Pop Up Kings Road

Once upon a time, the Kings Road was known for being a hotbed of counter-culture; fertile ground for start ups, fresh thinkers and bright young creatives. For the last decade or so, I would argue, it has provided more of a stable environment to some local mainstays - places like Heals, Jack Wills, plenty of the Parisian fashion brands... even the feisty Ad Hoc has been around for a while.

So when I saw Pop Up Britain had moved in at the World's End, I was pretty excited: time for some fresh (super fresh) talent. Pop Up Kings Road is a concept store with a fantastic premise - every 2 weeks, for a whole year, 10 fresh new start ups move into the space and start trading. It's a great opportunity for new British talent to find a platform, get a leg up and make a name for themselves, and makes sure the shop is a real destination for a whole year, as you never know what you'll find there next.

When I visited this Saturday, the first batch of start ups had just taken residence, and I was really impressed with what I saw. The selection of brands was really well curated, each company complementing, rather than competing, with one another, and a really high standard of design and creativity. What's more, most of the brands were offering introductory discounts, so you can get your hands on future classics for fantastic prices

The highlight for me had to be Pinucci shoes, who had a selection of the world's coolest flats, and I couldn't resist their black leather, snakeskin and taupe suede Sloane sneakers, down from £150 to just £60. I also loved the selection of pretty trinkets, clothes and homewares from The Gorgeous Company, edgy shades from Couth and my boyfriend picked up a super cool slapband watch (90s children, remember snap bands?! Cool right?!) from Clicloc. Everything on offer was highly original, covetable and just a little bit different from most of what's on offer on the rest of the King's Road, breathing a fresher, younger lease of life into what is usually the slightly 'tired' end of the street.

A fresh batch of traders arrived in store today, and I'm sure I'll be checking in every few weeks throughout the whole year. I can't think of a better way to support talented young British entrepreneurs, and I love the fact that every time you visit, there will be new and exciting brands to shop. You'll see at least a few faces this year who make it big in 2014 and beyond, guaranteed.

Pop Up Kings Road
387 Kings Road
Chelsea, London
SW10 0LR
www.popupbritain.com

Pictures from Pop Up Britain and retailweek.

Countdown to Christmas 2012

Love it or loathe it, with Halloween and Guy Fawkes well behind us, the gallop towards Christmas has well and truly begun. Personally, this is my favourite time of year, so even if you're feeling a bit more Scrooge than Santa hopefully this run-down of all the fun we'll be having in Fulham over the next month will get you into the spirit.

December sees party season really kicking off in earnest, and this year there are PLENTY of options to choose from.

If you just can't wait until the advent count down begins, you can get into the spirit early with Tales Under The Tree at Barts. This location is the perfect cosy hideaway for mulled wine, warm cider, carols and of course a bit of Christmas culture with the speakeasy's book club. Once story time is over, join the regulars in Secret Santa and an Xmas team photo. It all kicks off from 7:30 on November 28th.

Next up,  on Saturday December 1st, the Brompton Bar and Grill have teamed up with Bloodshot Vodka to host the Bad Santa Brunch. Your £10 ticket will keep you entertained from 12-5pm, with DJs, live acts, a christmas gift market, and a very merry Christmas feast followed by carols in Santa's grotto. Don't forget the dress theme: anything that glitters and glows.

The Brompton Bar & Grill
243 Brompton Road
London SW3 2EP

If you're looking for a truly kitsch Christmas, there's only one place to be and that's celebrating Buon Natale with Bunga Bunga. Throughout December, there'll be karaoke carols, turkey pizzas, fiery Italian mulled wine and potted Christmas tree cocktails to get you feeling festive - plus guests can send complimentary cheesy Christmas postcards to their friends - much better than the usual M&S fare!

Throughout December

Bunga Bunga
37 Battersea Bridge Road
London SW11 3BA

It may be pretty frosty outside, but that's all the better when you're visiting Elk Bar's Winter Wonderland. They've transformed their garden into a veritable mini Lapland, replete with icicles, Christmas trees and even a few of Santa's reindeer friends. They'll be serving up a special festive menu from the smoke pit (the venison Deer Porker sounds delicious) to be washed down with some wintry cocktails such as the Butterscotch Schnapps Hot Chocolate. Sounds like an ideal way to ease yourself into those cold December nights.

