OFFER
Half-price food for UJ subscribers at The Hill

A lazy brunch of cinnamon toast and coffee, half a dozen oysters and glass of crisp white, or a proper steak dinner? That’s what we’re asking ourselves after the people at chic Belsize Park brasserie The Hill (perched at the top of leafy Haverstock Hill) offered 50% off food for UJ readers from now untill the end of October. You’ll need to make a reservation to use the offer, quoting UJ, and it’s only available Mondays through Fridays, but there are still plenty of options. Now, back to our decision-making…

The Hill, 94 Haverstock Hill, NW3 2BD, 0207 267 0033

INTERNATIONAL
Silencio

We know you might be feeling a little fashioned-out after LFW, but there’s more than one reason to hop on a Eurostar next week, when Paris Fashion Week hits. Everyone’s already talking about David Lynch’s cavernous, gold-sprinkled members’ club, billed by the director as a modern-day Warhol’s Factory. It’s members-only until midnight, but after that anyone can explore the extraordinarily-designed cocktail bar with its own cinema, library and stage. Start planning your trip.

Club Silencio, 142 Rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris

LONDON RESTAURANT FESTIVAL TAKE ONE
The Big Debate

A. A. Gill, it’s safe to say, isn’t a man to shy away from an argument. Neither, for that matter, is hunting enthusiast Clarissa Dickson Wright. We’re hoping for fireworks, then, at this debate on the topic “There is no such thing as ethnic food” – especially as they will be joined by food writers Jonathan Meades and Hardeep Singh Kohli, who also have robust opinions when it comes to the world of fine dining. As you’d expect from a LRF event, there will be rioja and canapés to keep you going. And you lucky UJ readers get a discount: from £22.50 to £18.50 when you quote UJ LRF when booking.

Click here to book

11 Oct, 6.30pm, Kings Place, 90 York Way, N1 9AG, 020 7520 1490, £22.50

LONDON RESTAURANT FESTIVAL TAKE TWO
Tapas Tour

Wandering from bar to bar, having a glass of rioja here, a little jamon Iberico there, with an all-inclusive ticket that means you can leave your wallet at home – we like this whole tasting tour idea. Especially when a whole host of central London tapas bars have signed up, including Fernandez & Wells, Brindisa Soho, Iberica, PIX and Copita. It’s less of a commitment than the big £150 Gourmet Odyssey, and if the weather holds out you can even pretend you’re in Andalusia. Salud!

Click here to book.

8, 9, 15 & 16 Oct, 12-4pm, 4-8pm, £50

BOOK AHEAD
The Minotaur & Pret A Diner

We already told you – it’s all about tunnels this autumn, and the soon-to-be graffiti-covered railway arches owned by the Old Vic are going to be the place to eat in October. International chefs Nuno Mendes, Matthias Schmidt and Juan Amador will be creating special three-course dinners, and Steve Lazarides will be commissioning spraycan artwork from the likes of Antony Micallef and 3D. Book ASAP – tickets will go fast.

10-25 Oct, 7pm & 9pm,
£75 for three courses + exhibition,
The Old Vic Tunnels,
Station Approach Road, SE1 8SW

AGENDA PICK
Gieves & Hawkes Private Sale

There’s nothing quite like a super-sharp, Savile Row suit or well-crafted briefcase to make you feel you could pretty much take over the world – and it’s an extra glow when you’ve got your hands on it at a discount. So we’ve got our eye on the sale at quintessientially British tailors Gieves and Hawkes – a few well-chosen classics can go a long way.

Until 1 Oct, Mercer Street Studios, 16 Mercer Street,
WC2H 9QE, 8am-7pm except Sat 9am-6pm, free

RESERVED
This week’s hottest foodie destination

The Arts Club
London's oldest arts club gets a glam new look

40 Dover Street, W1S 4ND
020 7499 8581

www.theartsclub.co.uk

Location
This grand Mayfair institution, co-founded by Charles Dickens, has entertained the likes of Whistler, Kipling, Degas and many a Royal Academician since it first opened nearly 150 years ago.

Vibe
Having undergone a major, year-long refurb the place has an über plush new look (no boho touches or shabby chic here) and a star-studded committee; Gwyneth Paltrow has collaborated on the décor (as you probably know by now) and Mark Ronson will be in charge of the music when the basement club starts jumping at the beginning of October. Only snag is, you need to be a member (around £1000 to join and £1000 per annum) to take part in the fun.

Flavours
The club's elegantly swanky restaurant is currently home to the hottest tables in town, with superstar chef Raphael Duntoye (from Le Petite Maison) overseeing a seriously delectable modern European menu. Watermelon and tomato combine in a hybrid soup-salad dish that is zingily refreshing, tian of crab is creamy, aniseedy and appley, Dover sole comes luxuriously meuniered or you could share a roast black leg chicken with morels. Puddings are sublime. Cheap, it ain't but you could always stick to a round of starters – or blag your way in for breakfast.

Décor
The high-ceilinged dining room is a symphony of greys and blues with a marble-topped oyster bar, artfully mottled mirrors and huge, swirly Albert Oehlen paintings on the walls. Lights twinkle in the garden where you're free to enjoy a cigar until 10pm. It's all distinctly Fitzgeraldian.

Upshot
The newly unveiled clubhouse is seriously swish (think velvety banquettes and thwacking great chandeliers). All that's missing are a few edgier members to mix with the moneyed crowd that have already made themselves at home. The arrival of Mr Ronson and friends should do the trick.