Latest news with #TheoJames
Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Lupa restaurant review: a terrific trattoria from a White Lotus star
It was 1am when the chef Naz Hassan stumbled home from the Christmas party at Carousel in Fitzrovia, central London, where he was working temporarily. He woke his girlfriend and told her he was going to open a new restaurant with an actor. He recalls her groggy reply: 'Go to sleep. You're drunk, you're dreaming. Forget about it.' Now he has done exactly that, launching a neighbourhood Roman osteria with Theo James, the handsome 40-year-old Brit you'll have seen in The Gentlemen, The White Lotus, The Time Traveler's Wife or the Divergent trilogy. It's a sweltering day when I first visit Lupa, a few days before the opening. All the doors and windows are open and people wander past, gawping at James, who's hiding under a baseball cap. But others are leaning their heads too: a local gossiping about the fact this place used to be a shoe shop; a teenage girl in search of a waitressing job; a mourner from a funeral across the road, seeking a last-minute loan of a Bluetooth speaker. All this makes Lupa feel like a proper local restaurant — a far cry from the silver screen. Yet it's a well-trodden path from film to hospitality. James's director in The Gentlemen, Guy Ritchie, has a pub. But James has long yearned for his own place. 'I've always loved food, always loved restaurants,' he says. His chance came when his wife, Ruth, met a woman at a local baby group who happened to be married to Ed Templeton — an experienced restaurateur who runs Carousel. With their shared love of food (and of Rome) it wasn't long before the two men also became friends. They were having a drink in Templeton's garden when James mentioned that he'd always fancied opening an Italian. And now they have. Hassan was recruited at that Christmas party. 'Naz knows the history of every ingredient and the pathway to it,' James says proudly. When I return to eat a week or so later, the restaurant is packed. The famous face behind it clearly hasn't hurt publicity-wise. Lupa is small and simple: white walls, wooden tables. The only decorations on the walls are wine bottles and a couple of understated bits of modern art from the Jameses' living room. The food is pretty authentic but they've made the recipes a bit lighter to appease fragile London palates. Fried courgette flower stuffed with burrata is remarkably delicate. These often get mushy, but here the batter is light and firm. A salty anchovy sauce eliminates any greasy taste. Alongside we have tomato carpaccio with capers, lemon zest and fried breadcrumbs. These are riccio fiorentino tomatoes, Hassan explains with evangelical enthusiasm. He'll change the variety as we move through the season to ensure he always has the sweetest fruit. We take cured meats and squacquerone cheese — almost thick yoghurt — with deep-fried dough balls. Ask Hassan how he chose each meat — but only if you have two hours to spare. The kitchen is laughably tiny. You can see it through a gap in the wall, three chefs in a room the size of a wardrobe. But such delicious things keep emerging — perfectly al dente pasta, an amatriciana that's fresh and light, a deeply savoury pesto. That said, I'm not a fan of the carbonara. There's too much sauce, making the whole thing too rich. It tastes more Italian-American than Italian-Italian. Still, carbonara is a personal thing. Everyone has a slightly different, very insistent opinion on the true path. I'd have to fight off a thousand Italian grandmothers to defend mine. Finally, porchetta. It's remarkable — the sweetest, juiciest meat surrounded by astonishing crackling. Nobody else in London does porchetta this well. Templeton talks us round to tiramisu. Oh, go on then, and amaros for the table. The coffee in the tiramisu is old school, properly bitter, but the dish still sweet and comforting. 'We wanted to do a restaurant — although they will probably never come — that our kids would like to eat in,' James says. Something 'complex but also Roman comfort food'. He's hit the mark here.★★★★☆73 Highbury Park, London N5 1UA;
Cosmopolitan
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Dolce & Gabbana's Relaunched Their Iconic Light Blue Perfume for 2025
