From Pop-Ups To New Brunches: 8 Ways To Fill Your Weekend
Whether it’s a weekend taking in the street art of London’s West End or two days tucking into the poshest ice cream the capital has to offer, we’ve got plenty of plans up our sleeve to ensure you pack out your weekend in style.
Here’s what’s on…
Get an Instagram op with the new Zandra Rhodes designs throughout Seven Dials
London landmark Seven Dials (those gorgeous, boutique-filled cobbled streets in the heart of London’s West End), has teamed up with one of Britain’s most recognised design forces, Dame Zhandra Rhodes for an inspiring art collaboration.
The partnership sees the globally renowned fashion and print designer bring her signature rainbow-hued, 60s/70s inspired artwork to the area’s iconic streets, and it’s particularly poignant for Rhodes as Seven Dials is where she started her career in fashion, allowing her to well and truly return to her roots.
Essentially an art exhibition on the streets of London, expect to see Rhodes’ pop art drawings, flowers, swirls and general psychedelic approach to life fill shop fronts and wall spaces in the area, with each unique piece of street-art including a quote from some of Seven Dials’ biggest fans.
Even more exciting activity is planned for later in the month across the seven streets so watch this space.
In the meantime, head there for the perfect Instagram op (use the hashtag #SevenDials and follow @7dialslondon for more) and to take a look at the work of one of Britain’s most iconic artists.
Check out the Zhandra Rhodes collaboration in and around Seven Dials, London.
www.sevendials.co.uk
Celebrate summer in the sky with the reopening of Shangri-La
One of London’s most iconic, modern (and loftiest) hotels is reopening this Friday 14th August, bringing even more normality back to the city. The Shangri-La, housed inside The Shard, is opening it’s doors with an array of summer offerings.
Curb any travel carvings you have without even leaving the city with a seriously chic staycation in the sky as the hotel are giving guests the chance to take advantage of complimentary upgrades complete with some of the best views across London, from the London Eye to Tower Bridge and St Paul’s.
The hotel can also arrange a private, champagne-fuelled Harvey Nichols shopping experience with a dedicated shopping consultant at the luxurious Knightsbridge store or a deluxe bath experience by London’s favourite modern apothecary, Neal’s Yard Remedies for those wanting to inject a little romance into their weekend.
There will also be breakfast included in the offer, 20% discounts at The Shard’s bars and restaurants and guaranteed early check-in and late check-out to ease you back into staying out.
The Ultimate Staycation in the Sky package is priced from £435 per night for two sharing.
www.shangri-la.com
Cool off at London’s poshest ice cream stall
Skye Gyngell’s Somerset House restaurant Spring has launched a pop-up container outside the iconic courtyard and they will be serving up warm weather appropriate delights right through until the end of September.
Named ‘Spring in Summer’, the cute container pop-up has been painted millennial pink to capitalise on those Instagram shots, but the treats they are serving up through the hatch are equally as photogenic too.
Choose flavours from sweet Peach through to tongue tingling Lemon and Jostaberry Ripple if you’re after something a little fancy.
SPRING INTO SUMMER PINK CONTAINER WILL BE OPEN THURSDAY TO SUNDAY, 12PM-6PM, UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
SOMERSET HOUSE, STRAND, LONDON WC2R 1LA
WWW.SPRINGRESTAURANT.CO.UK
Stay in with TOKii’s takeaway menu
We don’t know about you but this heatwave has given us an aversion to turning the oven on. So this weekend we’re finding no guilt in ordering in.
Enter TOKii, the awesome Japanese restaurant inside W1’s Prince Akatoki Hotel, offering a new a la carte menu that can be ordered for delivery and takeout. Think Saikyo black cod with crushed peas, spring onions, pea shoots and shiso oil; wagyu beef served with king oyster mushrooms, spicy ponzu and Japanese mustard mayo; and green tea soba noodles with crab, chilli, coriander in a cold dashi broth. Plus, some of the best yakitori, sashimi and nigiri we’ve found in the capital.
We’re almost tempted to plan a dinner party, order the lot and pretend we did it ourselves.
Order online at www.tokii.co.uk
Explore the streets of Central London on bike
Iconic London landmark, best known for its historic swinging 60s culture, fashion boutiques and independent restaurants, Carnaby, launches a free bike hub this weekend.
Stationed at 57 Carnaby Street, the bike hub has an open door policy and is open every day 7am – 9pm with availability for 50 bikes. So whilst travelling to the West End for work, shopping or eating, you can leave your bike locked up for free.
It’s no secret London trails behind other European cities when it comes to bike culture, which makes this free bike hub a step in the right direction. Coupled with the fact that we’re all avoiding the tube as much as possible, this weekend is the perfect time to get out the old two wheels.
Find the new bike hub at 57 Carnaby Street, Monday – Sunday 7am – 9pm.
www.carnaby.co.uk
Listen to our album of the week: Biffy Clyro
Fans of Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro have been waiting all lockdown for this as the band delayed their ninth studio album release, A Celebration of Endings, due to the coronavirus crisis, citing “it would have felt wrong.”
This weekend finally sees the release of the album and it showcases the trio as better than ever. Think off-kilter guitar riffs, angsty vocals juxtaposed with Simon Neil’s soft Scottish tones and confident experimental sounds.
The Mercury Music Prize nominations might have been filled with pop this year, but Biffy’s latest release proves guitar music is still alive and well.
The album is released Friday 14th and the band will follow up with a live streamed performance of it front to back from an iconic Glasgow venue.
shops.ticketmasterpartners.com
Shop the market stalls at Selfridge’s
Luxury department store Selfridge’s have gone all lowkey this summer with the launch of the Market on the Mews. Tucked away on Edwards Mews (at the rear of our flagship store), the market will open every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm, stocked with delicious foods and drinks, plus beautiful flowers, plants and homeware.
Grab a flat white from Brixton-based coffee roastery Assembly Coffee, tuck into Darlish’s rosewater and pistachio sorbet and head home with a bounty of beautiful blooms. We can’t promise many “two for a fiver” style bargains but it’s well worth a visit.
Every Saturday & Sunday, 11am–6pm
Edwards Mews, at the rear of Selfridges Oxford Street, London W1U 1AE
www.selfridges.com
Try London’s coolest new brunch: Nuno Mendes x The Scolt Head
Best known for heading up the kitchens at the celeb favourite Chiltern Firehouse, Portuguese chef Nuno Mendes is without a doubt one of London’s coolest and most inspiring chefs.
He’s recently teamed up with one of our favourite boozers, The Scolt Head (if you’re an Islington regular you’ll know), to launch a weekend brunch, giving foodies the chance to try Nuno’s creations for a fraction of his regular prices.
The menu includes the likes of the Hangover Cure – chicken and rice broth, poached eggs and chillies; the Scolt Royale – smoked trout, poached eggs, lemony latkes and smokey hollandaise; and a bone marrow burger with comté cheese and melted onions on toasted brioche.
If that sounds a bit too meaty, there’s also a dedicated vegan menu in place.
Choose from the likes of savoury summer fruits, berries and whipped tofu or grilled courgettes and beer battered courgette flowers with chillies and whipped tofu. Yum
Oh, and did we mention Nuno’s traditional Portuguese custards tarts? A must order (if you’re not vegan).
Nuno’s brunch is held every Friday and Saturday, 10am – 4pm. Booking is essential.
The Scolt Head, 107A CULFORD ROAD. LONDON, N1 4HT
www.thescolthead.co.uk