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House of Hackney weekends are planned around food, fun and friends. There is so much happening in Hackney at the moment that it’s difficult to leave the ‘hood’. At the moment we are into autumn swims in the London Fields Lido, sloe berry-picking in Lee Valley, longs walks in Epping Forest, cosy pints in local East End boozers and secret gigs at the Hackney Empire. Of course, our Gin Den Infused with Imagination by Bombay Sapphire at Bistrotheque is the perfect place to visit for winter cocktails; it’s open now until 31 December. And watch out for our exclusive House of Hackney and Bombay Sapphire limited-edition ‘Keepsake’ bags available in Selfridges from late October.
Hope you enjoy our Hackney.
Frieda and Javvy, House of Hackney
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SHOP
Win One of Three Bombay Sapphire ‘Keepsake’ Bags By House of Hackney
In a properly stylish home, drinks don’t come in any old bottle, they’re either in Mad Men-style decanters or arty packages like Bombay Sapphire’s velvet, limited edition ‘Keepsake’ bag by House of Hackney. Inspired by Bombay Sapphire’s exotic botanicals, the ‘Keepsake’ is decorated with turban-wearing peacocks, a Java mask deer, parrots, frogs and tamarins, capturing House of Hackney’s surreal, but still regal style. Fastened with charms, the ‘Keepsake’ will be available in Selfridges from late October (Bombay Sapphire gin included, of course). But three lucky readers will be able to get their hands on one for free. Email us at the usual address and tell us you’d like one – we’ll see what we can do.
£34.99
www.facebook.com/bombaysapphire
www.HouseofHackney.com
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Frieda and Javvy’s
Weekend Recommendations
We love going to The Dalston Café for breakfast (they do the best fry-up in east London) and A Little of What you Fancy for lunch. Bistrotheque is our favourite for pre-dinner Bombay Sapphire cocktails at The Gin Den, dinner and cabaret. And for late-night drinking and dancing, The Shacklewell Arms in Dalston is always cool but unpretentious. We particularly like the Bad Passion nights.
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Frieda and Javvy’s
Book Ahead
Circus
We are producing a Christmas shopping event called CIRCUS, which takes place 14th – 18th December in the Tram Shed in Shoreditch. The event will showcase some of the most exciting emerging British labels, across fashion, design and interiors. And keep an eye out for the launch of our clothing collaboration with cult US store Opening Ceremony on 21 November. The babydoll dresses, t-shirts and knits we’re making are inspired by Laura Ashley and 1990s grunge.
www.circus11.com
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Frieda and Javvy’s
ESCAPE
The V&A Museum of Childhood / Epping Forest
The V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green is a magical place to spend a rainy afternoon with kids, and when we really need to recharge we jump in the House of Hackney van and drive to Epping Forest. It has a magical, Sherwood Forest quality to it.
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Podcast
Frieda & Javvy’s Playlist
At the moment we are listening to a soundtrack of Zola Jesus, Mazzy Star, Genuflex and Jesus and Mary Chain in the House of Hackney studio. Click here to listen to the HoH inspired playlist.
Play.
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| SATURDAY |
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FOOD:
Ducksoup
We’re getting spoiled. Not only has cute café Speakeasy opened up around the corner from the office, but now we have a new favourite spot for a post-work glass of wine. Ducksoup has a Spuntino-ish feel, with a long bar, unfinished décor and menus scribbled charmingly on bits of paper. The wine list has lots of “natural” options, and the food plates (which change daily) are simple and delicious, with snacks like fried courgettes, bitter leaves salad and duck liver, and larger plates of fresh meat and seafood.
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12-10.30pm Mon-Sat,
1-6pm Sun |
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41 Dean Street, W1D 4PY |
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Small plates £7, large plates £14 |
| Info: |
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Ducksoup |
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EVENT REMINDER
Patrón Secret Dining Society
We know you’re busy people, so we’re going to remind you just this once. The deadline for entry to Patrón’s exclusive Secret Dining Event, with Rebel Dining Club food, and London Cocktail Club-created Patrón cocktails is this Saturday, 15 October at midnight, so you better register fast if you want to be in with the chance of a securing a ticket for you and a guest. Not only will successful applicants be given a mixology masterclass and feast on four gourmet courses, but there will be other surprises on the night. If you haven’t already registered yet, it only takes a few seconds to do so; so do it pronto and we hope to see you there.
Patrón Secret Dining Society,
Oct 20
Application ends midnight, October 15.
Successful applicants will be notified by Monday, 17 October.
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Offer
£35 Off Gourmet Odyssey for UJ readers
These foodie tours, with a champagne reception at the Zetter or The Savoy, a different course at each of three top restaurants (including Smith of Smithfield, Club Gascon and Arbutus), two glasses of wine with each course and coffee with desert are one of the highlights of the LRF, so we’re pleased to announce a special offer for you UJ-ites. Rather than paying £110 for the walking tours in Covent Garden, Soho and Clerkenwell this weekend, you can book a lunchtime tour for £75. Just click here to reserve your place, and quote UJLRF in the offer box.
Sat 15 Oct, £75 with UJ offer
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Reminder
Lomax Personal Training- UJ Loves
We are huge fans of training the Lomax way. And in case you forgot, the Westminster studio is still doing a special offer for UJ subscribers: your first Blast Class (a strength and cardio workout in small classes, with each guest in their own “pod”) is free, and when you book a second for £12.50, you’ll get a Lomax Cleanse Lunch Box delivered to you at work (in London only), also for free. Makes shaping up for a winter sun break a little easier.
