Looking for something fun to do in London this weekend? Luckily, there is so much happening in the capital that we regularly feel spoilt for choice, and this weekend is no exception. Whether you want to prepare for Mardi Gras, see Doolittle in the cinema or have seafood in Soho, keep reading to see some of our top picks to try out…
Enjoy a taste of New York City in London
Renowned London restaurant, New Street Grill, are welcoming an exciting collaboration with Angie Mar, the owner and Executive Chef of one of the most coveted dining spots in New York City, The Beatrice Inn. For one week only – Monday 9 to Saturday 14 March – Mar will be applying her unconventional, cool approach to cooking to the New Street kitchen, with a limited-edition menu curated especially for the residency. Taking inspiration from dishes served at The Beatrice Inn, Mar is bringing her expertise to New Street Grill, creating a taste sensation for Londoners. In true Mar style, the menu will feature big, bold cuts of meat, paired with delicate, fragrant herbs and fruit. Highlights on the menu include Roast Duck Flambé, Poutine with Duck Egg and Bone Marrow & Bourbon Crème Brulée.
Angie says: "I’m so excited to get back to London and share the experience that is the Bea with the city. My mother grew up spending much of her childhood in London and for me, the cuisine has always been something of both comfort and inspiration."
WHEN: Monday 9 – Saturday 14 March
WHERE: New Street Grill, 16 New Street, Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 4TR
To book, visit the New Street Grill website: newstreetgrill.co.uk
Seafood dinner in Soho
From the friendly staff to the chic, yet comforting ambience and of course the impeccable food, Randall and Aubin is the seafood restaurant everyone needs to experience. For starter, they offer deliciously creamy Native Oysters that are not to be missed. They also offer a Seared Tuna Carpaccio, seared to perfection and drizzled in a dreamy teriyaki and sesame dressing. For mains you can choose to indulge in their Grilled Line Caught Tuna which perfectly melts in the mouth or the Grilled Scottish Halibut that comes with a buttery sauce and oh so addictive mussel fritters - these should be a side dish they are that delicious! Impeccably fresh shellfish and perfectly cooked seafood can be hard to come by but with a trip down to Soho, all your seafood needs can be met.
WHEN: Any time
WHERE: 16 Brewer St, Soho, London W1F 0SG
For more information visit randallandaubin.com
Head to an immersive theatre and dinner event
An event like no other, indulge in dinner with a twist by heading to Studio 5ive’s new immersive restaurant-theatre event, ‘Waiter! There’s a Murder in my Soup!’. Whilst dining over a three course meal, the audience is taken back to the year 1946, where socialites, dignitaries and cultural bigwigs have gathered for the grand opening of Marchioness du Jour’s performance. After a chilling murder is discovered on the hat rack, the lavish soiree will quickly tranform into a crime scene over the course of three hours - sounds like fun! Tickets are available at £49.50.
WHEN: 29 February - 29 March
WHERE: Troubador Theatres, Wembley Park, 3 Fulton Road, London, HA9 0SP
For more information visit troubadourtheatres.com
Relax at the cinema with Doolittle
WATCH: The Doolittle trailer
Whether you want a family day out or simply love kids movies, then Doolittle will be right up your street. The 2020 reboot of the original Doctor Doolittle sees a physician who can talk to animals embark on an adventure with his furry friends to find a legendary island in order to cure Queen Victoria's illness. Starring the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Antonio Banderas and Selena Gomez, this is not one to be missed.
WHEN: Out now
WHERE: Cinemas across the UK. Try Odeon Camden, 14 The Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7AA
For more information visit odeon.co.uk
See rare flowers at Chiswick House & Gardens
There's nothing more relaxing than perusing stunning flowers, right? A collection of 33 different varieties of camellias is on display in the Grade 1 listed Conservatory for the annual show, including pink, red, white and striped. If you're interested in the history of the plants, short tours are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or you can even buy a ticket and be in with a chance of naming an unregistered pale pink camellia.
WHEN: 27 February-22 March 2020
WHERE: Chiswick House & Gardens, Burlington Ln, Chiswick, London W4 2RP
For more information visit chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk
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Head to the heart of Chinatown
Known for its unique Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine, Orient London has plenty to offer! They make delcious seafood and freshly made dim sum, making the place one of the only remaining restaurants in Chinatown to still make dim sum daily by hand. Dishes to try include Baked Lobster with Ginger & Spring Onion, Stir-Fried Scallop, Squid and Asparagus with XO Chilli Sauce, Braised Lamb Brisket with Bamboo Shoots & Chinese Mushrooms and Pan-Fried Lotus Root Cake.
