What To Do This Weekend 09.11.18

FEEL FESTIVE HERE: Carnaby Street

On Thursday, the Carnaby Christmas Shopping Party returns, offering a 20% discount at over 90 shops and restaurants in the area, as well as live music, entertainment and in-store activations. In-keeping with the ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ theme of Carnaby’s festive light installations, official Queen tribute act Bulsara and His Queenies will be on hand, plus electric string quartet Vesper. Elsewhere, there’s a pop-up cocktail bar, DJs, complimentary makeovers and gift personalisation across fashion and lifestyle brands including Dr Martens, Monki, Jack Wills, Levi’s, Office, Scotch & Soda, Puma, Shinola, The Great Frog, Lazy Oaf, Nixon and Onitsuka Tiger. Christmas shopping, sorted.

Carnaby Street, Soho, Soho, W1B 5AH; 8th November

Visit Carnaby.co.uk

EAT BRUNCH & SUNDAY LUNCH WITH A TWIST HERE: Clutch

After five years serving guilt-free fried chicken to a loyal Hackney crowd, Clutch has relaunched with brand new menus and a refreshed design. With high-quality free-range fried chicken still at its core, the menus have been expanded to gluten-free and vegan options, desserts, plus a weekend brunch and Sunday roast. Hangover-busting brunch dishes include fried chicken and French toast with turkey bacon and vanilla bourbon syrup; and chicken sausage, turkey bacon, purple potato rosti, mushrooms, fried egg, roasted tomato and baked beans. On Sundays from midday, expect the likes of roast chicken served with collard spring greens, maple-glazed carrots, roast potatoes, stuffing and chicken jus; or the fried chicken version with mash, green beans and chicken gravy.

4 Ravenscroft Street, Hackney, E2 7QG; 10th-11th November

Visit ClutchChicken.com

GO ALL GAME OF THRONES HERE: Johnnie Walker Frozen Forest

Game of Thrones fans, listen up. An immersive frozen forest worthy of the Night’s Watch is coming to London this November, as Johnnie Walker celebrates the launch of its limited-edition White Walker whisky, produced in collaboration with HBO. Inspired by the Frozen North, home of the much-feared Game of Thrones White Walker army, the Frozen Forest experience will allow you to breathe in the crisp air, walk through a bone-chilling winter landscape and experience the new limited-edition whisky as it’s meant to be served – ice cold. The event will also hold whisky masterclasses that showcase the innovative Scotch in three specially created cocktails: ‘The White Walker’, ‘The Long Winter’ and ‘The Night King’.

Kachette, 347 Old Street, Shoreditch, EC1V 9LP; 9th-10th November

Visit DesignMyNight.com

CELEBRATE TRUFFLE SEASON HERE: 45 Jermyn St

45 Jeremy St is celebrating truffle season with a new menu dedicated to the delicacy. Four dishes have been created to showcase the ingredient in its purest form. The star of the show comes in the form of the toasted cheese sandwich – the epitome of decadent comfort food, homemade sourdough is filled with raclette cheese, whipped butter and truffle shavings before being topped with fresh shaved truffle at the table. Other dishes include homemade tagliatelle with parmesan and shaved truffle; and 24-month parmesan risotto with a splash of champagne and sliced white truffle.

45 Jermyn Street, St James's, SW1Y 6JD

Visit 45JermynSt.com

BAG GIRLFRIEND OF THE YEAR HERE: Luca Faloni Pop-Up

Coveted menswear label Luca Faloni has launched cashmere pop-up on Marylebone High Street. Traditionally the 100% two-ply pure cashmere knitwear is only available to buy online: in this new pop-up, shoppers will be able to try before they buy in the Italian lounge – each Thursday evening alongside a complimentary ‘Alpine Aperitivo’. The new collection offers an autumnal array of cashmere hues that will take wearers from piste to party – perfect for Christmas presents. Gift wrapping and cashmere care services will be available.

108 Marylebone High Street, Marylebone, W1U 4RU; until 20th January

Visit LucaFaloni.com

CHECK OUT A FILM HERE: West Norwood Library & Cinema

West Norwood Library & Cinema is a new four-screen cinema, library and café which will open its doors on Saturday. It’s rare for a new cinema to be part of film lore before it’s even opened, but for West Norwood Library & Cinema, that’s the case – in 1969, Stanley Kubrick filmed the disturbing ‘Ludovico Technique’ scene from A Clockwork Orange in the same venue. The newest Picturehouse will hold a number of special events, from Saturday morning kids’ clubs through to the Slacker’s Club for students. This weekend, the cinema is showing Disobedience, Suspiria and Widows – we’re a fan of all three.

