The sun has finally decided to grace the city with its presence, just in time for one of the biggest weekends in the London calendar. Whether you’re gearing up to tackle 26.2 miles, planning to cheer from the sidelines with a pint in hand, or simply looking to soak up the spring rays on a blossom-filled terrace, there is plenty to get stuck into. Here is your official guide:

Try this culinary takeover

Blending French technique with South Asian flavours, this is the foodie collaboration that needs to be added to your radar. Until May 2nd, Friangi is taking over beloved Brixton restaurant Naughty Piglets, marking chefs Ruhi and Sim’s South London debut.

Think mritsari kulcha with a marmite-honey glaze, French onion-rasam soba, scallop crudo with nimbu pani, and ray wing with a green peppercorn curry leaf sauce. With the residency running for a limited time, this spot needs to be added to your weekend hitlist.

Where: 28 Brixton Water Ln, London SW2 1PE
Website: www.naughtypiglets.com

Tuck into a smash burger-inspired pizza dish

Kickstart your weekend with this one-night-only collaboration set menu. Cult Detroit-style pizza and natural wine bar, Ria’s, has teamed up with NYC smash burger joint, Chucks, to deliver an exclusive feast across its Soho and Notting Hill sites. Marking Ria’s very first chef collaboration, the dinner will feature everything from poutine to a chopped cheese pizza, which promises to bring together the flavours of Detroit and NYC into one irresistible dish.

Don’t worry if you can’t make next Thursday’s event, the pizza will stay on the menu for an additional week.

Where: 29 All Saints Rd, London W11 1HE
Website: www.rias.com

Enjoy a limited edition salad bowl

To celebrate the London Marathon, Atis has teamed up with Runna to release an exclusive salad bowl. Featuring miso ginger sweet potato, black bean mix, charred corn, and a host of other veggies, the bowl promises to keep runners fuelled through training and beyond. It will be available for a limited time from April 20th to the 27th across all Atis locations.

For those actually running the marathon on Sunday, it gets even better with Atis offering a complimentary bowl on race day or Monday 27th, simply by showing their medal in the store.

Where: Venues across London
Website: www.atis.com

Soak up the sun at this terrace

With the sun finally making an appearance, now marks the perfect time to enjoy some al fresco dining. Our top pick this weekend is the new terrace at SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden, where cherry blossoms cascade from the roof and sakura-inspired cocktails are always in reach. It’s the perfect spot to toast to the season in the heart of the city.

Among the drinks to choose from is the Haru Breeze and Hanami Fizz, while food offerings include wagyu gyoza, samba rolls and rock shrimp tempura.

Where: 35 The Market, London WC2E 8RF
Website: www.sushisamba.com

Gaucho mara offering

Another marathon offering that all medal holders need to add to their radar is Gaucho. It will be serving up complimentary steaks across all its London restaurants from race day until April 29th. Runners will be able to choose from a selection of signature cuts, including Sirloin, Ribeye, Rump and Fillet.

Gaucho will be serving up complimentary steaks across all its London restaurants.

Just head to your nearest Gaucho with your medal in hand and enjoy a meal on the house.

Where: Venues across London
Website: www.gaucho.com

Experience a renowned facial at Harrods

If you are looking to indulge in a slice of luxury this weekend, make sure to make a pitstop at Harrods to experience a pop-up facial event. Dr Sebagh will be carrying out its signature lifting and lymphatic drainage massages, which help to tone facial muscles, sculpt and boost circulation.

Each treatment is tailored to the individual customer, so you can truly get the most out of your facial and leave feeling hydrated, brighter, and revitalised. Appointments are limited, so make sure to book your slot quickly.

Where: 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL
Book here

Watch the London Marathon

The London Marathon takes centre stage this weekend, and the city is set to be buzzing. Whether or not you’re supporting someone personally, the incredible atmosphere makes it well worth joining the crowds to cheer the runners home.

Whether or not you’re supporting someone personally, the incredible atmosphere makes it well worth joining the crowds to cheer the runners home.

Attend a cocktail masterclass

If you’re looking to trade your standard Saturday pint for something a bit more polished, The Athenaeum is launching a sophisticated new cocktail masterclass that’s perfect for a weekend wind-down.

Nestled in the heart of Mayfair, this iconic five-star hotel is offering a 90-minute deep dive into the art of the drink. Unlike your typical high-volume classes, this experience is designed for intimate groups of two to four, making it an ideal shout for a catch-up with friends or an alternative date-night activity.

Where: 116 Piccadilly, London W1J 7BJ
Website: www.athanaeumhotel.com

Pay a visit to this new wellness destination

For your weekend wellness billing, try out this new Notting Hill studio. After much anticipation, Method Club has officially opened its doors and is branding itself as the new go-to destination for state-of-the-art fitness.

Whether you fancy trying out a new reformer pilates class, indulging in a Body Sculpting Detox Treatment, or taking on a high-energy cardio class, a trip to The Method is the perfect addition to your weekend plans.

Where: 235 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2SE
Website: www.themethod.com

Explore the Hexmoor wizarding world

For an alternative night out plan, pay a visit to Hexmoor’s wizarding prison bar. This immersive cocktail experience includes live actors and elaborate sets, promising a truly unforgettable night. Over the span of 1hour and 45 minutes, you will be transported to a wizarding world, while sipping on three magical cocktails.

This immersive cocktail experience includes live actors and elaborate sets, promising a truly unforgetable night.

Where: Unit 11, 127 Hackney Rd, London E2 8G
Website: www.hexmoor.com

Explore this new Lightroom exhibition

This weekend, a new installation will be coming to the Lightroom, which will celebrate the life and legacy of a British rock legend. David Bowie: You’re Not Alone is a multimedia spectacle that documents iconic performances and interviews as well as never-before-exhibited material from the visionary artist.

Projected across 11-metre-high walls, the exhibition offers a multisensory experience like no other.

Where: 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, King’s Cross, London
Website: www.lightroom.com

Watch this show at The Globe

The warmer weather also marks the return of the outdoor theatre season, and this week marks the beginning of A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s four-month run at The Globe.

Few plays lend themselves better to an open-air stage than Shakespeare’s whimsical comedy, and this vibrant new production promises to transform the iconic theatre into a communal celebration under starry, summer skies.

The warmer weather promises the return of the outdoor theatre season, and this week marks the beginning of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s’ run at The Globe.

Where: 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
Book here

Culture, Weekend Guide

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