The Penny Black and F.A.T Supperclub spearhead a childhood gastro-renaissance

With the W sprouting its impressive Spice Market and the Mandarin its long-awaited (and now AA Gill-lauded) Blumenthalian Dinner, it would seem that for today’s restos bigger is absolutely better. But hold those horses right there. What’s the point, we cry, in being grown-up if we can’t kick our shoes off sometimes and return to the simple pleasures of youth?

Perhaps a lot of this started, at least for us, with Hackney’s A Little Of What You Fancy last year. Sure it’s hardly a childish venue, but with all that local honesty and well-cooked comfort it made us feel right at home.

Now The Penny Black Restaurant over in Fulham, meanwhile promises to push the envelope with posh reinterpretations of country-childhood classics that would have made the Famous Five happy: toad-in-the-hole, hotpots, bananas and custard and a good sprinkle of hundreds and thousands wherever possible/appropriate.

And just last week we joined the inaugural F.A.T – a new monthly East London supperclub where its 20 guests were treated to fanciful renditions of their own, personal childhood favourites. From globe artichokes to bean tacos, kichoori-combined mac and cheese to old school lemon drizzle cake, it was like being 10 all over again. Just with choicer ingredients, an international palate and a chilled bottle of great wine on the side. And what more could any grown-up-child ask for than that?

(Peter Pan complex? Us?)

Info
The Penny Black Restaurant launches Feb 23,
212 Fulham Road, SW10 9PJ

The Next F.A.T Supperclub is scheduled for March
See their website for more details.

UJ discovers the insider’s ultimate skin-saver and loves it

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a really good facial. And I judge ‘good’, perhaps rather uniquely (and swayed by my time in Asia where poking and prodding is par for the course), by the amount of extractions happening. I can wash my face myself – what I can’t do is put a spotlight to my pores and give my skin a serious clean. Yes, squeamish subscribers can cover their eyes but look – to feel like I’ve had a fully effective facial worth my money – I want to come out feeling spotless. Literally.

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Comedy Rush: 60 Acts in 60 Minutes

Fancy a laugh? Why not catch this traditional variety show set at breakneck speed (for the ADD generation), showing for two nights only at the Shaftesbury Theatre on the 24th February and the 24th March. Rufus Hound, Terry Alderton, Howard Read and Rhys Thomas are just some of the rapid raconteurs appearing at this onslaught of comedy wits, with previous acts on Comedy Rush including Russell Howard, John Bishop and Dara O'Briain. It’s so quick you’re only getting a 1 minute interval to make it to the bar and back. So if you fancy catching a bit of breakneck buffoonery (and maybe spot a rising star for yourself) why not claim £5 off £25 tickets on the 24th February production by calling the box office on 0207 379 5399 and quoting ‘Urban Junkies’.

Subject to availability. Booking fee applies.

SHOP – Make your feelings on commitment known with this Miami-ready t-shirt and book now for Swedish House Mafia's South Beach bash in March.

SEE – The Barber of Seville in one of our favourite mini opera houses; in the back of a pub. 7:15pm, King’s Head Theatre, 115 Upper Street, N1 1QN. £15-£22.50.

ENJOY – A literary death match concerning matters of the heart in members' haven Shoreditch House. 16th February, 7pm. Ebury Street, E1 6AW. £5

BUY – Post-Valentine knickers at Rigby & Pellar's yearly warehouse sale. Wednesday & Thursday, 20th Century Theatre, 291 Westbourne Grove, W11 2QA. £12.