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Metro
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
What to do in London if you didn't get tickets to Chelsea Flower Show
Welcome back to The Slice! It's that time again. Time for London to be decorated in all sorts of floral delights for the Chelsea Flower Show. And if you didn't get tickets to the official events, we've got lots up our sleeve. From a gorgeous Baskets In Bloom menu at MiMi Mei Fair, to a Bridgerton-esque afternoon tea at Sketch (with a string trio as the perfect backdrop). We're also letting you in on the fun at Flukes, the brand-new games hall from Big Penny Social in Walthamstow. And we indulge at neighbourhood spot Tozi, trying their signature dish – buffalo ricotta ravioli in a buttery black truffle sauce. Spoiler: it's as luxurious as it sounds. Read on for a whole range of recommendations for 24-26 May, handpicked as always by The Slice. The Slice is your weekly guide to what's happening in London, so if you're looking for restaurant reviews, drinks deals or just a great new exhibition to visit on a rainy Saturday in the capital, we've got you covered. Click here for this week's edit of the best things to do in town. The Slice newsletter also a brand new look! We'll still be in your inbox every week, bringing you all the very best things to eat, drink and do in the capital. So if you want get the next edition before anyone else, sign up here! If you want to do it all on the cheap, you can also find our latest batch of exclusive hand-picked offers in partnership with Time Out here. If you're looking for something to do this weekend, here are 11 of the best activities, dining, and drinking spots in the capital. By Beatrice Aidin Rarely do I gasp at the sight of dim sum, but the vibrant beauty of the green garlic, chive and chicken and ruby-red crystal morel trio has us snapping away on our phones. They taste as good as they look – and are not only great value but utterly delicious. We're seated in the chic Chinoiserie-style dining room, and we indulge in Sichuan Suffolk corn-fed chicken with cashew nuts – its kick of dried chilli is just right. Their vegetarian options are equally special, like the clay pot black bean aubergine. Each dish is served with olive fried rice and crunchy seasonal vegetables (set menus often get you on the sides). For pudding, the refreshing coco mango vegan sundae felt just like heading into the Mayfair sunshine. Baskets in Bloom menu, from £34pp. 55 Curzon St, Mayfair, W1J 8PG. Book here. Best for: fashion meets Chelsea Flower Show Sticks 'n' Sushi is embracing this year's Chelsea Flower Show theme with a stunning installation of a floral display by the legendary late Alexander McQueen. The sushi restaurant is drawing inspiration from McQueen's Spring 2001 'VOSS' collection influenced by dusky purple kimonos featuring exotic birds dancing through an oriental garden. To celebrate, they have launched a limited-edition cocktail, Kimono Bloom, made with Akashi Tai Yuzushu, St Germain and strawberry shrub. Kimono Bloom cocktail, £14. 19-25 May. Sticks'n'Sushi Chelsea. Book here. Best for: feeling like you're in Bridgerton Sketch In Bloom isn't technically tied to the Chelsea Flower Show, rather it's a floricultural celebration of Jane Austen's 250th birthday. Enter through a clematis-strewn pergola fluttering with pages from Austen's novels, and step into the Library, where a giant wisteria tree awaits. In the iconic rose gold dining room, staff in Regency-inspired dresses serve afternoon tea, while a string trio worthy of a Bridgerton ball plays in the corner. Miniature spring delights on your silver cake stand include a daisy-shaped apricot tart, lavender macaron and an adorable mousse cake disguised as a strawberry. Even the iconic Pod bathrooms are blooming, watched over by a giant topiary Jane on a throne of ballet pink roses and lilac delphiniums. Afternoon tea, £115pp including a glass of Champagne Pommery Brut Royal. Until June 1. 9 Conduit St, Mayfair. Book here. Best for: floral fun London's chicest floral festival is here. It's Chelsea in Bloom, where you can gaze at 115 different floral displays across the streets of Chelsea. It's the perfect way to soak up the floral fun. Take in stunning installations like giant yellow wellies beneath umbrella canopies in Sloane Square and Elton John-inspired sunglasses on Sloane Street. The Cadogan Arms is joining the celebrations, with a floral installation, a special cocktail menu in partnership with Casamigos and an edible flower-topped dessert. Chelsea In Bloom, 19-25 May. Find out what else is on here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Crosstown (@crosstown) Celebrate Chelsea Flower Show with CROSSTOWN'S limited-edition doughnuts. We're eyeing the Lavender Crème Brûlée, filled with silky lavender buttercream and custard, and the Pistachio & Salted Caramel Cookie Cup. The sweetest sip in town… available from all CROSSTOWN stores and