TODAY
Matthew Williamson Sample Sale

It goes without saying that a Matthew Williamson sample sale is one shopping event that everyone wants a piece of. There will be up to 70% off embellished evening dresses, tops, trousers, accessories and beach-wear. What more could you ask for... except maybe a little sunshine getaway to flaunt that new kaftan.

19th-20th August, Thursday: 12pm-7pm, Friday: £5, 20th Century Theatre, 291 Westbourne Grove,
W11 2QA.

TONIGHT
Edgar Wright at Apple Store

We all have the spectre of our partner’s various exes to deal with – but throw in villainous intentions and a comicbook-esque storytelling and you’ve got the making of a dating nightmare. Cutie Michael Cera’s newest movie, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World sees him take on the role of a 22 year old indie-boy bass guitarist who meets the girl of his dreams but has to defeat her seven evil exes in order to win her love. Innovative director Edgar Wright is behind the flick, released August 25th, (he’s also the brains behind Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) and will be discussing this latest production tonight – might even give you some ex-vanquishing tips.  

7pm, Apple Store, 235 Regent Street, W1B 2EL.

LAST CHANCE
Rosie’s Supperclub

UJ darling of the dishes and proprietor of Brixton fave, Rosie’s Café, is throwing a series of secret supper clubs on Thursday nights. Three delicious courses and some fabulous company will set your back a mere £20 (cash only), so bring your own bottle and RSVP now – there’s a table of 8 (or two of 4 sharing) and a table of 4 left up for grabs.

Rosie’s Deli Café, 14e Market Row, Brixton Market, SW9 8LD. 7pm.
RSVP: rosie@rosiesdelicafe.com

FLOWE(RED)
The most powerful flowers you'll ever buy

Buying bouquets online comes with a wealth of choice - so how about cutting out the stale stems and sending beautiful flowers that put a smile on more than just the recipient's face? The web shop from FLOWE(RED) sells gorgeous ethically sourced blooms, with all of the profits going to The Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. We're taken with the clean design of the hydrangea blooms, the fresh-from-the-field collections, and the striking square vases - the price even includes delivery. A gorgeous gift for a loved one - or just a good excuse to treat yourself!

£22-£45 including delivery, www.flowered.com

INTERNATIONAL
Sonar Hits Chicago

If you’re as big a fan of the stellar Spanish festival as we are, you’ll want to jump on the bandwagon now and book your airfares for their first ever residency in Chicago. The electronic music and multimedia arts event is hitting the Windy City for three days, setting up shop at the Frank Ghery designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion with a line-up that already includes The Slew featuring Kid Koala, Oval and Ben Frost as well as film screenings at Sonar Cinema. And as it’s free to attend, all you need to do is get over there.

9th-11th September, Millennium Park, Chicago.

ESCAPE
The Pale Blue Door Hits Berlin

Set designer and artist Tony Hornecker has upped sticks, donned his Lederhosen (we jest, we jest) and taken his pop-up dining concept, The Pale Blue Door, to Deutschland. But forget wurst and schnitzel for the menu, the whimsical sounding ‘Garden’ event includes a quintessentially English menu of rare roast beef and horseradish, and a ‘crumble of fancy’. For a meagre 25 Euros you can enjoy three courses, half a bottle of wine per person and the usual element of performance surprise we’ve come to expect from Herr Hornecker. The event runs from Thursdays to Sundays throughout August, from 8pm, so make the most of that last bit of Midsummer magic.

SHOP
The East India Company

If you’re still dreaming of the days of the Raj you’ll be pleased to hear that the East India Company is embarking on its first launch in 150 years, opening a standalone store which will stock an exotic array of fine food. Think Jasmine pearl tea from the 100-strong range of brews, strawberry & champagne jam, herby Roman mustards, handmade marzipan, milk chocolate laced with sea salt, coffee roasted fresh on the apothecary-esque premises, and beautiful red wood and black velvet hampers. We’ll be hanging at the harbour waiting for the merchant ships to come in – or these days, the less romantic Heathrow.

7-8 Conduit Street, W1S 2XF, 0203 205 3380

RESERVED
This week’s hottest foodie destination

Koffmann’s
Master chef comes to Knightsbridge

The Berkeley, Wilton Place, SW1X 7RL - 020 7235 1010
www.the-berkeley.co.uk

Location
The site that Pierre Koffmann has chosen for his latest, much heralded restaurant – formerly Boxwood Cafe (a Ramsay enterprise) – nestled underneath the jewel box-like Berkeley hotel, oozes elegance.

Vibe
Koffmann is hailed as the daddy by pretty much every other chef worth his whites; Marco Pierre White and Tom Aikens trained with him, amongst many others. His Soho restaurant La Tante Claire (which opened in 1977) was one of London’s first sprauncey dining venues and, after rave reviews for his pop-up on the roof of Selfridges last year, Pierre decided he’d come back full-time.

Flavours
‘The Master’ is renowned for his good, old-fashioned, Gascon cooking and there are few surprises on the menu. I’m talking pig’s trotters, sweetbreads and snails in abundance but also scallops with squid ink and other tamer brasserie dishes such as calves liver Lyonnaise (that took two tries to get just right – even master chefs don’t do perfect every time). Refreshingly they bring you little pots of vegetables with the main courses so you don’t need to um and ah over spinach or green beans and the three course set lunch menu is only £22.50.

Décor
The usual tastefully muted tones are all present and correct, but the place doesn’t feel nearly as ‘hotelly’ and void of character as, say, Bar Boulud up the road. The tables to nab are in the lower level area where you feel a little more part of the action, and little touches down to the typeface used on the menu makes you feel like you’re in for something cosy but a little bit special.

Upshot
An affordable taste of Koffmann magic with, as a final flourish, Eric Garnier (who launched other chi-chi Knightsbridge Frenchie Racine) as maitre ‘d, this classy brasserie is a perfect fit in South West London.