Before the schmaltz of next week rolls around — Valentine’s, remember? — there’s plenty of time to have fun. The weekend ahead promises much.
It’s a weekend that sees recent reopenings and revamped pubby spaces; it sees the return of cross-city art exhibitions and the resurgence of a particularly special neighbourhood hangout.
This week’s guide spans the whole city, and then some. From Borough Market to Chelsea and from W1 to N16, there’s a thing to do for all. Have fun.
The hot table: Restaurant Story
The highly anticipated relaunch of Tom Sellers’ Restaurant Story arrived just a couple of weeks ago, and the revitalised space looks every bit the part. Whilst the menu is set to change regularly — in keeping with more general seasonality and the specifics of the best available produce on the day — barbecued langoustine tail and the famous beef fat “candle” (pictured) with brioche are likely to be on the menu. This is a restaurant rebuilt to achieve a coveted three Michelin stars, so be sure to book for your next blowout dinner. It’s an absolute stunner.
199 Tooley Street, SE1 2JX, restaurantstory.co.uk
The (other) hot table: Kolae
Kolae (say it go-lay) is the new southern Thai from the team behind the pioneering Som Saa in Spitalfields. The fiery plates of gati curry with stone bass and kua kling curry with minced venison and lemongrass are tempered by the plump mussel skewers and tender chicken. It’s a hit: a well-thought-out and well executed reason to brave the crowds thronging through Borough Market.
6 Park Street, SE1 9AB, kolae.com
The (new) old favourite: Builders Arms
A three-minute walk from the omni-busy Kings Road is the peaceful Builders Arms, an old boozer with new life breathed into it courtesy of the Cubitt House group. That means chef Ben Tish has overhauled and vastly improved the old menu, and the space inside feels fresh as paint and ever so slightly plush. Still every bit the pub, only better.
13 Britten Street, SW3 3TY, cubitthouse.co.uk
The drinking den: Crossroads
Newington Green always delivers. Perilla, Jolene, Tranga and Cadet all call this little enclave home, and with a year under its belt in the new digs, cocktail bar Crossroads is a welcome addition to the community. The menu feels creative but approachable. Led by specific ingredients, expect creations like the Pear, F with Cognac, pear eau-de-vie and pear soda, or the Carrot, with Crossroads’ own carrot spirit, sweet woodruff and an orange wine reduction.
47 Newington Green, N16 9PX, crossroads.bar
The culture fix: Burma to Myanmar
Burma to Myanmar charts the 1,500-year history of one of the most influential nations in the south Asian region, and this weekend is the last chance to discover the rich cultural and artistic influences at the British Museum. It explores Myanmar’s national journey from hugely influential global superpower to its recent military struggles. From textiles to maps and sculptures to paintings, this is the final chance to observe the gravity of Myanmar's historical cultural significance.
Until February 11, British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG, britishmuseum.org
The art fix: Condo London
Created by gallerist Vanessa Carlos, Condo is best described as a decentralised collaborative exhibition that sees 50 global art galleries come together to celebrate hundreds of artists across 23 physical spaces throughout the city. From better-known spaces like Sadie Coles, who are hosting the Kayoko Yuki gallery from Tokyo, to south London’s intimate Greengrassi gallery (who will be hosting the Delgosha gallery from Tehran), the city-wide collaboration sees London host this truly international show for the first time in three years.
Until February 17, Across London, condocomplex.org
The ticket to book now (for later): Joia Battersea Blackout Dinner
Created in conjunction with the closing of the Battersea Light Festival, Joia is set to turn off the lights for the night, light some candles and give diners an atmospheric experience overlooking the last day of the show. The menu, created by head chef Jose Jara, is set to include Iberico ham and octopus salad, followed by either a Madeira-braised beef featherblade steak or arroz marisco with red prawns and razor clams. For those swerving anything too schmaltzy on February 14, book this instead.