There are perfumes… and then there are perfumes. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette has always belonged to the latter camp—a scent that smells like sunshine, sexy glances, and sea spray. So, when the brand decided to revamp the iconic formula back in June? Baby, it was more than a news flash—it was a moment. Which is exactly why I found myself in Capri, Italy (I know, poor me) for a 72-hour Mediterranean getaway that doubled as the ultimate fragrance fête. We're talking yacht parties on the Amalfi Coast, pasta-and-pizza-fueled dinners, and copious amounts of dancing under the stars. The new faces of the fragrance—supermodel Vittoria Ceretti and White Lotus actor-slash-heartthrob Theo James—were there too. But beyond the glamorous setting and the glittering guest list, this relaunch marks a major shift for the brand. Dolce & Gabbana Beauty is stepping boldly into its next era—honoring Light Blue's beloved DNA while making it richer, sexier, and more modern. It's not just about smelling good anymore—it's about feeling unforgettable. And whether you've been riding with Light Blue since its OG days (it launched back in 2001) or are just now getting acquainted, trust me when I say: you're going to want to know what's new. So let's break it down! Here are the five things you absolutely need to know about the relaunch of Light Blue Eau de Parfum: 1. It's deeper, but still be real: the original Light Blue is iconic for a reason. That crisp lemon-meets-green-apple top note combo? Chef's kiss. But the eau de parfum relaunch turns the volume way up while still honoring the fresh DNA we all know and love. This time around, perfumer Olivier Cresp added creamy ambrette seed and a musky, woodsy base that lingers. Plus, D&G has also launched Capri In Love, a new eau de parfum—one for men and one for women —to further underscore this new chapter of scent for the house. It's a spicy floral with notes of jasmine tea and apple that was crafted by Emilie Copperman. The bottles are beyond beautiful with an iconic blue majolica print. Just stunning! 2. Vittoria Ceretti is the Ceretti looks like a Mediterranean dream in the campaign, rocking a white-hot bikini, hair slicked back, and skin glowing. She embodies that effortless, radiant energy Light Blue is known for—modern, magnetic, and completely unforgettable. It's crazy to think she wasn't always a perfume girlie. 'I'd wear it once or for like an evening, but now it's become part of my beauty routine,' Vittoria told Harper's Bazaar. Glad this new scent is turning the tide for her. 3. Theo James = ladies, gents, and everyone in between—that Theo. The actor (and resident hottie) steps into the role of the face of new Light Blue Pour Homme, and he's bringing the heat. The campaign leans into that classic Dolce & Gabbana masculinity that model David Gandy held down for so long: rugged, sun-tanned, irresistibly moody. But Theo also adds a softness—like he's the type of dude who smells amazing and remembers your favorite flowers are hydrangeas. He told Elle that he definitely did a bit of work to get ready for this iconic moment. 'I did not eat much pasta. I'm not a spring chicken, so I vaguely keep in shape. But there's a difference between vaguely keeping your shape and then suddenly wearing tiny white pants in front of 100 people filming you. But that's part of that job.' Ugh. Marry me. 4. It's designed to of the most exciting upgrades? Longevity. Let's face it—sometimes citrusy fragrances fade by lunch. But this new version is built for all-day wear, thanks to its richer base and smart reformulation. Think a single spritz in the morning that still turns a head to two at happy hour. It's wearable for everything from breezy beach days to rooftop dinner dates. Translation: She works overtime. 5. The bottle is classic, with a frosted glass bottle we all recognize has been zhuzhed up. The shape remains the same—thank goodness—but the accents are sleeker, with polished silver detailing and a deeper blue cap that nods to the fragrance's new richness. It's the kind of bottle you want to display, not stash. Like a little piece of Capri on your vanity. Chic, timeless, and so, so photogenic. My bottle reminds me every day that I need to manifest another trip back to that magical place! Julee Wilson is Beauty Editor at Large at Cosmopolitan. Previously, Julee was Beauty Director at Cosmo and Global Beauty Director at Essence and has held various editorial positions at Huffington Post and Real Simple. She counts herself lucky AF that she gets to play with beauty products for a living and tell dope stories. And if you're as obsessed with beauty as she is, make sure to follow her on Instagram for plenty of product recs, natural hair inspo, skincare testing, and Black girl magic shenanigans.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
White Lotus star's new restaurant gets mixed reviews as diners claim food was 'disappointing' and they were 'rushed out the door' after finishing