online later this week. By Sophie Laughton Go down the unprepossessing bus stop side of Victoria station and you'll find neighbourhood gem Tozi. It's a poster child for warm Italian hospitality, with complimentary fresh bread and gorgeous Sardinian wine by the glass. It's all very La Dolce Vita… literally. They're projecting the 1960s classic onto the wall above the kitchen. Share your way through the cicchetti menu: delicate yellowtail carpaccio, fresh and simple salads, and a delicious selection of Italian meats and cheeses. Their springtime special, Rustichelle with peas, asparagus and Tuscan pecorino, is vibrant, green and earthy, but it's not a patch on their signature dish: perfect pasta parcels of buffalo ricotta in a buttery black truffle sauce. Continue the green theme with Tozi's take on London's trendiest ingredient – a silky, nutty pistachio tiramisu. Bellissima ! Cicchetti from £9.75. 8 Gillingham St, Pimlico, SW1V 1HJ. Book here. Set in the upstairs area of the cavernous warehouse setting of Big Penny Social in the reliably trendy east London neighbourhood of Walthamstow, Flukes promises enough interactive games, craft beer, and cocktails to make for the perfect birthday celebration or corporate get-together. It's a bit more expensive than simply putting your pound down at the local pub, but the interactive darts board with a projector, screen, and array of games is a competitor to the likes of Flight Club. The design of the pool table area can make gameplay a little awkward with people coming and going, but the atmosphere and bar food more than make up for it. Though the private karaoke rooms could use a lock (interruptions mid-warble aren't ideal), the brand-new equipment and proper soundproofing mean this spot is likely to become justifiably popular. Darts, shuffle and karaoke, £10pp per hour. Pool, £15 per hour. Upstairs at Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, Walthamstow, E17 6AL. Book here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kudu (@kudurestaurant) Peckham's Kudu is getting a new home in Marylebone after eight years in the neighbourhood. This is your last chance to catch their tasty plates at the old location with their limited-edition 'Best of Kudu' menu. First in the series is Christina Soteriou's Sumac and pomegranate stewed cherry slushy – £1 of each slushy will be donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians. Available from 1 June. Find out more. Honest Burger has teamed up with DOOM to celebrate the release of DOOM: The Dark Ages. And they're bringing the heat. The new DOOM burger features double smashed beef patties, double American cheese, bacon, sweet onions, pickles, black garlic mayo, crispy onions and hot sauce from The Rib Man. Plus, chances to win prizes like two Xbox consoles wrapped in DOOM graphics, and more! Keep an eye on Honest Burger's Instagram to take part. Are you a natural chatterbox? Can't go a day without a podcast in your ear? The Podcast Show at the Business Design Centre in Islington features live podcast stage shows, 150+ speakers, after parties and even a chance for you to pitch your own podcast idea. Get your tickets here. The London Cycling Festival takes place this Sunday, and there are tons of ways you can join in. Expect bike markets, family friendly activities, and live music. Find out where your local events are. The most Tony-nominated play (13 nominations) ever is back! After a smash hit run on Broadway, Stereophonic is transferring to the West End's Duke of York's Theatre for just 20 weeks. More Trending The play invites the audience to immerse themselves in the process of a band on the brink of blowing up, as they struggle through recording their new album set from 1976 to 1977. Expect booze, jealousy, songs coming together and relationships falling apart. Duke of York's Theatre, Covent Garden. 24 May-20 September. Book tickets here. MORE: What's Cooking? I worked in cabin crew for 12 years — avoid these five foods on planes MORE: I rarely buy drinks from Co-op — but £7.35 bottle blew me away
New York Times
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘White Lotus' Star Natasha Rothwell's London
Decades before the actress Natasha Rothwell ever set foot in London, she dreamed of living there. The historic charm — the regal theaters and terraced houses — was part of the pull. The other reason was the city's connection to classic rom-com films. ''Notting Hill' and 'Love Actually' and 'Bridget Jones's Diary' definitely made it feel like a place where love is possible,' said Ms. Rothwell, who stars in the current season of the hit HBO show 'The White Lotus.' In 2021, the Los Angeles resident finally got her opportunity to be a part-time local in London while filming the movie 'Wonka.' During her five months there, Ms. Rothwell, 44, took long walks along the River Thames, enjoyed 'quite exquisite' dinners at the Michelin-starred pub the Harwood Arms, and visited the Tate Modern art gallery so frequently, she purchased a membership. Ms. Rothwell's penchant for culture and self discovery runs parallel to that of Belinda Lindsey, her character in 'The White Lotus.' Belinda, the empathetic spa manager of the fictional resort White Lotus Maui in Season 1, returns for Season 3, which takes place in Thailand and debuted Feb. 16. 