Le Bonbon - London - April 2016

THE WORLD IS YOURS

April 2016 - n째 13 - www.lebonbon.co.uk

Photographe : Flavien Prioreau www.flavienprioreau.com flavienprioreau@hotmail.com Modèle : Gaëlle Tollu

EDITO

Founder Jacques de la Chaise Business Development Vuk Levkovic Editorial Manager Margaux Décatoire Editors Benjamin Harvey and Taylor Viens Art Director Tom Gordon Graphic Designer Charlotte Duriez Contributors Elodie Hazelwood, Will Cox, Rob Swaine, Seki Lynch, Sonny Syah, Aisha Badmus, Alicia Streijffert, Ana Haya Sauvage, Chloé Hunt, Alexandre Terry Photographers Zac Dimitrov www.zdravkodimitrov.com Ella Hermë www.ellaherme.com Partnerships & Events margaux@lebonbon.co.uk Contact us hello@lebonbon.co.uk Le Bonbon Limited 21 London Terrace Hackney Road E2 7SQ – LONDON

Springtime is upon us and with it the inspiration to think optimistically about the dawn of summertime, to think about the budding flora, the awakening of wildlife from hibernation. The birth of opportunity that the sunshine affords. As twenty-somethings living in a city saturated with information, nuance and culture, the way we choose to live our lives is not based entirely upon our own decisions, it ebbs with the constant shifting of time. Unless we shut ourselves away from the way the city evolves, it’s billboards and work-driven, consumerist, mentality; we do not see it for what it truly is - an epic place in the most romantic sense of the word.

This issue of Le Bonbon has been all about exploring the new. This issue of Le Bonbon will take you to a sunbathed studio where Tamzin Lillywhite crafts some creative leathers. You will feel the effortless coolness drawn from the fuzzy surfer sounds of Parakeet. All whilst sat, sipping at the delectable, sweet Le Bon Cocktail in-house mixologist Seki Lynch has designed for you, and if that’s not your speed we tempt you with East London Liquor Company’s finest spirit batches– as well as at-home brewing recipes. It is an issue where we invite you to look at the amazing place in which you live. You’ll taste the delicious creations of La Ferme’s farm-to-table kitchen, and have the opportunity to try some Northern Italian delicacies from La Polenteria. We wish you a pleasant April from everyone here at Le Bonbon. Don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers!

Benjamin Harvey and Taylor Viens

Advertising and enquiries Vuk@lebonbon.co.uk 079 8365 1644

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IT'S BEEN A YEAR. IN YOUR FACE LONDON! LET'S CELEBRATE. 8TH OF APRIL 2016.

CONTENTS

04 2016

6

8

La Ferme

Tamzin Lillywhite

10

12

14

ELLC

Parakeet

The Roundhouse

16

28

30

La Polenteria

Tinder Trials

Le Bon Brewer

3

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LE BON TIMING

The D.I.Y. Art Market @ Epic Dalston The D.I.Y. Art Market is a celebration of London’s independent publishers and emerging/established artists, championing original and unique items an art market for lovers of all that is D.I.Y. and self published.

Showcasing a curated selection of over 60 artists, it’s a great place to discover a new wave of publishers and artists, all exhibiting

Le Bon Birthday @ Number 90

and selling an eclectic range of original

Baby Le Bonbon London is growing up! We’ve

items.

blown out our first candle and eaten our cake.

Where : Epic Dalston, 13 Stoke Newington Road, London N16 8BH When : Sunday 10th April, 11:00am 06:00pm How Much : Free Entry

A year ago, Le Bonbon embarked on a journey across the Channel and decided to settle in East London. We’ve had fun, we cried, we drank, we danced, we met a huge amount of new and exciting people – and some less exciting people! So much has happened in one year, and none of this would’ve been possible without our beloved Bonboners. So… LET’S CELEBRATE TOGETHER!

Where : Number 90, Main Yard, 90 Wallis Road, London E9 5LN When : Friday 8th April 08:00pm – 04:00am How Much : £7 in advance - £10 O.T.D Timelapse # 2 @ Electrowerkz What if just for one night you could switch off and disconnect from your day-to-day life? Timelapse encourages you to do just that. Adding an artistic sense to London’s underground electronic music scene, Timelapse is perhaps more of a musical discovery than just a party.