Lomax Bespoke Health Ltd, Swire House, 59 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AJ
Call 0871 512 0770 and quote UJLBC1 when booking. Offer expires 30 Nov 2011.
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| SUNDAY |
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Office Party Offer
A special UJ ticket offer for the most scandalous Office Party ever
Tired of the same old boring office party? Then join legendary cabaret artists Ursula Martinez (La Clique, La Soirée) and Christopher Green (Tina C, Ida Barr) at their very own, scandalous Office Party. After sell-out runs at the Barbican and Edinburgh Fringe, the pair (who previously collaborated on the Olivier Award winning C'est Duckie!) bring this interactive theatrical extravaganza, featuring a smorgasbord of stand-up comedians and avant-garde performers galore set a unique, purpose-built office.
To book, call 0207 609 1800 & quote ‘Urban Junkies’ to get your tickets at £20 (usually £30), valid Sun-Thurs, Oct 10-30 |
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Heads Up
Z Hotel Soho
Next time we’re out late and have to be in early, we might just book a room here instead of getting cabs. Open in the next two weeks (construction issues have scuppered the 17 Oct launch date) on Old Compton Street, the first outpost from new UK group Z Hotels has rooms starting at £66. They call it “designer label without the designer price tag,” and although the Yotel-style rooms are basic, they are well designed, with Smart TVs and iPad docks.
Z Hotels, 17 Moor Street, W1D 5AP,
020 3551 3700 |
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DRINK
Bombay Sapphire Blue Room, Vinopolis
Gin and tonic, gin and juice, gin and ginger beer. Whatever your gin-leanings, head to one of Vinopolis’ Gintelligentsia nights with Bombay Sapphire for the ultimate masterclass in gin led by brand ambassador Sam Carter. You’ll learn about the history of the juniper berry-based spirit as well as the 18th century ‘Vapour Infusion’ technique which makes Bombay Sapphire so unique. You’ll also get the chance to make three of your own gin-based cocktails letting your creative juices flow.
Gintelligentsia Masterclass,
Vinopolis, 1 Bank End, SE1 9BU
1 & 30 Nov, 6.45-9pm,
£65 (includes mezze food platter)
Click here to book.
For more imaginative evening ideas visit www.facebook.com/bombaysapphire
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Recipe
Bombay Sapphire ‘Keepsake’ Cocktail
Ingredients:
50ml Bombay Sapphire
10ml Orgeat (almond syrup)
10ml Blue Curacao (blue orange liqueur)
15ml freshly squeezed lime juice
Garnish:
Trimmed orange peel twist (spritzed over cocktail)
Method:
Measure all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with cubed ice and shake really well. Fine strain into a chilled coupette glass and garnish with a spritzed orange peel over the top of the glass, around the rim and wiped on the stem of the glass. Enjoy!
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RESERVED
This weeks hottest foodie destination
Bread Street Kitchen
Ramsay’s Kitchen Dream
One New Change, 10 Bread Street, London,
EC4M 9AB, 020 7592 1616
7am – 11pm Mon-Fri, 9am-11pm Sat and Sun
www.gordonramsay.com/breadstreetkitchen
Location
Turn right at Mango, left at Next, continue past EAT and Oliver Bonas. No, not that big, celebrity chef-backed restaurant beginning with B – the other one. In other, less facetious words: Gordon Ramsay’s new restaurant is located in the City of London’s newest shopping destination, One New Change, opposite Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa.
Vibe
Pretty great, actually, considering you’re in a shopping centre. In fact, a fellow diner who came in at the street entrance didn’t even realise the restaurant was part of One New Change, and likened the discovery to chatting up a woman in a stylish cocktail dress only to notice that she’s wearing office shoes underneath. The vast, gorgeous space transcends its corporate surroundings: the area might be business lunch central but the restaurant has the slightly languid, decadent feel of the Wolseley.
Flavours
It’s easy to forget that Ramsay is a multi-Michelin-starred chef as well as a shouty brand, and lots of what we ate was extremely good indeed. Unlike the vintage desk lamps that decorate the room, the all-day menu has no obvious angle – in fact, its categories of Raw Bar, Hot Kitchen and Wood Stone are mildly confusing. Best think of it as whatever the boss fancies putting on there, from ceviche to crispy pig’s head. On the whole, meat seemed a better choice than fish: a simply roasted fillet of plaice was lovely, whilst a rich, highly savoury braised pork collar with mustard glaze was amazing.
Décor
This is one fabulous space: think equal parts Art Deco brasserie to Meatpacking District warehouse, with fresh touches. The designers, Russell Sage Studio, are into lighting as props, such as the aforementioned Anglepoise lamps, stage lighting over the bar and balloon-like clusters of antique glass shades hung from the industrial ceiling. Banquettes are dark sea green or yellow leather; a wine balcony runs the length of the room. A lot of money has been spent here – what recession? – but, unlike other high-end joints, here it’s totally worth it.
Upshot
The City may not be your usual stomping ground, but Bread Street Kitchen is worth a detour, if only for a cocktail and a gawp at the space.
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| Weekend guide by Frieda & Javvy, Jess, Addie and Jade |
(c) 2011 Urban Junkies. All rights reserved.
Reproductions of any portion of this website only with our express permission. Urban Junkies is a free daily mailer. All listings and features are editorial: We do not receive any payment from venues, artists or promoters. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information listed but we cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.
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