'In the time between we last saw her and Season 3, she's embarked on a journey of healing and trying to figure out how to trust again, and how to be more self-reliant,' Ms. Rothwell said of Belinda. Ms. Rothwell's most recent visit to London, for a 'White Lotus' press trip, lasted only 48 hours. When she can stay a bit longer, here are five of Ms. Rothwell's top London destinations. 1. Bridge Theater Nestled in the shadow of the iconic Tower Bridge, the riverfront Bridge Theater offered instant familiarity with Ms. Rothwell. 'It just brought me back to my roots of being a theater major and just nerding out,' she said, noting the avant-garde establishment reminded her of the Woolly Mammoth Theater in Washington, D.C., where she worked after college. While in attendance for 'White Noise,' the critically acclaimed play by Suzan-Lori Parks, during Ms. Rothwell's first stay in London, she took inventory of the Bridge Theater's gritty, 'kind of punk' ambience and the crowd full of theater purists. 'It just felt like everyone there understood that it was a sacred place where art was going to be performed,' she said. 2. MiMi Mei Fair According to Ms. Rothwell, much of the appeal of London's culinary scene is its unique offering of both low-key neighborhood favorites and 'super bougie' places. MiMi Mei Fair, a Chinese restaurant in the upscale Mayfair district, feels like a combination of both. 'When you walk in, it's a hole-in-the-wall, but it's the kind of decór that feels expansive,' she said. 'Every section of the restaurant is so ornately decorated.' MiMi Mei Fair's menu blends classic Chinese dishes like the roasted Peking duck (which Ms. Rothwell calls 'incredible') and creative dishes like the Singapore chile prawns and sesame mantou cigars, which are restaurant's signature dip-and-devour pairing. 'It's small, it's intimate, but it's just delicious,' she said. 3. Hyde Park Headphones in and listening to an audiobook is how you might catch the 'Insecure' and 'How to Die Alone' star sauntering around Hyde Park. 'It's really a cool place to sort of wander and feel lost,' she said of the lush 350-acre park, which is adjacent to Buckingham Palace and includes the granite Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. Ms. Rothwell acknowledges the contrast between Hyde Park and parks in New York City, where she once lived. 'With Central Park, you always feel the presence of the city,' she said. 'Anytime I would walk through Hyde Park, it kind of disappeared. You would hear it, but it would be further in the background.' While filming 'Wonka,' Ms. Rothwell and her co-star Rakhee Thakrar sneaked pints into the park and set up shop atop the endless meadows. 'The sun went down and day turned to night,' she said. 'Then the stars were just so visible and beautiful.' 4. Daunt Books Marylebone Like a good novel sitting on its very shelves, Daunt Books Marylebone, in the picturesque Mayfair neighborhood, offers its own narrative to visitors. 'I love stores that kind of reveal themselves the deeper you go into them,' Ms. Rothwell said. The curved back wall window is grand and decorated with mosaic stained glass. The narrow space is warmly lit and the book-filled walls sit under gorgeous Victorian oak balconies. 'There was a downstairs area with art books and periodicals, but it all kind of felt warm and cozy,' she said. 'It makes you want to read.' And hoard. Ms. Rothwell's night stand in her Los Angeles home has books purchased from Daunt Books that 'haven't even had the spine cracked.' She also treasures the free tote bag. 5. Corinthia London Lobby culture is a thing. Inside what Ms. Rothwell calls the 'swankified' Corinthia London hotel, there is a grand piano and chandelier at the entrance that 'felt very classy, like you feel like you want to put your pinkie up when you walk in the door,' she said. Ms. Rothwell stayed at the hotel, near the Parliament building, during that 'The White Lotus' promotional trip. On one evening, Ms. Rothwell, along with her 'White Lotus' co-stars Aimee Lou Wood and Michelle Monaghan caught up over bespoke cocktails at the hotel's Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese bar. 'There's velvet everywhere,' she said. 'It feels lush and the drinks are incredible.' With Ms. Rothwell's lifelong love affair with the city growing with each trip, would she pitch London to 'The White Lotus' creator, Mike White, as a potential destination for Season 4? 'Well, if my character survives Season 3,' she said with a laugh, cautious not to reveal any spoilers. 'I see what you were trying to do there.' Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2025.