Elk Bar
587-591 Fulham Road
London SW6 5UB

If memories of last year's office party have got you off the sauce throughout December, there are plenty of low-key festive options in the borough for shoppers and culture vultures alike.

I can't think of a location more suited to traditional Christmas cheer than the beautiful Fulham Palace. They've got a full schedule of events to look forward to including a pantomime performance of Sleeping Beauty on December 9th, a Carol Service in the Chapel on the 14th and kids can visit Santa in his Grotto on the weekend of 1-2nd December. The grade-1 listed Palace also provides the perfect picturesque backdrop for a traditional Victorian Christmas, from 7pm on December 11th. There will be carols, 19th century songs and a traditional Mummer's Play - the forerunner to the pantomime. Good, old-fashioned fun for all the family!

For some unique last-minute gifts and a much more civilised shopping experience, pop by the Andara Christmas Fair being hosted at The Durrell on December 17th. From noon to 9pm, entry is complimentary, and inside you'll find a carefully curated selection of beautiful gift options from up and coming businesses, ranging from handmade home accessories, to gorgeous jewellery, fashion, lifestyle and pantry items.

And finally, if even the thought of the C word is making your skin crawl, you can still pass a perfectly pleasant evening without being subjected to fairy lights and over-sung carols. Del Aziz are continuing their Thursday jazz  and bossa nova evenings, for example. Settle in with one of their legendary tagines and listen to the warm and soft tones of Mel Pashova as she sings jazz standards mixed with a hint of Latin on December 6th, or perhaps take in some authentic Brazilian flavour with Jandira Silva on the 20th. On the 13th, Helen Burnett graces the stage with a mix of recognisable and lesser-known jazz tunes, whilst for some post-Christmas cheer you can pop in to see Josephine Arthur on the 27th. Her voice has been described as like 'bathing in chocolate' - the perfect thing to enjoy with Del Aziz's beautiful selection of desserts then!

Del Aziz
22-32 Vanston Place, nr Fulham Broadway
London SW6 1AX

SW6 Fright Night

The evening's are getting darker, the temperatures have plummeted, and although summer never really arrived, winter is most definitely here. But, instead of getting depressed and hibernating, the run up to Christmas gives us lots of opportunities to party. First up: SW6 gets all spooky for all hallows eve. Here's a run down on some of your options for the freakiest day (make that week) of the year.

The folks over at Bikeminded RKBC are putting on another one of their much acclaimed cycle tours on Wednesday the 31st itself. This time they've teamed up again with Exquisite Folly theatre and invited us to solve a creepy mystery in their wartime whodunnit, whilst cycling around Notting Hill by moonlight. If the last cycle theatre tour I went on is anything to go by, this should be an entertaining and original way to spend Halloween itself - the acting is always surprising and engaging, and it's a fantastic way to explore the borough, whether you're an expert on your wheels or a teensy bit wobbly. Just don't forget your costume! Tickets available here. The early bird price is just £5, going up to £7 is a few days time.

The Brompton Bar & Grill have teamed up with Bloodshot Vodka to offer a suitably gory "Bloodshot Brompton Brunch" on Saturday the 27th October, from 12-5pm. With a personal 'bloodbath' on each table (it's a DIY Bloody Mary Bar, so much less hideous than it sounds!!), live music, top DJs and all sorts of delicious and devilish snacks available, the £10 ticket is worth every penny - plus there's plenty of time to continue the party afterwards! Bloodshot eyeball eggs, anyone?

The Brompton Bar & Grill
243 Brompton Road
London SW3 2EP
www.bromptonbarandgrill.com

Once you're suitably warmed up, there are plenty of options to give yourself an authentic fright night. Notting Hill's supperclub, for example, can always be relied upon for a decadent party. On the 26th and  27th, guests are invited to visit their Disco Slaughterclub, where the whole venue will be turned into a haunted house, full of spooky surprises and gory scenes. Explore if you dare, or simply lie back on your bed and let the disco maids and butlers serve you the "bloody corpse" menu whilst you dance to the beats of DJ Sancho Panza (Friday) and Femi Fem (Saturday). Tickets are available here

Supperclub
Halloween: 26th-27th October
12 Acklam Road,
W10 5QZ
http://www.supperclub.com/

If the journey to Notting Hill makes you quake in your boots, Maggie's Monster Mansion is a ghoulishly great options (sorry!) closer to home. Staying true to their 80s theme, Maggie's is promising a 'hair raising halloween fancy dress party with a retro twist'. Hosted by Beetlejuice, there will be ghostly girl dancers, deadly decor, toxic cocktails and a "Dead and Buried" dress code to match (No prizes to guess which recently deceased celebrity will feature most heavily!).  Entry is £20, and the night goes on until 3:30am.

