London continues through the season of top-notch events apace and this week’s guide has a distinctly global feel to reflect the culture across the capital.
There’s a celebration of Uzbekistan, a peace market to raise vital funds for Gaza, a newish Greek restaurant and an even newer spot with a luxurious Japanese feel.
Elsewhere the capital is abuzz with the very best of culture and, besides Pride and a handful of wider cultural happenings, there’s a queer art exhibition from photographer Dean Sameshima, a four-day film festival and a bunch of naked people on bikes.
What a city, what a weekend.
The hot table: Akira Back
The new Mandarin Oriental in Mayfair is the latest luxury hotel to open in the capital and Akira Back is the gilded flagship restaurant within. Back’s eponymous dining room is the newest addition to the chef’s huge portfolio of restaurants, some 18 globally with more on the way, so expect the trappings of a high-end, high falutin’ dining room: plush fixtures, expensive artworks and some seriously opulent food. The “tuna pizza” is already doing the rounds online (thinly pounded tuna, sliced into wedges to look pizza-esque) but perhaps more interesting is the turbot with saké butter or the traditional bento box lunches.
22 Hanover Square, W1S 1JP, mandarinoriental.com
The (other) hot table: Oma
Agora in Borough is the modern little ground-floor Greek taverna which preceded the upstairs opening of Oma, the moderately more grown-up spot which is probably one of London’s most in-demand restaurants right now. The menu is an appealing jaunt across eastern Mediterranean food by way of lobster bisque börek, mussel saganaki and octopus and sausage skewers. The wines are mostly Greek too: a treasure chest of top labels that represent decent value. Go here.
3 Bedale Street, SE1 9AL, oma.london
The food-forward fundraiser: Souk el Salam
Meaning “peace market”, and raising vital funds for Palestinians via the Amos Trust’s Gaza appeal, Souk el Salam returns to London this weekend. Organisers include authors Sami Tamimi, Noor Murad, Melissa Thompson, Nicole Pisani and more. Restaurants including Akub are slinging produce too, which can be purchased on the day to raise further funds. With the ticket including two plates from the menu, but with plenty more available, expect delicious things on the day.
Tickets £20, June 9, St. James's Piccadilly church, W1J 9LL, amostrust.org
The film festival: Sundance London
London’s very own Sundance film festival returns to town this weekend with 20 independent films screened at Picturehouse Central. From Kneecap, the long-anticipated Irish film starring Michael Fassbender which opens the season, to Indian film Girls Will Be Girls with an introduction and post-film Q&A with director Shuchi Talati, the films and events across the four days are a must for lovers of the silver screen.
Until June 9, Picturehouse Central, 15 Great Windmill Street, W1D 7DH, picturehouses.com
The art fix: Boscoe Holder and Geoffrey Holder at Victoria Miro
After previewing for London Gallery Weekend last week, the Boscoe Holder and Geoffry Holder exhibition continues at Victoria Miro this weekend. The two brothers, independent artists in their own right, are shown here in tandem for the first time in the UK, highlighting the similarities and differences of these two Trinidadian artists of the mid 20th century. On view across the two main spaces at Victoria Miro, this is a dual exhibition which considers, in the words of the gallery, “two siblings, as painters in parallel”.
Until July 27, 16 Wharf Road, N1 7RW, victoria-miro.com
The (other) art fix: Dean Sameshima being alone at Soft Opening
Dean Sameshima’s latest show at Soft Opening explores loneliness and human connection as well as touching on sexuality which is typically “hidden” from view. Through a series of stark, arresting black and white photographs taken behind visitors to a Berlin porn theatre, these images silhouette figures who are, without exception, alone. Exploring desire and fantasy alongside his own documentation of queer spaces, this small show is essential.
Until June 8, 6 Minerva Street, E2 9EH, softopening.london
The culture fix: Uzbek Culture and Food Festival
This weekend the Uzbek culture and food festival returns for only its second year for two days of celebrating the vibrancy and diversity of Uzbekistan’s culture. Expect dishes including Samsa; soft savoury pastries filled with meat, potatoes or pumpkin, and the Uzbek national food; plov, a pilaf rice dish with meat, carrots, onions and raisins. Celebrating art, culture, dance, music and food, this is truly the chance to discover something new.
June 8 and 9, Potters Fields Park, SE1 2QX, uzbekculture.co.uk
The London oddity: World Naked Bike Ride
The global nudie phenomenon hits London again this weekend for its 20th anniversary as thousands of riders ditch their Rapha slings and take to the streets of the capital in nothing but a birthday suit. Originally launched as a protest movement against the expanding use of fossil fuels, the multiple bike rides across the city (there are 11, each starting in different locations) now attract a range of riders risking sore bums and giving pedestrians an eyeful. If getting starkers for a bike ride isn’t quite your cup of tea, riders in pants and socks are also commonplace.
June 8, across London, wnbrlondon.uk
The ticket to book now (for later): Pophams x Capezzana
Capezzana is a Tuscan winemaking and olive oil-producing family with nearly 100 years of heritage. This month, they are teaming up with Pophams for a rather special-sounding Italian feast. The Tuscan supper is set to include dishes including a mushroom sformato, a few handmade pasta dishes and a venison Wellington main with a croissant-dough crust. The dinner is a reflection of the Pophams team’s recent visit to the region, so expect Tuscan authenticity over the six stellar courses.