White Lotus star Theo James 's new London restaurant has received mixed reviews from diners who have complained the food is 'disappointing' and they were 'rushed out the door' to make space for more customers. James, who has reportedly lost out on being named the next James Bond, recently opened an Italian eatery, Lupa, in Highbury Park, north London. The actor teamed up with Ed Templeton, the co-founder of Carousel on Charlotte Street, and chef Naz Hassan, who used to be head chef at Pidgin in Hackney, to launch Lupa. The spot, which serves a menu of Rome-inspired dishes, opened in June. But customers have hit out at the restaurant over its strict dining policies, which include being given just one hour and 30 minutes to order, eat, pay and leave. Others have also said the food doesn't live up to the hype and lacks flavour. Zohras Rose claimed: 'Was a little disappointed with the food which I felt lacked a bit of flavour. 'Tried a variety of dishes and they just didn't hit the spot for me. 'Service was good, though one-and-a-half hours for a sitting is quite rushed and we were offered dessert when we only have 10 mins left.' Chrystelle Foulon said: 'The atmosphere at the restaurant was lovely, nicely designed and pleasant to enjoy a meal. The service was good.' But she claimed: 'However, the food was a little bit disappointing versus the reviews. 'The pasta lacked flavour and included two small pieces of meat. The revisited tiramisu came with a cream that was bland to my taste. 'Also, but frequent in London - the one-and-a-half hour dining limit. 'Being told we had 10 minutes left along with the bill being brought without being asked if we wanted anything else, felt rushed.' Other customers disagree and have left glowing reviews. Kartik Sudhakar said: 'We came to Lupa for lunch, the food was excellent and the vibe is super relaxed.' Alexandre Laforce-Reynolds said: 'Delicious from the focaccia all the way to the tiramisu. Great ambience and lovely staff. Go eat.' Alan Dion said: 'Absolutely fantastic new restaurant. Great food, great service and great value. Loved it.' Speaking ahead of the restaurant opening, Mr Templeton said: 'Theo and I are both Highbury locals and share an ambition to open an enduring neighbourhood classic. 'It's taken eighteen months to make it happen, but we knew it was a special corner of Highbury from the start. We just needed a special chef who could help us bring the Roman dream to life. 'Working together with Naz, we've conceived a menu that's casual, fun and delicious. We want people to enjoy it in its entirety, making sure they save room for the homemade dolci. 'Lupa is the kind of place we've always wanted to have on our doorstep. There are certain Roman dishes that people know but much is still largely to be discovered.' The building at 73 Highbury Park previously housed the Highbury Arts Club, a tapas restaurant which also hosted wine tastings, art exhibitions and yoga classes. Other actors to have opened restaurants in London include Mark Wahlberg, who opened Wahlburgers in Covent Garden in 2019 before it closed a year later. Machete actor Danny Trejo meanwhile opened the first UK branch of his Trejo's Tacos restaurant in November 2023 on Portobello Road in Notting Hill.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
James Bond favourite Theo James proves he's just like 007 as the suave Brit actor admits he isn't friends with ANY of his exes, reveals what his greatest vice is and shares his love of the finer things
James Bond is known for being a heartthrob, his love of martinis (shaken not stirred) and always makes sure he's looking suave even when on a serious mission. And one of the favourites to play him in the next films, the charming Theo James, certainly fits the bill in all three of those respects after speaking in a new interview about how booze is his greatest vice, revealing what makes him 'feel sexy' and making a name for himself playing a series of debonair characters. And while Theo is happily married to fellow actor Ruth Kearney, the star, 40, has lifted the lid on his prior romantic life admitting he is definitely not friends with any of his exes. And Bond - most recently played by Daniel Craig - certainly has a cut-throat attitude to moving on to the next romantic partner as he charms a different lady in each film. Asked by Vogue this week if it's possible to stay friends with an ex he quipped back: 'I'm not friends with any of mine!', before revealing his love for the finer things in life. He also admitted that 'sugar and booze' are his greatest vice and when asked what makes him feel the most attractive replied: 'Smell makes me feel f***ing sexy...' Theo is often seen stepping out at premieres in smart suits much like Bond and was a natural playing debonair aristocrat Eddie in 2024 Netflix series The Gentlemen. Demonstrating a Bond-style allure during the interview Theo was also asked what the best gift he's ever been given was as he cheekily replied: 'I can only think of dirty answers!' Revealing his love for the finer things in life he revealed he also said his favourite hotel to stay in is the Il Pellicano