TONIGHT
Win a Pair of Tickets to Exclusive Justin Townes Earle Gig at Liberty

Got a little time to spare tonight and fancy catching a glimpse of a real Americana singing sensation and a sneak peak at the new Nudie Jeans shop-in-shop at Liberty? Then you’re in luck, as we have an invite-only pair of tickets to give away to one lucky UJ subscriber to pop along to this exclusive acoustic set by Justin Townes Earle who will be performing songs from his latest album ‘Harlem River Blues’. Winner of the Best New and Emerging Artist at the 2009 Americana Music Awards, his record, Midnight at the Movies was named one of the best of last year by Amazon and received four stars in Rolling Stone, and his gig on Saturday at the Union Chapel is completely sold out. To be in with a chance to attend, SEND US YOUR NAME and we’ll get back to you by 2pm today.

COMPETITION
Win a Pair of Glasses from Kirk Originals

To celebrate the launch of their brand new flagship store at 6 Conduit Street, designer eyewear specialists Kirk Originals have a pair of glasses up for grabs for two lucky UJ subscribers. The store promises to be a breath of fresh air in the optometrical world, with eye examinations and fittings available in the basement, and frames in an array of styles and colours (including the brand new, super modern Kinetic and Afterglow collections) on the main floor – the only place in the world to stock the full Kirk Originals range, including sunglasses. To be in with a chance of winning a pair of your own, surf on over to our Facebook page, give us a LIKE thumbs up and leave us a comment explaining why you deserve a new pair of specs.

OVERHEARD
Polpo’s Cicheti Bar Opening Soon

Whilst the third eatery in Russell Norman’s stable, Spuntino, (alongside Polpo and Polpetto) seems to still be a twinkle in the eye, you aren’t being left without this New Year. Opening next month underneath Polpo, the Cicheti Bar will have a glass cabinet filled with small, fresh snacks like ‘tramezzini’ (mini sandwiches) and morsels like chilli marinated baby octopus and mortadella wraps from Head Chef Tom Oldroyd. Order up an ‘ombra’ (Italian glass of wine) to whet your appetite, served at a rustic, zinc-topped bar and reclaimed wooden tables. And like its sister venues, the no-reservation policy means it’s first-come, first-served – an increasingly attractive attribute in these booked-out table times.

UJ LOVES
The School of Life at Morgans Hotels

Sure hotels can always be counted on for luxury body-loving amenities and mini bottles of fizz, but what about taking care of your mind? We love the new collaboration between Morgans Hotels and The School of Life, a ‘Minibar for the Mind’ including Conversation Starter cards, Collected Thoughts columns by the school’s expert faculty, Reading Prescriptions, and a Dreams & Fears Notebook all for £35. You can pick one up from the vending-machine at St Martins Lane (as well as other interesting products in their small pop-up space), or why not make an overnighter of it and use UJ’s 25% discount offer to stay over at either the Sanderson or St Martins Lane? Guests also get a Daily Aphorism card at turn down – a less fattening alternative to the pillow chocolate anyway. The School will also be offering Conversation menus for diners at the Sanderson’s restaurant as well as talks by the experts.

THE RITZ RESTAURANT
SPONSORED LISTING
Dine out in style this weekend

Michelin may have shaken up the city’s dining scene with its latest slew of awards, but there’s something to be said for a perennial classic. It doesn’t get much better than The Ritz’s restaurant, recently awarded its third AA rosette with floor to ceiling views over the landscaped Italian garden, softly chandelier-lit interiors, and ‘Live at the Ritz’ musical evenings with dinner and dancing to a live band. Serving ‘palace-style’ seasonal dishes, breakfast starts from £28, the lunch Menu du Jour from £39, and set dinners from £48. If you really want to go all out try the Truffle Menu featuring the likes of Truffled Croque Monsieur, Roast Turbot with Truffled Chestnuts, and Pear Tarte Tatin with Truffle Ice Cream, available until the 15th February with accompanying wine choices by the Head Sommelier.

www.theritzlondon.com/restaurant

DON'T FORGET
Get Your Tickets For Tonight’s Curated by Lyle and Scott Gig

This series of musical events has been curated by Scottish clothing brand Lyle & Scott with an aim to focus on showcasing new talent. After a sold out first showing featuring JamesYuill, Trophy Wife and Babeshadow, the second in the series is taking place tonight at XOYO and will be headlined by Tribes and Life in Film, with up-and-comers Paradise Point winning their space on stage through the Curated by Lyle and Scott band competition.