MAGGIE’S
Saturday 27th October 2012
10:30pm – 3:30am
Entry £20
Maggie’s, 329 Fulham Road, London, Greater London, SW10 9QL
www.maggies-club.com

If you're still not inspired, the Barts Gruesome Twosome might get your beetlejuices flowing. Champagne will be the poison of choice at the Bart's Yelloween Party, on Saturday the 27th October. In association with Veuve Cliquot, this promises to be a decadent evening of dramatic décor  creepy costumes and fantastic fizzy deals.

On the night itself, head back to SW3 for an evening of twisted tales and spooky secrets. The Barts Book Club have hooked up with Roger Clarke, the author of 'A Natural History of Ghosts' for a reading, shocking tales of history's most gruesome hauntings and some bedtime stories certain to give you the shivers. With a Waterstone's voucher for the guest with the spookiest story to tell, you could give yourself nightmares all the way through November. 

BARTS GRUESOME TWOSOME

Barts
YELLOWEEN
Saturday 27th October 2012
FREE
6pm-1:30pm

TWISTED TALES AT BARTS
Wednesday 31st October
FREE
6pm - 1:30am

www.barts-london.com



If good old fancy dress and some devilish deals on Halloween grog is more your idea of a night well spent, the celebrations at Elk Bar could be just the ticket. Kicking off the festivities early, you can get the Green Candy Floss mojitos in for just £2.95 this Thursday, whilst the best fancy dress costume wins a bottle of champagne - guaranteeing that frightful feeling will last well into Friday morning! If you can handle it, head back on Saturday 27th for the big event. This time, your costume skillz could win your a £50 tab, and with a whole host of cocktail and shooter specials, free entry, and DJs from 8pm, the night will not only be great fun, but wickedly good value.

Elk Bar 
587 Fulham Road
London SW6 5UA

If the only thing giving you nightmares is your love life, Halloween at the Bluebird can help you find romance amongst the cob webs with their Halloween themed Speed Dating night. With plenty of punch and other spooky treats, even if you meet more Frankeinstein's than Prince Charming's you're guaranteed a great night. Tickets are £25 each, and include a complimentary glass of bubbles. Grab your entry now by emailing emilyb@danddlondon.com before they sell out!

The Bluebird
http://www.bluebird-restaurant.co.uk/
350 King's Road
Chelsea SW3 5UU

Lastly, but definitely not least -you can always rely on The Jam Tree for a good party. Their Halloween bash is taking place on Friday 26th October, when DJ Greggy G will be on the decks for an evening of house music, frightening fancy dress and ghoulishly good drinks. Entry is free all night and the beats go on until late... Definitely a brilliant start to a big weekend

The Jam Tree
541 Kings Road
London SW6 2EB

Whatever you get up to, we hope you have a great night! Let us know how you get on....

On Virgin Ground

Whoops! Who ate all the bruschetta...

For someone who fancies themselves a bit of a foodie - if only for the amount I eat, as opposed to any real  expertise - living within easy reach of the World's End is definitely a plus, as the last year or so has seen a range of openings, switcharounds and more on the restaurant scene. When Rosso Pomodoro shut, it left many of its fans disappointed, and the site lay empty for quite a few months... seemingly the recession's ubiquitous calling card, the empty shop front, had finally hit Chelsea. So it was as much relief as curiosity that I felt on seeing the builders move in to develop the World's End latest Italian venture: Terra Vergine.