in Tuscany which starts at £4,000 a night. Last month Theo was the bookies' favourite to step into the iconic role of James Bond, with odds of 5/2. The Divergent star surged ahead of other contenders, including Superman actor Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and James Norton. The legendary 007 character was first brought to life by Sean Connery in 1962's Dr. No and has since been portrayed by several leading men. Most recently, Daniel Craig fronted the franchise, starring in five Bond films from 2006 to 2021. Ever since No Time to Die marked Craig's final outing, speculation has been rife about who will take up the mantle next - and it seems Theo is firmly in the lead. The Brit has previously impressed while playing rogue, morally ambiguous characters somewhat similar to Bond in both The White Lotus and and Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen. But James has played down speculation linking him to the part, telling The Guardian last year that it 'probably wouldn't be me'. While she was planning the new Bond movie, Barbara Broccoli's favourite was thought to be The Divergent star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34. He momentarily moved down bookies' lists after Amazon's purchase of the franchise, but recently soared back up them after signing a deal with Omega, the official watch provider of Bond. He was also endorsed by former 007 Pierce Brosnan, 72, during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross show last month. 'I think he (Aaron) would make a very fine Bond,' Brosnan said. 'He was actually in one of the movies I made called The Greatest. This young man we cast as The Greatest. 'He was so impressive then. He just had this charisma, he had this presence... he would be so good. But there's many men on the list, I'm sure.' As The Daily Mail reported, the plan is for the new Bond to be a 'straight up' reboot. There is reportedly set to be no explanation of how the special agent is still alive, no multiverse of Bonds and no attempt to go back to the 1960s for a vintage Bond. Amazon bosses are currently said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027. Due to a filming ban being imposed in Central London next year, new locations are reportedly being considered - with Liverpool a frontrunner, according to The Sun. An insider told the publication: 'This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes. 'But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for film-makers. 'It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.' The source added that it doesn't necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool - though eagle-eyed Merseysiders will no doubt spot their city centre in the background.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Theo James Means Business in Church's Campaign
LONDON — Theo James is back with Church's for another campaign in his recurring role as an English gentleman. This time, the British actor means business as he moves around an Oxfordshire manor. More from WWD iRi NYC Introduces 'Concrete Sprout,' Its First Collection Featuring 100 Percent Bio-based and Sustainable Uppers India Survives Another Round of Trump Tariff Letters: Could a Deal Help Spur More U.S. Shoe Exports? Did Trump's Latest Tariff Move Give Shoe Shoppers A Holiday Reprieve? The campaign is titled 'A Day in the Life,' with James in his silk pajamas and robe as he enjoys a cup of tea with a pair of boots on. It's an oddly eccentric image that feels naturally English. In another shot, the actor is in a suit and tie with a paper airplane in his hand resting his sleek black boots on a wooden desk. James roams around the manor on a bike and then rests up in bed with pages of a newspaper around him — all while wearing a selection of smart Church's shoes. The role of an English gentleman is nothing new to James. He's the star of Netflix's 'The Gentlemen,' playing Edward 'Eddie' Horniman, the new 10th Duke of Halstead, who overnight goes from being a United Nations peacekeeping officer to a duke to a gentleman gangster, swapping his camouflage uniform and plaid shirts for fisherman jackets, car coats and sharp smoking suits. The busy actor has been getting busier as of late as he recently partnered with Ed Templeton, cofounder of Carousel on Charlotte Street, to open Lupa, a Roman-style neighborhood restaurant in Highbury. James and Templeton have enlisted a helping hand in the kitchen from chef Naz Hassan, a former head chef at Pidgin in Hackney. Best of WWD Why Tennis Players Wear All White at Wimbledon: The Championships' Historic Dress Code Explained Kate Middleton's Looks at Trooping the Colour Through the Years [PHOTOS] Young Brooke Shields' Style Evolution, Archive Photos: From Runway Modeling & Red Carpets to Meeting Princess Diana