32-37 Cowper Street, EC2A 4AW
£3.10 + booking fee, 8pm.

BOOK AHEAD
The Lost Lovers Ball

If you thought it was impossible to throw a festival in the middle of freezing February and inspire any kind of warm and fuzzy feelings, you were wrong. The Lost Lovers Ball comes courtesy of the Secret Garden Party lot, who’ve somehow secured the rather spectacular setting of the Battersea Power Station for this three day shindig celebrating ‘The Architecture of Love’. A thousand person ballroom, fire shows, live bands, performers and a fine-dining restaurant (check out the menu here) should get things well and truly heated up. Saturday’s already sold out, so book now to avoid disappointment.

£49.50-£87, 11th-13th February, Battersea Power Station, SW8 5BP

INTERNATIONAL
Fatsarazzi x WeSC at Colette

As if you ever need a good excuse to jump the channel, here’s another one: UJ fave Fatsarazzi (Fats Shariff) is presenting ‘A Collection of Portraits’ at Colette Paris, starting this Monday 31st January. Just in time for the launch of his Spring 2011 collaborations which include these headphones in association with Swedish brand WeSC – and if you can swing it, hang around town as we hear the next exhibition comes courtesy of Terry Richardson.

EUR 90. Until 26th February, 213 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris.

GETAWAY
Skip the Royal Wedding & Cross the Pond for Spring in the States with Soho House

Barely into 2011 and up to there with Royal Wedding madness? Us too! Take your three days off and head across the pond for an extra-long Easter. Soho House will take care of the rest and give you the best of both worlds – spend time at Soho Beach House Miami enjoying the sun and then nip up to Soho House New York for an urban experience in the city. With rates from $395 you can afford to make a week of it.

Contact: reservations@sohohouseny.com
Subject to availability.

RESERVED
This week’s hottest foodie destination

Entree
Battersea’s bijou brasserie and piano bar

2 Battersea Rise, SW11 1ED – 020 7223 5147 www.entreebattersea.co.uk

Location
A more stylish wave of eating spots, in contrast to the slew of drinking dens, have been popping up in this area between Battersea and Clapham recently (Austrian bistro Delicat being one of the more interesting). This former kebab joint, tucked behind a bus stop on the edge of the common, is the latest.

Vibe
Call me jaded but from time to time I get a tired of beating a path to the latest over-hyped hotspots and just want somewhere that serves good food where I can meet a friend for a low-key catch-up, and, okay, maybe a cocktail or two. The slick but laid-back Entree – complete with piano bar – meets my needs most adequately.

Flavours
Chef Omar Palazzolo has had a pretty illustrious career so far (Nobu, Tom Aikens, Le Gavroche), and it shows. Dishes are imaginative, beautifully presented and all we tried delivered. Scallop and crab lasagna was creamy and packed with seafoodie flavours and the steak tartare was one of the best I’ve had in ages (could have sworn there was creme fraiche in there somewhere). And at £18 for haunch of venison with all the trimmings it’s not cheap but not overpriced either. I’m planning on returning for Sunday lunch.

Décor
The upper ground floor brasserie-style dining space is a great example of under design; dark wood chairs and floors, walls lined with vintage Parisian news cuttings, open kitchen at the back. While the Bentley Bar downstairs is speakeasy style; simple, snug, dimly lit, with jazzy, tinkling pianists from 8pm til late every Thursday and Friday.

Upshot
Hands-on, Aussie born owner Jayke Mangion is keen to please and has brought on board a young, equally enthusiastic team. For anyone already groaning at the thought of Valentines (but secretly hoping they do something) you could do worse than opt for the £35, three course set menu here, and start the evening with oysters at £1 a throw and £5 martinis in the bar.