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Doesn’t it feel like we’re finally settling into 2010? The election’s over, the aviation authority are finally lifting ash–cloud restrictions (are we the only ones not entirely comforted by that fact?) and the World Cup is just around the corner; with matching Dispatches documentaries gearing up to blow apart the competitive spirit with hard–hitting reportage.
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TONIGHT
The Chemical Brothers
Tom and Ed of the Chemical Brothers (now doesn’t that bring their cool electronic cred down with a normal–name bump) are playing at The Roundhouse all weekend, but tonight is the only evening with any tickets left – last time we checked – so get your orders in asap and head down for what’s being promised as the duo’s ‘most incredible show ever’, with some classics like Galvanise and Hey Boy, Hey Girl thrown in for good measure. If you can’t get hold of tickets for this show, think about booking now for Sonar and EXIT, where the boys will be tearing up the festival scene come summer. Superstar DJs? Here we go!
7pm, £30.
The Roundhouse, 110a Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH.
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| FRIDAY |
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 Pirates Launch Party
Yes it’s a pop-up, but it’s PIRATES – so it’s bound to be something a little swashbucklingly savvy, no? Only one way to find out, so head down to this new art bar (from the guys behind The Queen of Hoxton and The Book Club – not a bad incentive right there) which has hooked up with artist management group the Central Illustration Agency, and one of their top talents ‘the Pirates’ to revamp an old silver lithography factory into an alcoholic art installation covered in words and letters, interactive blackboard toilets and upbeat catchphrases, as well as mock printing-presses spewing out reams of paper. The launch party features DJ sets from Session, Moxie, Elvee, Klose One of Urban Nerds and DJ Smash Hits, as well as free rum cocktails (of course) to pillage.
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COMPETITION
The Tommyfield Launch
A brand new offering from the gastro–team behind The Avalon, Abbeville and The Bolingbroke in Battersea, The Tommyfield (named after the market in Oldham where the first chip shop was opened) is offering back to basics British cooking with market fresh fish, meat, pies and puddings, and interior design including industrial light installations, a mahogany bar inlaid with iron and a suspended steel wine cage. UJ have five pairs of tickets to give away to the launch party, with free cocktails and canapés, on Wednesday 26th May from 6:30pm–9pm. One lucky winner will also get a meal for two.
To be in with a chance of winning, simply tell us: What’s your favourite British dish?
The Tommyfield, 185 Kennington Lane, SE11 4EZ
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SHOP
Meadham Kirchoff for Topshop
The new Topshop space is opening in Knightsbridge today, opposite Harrods – and whilst the promise of new collections probably wasn’t enough to send Al Fayed running – it’s plenty to get us paying a little visit, starting with the new Meadham Kirchoff line, which is all lovely whimsical dresses and melancholic torn lines dressed up with glitter spots and lace. If you need a little help make sure to check out the Topshop PS personal shopping service, free of charge.
Topshop,
70 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XS.
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| SATURDAY |
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Reverse Sunrise
Now that Paramount’s officially opened to us plebeians, we’re happy to see an increasing line–up of cool events taking advantage of the rooftop vista – including Reverse (because it’s leaving dingy basement warehouses behind for sky–high spaces, see?) with a soundtrack of underground disco, italo and electro funk. Tonight’s entertainment kicks off with Faze Action, Peter Herbert, with spins from Horse Meat Disco’s Severino, Sophie Lloyd and the likes of Serge Santiago & Guy Williams who’ll help you stay up as the last track is timed to catch that spectacular sunrise from the 31st floor.
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10pm-sunrise |
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Paramount, 31st Floor, Centre Point, New Oxford Street, WC1A 1DD |
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Adv £15, Door £20 |
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Reverse Sunrise |
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READ
Adventures in Art
If the Tate’s recent birthday celebrations have given you pause for thought, we’ve got the perfect reading material to get you right up to Modern Art scratch. Critic, writer and sometime poet Sue Hubbard’s essays have been amalgamated by Other Criteria into a fascinating journey through some of the genre’s major players including Lucien Freud, Sam Taylor Wood and Cy Twombly, specific exhibitions, and objects like Tracey Emin’s My bed and Helen Chadwick’s Piss Flowers. But is it art? At least reading this might help you decide.
Adventures in Art, £25.
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| SUNDAY |
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RESERVED
This week’s hottest foodie destination
Bar Boulud
Smart French bistro meets burger bar
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park,
66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA – 020 7201 3899 www.mandarinoriental.com
Location
This prime chunk of Knightsbridge real estate has attracted some of gastronomy’s greats. Marco Pierre White reigned supreme and won his third Michelin star here when it was the Hyde Park Hotel, and now Daniel Boulud is ensconced in the bar-bistro, with Heston moving into the posh bit by Dec (so I’m told by the doorman).
Vibe
Boulud’s reputation precedes him. He’s kind of a big deal to Americans who have adopted the Lyonnaise chef as one of their own, so it’s all very exciting that he’s opened in London.
Flavours
Although I’m not the biggest terrine-lover, even I have to admit that it’s all about the haute charcuterie here – from tender, layered slices of pate grand-pere (course cut with foie gras, port and truffle juice) to silky ribbons of jambon de Bayonne. And the burgers; try the Frenchie, topped with confit pork belly and morbier cheese. Vegetarians should probably focus on the tip-top wine list, cheese and freshly-baked madeleines, but there’s a good choice of fish and seafood for those who like swimmy things.
Décor
Herein lies the slight problem. You walk in and the place feels luxey and cosseting at first, but be sure to book a table overlooking the kitchen as this will distract you from the - there’s no easy way to put this – slightly naf decor. The furniture could be MFI, the banquettes nicked from a cross channel ferry and the black and white prints on the wall pilfered from Cafe Rouge. Seriously, they need to get Nick Jones’ design people to come and sort it out.
Upshot
Dodgy interior aside, Bar Boulud fills the gap in London for a posh burger bar- come-bistro; there’s a great atmosphere in the kitchen side of the restaurant and you could probably grab a non-boozy lunch here for around £30 and feel pretty spoilt.
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Weekend guide by MaM Restaurant Review by SL. |
(c) 2010 Urban Junkies. All rights reserved.
Reproductions of any portion of this website only with our express permission. Urban Junkies is a free daily mailer. All listings and features are editorial: We do not receive any payment from venues, artists or promoters. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information listed but we cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.
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