It's all about meat this weekend – 'tis nearly the beginning of game season, after all – Japanese buns, grouse, Tex Mex, chops and a square patty burger. Other than that we'll be gearing up for carnival on Friday, debating about the future of the Teen Movie on Saturday, and, on Sunday, we'll be indulging in a boozy brunch before having an early night in with Breaking Bad. This Weekend’s Picks • FRI Chop Shop • SAT Flesh and Buns • SUN Bloody Mary Buffet TONIGHT THE PRIDE STARRING HAYLEY ATWELL - OPENS Sponsored listing Hayley Atwell stars in Olivier award-winning The Pride, directed by Jamie Lloyd, following on from the critically-acclaimed productions Macbeth and The Hothouse in a thrilling season of work for Trafalgar Transformed. Also starring Harry Hadden-Paton and Al Weaver with Mathew Horne. Philip, Oliver and Sylvia exist in a complex love triangle which spans over half a century. Alternating between 1958 and 2013, The Pride examines changing attitudes to sexuality, looking at intimacy, identity and the courage it takes to be who you really are. "Truly remarkable" Variety The Pride, opens tonight at Trafalgar Studios, tickets £10 – £54.50 To book call 0844 871 7632 or click here FRIDAY EAT: Chop Shop PARTY: Paradise at Notting Hill Arts Club The people behind New York's Ai Fiori are bringing their first restaurant to London. Chop Shop, a casual, "butcher shop"-inspired meatery soft launches this weekend (at 25% off). We're not sure exactly what's going to be available, but the casual menu's said to be made up of jars (of meat and fish pâté), planks (cheese and charcuterie) and crocks (meatballs and gratins). There'll also be steaks, chops, a short rib steak sandwich and, most excitingly, the "White Label Burger" from Ai Fiori. Its USP? A square patty made of chuck and brisket. Now for a trip to Paradise (via Notting Hill Arts Club). Marking their seventh party, the collective are turning up the heat and going for some "pre-carnival heatwave vibes" at the West London institution. Think reggae, funk and bass by the likes of BBC Radio 1Xtra Resident Barely Legal, Get Low Cartel and Paradise Residents Conor Wheeler and Wadafuq Djs. And if you need more good vibes – it's all about the mojitos! 12pm-12am Soft launch this weekend at 25% off 66 Haymarket, SW1Y 4RF 7.30pm- 2am £8 21 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JQ THE BLUES KITCHEN BBQ | BLUES | BOURBON Sponsored listing For a taste of the Deep South on home soil, The Blues Kitchen dishes up hearty BBQ dishes, authentic creole cuisine, jaw-stopping burgers and naughty fried chicken. The bar is fully-stocked with rare bourbon and rye, while faded pictures of departed delta blues stars and concert posters adorn the walls. Stuffed alligators keep a watchful eye over you while you sip on your favorite tipple. Famous for it's rockin' soundtrack, the schedule takes in the finest of local talent, but be prepared to see some of the worlds biggest blues artists in an intimate setting - The Rolling Stones go-to guitar man, Gary Clark Jr, has played the venue twice in recent months. It's also open until 3am on Friday and Saturday evenings. The Blues Kitchen, 111-113 Camden High Street, NW1 7JN To book a party call 020 7387 5277 or email info@theblueskitchen.com Skate King's Cross Gizzi Erskine's Rock n Roller Disco Sponsored listing Come August 14, Gizzi Erskine will take over the Disco Bistro kitchen at Skate King's Cross. And in true Erskine style it's all about rock 'n' roll. For £36.70 (including skate hire, obviously) expect a three-course meal of K-pop chicken wings, a beef and bacon burger with truffled beer cheese and a banana split "Gangnam Style" for dessert. The "Rock 'n' Roller Disco" will also serve refreshments courtesy of Rotary barman Sam Dunne. The Rock n Roller Disco at Skate Kings Cross, August 14, West Handyside Canopy, King's Cross, N1C 4AA PARTY FITNESS The Alternative Party Abandon thoughts of sweaty runs and repetitive circuit training: this summer our fitness regimes have been about hula hooping, spinning (DJ decks), bashing piñatas and next week we're off roller skating with the current 'it' accessory, the Nike+ Fuelband, on our wrists. We've also heard that Village Underground is starting the day with 7am rave Morning Glory, complete with DJs and a coffee and smoothie bar; Frame holds "rave classes" and – news just in – insurance group Direct Line (bear with us) has just launched Cinigym, so you can get your sweat on while watching a medley of cult classics… Nike+ Fuelband Village Underground Cinigym SATURDAY EAT: Flesh and Buns TALK: Behind The Screen: The Great Teen Movie Debate The time has come and this time it's for realsies – Flesh and Buns has opened its Izakaya doors. Dishes here are all about sharing plates and bun building, with the main star being the Hirata bun served with a choice of "flesh" such as lamb chops, whole sea bass or pork. Otherwise, have a pick at the raw bar, topped with sashimi, small cold salads and sushi rolls. Refreshments also come by way of Nippon with a selection of frozen yuzu margaritas, Japanese whiskeys and liquors. Then onto some Covent Garden culture. If you're au fait with Film4's summer film season at Somerset House, go for their pre-film talk series instead, which feature industry insiders, writers and directors in the Behind The Screen Bar until the end of August (plus wine all round). First up, and keeping in line with the 90s revival, is "The Great Teen Movie Debate". Hosted by Charlie Lyne, director of upcoming documentary Beyond Clueless, he looks at why the period from 1995 to 2004 saw more teen movies made than any era before it, and what Mean Girls has got to do with real life. Like, whatever. 