It feels like we’re approaching peak London these days. From global popstars adorning our stages to the very best in culture keeping the west end thriving to new restaurant openings and pop-ups and not to mention the ongoing summer of top-notch sport: London is in fine form.
As ever then, this week’s guide is a run-down of what not to miss, amid the noise and hustle and bustle, this is the essential, distilled list of everything to do this weekend.
From the final few tickets to a supper club to a new opening from a well-established restaurateur, and from a family-friendly festival to live music from a glut of breakthrough artists, this is everything to see, do, eat and drink this weekend in London.
The hot table: The Park
Jeremy King’s latest venture, The Park, isn’t quite fully operational. A few little bits here and there are receiving a few finishing touches, but the mid-century main dining room is open, with leather banquettes and well-drilled, warm hospitality. The fare has never been the star of the show at a Jeremy King restaurant, but the clam chowder makes a strong case for the Cal-Ital menu, carried on by pasta (a new offering from King) which is as generous as it is delicious. As the summer evening glow pours through those huge windows, there will be few finer places for a romantic dinner.
2 Queensway, W2 3RX, theparkrestaurant.com
The not-so-old old favourite: Counter 71
Joe Laker has been an unsung fixture of London’s restaurant scene for quite some time, with stints at Pollen Street Social, Elystan Street, Anglo and Fenn in Fulham. His own ventures, Counter 71 and the Lowcountry speakeasy beneath, are in rich veins of form. The restaurant is a well-priced, well-paced affair, expressive without being overly inventive and beautiful without being ornate. The hip east-London crowd is both youthful and engaged, and the seasonal menu is a reminder that on our doorstep really is some of the best produce anywhere in the world. It’s been overlooked by Michelin and the like; don’t make the same mistake.
71 Nile Street, N1 7RD, counter71.co.uk
The rooftop drinking den: Freight Brixton
Opening last week in Brixton is Freight, billed as the largest rooftop in London, the space is a multi-hyphenate dining-drinking-dancing one, with both inescapable football screenings and live music too. The food arrives from a new open grill and BBQ space featuring a rotating line-up of chef talent, curated by Robin Gill. Rice Paddy (Paul Asher) will bring his Thai-inspired cooking, followed by Gill’s own “Darby’s BBQ” and Brixton favourite Ruben’s Reubens, which is set to bring in its famous smoked meats, finishing off the roster of this new south London sun trap.
20 Pope's Road, SW9 8JH, freightbrixton.com
The art fix: Material States: Yves Klein and Günther Uecker
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Lévy Gorvy Dayan is a punchy little gallery in the heart of south Mayfair’s artsy quarter, currently showcasing a stunning selection of works from the post-war avant-garde artists Yves Klein and Günther Uecker. Both were born between the wars during a time of rapid change in Europe and the nature of their groundbreaking artworks is rarely explored alongside one another, until now. There’s a distinct purpose to these works being shown in tandem, as these often previously unexplored connections feel particularly undeniable in the space.
Until August 2, 35 Dover Street, W1S 4NQ, levygorvydayan.com
The gig: Kew the Music
Beverley Knight, Richard Ashcroft and JLS headline this weekend’s line-up at Kew the Music, a plucky little festival full of live events, music and food. Set within the grounds of Kew Palace and Kew Gardens, the family-friendly series of events also features a lineup during the rest of this week that includes Monty Don, Passenger and Ronan Keating. After the heady thrills of Glastonbury, this is a far calmer affair, with picnic tables available and hampers by Panzer’s Deli.
Until July 14, Kew, TW9 3AE, kewthemusic.org
The (other) gig: Somerset House Summer Series
This year, the Somerset House courtyard is once again set to host a live event series of breakthrough artists and musicians over its Summer Series. Fatoumata Diawara headlines the opening Friday with her blend of afrobeats, pop and jazz music while the multi-platinum-selling recording artist DBN Gogo (Mandisa Radebe) takes centre stage on Saturday. The Big Moon, The Amazons and Cory Henry are set to continue the performances next week as the series champions lesser-known musical talent from across the globe.
Until July 21, Strand, WC2R 1LA, somersethouse.org.uk
The culture fix: British Academy Summer Showcase
This Friday, the British Academy launches Friday Late as part of its Summer Showcase: an evening of high culture and high entertainment. On the night itself, expect an “in conversation” style talk between professor and filmmaker David Olusoga OBE and Zeinab Badawi, author of An African History of Africa, which traces the UK’s history of migration. There is also set to be interactive elements including a bookbinding workshop, a choreographed virtual reality dance, a rare chance to get up close to the Academy’s prestigious contemporary art collection, with works by Paula Rego, Yinka Shonibare and Terry Frost. One not to miss.
10-11 Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AH, eventbrite.co.uk
The theatre fix: The Hot Wing King
First we had the Bear, Boiling Point and the Menu, now it seems even the theatre can’t escape the rise in kitchen-based drama. Or comedy-drama at least, as this new show at the National, the Hot Wing King, doesn't take itself too seriously. Instead, the comedy charts the preparation for a Hot Wing contest in Memphis Tennessee, with Kadiff Kirwan as Cordell. This new comedy explores the love language of food, family, black masculinity and the journey to finding a home.
Until September 14, National Theatre, SE1 9PX, nationaltheatre.org.uk
The party: Project X at Scala
Since the 2012 film of the same name was released, the term “Project X” is synonymous with a raucous party, a no-holds-barred epic blowout where just about anything goes. Camden feels like a suitable enough location for such an affair and the main hall at Scala is set to host exactly that, with DJ Larni, DJ Spookz, Supa Nytro all scheduled to perform. From 10pm until about sunrise the next morning, this is set to be a party for the ages.
July 12, 275 Pentonville Road, N1 9NL, dice.fm
The ticket to book now (for later): Charles Bryant at Elixis
Just a small handful of tickets remain for Charles Bryant's first supper club, hosted at Elixis, a cafe-cum-dining space in South Kensington. Bryant has already undertaken successful stints at Cafe Pier and Crisp Pizza and now has his sights set on the space in SW7. The menu looks a treat, and a bargain one at that. Focussing entirely on fine British seafood, this six-course, £85 offering is set to include Cornish sea bass crudo, isle of Skye scallop, Moray Firth langoustines and native lobster. Looking for the best of British from an emerging talent? Book this.