Inspired by the Abruzzo region of Italy, the emphasis is on quality, natural and pure ingredients. The menu is diverse, although not too long, following the traditional structure of starters and pasta (normally a first course in Italy), followed by a selection of meat or fish dishes, and sides chosen separately. They definitely sit on the pricey and more sophisticated end of the spectrum, although the dishes are not overly complex or adventurous - the emphasis is on quality.

Sitting outside on one of August's rare sunny afternoons, I was certainly struck by the freshness of the vegetables adorning my bruschetta: set off with a crisp white wine, and a good dose of sunshine, I definitely felt a blissful Mediterranean vibe. Having whet our appetites, a generous helping of garlic and white wine seafood linguine (packed full of our sea-dwelling friends) and some lobster spaghetti managed to transport us almost completely - only the rattling of the number 11 bus going by managed us out of our reverie. Rounding off with a traditional Italian affogato (amaretto, espresso and vanilla ice-cream), we'd enjoyed a meal as good as you'd find anywhere on the Italian coast. However, we'd also spent a fair few pennies. Whilst Terra Vergine is not Chelsea's priciest Italian, it's not your cheapest option either. Definitely one for a date, rather than a wallet friendly option for a group of friends. It will be interesting to see how it fits in amongst the many other Italian options in the immediate area.

Terra Vergine
442 Kings Road, London SW10 0LQ

Classic Elegance at the Brompton Bar and Grill

I'm not usually one to knock themed restaurants, nor an interesting concept, nor a restaurant experience that comes a little out of left field, but sometimes the classic way is just the best way. Elegant surroundings, recognisable but sophisticated dishes done seriously well, white tablecloths and impeccable, discreet service. All these things may be 'unoriginal' but it's a winning formula that many bastions of the restaurant world rely on, and that the punter knows they can trust. In Knightsbridge particularly, you get one of two things: seriously bling, or old-world refinement. The Brompton Bar & Grill is a sterling example of the latter. It reminded Sarah and I slightly of a chic Paris brasserie, with the simple illustrated pictures adorning the back wall, a classic dark wooden bar dominating the front one, crisp white tablecloths and a menu full of European contemporary favourites, which when they arrived, were cooked to perfection.

After some pretty superb cocktails from a well edited menu of old classics and contemporary twists (the Gin Aperol Spritz was a stand out) we kicked off the culinary proceedings with the dressed dorset crab on crispy brown toast with lemon, and the mushroom ravioli. The crab was beautifully smooth and fresh, and the raviolo a great mix of earthiness and well managed textures. Thumbs up for both, particularly the crab, which was simply a top quality rendition of one of my favourite classic dishes.

 

We followed up with a classic dover sole (which was done exquisitely, the texture just right and the sauce nicely tangy) with creamed spinach and handcut chips, as well as a wonderful confit of duck with lentils, bacon and shallots which was wonderfully rich in different wintry flavours and textures.

Finishing up, we couldn't resist the chocolate fondant with pistachio ice cream (my favourite!) as well as the rhubarb crumble with vanilla crumble, which was also excellent, with the crumble topping being slightly crunchy - just as I like it.

Washed down with a fantastic bottle of the house white, this was an evening full of delicious European favourites, all of fantastic quality, with old world service in an elegant locale. I would heartily recommend it.

Brompton Bar & Grill
243 Brompton Road
London SW3 2EP

For bookings call: 0207 589 8005

Eathai, Eat lots of Thai... at Busaba Eathai

Usually this blog prefers to focus on local independent businesses and restaurants, but I thought I might make an exception for one of my favourite London chains, and it's only a little chain, promise. There were a certain set of hoardings I saw appear on the Kings Road that caused a small squeal of excitement, and possibly a very tiny anticipatory dribble. Long having been a fan of Soho Asian diner, Busaba Eathai, I was pretty gleeful to have my own local branch.

Some of you may have visited the other Busabas - besides the venue in Soho I believe there is one in the City and another in Hoxton, and now Chelsea - but the concept has been faithfully transported into SW3. The interior is full of dark woods, big shared square diner tables, twinkling tea lights, glistening buddhas and the smell of incense. The menu is full of South Asian favourites, all of great quality, although not especially adventurous, and the prices are similar to those of Wagamama. Unsurprising that, considering that Busaba is an offshoot of the same stable.