12pm-11:30pm Mains from £8 41 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LX 7pm £11 Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA SPA W Hotel Oh holiday season… between the lounging, eating and partying we're calling a bit of R&R to action. Exclusively for Urban Junkies readers, W London's AWAY Spa is offering 20% off all treatments, from tailor-made massages such as deep tissue, stone and bamboo, to body sculpting and facials. If you really want to indulge, we say book in for the Ren WOW Experience – think a facial and body rebalance treatment with Moroccan rose oil. Let the unwinding begin. To receive 20% off simply quote UJAWAY between now and the end of August to receive 20% off all treatments*, including AWAY signature treatments and James Harknett spray tanning. W London – Leicester Square, 10 Wardour Street, Leicester Square, W1D 6QF *Su-Man Hsu facials are not included. Other restrictions apply. Booking based on availability. GAME ON Glorious Twelfth Round Up Veggies look away. As of Monday, August 12, the game season is officially on. The freshest of the restaurant crop will be serving grouse on the same day it's hunted: head to Galvin La Chapelle for roast Yorkshire grouse and Landaise foie gras, or The Grill Club at Brompton Bar & Grill for cooking lessons and talks before tucking into a whole roast grouse. Next is the Northbank restaurant on August 13 with a game and Cornish hybrid – think foie gras with marrow bone butter Cornish crumpet, seared West Country scallops and roasted pheasant breast, each paired with Bordeaux wines. More restaurants will follow in August: Le Café Anglais will hang grade A grouse for days before spit roasting; The Modern Pantry is going for Oloroso sherry-marinated grouse; and Dean Street Townhouse will serve a roast dish of grouse, buttered greens, game jus and smoked streaky bacon. Lastly, there's the big birds. Corrigan's will have grouse done three ways: roasted, pot roasted or in a pie, while Newman Street Tavern will have around 25 different game birds throughout the season. Let the games begin. Galvin La Chapelle | Brompton Bar & Grill | Northbank | Le Café Anglais | The Modern Pantry | Dean Street Townhouse | Corrigan's | Newman Street Tavern SUNDAY BRUNCH: Bloody Mary Buffet at Bread Street Kitchen WATCH: Breaking Bad The Bloody Mary – we're not bored of you yet. Bread Street Kitchen is giving the breakfast classic a much-needed shake up. Every Sunday, head here for a selection of BMs-with-a-twist: the House Mary has the welcome addition of orange juice, honey and shallots; the Red Snapper adds horseradish and celery; and the Spring Mary tries the BM with Grey Goose Le Citron, lemongrass, red onion, chili and lime. Otherwise, DIY with a concoction of ingredients at the Grey Goose Bloody Mary bar. Fans of cult American "chemistry-teacher-as-drug-lord" TV show Breaking Bad will probably already know this, but if you don't, the second half of the final series will be available on Netflix as of today. We won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it, but expect the most intense culmination of 5 series' worth of meth-cooking, drug warring and Jesse botching. For those who haven't yet jumped on the bandwagon, we suggest a catch-up marathon, stat. 11am-8pm Bloody Marys from £8 10 Bread Street, EC4M 9AJ From August 11 Netflix from £5.99 a month www.netflix.com RESERVED The Lockhart – Southern Comfort 22-24 Seymour Place, W1H 7NL | 0203 011 5400 | @LockhartLondon Location Situated in Marylebone, just the other side of the dud end of Oxford Street and on the same street as another region-specific restaurant Donostia. There's a lot of footfall from Selfridges shoppers – at least one yellow bag per three passersby – as well as lots of alfresco eating and drinking along this street in summer. Vibe When we heard that The Lockhart was a Southwestern American restaurant set up by four homesick Texans, we envisaged the vibe to be all blues music, cowhides and peanut shells. However, it's much more Austin foodie hangout than traditional Texan steakhouse: staff are tattooed, booted and pierced and the cocktails feel like they've come fresh from Austin's midnight speakeasy scene. The service is slick without being swanky. Flavours On paper it's "Southwestern" but The Lockhart was described to us as "basically Tex Mex". And Tex Mex it is: it's hearty and soulful, but also refined (no run-of-the-mill chilli and fajitas here). Begin at the downstairs bar where head mixologist Emily, a bona fide encyclopaedia of mezcal and tequila knowledge, will rustle up something on or off the cocktail list. We stuck to tequila – the Ginger Crush (refreshing, with fresh ginger and elderflower), the Berry Paloma (sweet with a spicy kick) and the Smoky Margarita (a double helping of tequila + mezcal – not for the faint of heart). Then for the food. Sit outside if you can, go big or go home – it's heavy, hearty and there's a lot of cheese. Some people might say that nachos are a crass end for the lobster, but we loved this dish, which was topped with a smoky mozzarella, guacamole and a kicking salsa. We love the fact that age-old Tex Mex staples Tortilla Soup and Southwest Caesar Salad are on the menu, too. Mains were a clear-cut choice – the sea bass with lobster, chorizo and crayfish bouillabaisse was daringly rich (but we finished it), while the Sussex fillet with Oxford blue cheese grits and Cajun onion rings did veer more towards a Texan steakhouse, but the 21-day aged meat and skilfully smoked heritage tomatoes reined it back in. A side of mac 'n' cheese is necessary. Décor Once again, the design aesthetic feels very Austin. It's quite minimal, with whitewashed walls, stripped wooden floors and a bit of exposed brick, plus a few vintage touches. The only nod to Texan tack is some small, painted antlers on the wall. Upshot The only downside is, despite the owners being natives, we didn't actually speak to any Texans/Southwesterners. However, this is Austin via Marylebone, not Austin, TX, and it's the closest you're going to get without leaving the continent. Reserved Archive > FOLLOW US! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram See what we've been snapping this week on Instagram! RESERVED by JC | WEEKEND GUIDE by JC & CS LIKE SHARE FORWARD PREVIOUS EDITION (c) 2013 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. 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