TUESDAY 27 OCT, 2009

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BLUES, Qs AND AUTOMOBILES
The Blues Kitchen, Miss Q’s and the Pinewood drive–in get us all US–friendly

Remember those days when we used to take everything American with a hearty pinch of either salt or irony? Reagan. The Bushes. Even dear sax–toting, cigar–smoking, dress–staining Clinton.

But then came Obama. And his hope. And his Nobel Peace Prize. So now, 51st State here we come. And damn if it doesn’t taste good. Particularly with a whisky–tinged Americana social micro–trend in tow…

A fortnight ago, The Blues Kitchen was born – bringing a kidney–wilting selection of ryes and bourbons to Camden, alongside a decent julep, baby–blue gingham wallpaper and live blues from legends like Ruptured–Ulcer Rawlins (okay, so that’s made up).

Then, just last weekend Nick Valentine (of Cuckoo Club and Molton House) went and launched his "sex, rugs and rock ’n’ roll" Miss Q’s to Earls Court. Think pool hall/bar/venue, with top Americana soul fare, some rugs (hence the pun) and, ahem, a mild shortage of pool tables.

And now Pinewood Studios have gone and kicked off a real, honest–to–goodness US–style drive–in cinema experience. You pay a flat admission for the car (with up to four of you inside) and pull in to the huge Paddock Lot for some serious (sadly hooch–free) big screen entertainment, beginning with The Omen for Hallowe’en.

So cast aside those American poking sticks, chaps. It’s time to switch lanes, drop some vowels and embrace our inner Yank.

Info
The Pinewood Drive-in Screenings
run every weekend from Oct 31–Dec 6, priced £35 (£55 VIP) per car
Pinewood Studio, Pinewood Road, Bucks, SL0 0NH

The Blues Kitchen
111–113 Camden High Street, NW1 7JN

Miss Q’s
180–184 Earls Court Road, SW5 9QG

WINE CHAP: THE MODERN PANTRY

Fusion food has been dead since the Antipodean Fish and Fruit fetish of the late ‘90s was pilloried. Yet WineChap has always had a soft spot for ‘agro–dolce’ cuisine, and The Modern Pantry’s Kiwi–inspired menu is interesting and rather well executed. Often accused of not devoting enough time to the southern hemisphere and the other side of the pond, the Wine Chap is out to address the balance.

Click here for more information…

CREATE – Become the master of your carving knife at Viktor Wynd's jack'o'lantern workshop. 7pm, Little Shop of Horrors, 11 Mare Street, E8 7RP. £5.

THEATRE – A humorous take on Darwin's Origin of the Species puts a Neaderthal in Yorkshire. 8:15pm, Arcola Theatre, 27 Arcola Street, E8 2DJ. £14.

PARTY – Boy George presents the hottest new night on the gay scene, Dose, with special guests. 7:30pm -1:30am, Proud Camden, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AH. £10.

MEMBER – UJ subscribers can attend members only Met Bar’s Halloween ‘Death on the Dancefloor’ party on the 29th October. Click through to find out how!