1-7 Norwood High Street, West Norwood, SE27 9JU; from 9th November

Visit PictureHouses.com

BE A VIP HERE: Bingo Academy

Following the success of its runs at The Vaults and Mecca Camden earlier this year, Bingo Academy is heading east for its autumn season. Starting this Saturday, City bar and eatery The Kitty Hawk will be transformed into a bingo training den, where novices and experts alike will have the chance to hone their skills. Guests will be taught the complex rules of bingo and shown advanced dabbing techniques while competing in real-life bingo games to win life-changing (if slightly ridiculous) prizes. The bingo boot camp will be paired with the ultimate bingo-friendly food, such as Kellogg’s fried chicken; crackling with sour apple and kimchi; sauerkraut and Montgomery cheddar nuggets; plus an array of drinks. SL VIPs can claim 30% off – sign up to become a VIP using the link below.

11-14 South Place, Moorgate, EC2M 7EB; offer valid until 31st December; an email will be sent to all SL VIPs with a unique code to use when booking online.

Visit SheerLuxeVIP.com

WATCH THIS: White Teeth

Zadie Smith’s breakthrough novel has been adapted for the stage by acclaimed playwright Stephen Sharkey and directed by artistic director Indhu Rubasingham in a major world premiere at the Kiln Theatre. Rosie Jones, the Iqbal twins, their parents, their grandparents, Mad Mary and an avalanche of other characters who make up the everyday chaos of Kilburn High Road come together in an extraordinary revelry of NW6. An epic comedy with music and dance, this theatrical rollercoaster takes us on a fast-paced journey through history, different cultures and chance encounters.

269 Kilburn High Road, Kilburn, NW6 7JR; until 22nd December

Visit KilnTheatre.com

BE A REAL LONDONER HERE: The Jellied Eel

The Jellied Eel is a new venture by two Walthamstow locals – a cocktail and croquetas pop-up bar. Popping up every Friday and Saturday night from this weekend through until Christmas, The Jellied Eel will take over L Manze pie and mash shop, which has remained unchanged since opening in 1929. A short menu of handmade gourmet croquetas will combine British and Spanish flavours with paired cocktails. Varieties will include everything from classic jamón ibérico to smoked eel and horseradish. Cocktails will include the winter-focused ‘Mulled Wine New York Sour’ and a ‘Clementine Gimlet’.

76 High Street, Walthamstow, E17 7LD; from 10th November

Visit TheJelliedEel.com

CELEBRATE DIWALI HERE: Trishna

To mark the ten-year milestone of Trishna and JKS Restaurants, this week Trishna is transforming its facade into a Diwali-inspired floral masterpiece, incorporating bold and striking marigold chains, exotic flower curtains and sparkling lights to create a showstopping display for passers-by and guests to enjoy before dining. In the kitchen, the team will be cooking up a six-course Diwali tasting menu incorporating much loved south-west Indian-inspired dishes such as koliwada squid and shrimps; hariyali bream; and meen manga curry. This Saturday, the team will be offering a full Diwali candlelit dinner experience, where guests can dine from the celebratory Diwali tasting menu in floral surroundings.

15-17 Blandford Street, Marylebone, W1U 3DG; 8th-10th November

Visit TrishnaLondon.com

SEE THE EXHIBITION OF THE SEASON HERE: Royal Academy

This week, the Royal Academy opens its most anticipated exhibition of the year with a retrospective of Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. Offering intimate insights into their artistic relationship and differing creative processes, this collaboration with the Albertina Museum in Vienna marks the centenary of both artists’ deaths. Among the works on display are Klimt’s sketches for his seminal Beethoven Frieze, and unflinching self-portraits by Schiele, which due to their delicacy won’t see the light of day again for many years. In around 100 portraits, allegories, landscapes and erotic nudes, prepare to encounter these two icons of early modernism at their most raw and revealing. Make sure to book ahead.

Royal Academy, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD; until 3rd February

Visit RoyalAcademy.org.uk

BOOK AHEAD FOR THIS: Brasserie of Light

Brasserie of Light, the newest destination restaurant and bar from Caprice Holdings, is set to open in Selfridges’ London department store at the end of the month – and it’s now taking reservations. The brasserie will feature London’s largest scale artwork by Damien Hirst – a 24ft crystal encrusted statue of a pegasus with a 30ft wingspan – and will offer all-day dining in a chic, art deco setting. Expect an eclectic mix of classic British and internationally-inspired dishes: think scallops with red peppers, roasted fennel and capers; followed by lobster spaghetti. Weekend brunch and champagne afternoon teas will also be on offer. See you there.

Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB; from 22nd November

Visit Brasserie-Of-Light.co.uk