winter – The Cultural Exposé

Fortnum’s Lodge at Somerset House brings alpine glam to Covent Garden

Matilda — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 08:30:18 +0000

Of all the ice rinks in the capital, everyone knows Somerset House is the one you go to if:

1) you’re trying to impress someone (fellas take note)

2) you’re a sucker for Somerset’s glorious grounds (*raises both hands*)

or 3) you’re just posh like that.

But even if you’re a little hesitant about rolling around on ice, the alpine-style Fortnum’s Lodge on the 18th century site still ticks all those boxes – and you don’t need to skate visit it.

I was invited to try out the gourmet seasonal menu and cocktails at the cosy and festive pop-up last night, based in Somerset House’s West Wing. In the evening you’ve got your pick of nibbles, drinks or meals including yummy blinis, the indulgent tartiflette (a piping hot cheese, potato and pancetta bake), hot chocolates with fancy marshmallows or the dreamiest fondue. As for drinks, we were offered the vodka-based Bees Knee’s, the Lodge’s signature cocktail made with honey and lemon. Maybe it’s just me, but I automatically associate those ingredients with flu remedies and Lemsip around this time of the year so was a little reluctant to try it – but it was actually a wonderful tipple.

It’s a very decadent spread they’ve got going on here and while tucking in, I couldn’t help but thank God I recently kicked off my Tokyo Marathon training to burn all of that right off… but honestly, I cared for like two minutes. Me and my buddy left genuinely stuffed and happy, feeling all of the festive cheer – so file this one under “Hanging with the homegirls”,”Date night”, “I didn’t know you could do that in London” or “YOLO 2015”.

The lodge is open daily until 3rd January 2016 but for more info, visit www.somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink/fortnums-lodge. You can check out pics from my visit below:

Just spectating

The post Fortnum’s Lodge at Somerset House brings alpine glam to Covent Garden appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

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)

The post Something you should do… Winter at Southbank appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Something you should see…Robert Holyhead and Andrew Bick

Florence Ritter — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:00:04 +0000

The weeks are growing colder and the days shorter; we have officially begun the descent into deep mid-winter. Embracing the frost this month are two London galleries who are opening their doors to exhibitions of austere abstract paintings with chilly palettes to match the season.

At Karsten Schubert, Robert Holyhead will be exhibiting a new selection of paintings in which he continues his investigations of colour and line with a series of near-blanched watercolours, punctuated with bright geometrical forms. Through his pristine, precise forms and the treatment of his materials, Holyhead has developed a personal artistic language in which to discuss visually the definition of painting and the meaning of abstraction today. His philosophical approach to painting will at least warm up the mind.

Follow the coldest east winds over to Shoreditch’s Hales Gallery to find Andrew Bick’s take on a similar theme. Unlike Holyhead, Bick uses a variety of materials: he combines oil paint with marker pen, and often includes wax and Perspex in his compositions. His paintings stand as a series of explorations of surface and texture that show signs of their processes of re-working. The dynamic crossing of shard-like forms and bold lines are suggestive and almost transportative as we seek recognisable points of reference in their compositions.

In these colder months, many of us will be tempted to retreat into a state of semi-hibernation in our homes. But throw off the duvet, brace the weather, ignore the early Christmas fervour and spend a wintery afternoon invigorated by these two fresh approaches to abstraction. (Words: Florence Ritter)

Robert Holyhead: New Paintings opens 8th November at Karsten Schubert W1. For more info, click here.
Andrew Bick: School Studies: Ghosts, Arguments runs from 23rd November – 22nd December at Hales Gallery EC1. For more info, click here.

The post Something you should see…Robert Holyhead and Andrew Bick appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.