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What a year. For so many reasons. Focusing on the positive, we’re extremely grateful to have you all as readers. We started out in December 2002 – a long time to be in business, and we never take a moment of it for granted. So thank you. We hope if you’re taking a break you have a great time, and if you’re not able to, that you find some time for yourself, somehow, too.
Happy Holidays all. May ’24 bring good health, opportunities, happiness, and peace.
Love,
Taryn and Team UJ. ❤️
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 | |  | | | The Dover | | Mayfair | | Is Mayfair becoming, while still grown-up, dare we say, fun? It may have started for us with 20 Berkeley, the tucked-away townhouse that’s perfect for less-formal sharing plates and catch-ups. Close by, The Dover, recently opened, is serving an Americana Italian menu, with a side of NY-style low lighting and good vibes. And the newest addition, the late-night club Dear Darling (not to be confused with Dear Jackie) on Jermyn Street has a bar upstairs, and a by-invitation disco den downstairs.
Image kindly supplied by Adam Hyman, CODE Hospitality
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|  | |  | | | Elevated Fried Chicken | | C’est vrai! | | | We first noticed it at The NoMad, with their fried chicken and Champagne offering at The Library, Thursday-Sat from 10:30-11:30PM; gotta be quick! Other chicken sightings include an edible KFC bucket cake (brought in by a guest dining at Dorian in Notting Hill), and martinis with a side of fried chicken at Soho’s new Bantof Bar.
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|  | |  | | | Personalisation | | Want to put a name on it? Head to Selfridge’s for personalised ornaments (at the personalisation bar in The Christmas Shop) and other gifts.
The Christmas Shop | Personalised Gifts
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|  | | | Leo's by Aleksandra Boruch | | Around Town | | To note | | Places We Want to Visit
Current four include: Leo’s for pasta, Paulette for cosy vibes, Hector’s for small plates, and Brooklands Bar at the Peninsula for views.
News
Crisp W6 and Padella have joined forces for a one-day-only collab, on today, serving re-imagined and classic Padella pasta favourites on Crisp’s pizza pies. Check to see if any pre-order slots have been released. Artfarm’s two-floor farm shop is now open, and it’s close to their pub, The Audley Public House, so you can conveniently shop and have a glass after.
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|  | |  | | | Ashwood Shepherds Hut | | Worcestershire (£) | | | If you don’t want to break the bank (like every notable countryside getaway we know) but want a cosy getaway (as in both small and ‘cosy’), then this could be for you. Located on the border of the Cotswolds, this hut has countryside views, a copper bathtub, fire, underfloor heating, outdoor bar, and is just a short walk to Worcester for pubs, bars and restaurants.
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|  | |  | | | Velvet Circus | | Holiday Inspiration | | Balearic tidings | | | Little holiday styling from our friends on the White Isle.
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|  | |  | | | Choose Love | | Carnaby Street or online | | | By now you know Choose Love, the organisation that supports refugees and displaced people globally; don’t forget to visit their Carnaby Street store to buy merch for gifts this Christmas, or essential items like this blanket and sleeping bag combo, all to support those who need it most.
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|  | |  | | | Vintage Speakers | | Sound on | | | We’ve been noticing vintage speakers around town. Mountain may be all the rage for dining, but downstairs (if you didn’t know), you’ll also find a vintage speaker and good drinks. At Stella’s, a butcher’s in Newington Green, on Thursday and Friday nights they become System, a listening bar with rotating DJs and, you’ve got it, vintage speakers. Also on the vintage hi-spec soundsystem tip, we’ve noticed them at Bambi, the London Fields newcomer by James Dye, co-owner of Franks and The Camberwell Arms; and at Jumbi, the hi-fi music bar and restaurant in Peckham.
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|  | |  | | | Casa Lucía | | Argentina (££) | | | If you’re heading to South America anytime soon, this could be one for the wish list. Hotel Casa Lucía is opening this January in BA. The first property by the Unico Hotels group outside of Spain, it’ll have a spa, restaurant, cocktail bar, and a classic regal interior with great palms.
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|  | |  | | | Dance, Dance, Dance | | Dates | | | Need a little break from the festive merriment? Here are a few dance dates for you: Chloé Caillet is in town this week, at Mixmag’s LAB on location in Tottenham tomorrow (rsvp here) and at STEREO on the 14th (tix here), and Skepta is at Drumsheds this Sat, 16 Dec. It may be sold out (15,000 people!), but email for table options or look for returns or a friend with g-list.
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|  | |  | | | New | | The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai | | | Now open in preview mode, this new EDITION property is a 30-minute drive from Cancun, on the Caribbean coastline. They’ve partnered with two celebrated Mexican chefs for their restaurants, and also have a hammam, hydrotherapy pools, a lagoon-shaped pool and cabanas. Just in time for Christmas.
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|  | | | Wiston Estate | | Memberships | | Not a member’s club | | | Two memberships on our radar include Noma’s new membership, Taste Buds, where you will receive products from the Noma test kitchen four times a year, virtual events/behind-the-scenes looks, and the chance to go foraging with the man himself. If you like wine, the Coquard Club membership from the award winning Wiston Estate winery in West Sussex includes two wine deliveries a year (The Autumn and The Spring cases), a tasting and tour for four, discounted stays at their luxe cottage, The Pump House, priority booking for their midsummer event and wine picking volunteering, and more.
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|  | |  | | | Life Changing Facials | | Jasmina Vico, Vico Skin | | | If you’re looking for actual results over a pampering light touch, Jasmina is for you. Facialist to A-list clients globally, her studio just off Charlotte Street is a modern, calm space, with science-led products and leading skin care machines. Jasmina customises every session to suit your needs, and although her approach is serious, she’s a down-to-earth, knowledgeable, good time, too.
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|  | |  | | | Janu Tokyo | | Tokyo (£££) | | | A sibling hotel brand to the Aman group, they say ‘if Aman is sanctuary, Janu is connectedness’. Opening in March, Janu Tokyo is in the Azabudai Hills, with 122 guest rooms, eight restaurants, and a huge spa and wellness centre. Santa, baby….
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|  | |  | | | Jade Jagger’s Trunk Show | | Medicine Chest | | | Tonight, taking over The Laslett’s library in Notting Hill from 5-9PM, Jade will be selling her new Medicine Chest collection, which includes beautiful gilded paintings, hand-carved cameo jewellery, and other fine jewellery. RSVP essential.
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|  | |  | | | Ibiza | | Villa rentals | | | And we’re back to Ibiza. We’re only doing one NYD pick this year (it’s all about day, not eve for us) – and it’s the White Isle. Late December in Ibiza is usually good weather and still quiet – it’s a great time to be on the island. For 1 Jan, we say La Escollera for lunch, and DC10 for their annual day-to-night, mostly locals rave. You could also likely fit in a drink at The Standard, too. Plus, villa rentals are more reasonable this time of year: contact our friends at White Ibiza to see what they have available.
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| | |  | | | Scarlet & Violet | | Wreaths | | | Today is the last day to bid on the wreath of the day for charity (bid big! Do us proud) at Scarlet & Violet. But if you miss that, you can always order a wreath, anyway. They’re gorgeous.
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|  | | | Festive Event Picks | | Nowhere does it like London.
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|  | |  | | | Digital Marketing Assistant | | Team UJ | | We are looking for someone who can help with everything digital: SEO, setting up affiliate programs, implementing social ad promotions, and more – and do it well. If you know someone who might be a fit, please let us know!
Have a position you want to advertise? We have a very engaged, professional London audience. Contact us for ‘24 rates. Thanks!
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|  | |  | | | | Happy holidays all. See you in ‘24.
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