Arts & Culture
Originally published on Tuesday, 30th October 2012
The Culturist: November
If, like us, you can't quite get your head around how we got to the penultimate month of the year, the news is it's not slowing down anytime soon. This month, we've got noodles, pisco and posh trash food on the culinary front, some Parisian chic, Miami glamour and an haute couture exhibition from Italy's finest. Of course, we couldn't ignore the impending Christmas bells (Oxford Street lights up on November 1!) so we've thrown in a bit of festive spirit too.
EAT: BONE DADDIES RAMEN BAR
Opens November 1
30-31 Peter Street W1T 4QG
There ain’t nothing like a bowl of steaming ramen on a winter’s evening. If you’re a fan of Tonkotsu then listen up: there’s a new kid on the noodle block. Bone Daddies, by chef Ross Shonhan – of Zuma and Nobu Dallas – is a take on rough-and-ready izakayas, with a touch of Japanese rockabilly (and an exclusively rock soundtrack). This is ramen with a twist: it has more than one base stock (chicken, pork and fish) and incorporates a few homegrown ingredients too (think ham, peas, stinging nettles, crispy hock). Grab a sake and stay ‘til late – it’s open until 12.30am.
FASHION : MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA X H&M
November 15, from £29.99, Available from select H&M stores worldwide and online
Paris’ most avant-garde fashion house has joined forces with H&M for one of the most covetable collaborations this year. If you remember the literal box blazer, the models on trolleys, the pompom heads and the many, many masks then you’ll know what to expect. The collection will include re-edited versions of iconic MMM garments and accessories for him and her – each piece even comes with a unique tag indicating the season from which it hails. Expect masculine, oversized silhouettes, a nude palette and structured tailoring.
SHOP : SELFRIDGES NOT YOUR USUAL GIFT SHOP
Now open, 400 Oxford Street, W1D 2JW
Forget your fudge, key rings and tacky tees: this is a gift shop like no other. Selfridges have hand picked the most extraordinary products for their Xmas gift shop. Buy prints and silk scarves by Francis Bacon, animal t-shirts by taxidermist Polly Morgan or glass sculptures by RCA grads. Or, go for stocking fillers – we’re thinking DIY snow globes and a Ryan Gosling colouring book. You can also see the whole designer Pudsey collection before they are auctioned off (we’ve got our eye on one of the Balenciagas).
CLUB : COYA
Opens November 15 (reservation line open now), 118 Piccadilly, W1J 7NW
Pisco sours are still hot. Find new Incan flair in Mayfair this month with new restaurant and members’ club Coya. Brought to you by Arjun Waney (the man behind Zuma, La Petite Maison and The Arts Club), expect contemporary Peruvian cuisine – think ox heart anticuchos, rock shrimp, yellowtail tiraditos and duck breast with lúcuma – as well as a ceviche and pisco bar. There’s also a separate dining area, open terrace and bar for members only.
EAT: DISCO BISTRO EC4
Opens early November, 61 Carter Lane, EC4V 5DY
Punk chef Carl Clarke (behind pop ups God Save The Clam and Rock Lobsta) and Glyn Gordon (ex-Roganic and L’Enclume) are setting up for a six month residency at The Rising Sun Pub in St Paul’s. The order of the day will be upmarket British fare. Upstairs will be a short, simple, daily-changing menu comprising of rare breed meats (saddleback lardo with black treacle and buttermilk), day boat fish (wild sea trout with lime and lavender vinegar) and foraged greens. Downstairs it’s trash food done good, with French dip burgers and lobster corn dogs.
BOOK NOW : ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH
December 6 – 9, Click for more Art Basel news
If you haven’t had a chance to get away yet, book now for Art Basel Miami’s 11th edition. News just in is that Silencio will be bringing a dose of Parisian cool to the Delano South Beach for a five-day residency at FDR nightclub. There’ll be bespoke cocktails, new lighting designs and an extra special art, fashion, film and music programme. Make sure to gaze at the sky throughout the week: the Plane Text campaign will see airplanes showcasing modern art banners across the Miami skyline.
EXHIBITION: VALENTINO: MASTER OF COUTURE
November 29 – March 3, £9, Embankment Galleries, Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA
He’s dressed princesses, first ladies and the world’s most looked-at women, and now he’s got a 50 year retrospective at Somerset House. Valentino: Master of Couture will display over 130 of the Italian’s designs, from couture to catwalk, red carpet to never-seen private commissions. In a role reversal, visitors will strut down a 60m catwalk while an “audience” dressed head-to-toe in Valentino look on. Along the catwalk, key designs from the 1950s to present day will be on open display. And, if you haven’t yet seen the docu-film, go on a Valentino binge and watch it when you get home.
XMAS: HARRODS ONCE UPON A DREAM
From November 1, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL
We know, we know, Disney overkill. All we’re going to say is: for Christmas, Harrods have commissioned a bunch of world-class designers to do one-off gowns inspired by the original Disney princess crew. There’s a silk hooded number for Belle by Valentino, a Versace outfit for Cinderella – her glass slippers are emblazoned with the Medusa stamp – Mulan in Missoni, Snow White in Oscar De La Renta and Ariel in Marchesa. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a pop up on the fourth floor. We couldn’t not mention it.
FILM: ROOF TOP CINEMA AT THE BERKELEY
November 26 – January 31, free for guests, £55 for non-guests, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RL
If you missed the synchronised swimming classes atop The Berkeley during the Olympics, now there’s another reason to head up (other than the pool and spa, of course). They’ve transformed the area into a private cinema for four, complete with pine trees, big screen, Moncler feather blankets and hot water bottles (there are also heaters for sub-zero conditions). Enjoy mince pies, homemade hot choc and the best winter classics like Miracle on 34th Street and Love Actually. It’s reserved for guests at weekends but open to the public during the week. Or you could always book in with one of their Winter Welcome rates if you fancy a sleepover.
