Lucy Palmer – The Cultural Exposé

Somewhere you should go… Le Gothique Restaurant and Bar

Lucy Palmer — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 10:00:24 +0000

Wandsworth definitely has a reputation as a yummy-mummy destination than a cool location for bars and restaurants – but tucked away and hidden in the centre of Wandsworth Common is Le Gothique, which bucks the trend. While perhaps best known as a popular wedding venue, Le Gothique has far more to offer than just for brides and grooms. Their French chefs provide an excellent menu including traditional favourites such as moules frites (steamed mussels and fries) and another highlight has to be their wide-ranging cheese platter, the perfect accompaniment when sitting in their garden with a glass of red. The wine selection is another plus, mixing quality with reasonable prices.

Le Gothique is housed in the beautiful Royal Victoria Patriotic building in a location which has had a rich and varied history from its original beginnings as a girl’s orphanage and later being taken over by MI5 during World War 2 who kept Rudolph Hess there for two nights upon his arrival in England. Though a French restaurant is a much tamer use for the building, it’s certainly retained its atmosphere and charm. So now that it’s summer, Le Gothique is great venue to head to for a relaxed drink in its tranquil surroundings. (Words: Lucy Palmer)

For more info, visit: www.legothique.co.uk

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What we’ve been up to… Hoi Polloi

Lucy Palmer — Tue, 27 May 2014 10:00:14 +0000

Hotel restaurants rarely get much recognition, as so often they’re not at the front of your mind when you’re looking for a restaurant to go to. But with great food and a relaxed atmosphere, Hoi Polloi, which describes itself as a modernist brasserie should be viewed on its own merits. Part of the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch, I visited on a weekend for brunch. With an American heritage (Ace Hotels are renown stateside) I had high expectations for a good breakfast. We started with Bloody Marys which could have been better; I like mine with a kick but the amount of kick in ours was far too much. They made up for it with the coffee though and my poached eggs were cooked well.

The menu is refreshingly affordable and varied with something for everyone – and there’s a Nordic slant to dishes that matches the décor of the restaurant; all very clean and simple. At the weekend, you’ll also get to enjoy a string quartet which also adds to the soothing mood. The menu offers more than merely just breakfast though, with afternoon tea, lunch and dinner all on offer making it a welcome addition to the Shoreditch restaurant scene. (Words: Lucy Palmer)

For more info, visit: www.hoi-polloi.co.uk

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Somewhere You Should Go… Chotto Matte

Lucy Palmer — Wed, 14 May 2014 10:33:10 +0000

Fusion restaurants have long been popular in the capital but this was my first time sampling Japanese and Peruvian cooking. Chotto Matte is a large restaurant by Soho standards and like its fusion food, the décor is a mixture of gold and black sleek sophistication suggesting an upmarket restaurant with a graffiti covered downstairs wall bringing coolness and colour to the place. It also has a mixture of small tables for cocktails and larger tables for dining with a large glass front which can be fully opened on warmer days. The fusion cooking gives the menu an array of choice with something to appeal to everyone from sushi to dumplings to barbecued meats. There is also a special quick lunch menu perfect for people looking for something filling and different in their lunch hour. On the main menu dishes are small and meant to be shared, with the highlight of our meal being the barbecued ribeye with Peruvian chilli. Beautifully cooked. this was tender melt-in-your-mouth steak with just the right amount of seasoning to it. And it’s worth saving room for dessert as I’ll be going back for the salted caramel chocolate fondant. The drinks menu is also Asian-inspired with an extensive cocktail and whisky collection, you get the impression if you want something that isn’t on the menu that probably means it’s not worth having and its time you tried something better. Unfortunately when I visited on a Thursday lunchtime the restaurant was quiet but I can imagine on a warm Friday night with people eager for an after-work drink or dinner, it will be a great and popular destination. (Words: Lucy Palmer) For more info, visit: www.chotto-matte.com

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Something you should do… Winter at Southbank

Lucy Palmer — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 11:00:13 +0000

We all have those Christmas traditions we look forward to every year and one of mine is going with my friends to the Southbank too see the Christmas lights and ice rink and drink mulled wine as we wander by the river to keep out the cold. This year with so much on offer, they’ve set up www.southbanklondon.com/winter to make planning your Southbank visit hassle free and super easy to organise. Upcoming events include the 12 cocktails of Christmas at Oxo tower, Light Princess a new musical by Tori Amos, the Eyeskate ice rink and even Father Christmas at the London Aquarium where he’ll be hanging out with the penguins.