On this occasion, the boy and I indulged in rather a feast. I think I've mentioned about a million times over that Thai and South East Asian food is pretty much my favourite thing ever. We kicked off with beers and orange and cranberry juice (Bottle Green rather than freshly pressed I'm afraid, but really delicious... must track some down when I'm next in Waitrose). For starters we shared Tom Yam Talay, a spicy and sour seafood noodle soup, goong tohd prawns in breadcrumbs with a chili lime sauce (this was beautifully fried, with the prawns still soft and juicy and the sauce was most refreshing) and lightly steamed chinese broccoli with garlic and brocolli which also tasted tasty and virtuous.

For mains we tucked into a Malaysian favourite of mine, Pad Kewtio, which features chicken, king prawns and holy basil in a chilli sauce around thick rice noodles. However, the piece-de-resistance was the red beef curry, with lychee, parsnip, lime leaf and chilli. The coconut sauce was thick, creamy and nutty, just the way I like it. Although true thai aficiionados might find the sauce lacking in spice, there are some loose chilis in there for the braver amongst you and I'd say the heat is about right for most western pallets.

Busaba Eatthai
358 Kings Road
London SW3 5UZ

Medlar - a World's End Gem

Long known as the "grotty end" of the King's Road, the World's End is having somewhat of a revival in the restaurant stakes. Not only has the eponymous pub been featured in a certain E4 "reality" series multiple times, but Osteria Dell'Arancio and local cakery the Chelsea Teapot also delight. Medlar sits on this stretch of the Kings Road approaching Gunter Grove, and if the exterior seems smart but unprepossessing the fanfare that accompanied the first few reviews of the food certainly ensured this Chelsea newbie made a splash - one local blogger declared it his "best meal of 2011". So naturally, as my visit approached, I was feeling pretty excited, particularly due to the heritage of the owners - both of whom have done stints at SW12 power-house Chez Bruce.

As mentioned previously, the exterior is certainly very smart - a slick mid grey facade, with green lettering and a smart verandah out front - but the look is quite discreet. Medlar is a fairly small venue, I'd say around 12 tables, and elegantly decorated within, with lots of low lighting, crisp white tablecloths and a clean wooden finish.

Kicking off the evening with a Campari and Soda (seems to be a tradition these days), I scanned the short but inventive menu eagerly. Helpfully, for those of larger appetites at least, the decision as to number of courses is already taken, and price need not play a part in your menu choices. Besides a few dishes that carry a surcharge, a 3 course meal will set you back £39, whatever you choose. Having heard the crab raviolo much touted as the "must-have" starter (the Guardian review said it was "as good as any starter I'd had all year" - high praise indeed), we made sure to order that, along with a foie gras and hamhock terrine with green bean, dandelion and shallot salad, walnuts and toasted brioche. Although I thought my hopes may have been raised a bit too far by all the praise heaped on the raviolo, it did not disappoint, and was creamy, rich and delicious without being too filling and overwhelming, arriving as it did with samphire, brown shrimp and leeks in a seafood bisque - absolutely divine. I'm not much a terrine and pate girl myself, but the boy assures me that the foie gras and hamhock terrine was a great way to kick off the meal too.

Unoriginally, I'm afraid, we both went for the under blade fillet steak, with bone marrow, salad, triple cooked chips and bearnaise sauce. This was a "proper" steak, as my partner in crime put it, cooked to perfection and also served with a healthy dose of garlic and herb butter, which complemented the steak perfectly although rather made the bearnaise sauce a bit redundant. Still, the sauce was fab, and served separately in an enormous portion. The chips were HUGE and perhaps a little rich for my liking but the exterior was well crisped and the insides soft and fluffy so I can't fault the chef on that either.

Now before I continue, I must iterate that the service at Medlar was charming, seamless and discrete. However, on the night we visited, there was "un petit accident" in the kitchen resulting in a power cut just after our main course! The staff could not have handled it better (we were unable to have coffee, but would we like some complimentary champagne instead? Hell, yes!) and somehow they managed to produce two excellent puddings for us - even if we did rather feel like contestants on dating in the dark! I must admit, when my gigantic crème brulee turned up, I rather wondered if they hadn't picked up the wrong dish in the blackness, but I am assured that this portion size is just par for the course. Not that I was complaining - there were no gimmicks with this simple but perfectly executed brulee, and I was thankful for the extra quantity in my bowl, even if I felt a little sick afterwards. Dessert number two was an creamy yet refreshing AND single-portion sized glazed creme chiboust with caramelized oranges and hazelnut brittle - another success story.

