So how's Dry January going? Thought as much. The bitter cold makes the cosiest of pubs and bars and restaurants evermore tempting. But if you're sticking with it, keep on resisting — the capital has more than enough going on to take your mind off the sauce.
London's latest omakase restaurant for starters, as well as a set of nootropic-enhanced alcohol-free drinks that promise a bit of a buzz, a ballet opening this weekend, and a tea tasting to boot.
Already succumbed to temptation? Then party on: there's a club night in here too, and a blowout dinner to book, just because. Here's everything to eat, drink and do this weekend.
The hot table: Juno Omakase
What’s thought to be the UK’s smallest omakase restaurant opens this weekend, and each of its six seats will undoubtedly be in high demand. Expect hyper-seasonal day boat seafood, a sumptuous (albeit tiny) setting, and the highest possible execution of precise omakase. For the newest luxe sushi experience in town, go here.
2-4 Farmer Street,W8, losmochis.co.uk
The old favourite: Hakkasan
Hakkasan has been around for nearly 23 years, which is practically ancient in restaurant trerms. The food is priced to postcode, but it's hard to deny its quality. The cod with honey and Champagne is every bit as richly decadent as it sounds and, if your wallet can stretch to it, the black truffle roasted duck shouldn’t be missed. January is the most miserable of months; brighten it with a blowout.
8 Hanway Place, London W1T, taogroup.com
The drinking den: Noobies at Nine Lives
London Bridge favourite Nine Lives has launched a dry January menu built around nootropics. These are the brain-enhancing (they claim) ingredients said to stimulate both mind and body. The “Noobies” menu includes the Mate Spritz, a Yerba Mate-based libation with Lyre’s dry aperitif and peach soda and the L-Theanine Sour, a blend of Everleaf Marine, Pentire and gyokuro honey (apparently full of mood-enhancing amino acids). An alcohol-free cure to those January blues.
8 Holyrood Street, SE1 2EL, ninelivesbar.com
The culture fix: Giselle
The classic ballet of innocence, betrayal and love gets another retelling this weekend as Giselle launches for its January run at the Coliseum. Described in early reviews as a “pitch-perfect production”, Mary Skeaping’s Giselle promises a stellar evening of immaculate ballet. And with tickets still available from £25, well worth it, too.
From January 11, London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, WC2N 4ES, londoncoliseum.org
The art fix: Rubens & Women
The female-focussed retrospective of Peter Paul Rubens at the Dulwich Picture Gallery continues this January, with the gallery saying it challenges the notion that Rubens only painted one type of woman during his celebrated career. With over 40 stunning images gathered, many of his wife and daughters, this weekend is one of the last chances to discover the nuance of Rubens in an entirely new light.
Until January 28, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, SE21 7AD, dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
The party: Secret Encounters
At the multi-hyphenate Cross nightclub (and bar and restaurant and lounge), this weekend sees Romanian-born DJ duo Vlad and Vladut takeover the decks for Secret Encounters. Expect techno, deep house, minimal and electronic music of the highest calibre. Get on the guestlist, stat.
January 13, The Cross, 2-4 Wharfdale Road, N1 9RY, thecrosslondon.com
The ticket to book now (for later): Mam Sham at HERE at Outernet
Mam Sham are two of the coolest people in food events and next week they’ll be hosting a pop-up at HERE at Outernet. Food comes courtesy of cult-favourite FKA Black Axe Mangal, Ling Ling's x Mambow and Supa Ya Ramen, with stand-up from Ed Gamble, CryBabies and Rose Matafeo. Three courses, three stand-ups, you get the idea. Profits go to charity Choose Love.
January 18, Charing Cross Road, WC2H 8LH, hereldn.com
The other ticket to book now (for later): Rare Tea Masterclass
At the end of the month, Brityard, the new(ish) department store promoting the best of British produce is set to host loose-leaf tea specialists Rare Tea Co. for a one-off masterclass. Rare Tea supply tea to the likes of Claridge’s, Noma and St John, so they know a thing or two about Britain's favourite drink.