Timelapse’s second London episode will follow the same concept, but this time Michael Gracioppo and Salior & I will be stealing the limelight.

Where: Electrowerkz, 7 Torrens Street, Islington, London EC1V 1NQ When: Friday 15th April 11:30pm - 06:00am How Much: £10 5

LE BON COQ Text Taylor Viens Picture Jimmy Maury

Transport yourself to the French Countryside at La Ferme La Ferme London is an unpretentious farm-totable service that came as a remedy to the haute cuisine French mainstay restaurants of the capital.

La Ferme offers everything one would expect from such a service: a warm and comfortable dining room filled with farming heirlooms and a rotating seasonal menu of traditional French dishes– all with a personal touch so frequently missed these days. Thanks to La Ferme, you don’t need to cross the Channel for quality cuisine sourced from the French countryside.

in Parisian wholesale markets,

is like entering a small family

along with his family and

business in Provence. True to

regional recipes to the bustling

its market heritage, the front

London market scene. Originally

door transports you into a

a collection of market stalls

lovely delicatessen replete with

supplying cheese, charcuterie

everything French: a wall of wines

and produce, La Ferme started

crafted from old crates from an

serving hot food– becoming well

orchard, a massive selection of

known for their Tartiflette and

pâtés, terrines and impossibly

Bourguignon (both now on the

delicious cheeses.

winter menu), and the kitchen was born.

Passing through the delicatessen into the dining room, the

Located on the Farringdon

first thing you’ll notice is the

Road end of Exmouth Market,

hundred-year-old farming

this is the first fixed premises

equipment adorning the walls.

for the nascent restaurant.

Picture wonderfully aged leather

Its youth is not to be equated

goods, authentic gardening

with inexperience, however,

equipment with a century’s

as La Ferme’s owners have

patina, and lavender shudders–

been sourcing only the

all taken from François’ family

At the ripe age of 23, François

freshest ingredients– and it

home in the southwest of France.

Guerin brought his background

shows. Walking into La Ferme

This, paired with the terracotta

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floors, the stylish and spartan

The products are carefully

is unfussy, quality French cuisine,

tables, and the lamps handmade

selected every morning so as

and they have fun doing it.

by one of the owners give the

to provide their evening diners

Every Monday La Ferme hosts

dining room an unpretentious

with the best, and seriously

a Jazz Night jam session for its

and elegant Provencal feel.

authentic, French gastronomical

diners, completely free of charge.

experience– or “bistronomic,”

They have a monthly wine tasting

If the atmosphere is what brings

the enthusiastic François likes

night and a set-lunch offer (for

you in, the food is what will make

to joke.

only £12.50– including a dessert!) that changes weekly for all its

you stay. The menu is seasonallyrotating, with all the meat and

La Ferme’s mission is to provide

neighbours. Not many have

produce sourced directly from

fair and true food to their

mastered the deli, restaurant,

the south of France. It always has

customers, and a testament

market stall combination– but it

four meat dishes, two fish and

to this is the rotating door of

is not hard to see why La Ferme

a vegetarian option– allowing

repeat customers, many of

London has been able to, with

everyone to find their own

whom claim it is the best (and

great success.

happiness amidst the seasonal

most reasonable) French cuisine

surprises. Indeed, having their

to be found in London. It is a

—

own line of importation (partly

taste of home for the city’s large

organic) is reflected in the

expatriated French community,

diversity and freshness of the

and a breath of fresh air into the

food, as well as in the price–

sometimes rigid French dining

reasonable for such a menu.

experience. Simply put: La Ferme

La Ferme London 102-104 Farringdon Road EC1R 3EA Tel: 020 7837 5293 lafermelondon.com 7

LE BON ART Text Taylor Viens Picture Max Barnett

The Autodidact Leathersmith While you will find Tamzin Lillywhite’s beautiful creations on the catwalk at your local fashion week, this leathersmith is cut from a different pattern.