Medlar is smart without being too fancy for it's own good. There is strong attention to detail and interesting yet uncomplex dishes are served to perfection. The prices are pretty darn reasonable and the service excellent if not rather formal. Not one for a boozy, bawdy night but fine quality dining suitable for families, couples and foodie friends.

Medlar
438 Kings Road
London SW12 0LJ

Bookings on 0207 349 1900

PS excuse the pictures being very dark - some were taken in the power cut!

The C Word

With the super mild November weather we've been having recently, a certain "festive holiday" probably couldn't be further from all our minds. So please, don't blame us for introducing the concept in mid-November - it's everywhere all of a sudden! Indeed, a spate of local business and associations are already planning their yuletide activity, and in the spirit of 'prompt and timely' journalism, and to give you all plenty of forewarning, we thought it was only right to let you know about all the Christmas fun there is upcoming in the borough!

To get you into the festive spirit, the Christmas lights at Fulham Broadway are being switched on by none-other by Sami Brookes from this year's X Factor (come on, I know you've been watching...), on Friday 25th November from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. The event will feature a live performance from Sami as well as the Nostalgia Steel Band, and vocalist Shelle Luscombe; carols from Fulham Cross Girl's School & the London Oratory School; plus children’s entertainment, balloon modelling, and a Santa’s Grotto.



For fans of vintage style bling (that's most of the ladies then) Butler and Wilson are kicking the season off early with a special Christmas shopping evening, with a 10% discount on all purchases and a bit of bubbly to help prise away the credit card.



Meanwhile, our friends at the Fulham Palace Garden Centre (also an excellent place for gift shopping, by the way, as they have a range of quirky home accessories as well as a plethora of plants and flowers) are holding two Christmas events over the coming month. The weekend of the 3rd/4th December is their yearly Christmas Activity Weekend. The centre will put on a number of refreshments (we've had their mince pies before - divine!) to help keep you going whilst you select your Christmas Tree, decorations or gifts, as well as providing activities for the children to keep them occupied whilst the grown ups do some Christmas shopping. Activities include face painting, Christmas balloons and a lucky dip whilst adults can show down on mince pies, mulled wines and roasted chesnuts.

For the arty and crafty amongst you on Tuesday 6th December from 11am - 12.30pm Fulham Palace Garden Centre are hosting a Christmas Wreath Making Demonstration with Belinda Shepperd, who will make wreaths using a variety of materials, ranging from traditional greenery with fruits & nuts to the more exotic. Tickets are £25, and this includes tea, coffee and biscuits as well as £10 voucher to spend at the Garden Centre on the day. As we've said, there is a really lovely range of candles, vases and bits and pieces for the home and all profits of the Centre go to the Fairbridge Programme, which is part of the Princes Trust. Spaces are limited so book in advance to avoid disappointment either by calling into the garden centre, emailing fpgc@princes-trust.org.uk or by phoning 020 7736 2640.



We're big fans of all the local markets Fulham has to offer, and now it seems we're also to get a festive dose of Scandinavia this December. From 15-23 December, Eel Brook Common will play host to a traditional Scandinavian Market (11am - 8pm each day) with food, drink, confectionary, crafts, gifts & entertainment. Stalls will serve up a range of delicious Scandinavian style treats including roast duck, skewered wild boar and venison, plus hot dogs served from a polsevogn (" a sausage wagon"), a Swedish bakery, Danish beer, mulled wine, Swedish forest berries, Marabou milk chocolate and more. I know where I'll be getting two week's worth of dinners then...

Both the Fulham Road and the Wandsworth Bridge Road will each be holding an "Odd Man Out" window shopping competition between the 1st and 21st of December. The big prize is a seasonal hamper full of goodies from participating shops, (one for each road), and all you have to do is locate small household objects found in participating competition shop windows that you wouldn't find there normally.  e.g. a teabag in a DIY shop, a cotton reel in a butchers. Pick up a competition form from participating Fulham Road businesses or the Durell Arms at 704 Fulham Road or download at http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/. For the Wandsworth Bridge Road competition pick up a competition form from participating WBR businesses or Circus Circus at 176 Wandsworth Bridge Road or Harringtons 154 Wandsworth Bridge Road or download at http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/.
The Wandsworth Bridge Road businesses are also going head to head in a "Best Dressed Window" competition so be sure to note down your favourites on your "Odd Man Out" entry form.

