Things To Do This Weekend: 20th – 22nd July
We’ve just gotten air-con in The Handbook office, which means we’ve gone from sweltering to donning woollens. So I write this now wearing full-on winter clothes and gazing longingly at the blue sky. Which means that the weekend simply can’t come soon enough.
Fifth Floor Bar, Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nick's New Bar
Hot New Bar Alert! Change your weekend plans and make time to visit the new Fifth Floor Bar at Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge. It has been entirely re-designed, with a makeover that’s brought in a new colour scheme and a new drinks list. Bar Manager Sophie Bratt has come up with a selection of classic, non-alcoholic and London-inspired cocktails. Our favourite is the Crunchy Not Cornflakes, made with Maker’s Mark whisky and honey nut flakes in homage to Shoreditch’s Cereal Killer Café.
The Fifth Floor Bar is open now
Where: 109 - 125 Knightsbridge, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ
Website: www.harveynichols.com
Bluebird Café White City
Dogs For Tea
‘Just add dogs’ is a winning formula to make anything in life at least ten times better and we can’t think of a better example than afternoon tea (as guests, not ingredients, obviously). And Bluebird White City obviously agree as they’re bringing us, and our four-legged friends, an afternoon tea to remember. Teaming up with PetsPyjamas, dedicated to dog-welcoming holidays and travel, Bluebird will leave yours and your dog’s tails wagging.
Begins on Sunday 22nd July and will run every Sunday
Where: 101 Wood Lane, London, UK
Website: www.bluebirdcafe.co.uk
Ivory Vaults
Slip Into Something Metalic
Slip into your comfiest suit of armour and get polishing your bommy-knocker (not a euphemism), it’s time to get mediaeval. Over at The Ivory Vaults this weekend they’re putting on a proper mediaeval banquet, and you’re invited. Part theatre production, part four course dinner Handbook readers can get a free glass of sparkling wine on arrival by quoting HANDBOOK when booking.
Available from Wednesdays to Sundays, with the Handbook’s offer available until Tuesday 31st July
Where: Ivory Vaults Ivory House St Katharine Docks London, E1W 1BP
Website: www.ivoryvaults.com
Palatino
Veg Out
Palatino, Stevie Parle’s Soho pasta restaurant, have launched a vegetable feasting menu and it’s suitably vegetably for even the hungriest of vegetable noshers. Expect focaccia, peppers, Mozzarella, more peppers, ricotta, watermelon, the works.
Available on Saturday lunchtimes for groups of more than four vegetable-hungry feasters
Where: 71 Central Street, London EC1V 8AB, United Kingdom
Website: www.palatino.london
Hip Hop Brunch
Drake Brunch
Not gonna lie, if I looked half as cool as the guy in the picture here, yes the one in the leopard skin hat drinking out of a damn goblet, then I’m pretty sure I’d be headed straight to Hip Hop Brunch. And they’ve announced hat this weekend they’re planning a special knees-up to celebrate Drake (the singer, not the duck. Or the pirate). The big one, hooked to the launch of Drake’s ‘Scorpion’ album, will feature bottomless cocktails and a three course menu. Excitingly every attendee will recieve a Drake face mask (oh yes, leopard skin guy, you ain’t got nothing) and will be able to play custom built party games.
Saturday July 21st
Where: A secret location
Website: www.hiphopbrunchldn.com
Roast
Hostess With The Roastest
Roast, the Borough Market restaurant, have launched their Staycation series; after all why go to Greece or Spain when you could just go to Borough Market and enjoy food from Spain or Greece? (okay, a little suspension of disbelief required, but you see where they’re going with this). Roast, one of our favourite restaurants, are putting on Italian, Greek, Portuguese and Spanish dishes. Head to Greece with barbecued Welsh lamb souvlaki, fly to the US with Southern fried Devonshire chicken and Wiltshire scotch bonnet chilli, or cross the channel and enjoy some moules frites with Scottish mussels and a Camden Hells wheat beer sauce.
Available throughout summer
Where: The Floral Hall, Stoney St, London SE1 1TL
Website: www.roast-restaurant.com
