Small plate, big flavour: M Canary Wharf, which opened earlier this week
(Picture: Handout)Just back from your summer excursion? It’s not all bad news: London is bursting at the seams with things to do this weekend.
There’s a brand new restaurant elevating the Canary Wharf dining scene with its top-of-the-range steaks, and back in the centre of town, there’s a rooftop bar and restaurant that deserves a visit.
Elsewhere, there’s the chance to see some of your favourite podcasters live on stage, as well as a major exhibition dedicated to a pioneering feminist artist.
And that’s not all. Read on to discover the best things to do over the next few days.
The restaurant: M Canary Wharf
E14 has just been given its first truly high-end dining spot. M Canary Wharf, which opened fully earlier this week, follows in the footsteps of its sister venues in Victoria and Threadneedle Street in offering top-quality steak, sustainably — read our interview with CEO Martin Williams for more on that. It also has the added bonus of being situated in the area’s tallest skyscraper.
First Floor, 10 Newfoundland Place, E14 4BH, mrestaurants.co.uk
The bar: Wagtail
London loves a cocktail with a view — and there are plenty of rooftop bars to choose from — but recently we’ve been enjoying a relatively new addition to the high-life drinking scene: Wagtail. With views of the Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral and the rest of the central London skyline, it’s a good’un — especially with a cocktail and wagyu beef slider from the menu.
68 King William Street, EC4N 7HR, wagtaillondon.com
The exhibition: Carolee Schneemann - Body Politics
A feminist icon and artistic pioneer, Carolee Schneemann passed away in 2019 — and this is the first major survey of her work in the UK. From her early paintings to works in which she used her own body as the medium, it’s bound to a vigorous, enlivening exhibition.
From £18, September 8-January 8, Barbican, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS, barbican.org.uk
The event: London Podcast Festival
Some of the best podcasters from the UK and beyond will step out of the recording booth and onto the live stage for the seventh edition of the London Podcast Festival. Spread across 12 days, there’s plenty to see, from the perennially interesting No Such Thing As A Fish crew, to Disniversity, which delves into the history of Disney’s animated back catalogue.
Various prices, September 8-19, Kings Place, 90 York Way, N1 9AG, kingsplace.co.uk
The club night: Above & Beyond - Group Therapy Weekender at Dockyards
Dockyards, a new open-air venue from the people who brought us Printworks down in Canada Water, will spring into life this weekend with this two-day blowout helmed by electronic duo Above & Beyond. There’s a stacked line-up covering trance, house and more, with upwards of 20 hours of music scheduled.
From £90 for a weekend ticket, September 10-11, Dockyards, Silvertown Square, Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1UR, dockyardslondon.co.uk
The wildcard: 2022 British Street Food Awards grand final
The world’s biggest street food competition will crown its winner this weekend, as the British Street Food Awards culminate for 2022. Twelve finalists from all over the country will compete over the course of the weekend, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, husband Richard Jones, food writer and actor Fay Ripley and Michelin star chefs Tom Brown and Andy Benyon on judging duties — and by buying a ticket, you can get a casting vote (as well as a free drink, and entry to a street food start-up seminar).