If you struggle to get your Christmas shopping done due to work commitments, the Wandsworth Bridge Road is also offering festive late night shopping with shops staying open until 7:30pm during the week of 1st to 8th of December, with extra late nights added on the 15th and 22nd too for those of you who leave it all a bit more last minute! There will be mince pies and mulled wine, special offers (for example, Circus Circus is offering 10% off all costumes until Dec 21st) and free gift wrapping, as well as a healthy dose of Christmas Carols. Just the thing you need to get into the festive spirit.



We love enterprising local businesses, but we love enterprising local people even more. South Fulham resident Alice Bamford, who runs her own catering company and supper club, LoveaLocavore, has come up with a genius idea for a pop-up Christmas market that she will be hosting in her own home on December 5th. Customers will be greeted with a glass of bubbly on arrival as well as a selection of canapes, and will be able to shop and be primped and preened all at once. The stalls for you to browse will include photographic prints,  boutique jewellery, homewares and house plants, hand-made cards and gift tags, chutneys, cheeses and luxury aloe vera products. Meanwhile there will be spray tanning and manicures and pedicures for those who fancy sprucing themselves up a little for the festive season. Entry is free and the venue is 79 Stephendale Road.
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If your business or organisation is putting on a special event this Christmas time, be sure to drop us a line with the details, and we can update this post as we go along. You'll find a link to our email near the top right hand corner of the blog, or in the 'About us' section.

Full Marks (almost): The Markham Inn

It's not often that I find the time to explore the chic warren of streets between the King's Road and South Kensington. But one afternoon, drawn down a typically quirky, quiant and beautiful Cheslea side road (you know the kind, traditional terraces, at once smart and unmistakably Chelsea, yet painted in array of canydbox colours) that I discovered the Markham Inn, sleek in appearance yet also traditional, positioned opposite Geales restaurant and next to a little green framed in Boris bikes, I noticed the Markham Inn, Elystan Place.

On that occasion I just dropped in for a cocktail, impressed by the sleek black-painted exterior, sophisticated black and red brasserie style interior amd the large central bar. My passionfruit, vanilla and champagne cocktail hit enough buttons to entice me back for dinner a week or so later.

If the design is sophisticated take on the traditional gastro-brasserie, the food veers more squarely towards the traditional. Visiting in the evening, the restaurant area is lit almost exclusively by candlelight, adding an element of glamour that perhaps raises expectations that the food might be more sophisticated than it was. Nonetheless, the classic dishes such as lamb chops with green beans, sirloin steak with bearnaise sauce and traditional fries, croque monsieur and salad or crab on toast make up in quality what they may lack in imagination. The prices too are reasonable enough to make this a valuable neighbourhood restaurant - just one that you might feel like dressing up for, and quaffing a little champagne at!

The croque monsieur was exceedingly large for a starter (it came with chips and salad) but managed to avoid being oily yet tasted rich and satisfying (this would be a great lunch option). On the other hand, my crab on toast was just the right size, rich, creamy yet also fluffy - just how I like it.

Equally, my sirloin steak was cooked to perfection, and the accompanying fries had a crispy outer with just the right amount of salt (warning - I like things fairly salty!). The boy indulged in the lamb chops with green beans and a light gravy. I don't think it knocked his socks off but the meat was well cooked, the gravy the right consistency and the green beans were just on the right side of the crunchy/soggy divide.

Rounded off with a decent bottle of Crozes Hermitages, we felt this was a very pleasant way to spend a Friday evening. There's a lovely ambience, a little bit of casual glamour and elegance, the food is well prepared, hearty and familiar (if not revolutionary) and the prices are pretty decent. Well worth an outing with the girls or a weekend date night with a loved one.

The Markham Inn
2 Elystan Street, London SW3 3NS

PS excuse the pictures - it WAS quite dark!