What To Book In London This June
BOOK THIS: Behind The Pass
Ben Murphy, Head Chef of Kensington fine-dining restaurant, Launceston Place, is teaming up with some of the UK’s best-loved chefs for a series of ‘Behind the Pass’ collaborations. This month sees ex-Le Café Anglais chef-patron Rowley Leigh and Salon’s Nicholas Balfe take to the stoves to cook a collaborative menu with Ben, celebrating the diversity of styles and flavours in British cooking.
1a Launceston Place, Kensington, W8 5RL; Rowley Leigh on 12th June, Nicholas Balfe on 26th June; £60pp for a six-course dinner, with an additional £40 for paired wines
Visit LauncestonPlace-Restaurant.co.uk
TRY SECRET ROOFTOP YOGA HERE: The Berkeley
The five-star hotel is launching rooftop yoga classes in collaboration with new luxury athleisure wear Silou London. Launching on 15th June and running until 1st October, The Berkeley will offer intimate yoga classes and sun salutations for up to six guests within their exclusive rooftop garden with views of the pool and Hyde Park beyond. It certainly beats a sweaty studio.
Wilton Pl, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RL; from 15th June
Visit The-Berkeley.co.uk
GET A DOSE OF FLOWER POWER HERE: The Bloom Rooms
Now in its third year, the Blossom City initiative sees D&D restaurants launch a range of flower-inspired menus, cocktails and floral installations across London. New for 2018 are the Bloom Rooms – curved wooden domes decorated with fresh flowers and winding ivy to resemble an English garden in full bloom. They provide the ideal spot to sip on a chilled glass of champagne.
Coq D’Argent, 1 Poultry, Bank, EC2R 8EJ; South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, Moorgate EC2M 2AF; and Plateau, Canada Square, E14 5ER; until 30th June
Visit DAndDLondon.com
BRUNCH ON THE BEACH HERE: Montague on the Gardens
The Bloomsbury Hotel’s annual Beach Bar installation has something new on offer for 2018 – ‘Brunch on the Beach’. Throughout June, the pop-up space will welcome visitors on weekends to enjoy two hours of unlimited summer cocktail refills, plus a brunch-inspired sharing platter (priced at £39pp). Expect the likes of black pudding scotch eggs, mini burgers and an ice cream to finish.
15 Montague Street, Bloomsbury, WC1B 5BJ; every Saturday and Sunday in June
Visit MontagueHotel.com
COMBINE FOOD WITH PHILANTHROPY HERE: Fork to Fork Festival
The brainchild of Wahaca co-founder Thomasina Miers and Caravan co-founder Laura Harper Hinton, Fork to Fork Festival brings together 40 of the capital’s most exciting chefs and restaurants for a day filled with food, cookery demonstrations and live music. On the day, each chef will prepare a delicious restaurant dish for only £3, with all proceeds going towards supporting the Open Air Classroom project. Chefs on board include Quo Vadis’s Jeremy Lee, Spring’s Skye Gyngell and Yotam Ottolenghi.
Ark Franklin Primary, Kensal Rise, NW6; 16th June
Visit FranklinForkToFork.com
DISCOVER THE NEXT BIG THING HERE: Graduate Fashion Week
Now in its 27th year, Graduate Fashion Week will take over a new floor of the Truman Brewery to increase the exhibition space to 100,000sq m, and expand the International Catwalk Competition Show, which provides aspiring graduates from some of the most prestigious fashion schools in the world with the opportunity to launch their careers on a global platform.
91 Brick Lane, Shoreditch, E1 6QR; 3rd-6th June
Visit TrumanBrewery.com
PLAY CHESS HERE: J Sheekey
To celebrate the return of Chess the Musical to the West End, J Sheekey Atlantic Bar & Terrace will be providing chess sets on its terrace tables, encouraging diners to play a game whilst dining al fresco. For those looking to brush up on their skills ahead of the show, the restaurant is offering bookable masterclasses with a selection of Grand Masters from 3-5pm on 4th June.