The site includes more than just event listings and will also host an online photo contest launching in January and a special Southbank advent calendar, as well as offers and deals for the areas many restaurants and shops, saving you more money for all the Christmas presents you need to buy.
With so many events on offer at the Southbank it’s the perfect time to visit and get in that Christmassy mood. And with events running into January it’s more than just a Christmas celebration but the perfect chance to beat the winter blues. (Words: Lucy Palmer)

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Something you should see… Dayanita Singh: Go Away Closer

Lucy Palmer — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 10:00:18 +0000

Dayanita Singh is often described as simply a photographer, but her work – while usually photo-based – goes far beyond that, using original display methods and covering a never ending array of topics.
A major new exhibition of her work is about to begin at the Hayward Gallery. Going beyond the traditional photography exhibit, the themes have been organised and put onto tall seven-foot structures. They resemble hard back books with flaps that allow you to pull out each ‘page’, forming a photography wall display.

It’s a method that has been used by Dayanita throughout her career – she would make photo books for friends capturing the things they had done together, the photos were in a zig zag form allowing the book to stand up and form a mini exhibition for the reader. When one of these books was given to a German publisher who loved the photos and the original style and design and asked to publish them, they were an instant success.
The photos are heavily influenced by Dayanita’s life in India but also include images from her extensive travels around the world. The exhibit includes her famous works such as Dream Villa, Blue Book, I am as I am, Bombay Portraits and the Mona portfolio. (Words: Lucy Palmer)
Dayanita Singh: Go Away Closer is on from 8 October – 15 December. For more info, visit: http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/dayanita-singh-78547

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Something You Should See… Endless Stair

Lucy Palmer — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 10:32:33 +0000

Personally I blame the Shard, that’s what started this obsession with things in London being high and tall. There’s no more mere five storey buildings for us – if you don’t have to crane your neck to look at its very top, it’s just not getting built in the capital anymore. While not quite skyscraper status, the Endless Stair installation – with its 187 steps – will allow visitors to climb up towards the sky and provide a new viewing platform and feature in London’s attractions. The 436 metre interactive structure is made of a series of 20 interlocking staircases, inspired by drawings of M.C. Escher which is clearly evident when viewing the structure. From photos the piece slightly resembles a children’s jungle playground frame with visitors navigating the steps which turn up and down, left, right and everywhere testing our visual and physical perceptions. Located just outside the famous riverbank art space of the Tate Modern the new installation is being raved as one of the landmark and pivotal pieces from this year’s London Design Festival and was designed by architectural firm dRMM.Endless Stair can accommodate a maximum of 93 people at a time so arrive early or be prepared for queues. (Words: Lucy Palmer) On until 10th October 2013, admission is free. For more info, visit www.londondesignfestival.com/endless-stair

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Somewhere You Should Go… Santo Remedio Mexican pop-up

Lucy Palmer — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 10:00:31 +0000

When I think of Mexico, I think of great food and great parties and the Santo Remedio Mexican pop-up in Tooting over the weekend promises to deliver on both.
Taking place in the indoor market, your ticket includes entertainment including live music, the chance to enjoy that Mexican staple Tequila and your choice of dinner on the Saturday night or a mid morning brunch if you go on the Sunday.

The traditional food on offer includes Grasshoppers Tostada, pan fried in garlic infused olive oil with homemade chipotle sea salt served over fresh Guacamole. For the less adventurous there’s Pozole, the traditional dish to celebrate Independence Day, a bowl of delicious silky broth served with pulled pork and hominy topped with shredded lettuce, radishes, oregano, chile piquin pepper and tostadas on the side (what more do you need in a bowl?). And if you still have room for more there’s a spicy mexican chocolate sorbet on offer for dessert served with an orange sponge cake.
Santo Remedio regularly host pop up nights around London and are known for their authentic and delicious cooking and stylish and fun atmosphere – so with tickets including a complimentary cocktail and gift bag, your weekend should definitely start here. (Words: Lucy Palmer)

For more info, visit www.facebook.com/santoremediouk

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Somewhere you should go… Carnaby Echoes

Lucy Palmer — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 10:00:44 +0000

Carnaby Street has become slightly tourist ridden of late, but ask your parents and they’ll tell you it used to be the place to be seen and to see the hottest music stars. It’s where the NME offices began, holds the first venue to play a SKA act in the UK and is where Tom Jones walked the streets with a cheetah on a leash (!).