WHEN: Open now
WHERE: 15 Wardour St, West End, London W1D 6PH
For more information visit orientlondon.com
Prepare for Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is almost upon us, and you don't need to be in America to celebrate the occasion! Listen to music from Big Freedia and Hackney Colliery Band and enjoy themed rooms as you sip on a cocktail at Southern Comfort Presents Mardi Gras. The two-night immersive experience brings the spirit of New Orleans to London next week, so it's time to start making plans.
WHEN: 4-5 March 2020
WHERE: 26 Leake Street, Southbank, London, SE1 7NN
For more information visit seetickets.com
Raise money for charity at dinner
Enjoy a five-course dinner at M Victoria Street's Not For Sale pop-up and help give something back. Designed by Chef Michael Reid, the menu includes Dutch-inspired snacks, followed by Peruvian tuna tacos and XO beef tartare from Vietnam as well as a Ugandan coconut ice cream with cucumber, lemon, olive oil and dill. Sounds delicious! Plus, it will help raise money for Not For Sale, a global organisation that works to end human trafficking and exploitation through funding self-sustaining social projects in six continents.
WHEN: until 12 March 2020
WHERE: Zig Zag Building, 74 Victoria St, London SW1E 6SQ
For more information visit opentable.co.uk
Visit London Film and Comic Con
Do you love Game of Thrones? Or perhaps your friends are fans of Star Trek or Transformers? Regardless, Comic Con at Olympia London has plenty to keep everyone entertained. The film and comic convention will attract several famous faces including Rupert Young, Daniel Portman and Anna Shafer. As well as browsing hundreds of stalls of merchandise, there will also be photo shoots, panels and autograph sessions.
WHEN: 29 February - 1 March 2020
WHERE: Olympia London, Hammersmith Rd, Hammersmith, London W14 8UX
For more information visit olympia.london
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Have a belly laugh at The Play That Goes Wrong
West End hit The Play That Goes Wrong may have been around for years, but its run has just been extended until May 2021, proving just how popular the show remains. Ant and Dec called it the "funniest show" they've ever seen and with an endorsement like that from the comedic double act, we'll be racing down to the Duchess Theatre in no time. The box office smasher has scooped multiple awards including an Olivier for Best New Comedy in 2015 – so believe the hype! In a nutshell, the Cornley Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong... does! Let's see if the thespians can make it through to the final act.
WHEN: Until May 2021
WHERE: 3-5 Catherine St, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5LA
To book tickets visit theplaythatgoeswrong.com
Experience a playful menu at The Nitery
Celebrity chef Gizzi Erskine is the creative mastermind behind The Nitery, a new pop-up restaurant at St Martins Lane London hotel. Blending French and American cuisine, the venue takes inspiration from the early 20th century Parisian 'niteries'. You can't miss the vibrant and quirky artwork on the walls that gives the restaurant a trendy and bohemian feel. As for the menu, Gizzi's vision is all about putting a playful touch on comfort food and rediscovering nostalgic dishes, like the prawn cocktail salad and the classic roast chicken with bread sauce and shoestring fries. For starters, the steak tartare served with marmite on a burnt brioche came highly recommended, as did the hand-dived scallops which were the freshest of fresh. The bisque with Calasparra rice, topped with wood-fired shellfish and juicy prawns, was not dissimilar to Spanish paella, and exceptionally delicious. As for dessert, those with a sweet tooth may want to brave the sharing dish of a rhubarb and blood orange base topped with a giant meringue. A little on the sugary side, but it is called the Queen of Puddings after all. Food was a solid eight out of ten but the service is also brilliant, with our server recommending out-of-the-box choices, like the delectable orange wine.
WHEN: Open now
WHERE: 45 St Martin's Ln, Charing Cross, London WC2N 4HX
To book a table visit morganshotelgroup.com
Book ahead to see the glittering Tutankhamun exhibition
Credit: IMG
If you still haven't been down to visit the much-anticipated Tutankhamun exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, you may be forgiven. The attraction has seen museum-goers wait for more than two hours just to step inside, which is why it's highly recommended to book ahead. The exhibition, titled TUTANKHAMUN: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh presented by Viking Cruises, is on its final tour and you have until May to grab a ticket. The legend himself may have remained in Egypt, but more than 150 original artefacts discovered from his tomb are on display, 60 of which have travelled out of their home country for the first time, so we can understand the hype. Prepare to be dazzled by the glittering gold treasures, lit up in the dark display rooms, and be amazed by the wealth and opulence of the iconic pharaoh.
WHEN: Until 3 May
WHERE: Duke of York's HQ, King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4RY
To book tickets visit tutankhamun-london.com
