Originally published on Tuesday, 31st March 2015

The Culturist: March

New month, new openings. Le Chateaubriand is crossing the channel, Carl Clarke is back, there’s another Asian eatery and ENTER. is coming to London. Theatre-wise, there’s a Sweeney Todd face-off on the West End and beyond these shores we’re excited for the Venice Biennale. But really, when all’s said and done, we’re mostly excited for some April sunshine.

EAT I: LE CHABANAIS

End of April 8 Mount Street,  W1K 3NF

The highly anticipated sister restaurant of neo bistro Le Chateaubriand opens this month. Chef and owner Inaki Aizpitarte is bringing his take on Basque cuisine to Mayfair, and unlike its Parisian counterpart, the new digs will be bigger: 90 covers in the dining room, a private room for up to 10 and a bar downstairs. Now, for the reservations lines to open. Watch this space.

DO: THE RESERVATION AT BLACKS

If you’ve been out in Soho you would have noticed a few changes: new bars, restaurants… juiceries. Although we’re all up for a refresh from time to time, we haven’t enjoyed saying goodbye to a slice of Soho’s live music scene. And it seems Blacks feels the same. Starting this month, the member’s club will open its doors to the public for the first three Sundays as an acoustic live venue, The Reservation, supporting up and comers. Save Soho!

DRINK: BULL IN A CHINA SHOP

April 13, 196 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE

So it goes on, another Asian-inspired restaurant and drinking den opens next week, opposite the Tea Building in Shoreditch. Although it's from the guys behind the Drunken Monkey, don’t expect any dim sum here. Instead, think Chinese-spiced, whisky-glazed rotisserie chicken, black bamboo charcoal chicken buns and breakfast baos. As for refreshments, it’s all about the Japanese whisky.

EAT II: CHICK ‘N’ SOURS

April 17, 390 Kingsland Road E8 4AA

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Carl Clarke, and now we know why: fried chicken, sour cocktails and…Weetabix. Welcome Chick ‘n’ Sours. The chicken will be done all ways, from Chinese Kung Pao and seaweed dusted to standard buttermilk. The sour cocktails are by Sam Dunne, previously of Rotary and Milk & Honey, so expect good things. And lastly, the Weetabix, which is part of a soft serve selection that also includes miso with milk crumb. Suffice to say, it’s not just another chicken shop.

EAT II: CHICK ‘N’ SOURS

36 Marshall Street, W1F 7EY

Next time you find yourself on Carnaby Street, take a left and wander down Marshall Street. Billionaire Boys Club has just set up their London flagship, filled with their brand of ice cream wares alongside exclusive Pharrell, Adidas and Comme des Garçons collaborations. Next door, grab some shades at Cubitts, and if the mood strikes, there’s a pool opposite, if you dare…

PARTY: ENTER. TOBACCO DOCK

Day party: April 11, 12pm—10.30pm, 50 Porters Walk, E1W 2SF After party: 10pm-6am, £27.50, 110 Pennington Street, E1W 2BB

Fans of Richie Hawtin’s, take note: he’s coming to London for one day only, sake bar and all. ENTER.Tobacco Dock will kick off at 12pm for a day party, circa Space of yesteryear. Tickets, as expected, were a sell out, but good news, we have a pair to give away. Simply click here. And like any good day party, there's always the after party, Next Step Enter.After Party. Tickets are still available for that, but be quick.

WATCH: SWEENEY TODD

English National Opera March 30-April 12, from £10-£125, St. Martin's Lane, WC2N 4ES

‘Lift Your Razors High’ for a Sweeney Todd face-off in the West End – well, sort of. On Shaftesbury Avenue, the Tooting Arts Club, thanks to the Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, is doing its immersive version in the replicated Harrington’s Pie and Mash Shop. And over on St Martin’s Lane, big hitter Emma Thompson has taken centre stage as Mrs Lovett in the English National Opera’s acclaimed production. See both – then decide which demon barber you prefer.

BOOK AHEAD: VENICE BIENNALE

May 9 – November 22

We can practically hear the flutes clinking for the 56th Venice Biennale, opening next month. The core exhibition “All the World's Futures”, curated by Okwui Enwezor, will be the most politically charged and socially aware Biennale to date. Look out for works by the controversial Georg Baselitz, rising star Helen Marten and home-grown MBE talent Sonia Boyce. Stay at the The Bauer, if only for the pop up Lou Lou’s.