniker Art Fair, highlighting those artists overlooked by the more mainstream art fairs. There’s no actual sign for the place, so just look for a wall of graffiti and a gate and press the buzzer. The main floor is the gallery and music venue, with the studios and extra performance area above. Check the schedule of events before you go.

Village Underground

Address: 54 Holywell Lane, Shoreditch, EC2A 3PQ

Nearest Station: Shoreditch High Street overground, Old Street or Liverpool Street underground

Website: www.villageunderground.co.uk

#Art #Art Galleries #Shoreditch #Old Street #EC2A

Quench your Thirst at Saatchi's Chelsea Mess

When heading for the Saatchi Gallery on Duke of York Square, you can either follow the endless crowds of young tourists and art students into the gallery - or you can head straight to the Gallery Mess for drinks. Featuring minimal décor with bare brick walls, huge windows opening out on the square, and row upon seductive row of champagne bottles behind the long bar, on the weekend, it’s a perfect place for People-Watching and kicking back. So settle down with a cold glass of Pommery or a classic Martini, and get your money’s worth. Saturdays and Sunday teatimes are the week’s busiest, so there may be queues. But even then, the staff remain remarkably accommodating, and if your drink isn’t to your taste, you can get it replaced without hassle. And if you only want a pot of tea, you won’t be hurried to make room for newcomers. Weekdays are a slightly different story: it’s more tranquil and you’ll find people reading the papers in peace. They don’t play any music here, and I’ve come on a weekday afternoon and actually got work done without any disruption. That’s a rarity worth taking advantage of in this part of town.

Gallery Mess Cafe and Bar

Address: Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York HQ, Turk's Row, SW3 4RY

Nearest Station: Sloane Square

Tel: 020 7730 8135

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/gallerymess

#Chelsea #Bars #Cafes #SW3

Working the smile muscle

Walking out of my first Friskis experience I am not sure what is hurting more, my aching body or my cheeks. This is the first fitness class I’ve done that has provided a full-body workout that even included my Zygomaticus (smiling) muscle!

Friskis & Svettis is a not for profit Swedish gym class that has been around for 30 years. The instructors and board members help run the group in their spare time and do it for the love of it - and it shows.

There are about 50 people in the class and we start by forming a circle around the instructor, Martina. Her energy and beaming smile makes you instantly relaxed and open to the class.

We begin jumping around and mimicking Martina’s easy to follow moves. You can’t help but laugh thinking that 5 minutes ago everyone in the room was so serious walking in from work and now we are jumping around with our arms in the air.

The class lasts 50 minutes, incorporating all the elements you want in a work out: strength, flexibility and stamina. The moves flow with the eclectic mix of music catering to everyone’s taste and ensuring you can have a sing along between panting breaths. When the session is over the cool down is excellent with a lot of stretching and a calming relaxation at the end.

This workout really is amazing burning 600 calories in 50 minutes. I would recommend everyone do this class. Trust me you will be hooked.

Classes are £5 per class or £40 for 10.

Friskis & Svettis hold classes at three convenient locations around London. I went to the West End class at the Central YMCA. Their other classes are in Marylebone (Swedish Church) and Islington (Movingartsbase).

Address: Central YMCA, 112 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NQ

Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road Underground

Website: www.friskissvettis.co.uk

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#West End #WC1B #Fitness Classes #Marylebone #Islington

The Coolest Art in the Oldest Building

Photo courtesy of The Riflemaker Gallery.

When I worked around the corner from Riflemaker I’d always pass swarms of people desperate to get in to their launches. Perhaps it was for Gavin Turk’s piss-painting, or Anja Niemi’s ‘Porcelain’ show, or John Maeda’s test of the virtual world. Or perhaps it was because it is one of London’s most understated and cool gallery spaces. Opened in 2004 in the oldest public building in London’s West End (a Georgian riflemaker’s workshop dating from 1712), the place was carefully renovated with help from English Heritage. The work on display is often bizarre, extraordinary and ambitious. Debuts from Francesca Lowe, Stuart Pearson Wright and Leah Gordon have been held here and themed exhibitions have centred on William S. Burroughs and the Indica celebrations, for which Yoko Ono collaborated with the gallery. They also initiate offsite projects with former exhibitors, and there have been collaborations with The Soane, The Economist, Selfridges and even the German Embassy. Three floors of art await the visitor: the stone basement for larger pieces, the all-wood ground floor for regular shows and the first floor for previews. Most of the gallery’s events are on Mondays, with the chance to meet the exhibiting artist. If you get a chance to speak with co-owner Tot, do so. He's one of the most interesting and keen people on London's art scene.

Riflemaker Gallery

Address: 79 Beak Street, Soho, W1F 9SU

Nearest Station: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus underground

Tel: 07792 706 494 or 07719 745 766

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.riflemaker.org

#Art #Art Galleries #Soho #W1F

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