28-32 St Martin's Court, Covent Garden, WC2N 4AL; until 30th June
Visit J-Sheekey.co.uk
DRINK GIN HERE: Junipalooza
Tobacco Dock is set to play host to a huge gin-tasting festival. Known as the gin connoisseur’s event of choice, Junipalooza has a policy of having either the Master Distiller or the owner of the gin company present and pouring samples in person – no matter where their distillery is based – guaranteeing that gin fans can gain exclusive access to the people behind the spirit. Cheers to that.
Tobacco Dock, Wapping Lane, Wapping, E1W 2SF; 9th and 10th June
Visit Junipalooza.com
CELEBRATE ALL THINGS OYSTERS HERE: London Seafood Festival
The first annual London Seafood Festival will be setting up shop at Wright Brothers’ Battersea Power Station site later this month. Kicking things off will be acclaimed chef Mitch Tonks, who’ll be taking over the kitchen. Other events include an oyster tasting session aboard a Thames Clipper, a crayfish boil and an oyster ‘shuckathon’, with all proceeds going towards Action Against Hunger.
Circus West Village, Battersea, SW11 8NN; 20th-24th June
Visit LondonSeafoodFestival.com
GO WILD HERE: Moonshine Saloon
Following the successful BYOB bar concept, Alcotraz, Moonshine Saloon on the King’s Road is an immersive bar experience that will transport guests from the streets of west London to the shady underworld of the Wild West. Expect four rounds of ‘moonshine’ (made from your smuggled booze), card games and camaraderie.
535 Kings Road, Chelsea SW10 0SZ; from 1st June
Visit MoonshineSaloon.com
GET IMMERSIVE HERE: The Murdér Express
Set on board a glamorous train with lavish furnishings, immersive brand Funicular’s debut show, 'The Murdér Express' takes guests back in time to the grandeur of the 1920s. Departing from ‘Pedley Street Station’, passengers will enjoy drinks at the Seven Sins platform bar and once on board be served a selection of dishes crafted by MasterChef 2016 finalists, Billy and Jack, as the mysterious story unfolds.
Arch 63 Pedley Street, Shoreditch, E1 5BW; until 23rd September
Visit FunicularProductions.com
PRETEND YOU’RE IN CORNWALL HERE: Outlaw’s at The Capital
For one night only, Cornish pub The Mariners – by Nathan Outlaw and Sharp’s Brewery – will surf into Knightsbridge to host a one-off pop-up at Nathan’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Outlaw’s at The Capital. The five-course beer pairing dinner will be led by The Mariner’s Head Chef, Zack Hawke, and Sharp’s Beer Sommelier, Ed Hughes. Expect the likes of grilled mackerel with oyster mayonnaise.
22-24 Basil Street, Knightsbridge, SW3 1AT; 11th June
Visit CapitalHotel.co.uk
STOCKPILE FOR SUMMER HERE: Queen’s Park Book Festival
The Queen’s Park Book Festival is set to return for another weekend of literary celebration and debate, bringing together a mix of local, national and international writers and fresh talent. With over 40 events across the weekend there’s something for everyone, with the programme covering current affairs, politics, fiction, stage and screen, sport, music, cookery, poetry and more. It’s time to find your perfect read for summer.
Queen's Park, Kilburn, NW6 6SG; 30th June and 1st July
Visit QPBookFest.com
PURCHASE A PIECE OF ART HERE: Mayfair Art Weekend
The fifth annual Mayfair Art Weekend is set to bring together the best of British culture, with over 40 galleries and auctions houses from across the area presenting exhibitions and programming special events. This year, the RA will form a hub for the weekend, offering a free arts festival across the campus, Fortnum & Mason will be providing tea and hampers, and there’ll be a special fashion project by Victoria Beckham.
At 40 galleries and auction houses across Mayfair and St James’s; 29th June-1st July
Visit MayfairArtWeekend.com
GET SIGNED UP TO A POP-UP MEMBERS’ CLUB HERE: Moët Summer House
We’re really looking forward to the launch of Moët Summer House, which aims to blend the feel of a private members’ club with Moët & Chandon’s ‘spirit of generosity’, all within a Georgian townhouse. Running across three days, members can expect a day-to-night line-up of cultural events, such as food from Isaac Carew and Jason Atherton, live sets from Communion Music, a live podcast from The High Low and a ballet performance choreographed by Eric Underwood.
38 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, W1K 2HW; 8th-10th June
Visit MoëtSummerHouse.com
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