Classically trained under a country saddler, Tamzin polished her traditional leatherworking techniques at the University of Westminster Fashion School. All her pieces are handmade– down to the stitching– in her London studio, with only the highest quality, responsibly sourced British leathers. Her pieces have been popping up across the fashion industry, worn

by Academy Award winning costume designer Sandy Powell and model Lara Stone.

mid-conversation knife strokes

Coco de Mer sell many of her

through quarter-inch thick

pieces.

leather, executed with a deft precision, illustrate her

Tamzin makes it all: sheaths

upbringing in a family that all use

for her gorgeous collection of

their hands to work. Perched

knives, leather skirts and shirts,

above the City, her studio–

bespoke commissions aplenty,

filled with inspirations from

and we even saw one of her

animal skulls to fully outfitted

famous harnesses in miniature

mannequins– is a chaotic dream

on the skull of a deer in her sun-

space that smells like just the

bathed studio. Something else

right amount of leather.

we saw in her studio for the first time: tutti-frutti colored harness

The luxurious leathersmith is

leathers à la 1920s Cartier; a new

seemingly fearless. Tamzin is

collection concept?

constantly pushing the limitations of leather, reinventing the

With her traditional style of work

material in almost every iteration

in saddlery leather and timeless

imaginable. Her hands-on

brass fittings, Tamzin brings

style led to the eponymous

old-school finery to her modern

brand that has worked across

collections. The collections

the fashion industry. In haute

take up to a year to design and

couture, Tamzin has sold

produce, and are inspired by cult

pieces at Selfridges and worked

classic films. The pieces from her

with designer Tom Ford. On a

‘Blade’ collection are so spot-on

Tamzin started working in

naughtier note, she has teamed

they looked like they walked out

leather when she was sixteen

up with many lingerie brands,

of the infamous blood rave scene

years old, and it shows. Her

notably Lascivious Lingerie, and

from the 1998 production. The

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‘Predator’ and ‘Blade Runner’

more environmentally friendly,

and accessories that could

collections are creative to the

Tamzin fights the stigma around

compliment almost any outfit.

point that, had they’ve been

animal skins. To this end, she

created in the 90s, they surely

donates her excess leather

Keep an eye on Tamzin Lillywhite.

would have found their way into

to universities with fashion

Effortlessly humble, she also

the now notorious films.

programmes, and takes on

offers leatherworking classes in

‘waste’ leather from factory

her beautiful studio, available to

While film and costume design

leather farming. In fact, she

all levels of technical proficiency–

may be the future for the Tamzin,

uses the recycled leather to

where you can learn some tricks

the brand is still producing its

teach master classes at Central

of the trade and make your own

characteristically quality goods.

Saint Martins, London College

accessories!

Her entire line is fabricated

of Fashion and Northbrook.

from sustainably sourced,

Tamzin’s pieces also fight the

naturally tanned leathers– and

notion that leathers are only

is completely chemical free.

for the S&M crowd, making

Striving to make her practice

playful and inventive garments

—

www.tamzinlillywhite.co.uk IG: @tamzinlillywhite 9

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LE BON DISTILLER Text Taylor Viens Photo Courtesy of ELLC

East London Liquor Company: Sensory Salvation East London Liquor Company is trying to bring locally produced spirits to London once again. Only two years old, the brand is expanding its production, and footprint, as more and more locals are biking or walking over to pick up a bottle, or to enjoy cocktails in the beautifully designed space.

salvation. The feel of hand-blown

including wood-fired oven pizza,

glass, the imposing copper stills

this is sure to be an amazing

in front of the canal, the light

spot– well worth the trek– for

smell of juniper dancing around

ice-cold Negronis, great food,

the room and the taste of some

and warm summer evenings (not

of the best gin to be found in

to mention distillery tours and

London. Producing around 600

tastings!). The outdoor expansion

bottles per batch, the company

will be matched in production,

has become a mainstay in the

and ELLC is adding something to

East End, and has been steadily

the spirits menu: whisky. For this

growing around the same ethos

you’ll have to wait unfortunately,

that gave it birth: to make great

as they’ve yet to release a batch,

products that are accessible

all aged on-site.