To celebrate Carnaby’s 10 decades of musical heritage from jazz to rock to pop to punk, commemorative plaques will be installed on key buildings giving an insight into the vast music history behind one of London’s most iconic streets.
As you visit each plaque and navigate the back street of Carnaby a walking tour app is also available to download via carnabyechoes.com, the App Store or Google Play. It’s a great and innovative touch that further aids in your music education providing interviews and performances from artists including The Sex Pistols, Cat Stevens, Kanye West and Amy Winehouse as you take in the places they’ve visited and performed at.
The plaques are the idea of artist Lucy Harrison and accompany an exhibit at Foubert’s Place where music fans can further indulge with contributions from Boy George, Mark Ellen, Lloyd Coxsone, Dynamo to name a few. Visit the exhibit to also receive a free pair of Carnaby branded headphones for each visitor.

On until 20 October, admission is free and once you see a picture of Tom Jones walking a cheetah on a leash, watching The Voice won’t be the same for you again. (Words: Lucy Palmer)

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Somewhere You Should Go… Fashion Film Festival

Lucy Palmer — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 11:26:55 +0000

It starts in the first few weeks of September when you begin to notice a slight change in London; coffee shops and nail bars are busier, there’s more private cars with blacked out windows on the roads and go to any bar near Somerset House and you’ll notice the outfits are more avant-garde than the usual office attire: yep London Fashion week is here.
There are always numerous events on to mark this great event but the one I’m most looking forward to is Silent Cinema’s three nights of outdoor film screenings held in the fittingly excellent shopping ground of Covent Gardens St Martins Courtyard. Each audience member will be given a pair of wireless headphones through which you’ll be able to enjoy an outdoor screening of Zoolander, The September Issue, or one of my favourite films, Grey Gardens. The event is running from 15-17 September and will also feature highlights from the catwalk shows so is perfect for the fashionista without a front row seat this year.

It wouldn’t be a true cinema experience without snacks and food will be available from local London foodies such as Suda’s Bangkok street food cart, Italian Dalla Terra and Bill’s as well as free gourmet popcorn for all.
If you’re looking to impress or truly make it an experience you can also book a table at one of the courtyard’s restaurants to catch the screening with most of the restaurants offering special menus to accompany the shows.
Visit http://www.stmartinscourtyard.co.uk/fashionfilmfestival to enter the prize draw to win tickets, though some tickets will be available on the day on a first come basis.

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Somewhere You Should Go… NOLA, Shoreditch

Lucy Palmer — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 10:00:12 +0000

When I was at university I studied abroad for a semester in New Orleans so it has always been a place of amazing memories very close to my heart. So when I heard NOLA, a New Orleans style bar, was coming to Shoreditch I got excited dreaming of the good bourbon and gumbo I would enjoy again.

But as keen I was to visit, this was dampened by our inability to find the place. After wandering Rivington Street for a good 10 minutes we gave up and asked someone who punched a code in a door and told us to follow the stairs up. I get they want to keep the place secretive but c’mon a sign on the door would help!

Once we arrived, I went for the classic a Hurricane cocktail. And it was good, well mixed in an ice cold glass and it made me nostalgic for a night in Pat O’Briens. But beware they’re deceptively strong, and it was only when my group stood up to leave we had to admit we were all feeling it.

The decor has a vintage, New Orleans feel with dark green leather booths, shutters, piano and ceiling fans, but you can tell it’s only been open a month as everything is still new and bit too shiny. In a few months when it’s more worn and used it’ll be perfect.

It’s a small and intimate venue only open Tuesday- Saturday, 6pm – midnight, with 12-3pm reserved for members. Given its hard to find it was quiet when we went, but I imagine its late night you need to go, with live music regularly on. And as membership is free with just a donation going to charity of your choice, it’s great if you’re always looking for a late night place to continue the party.

At the time of writing, the kitchen wasn’t up and running, but I imagine this will draw me back to try the cooking, and if its anything as good as their cocktails it’s safe to say its going to be good. (Words: Lucy Palmer)

For more info, visit: www.nola-london.com

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