FACT
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
MiMi Mei Fair Dubai Review: A celebration of Chinese culinary artistry
The Dubai food scene is moving in trends. While recent years have seen Greek, Pan Asian, and Peruvian restaurants come and go, the attention of Dubai diners is currently gravitating towards high-end Chinese cuisine. From Demon Duck and Hutong to Mott 32 and XU, delightful dim sum and Peking duck are well and truly in the city's culinary spotlight. So how did the recently-opened MiMi Mei Fair Dubai become a fast contender as one of the best Chinese restaurants in the city? Stepping into MiMi Mei Fair in Downtown Dubai is akin to slipping through a portal into 1920s Shanghai, where old-world grandeur meets contemporary finesse. The restaurant—conceived by Samyukta Nair, the visionary behind London's MICHELIN-starred Jamavar—draws inspiration from the mythical home of an elegant Chinese empress. Whether it's the emerald-green and black silk walls, the plush velvet seating, or the vibrant Chinoiserie murals that adorn the space, every corner tells a story, and we feel like we've stepped into a scene from Wong Kar-Wai's hit Hong Kong movie In the Mood for Love. Whether you dine in The Parlour, The Library, The Peacock Room, or the Garden Terrace, which offers beautiful Burj Khalifa views, the atmosphere is intimate and unapologetically lavish, setting the stage for a memorable meal. The Moon Bar, inspired by the mythical tale of the Jade Rabbit and the moon, dazzles with art deco sophistication and superb celestial sips. The curious concoctions include a piquant Smoked Banana Old Fashioned (AED 88) made with rum, banana, and chocolate, which is smoked and nutty with a subtle bitterness, and the Imperial Blush (AED 88), composed of fruity and floral gin, sakura, Amaretto, lychee, and basil. The menu at MiMi Mei Fair Dubai is a treasure trove of culinary delights. It pays homage to the culinary traditions of Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, with each dish executed with precision and a modern flourish. Indulgence takes centre stage with the Crispy Golden Langoustine with Black Truffle (AED 118)—a dish that blends luxury and precision. The succulent langoustine, encased in a crisp kataifi pastry, is fried to a golden crisp, creating a delightful contrast between its crunchy exterior and the seafood within. Elevating the decadence, a generous dollop of caviar crowns the dish, while a touch of black truffle offers earthy notes to complement the sweetness of the seafood. But MiMi Mei Fair is more than just its star dishes. The box of Xiao Long Jewels (AED 168) offers a delightful assortment of delicate dumplings, each one a miniature work of art. Stuffed with soup, each perfect package – ranging from chilli crab to king prawn and lamb – is rich and flavorful and encased in a rainbow of colourful wrappings, allowing guests to differentiate between the various dim sum. When it comes to main courses, MiMi Mei Fair leans into bold, theatrical flavours. The Signature Apple Wood-Fired Roasted Peking Duck (AED 498) is a performance in itself, carved tableside with all the reverence of a fine art restoration. The lacquered skin shatters on impact, revealing succulent, fragrant meat that pairs effortlessly with wafer-thin pancakes, house-made hoisin, and a scattering of julienned cucumber and spring onion. As originally intended, the duck is fit for royalty and can be customised with a caviar addition starting from AED 550 for 30g. The Diced Black Pepper Wagyu Beef (AED 208) is another triumph, with buttery-soft cuts of meat bathed in a glossy, aromatic sauce. A seemingly simple dish, it exudes quiet confidence, offering a subtle interpretation of the take-out classic, where the beautiful beef has transformed into a rich, satisfying plate, emblematic of the restaurant's commitment to high-quality produce and meticulous execution. Not a fan of meat? Fear not because the Hunan Crispy Atlantic Sea Bass (AED 348) is one of the most memorable plates we've eaten in recent months. Each mouthful hums with heat as the fish is opened out into crisp, pullable pieces, like the famed bloomin' onion from Outback Steakhouse. It's comfort food at its most elevated. Like the dining room, MiMi Mei Fair Dubai's desserts are bijou. It's tough to choose between the dainty Vanilla Cheesecake (AED 64) with wild berry compote or the Flourless Chocolate Bar (AED 68) infused with mandarin, sprinkled with pecan crunch and served with vanilla bean ice cream. The latter delivers a final flourish of citrusy brightness, while the ice cream provides a superb silky contrast. The service at MiMi Mei Fair Dubai is impeccable and attentive without being intrusive. The warm hospitality of the knowledgeable and passionate staff adds to the overall dining experience, making it feel very Shanghai chic. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FACT UAE (@factmagazines) Dubai's fine dining landscape is fiercely competitive, yet MiMi Mei Fair feels like an instant classic. It doesn't chase trends or rely on gimmicks—instead, it immerses diners in a world of nostalgia, artistry, and uncompromising quality. The execution is flawless, the ambience is transportive, and the experience is one of quiet luxury rather than ostentatious excess. The name 'mì mì' may translate to 'secret' in Mandarin, but the word is definitely out on this London import. GO: Visit for reservations and more information.