In an effort to bring distilling

while being innovative. They use

back to London’s East End,

100% British wheat in their small

We’re very excited about the

East London Liquor Company

batch productions, flavoured

expansion of ELLC, and who

produces and imports

with botanicals that are very

wouldn’t be? Their aesthetic is

handcrafted gin, vodka, rum and

much at home in an English herb

second only to the deliciousness

whisky. The company is located

garden, like bay, sage, thyme.

of their spirits.

Bow Wharf, and is far from your

ELLC has already expanded into

—

traditional Gin Palace.

Borough Market, and is now

in the old glue factory in historic

What a place. East London Liquor

location to double the outdoor

Bow Wharf 221 Grove Road, London, E3 5SN

Company (ELLC) offers sensory

area. Soon to offer a full menu

eastlondonliquorcompany.com

renovating their Bow Wharf

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LE BON ETOILE Text Benjamin Harvey Picture Courtesy of Markio Doi

Parakeet makes music How do you talk about Parakeet without mention of Yuck, Billy Hayes or Stevie Pope, Wavves, The History of Apple Pie and Brooklyn NY? Without thinking about the muddy brown lapping shores of Bournemouth, Art Deco music halls, birds, fashion; D.I.Y., dry ice, ticket stubs and that quote

by David Foster Wallace which has it that, “if you are immune to boredom, there is literally nothing you cannot accomplish.”

had me thinking it was a place

band mate James Thomas were

in which I would struggle to feel

set to fly out to New York where

comfortable, a setting just a few

they had a couple of shows lined

gauges apart from the ‘notice

up. “I think it’ll be pretty similar

me notice me’ attitude present

to here, maybe it’ll snow,” she

in other retrofit coffee houses

says as we sat and waited for

that have appeared in the many

Thomas to arrive.

old train arches, warehouses and sweatshops of East London. It

Formed in 2011 as an

didn’t help that I was ill prepared

independent project from

for the interview. I’d listened to

Yuck, The History of Apple Pie

a couple of tracks by the band

and Joya, Doi and Thomas’

but knew very little about where

separate projects respectively,

they had come from or where

they have never quite settled

they were going. Mariko was

on a set methodology. For

sat, wrapped in a colorful satin

their first release ‘Tomorrow’

jacket, her head sunk into her

which appeared on their debut

I met Mariko Doi at HURWUNDEKI

shoulders, the jacket pulled and

E.P that shares the name, Kid

off Cambridge Heath road. The

stretched to cover her hands like

Harpoon guitarist Jon Jackson

place had always intimidated me.

mittens, it would have made little

accompanied them. “We haven’t

Its community-based-project

difference if she were sat outside

really had a solid group. It’s like

aesthetic and the dense bulging

in the blithe early March winter

we are the main band and then

waft of expensive ground coffee

air. The following week Doi and

we just pick up people along

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the way.” Thomas tells me when he arrives. Parakeet have this raw, sparse fuzzy pop sound, a composition of driving beats interplayed with Doi’s arresting vocals and miasmic surfer punk guitar noise. It's a surf culture full of aerials, sunshine and cut backs, tattoos and beach beers.

It is both difficult and simple to place them. For sure they channel a communal influence from the likes of Veronica Falls, DIIV and stretching back further a dollop of Teenage Fanclub and Dinosaur Jr, but what sets them apart, it became clear through our conversation, is that there is no desire to present any kind of community practice to the world, what they do just kind of happens. A new single, ‘Sugar Rush’ taken from their imminent L.P Kasa has them kick down the doors and smash up your home until it flips into this eloquent chorus hook doused in melodic syrup, flicking the V to the ubiquity of shoe gaze noise bands. Parakeet makes music.

With a number of dates lined up in London in the coming month, after the duo return from a stint playing shows in the U.S, most notably the hip kids festival SXSW, Parakeet will have you detained by their slick approach when playing live. Like a kind of collage, their hands-on D.I.Y. attitude is constantly evolving, never stilled and never complete, but lies ready in waiting.

—

www.parakeetmusic. bandcamp.com 13

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LE BON CHARITY Text Elodie Hazelwood Photo Ellie Pinney

The Roundhouse, a place to grow Each year, the Roundhouse works with over 3,000 11-25 year-olds, helping them to realise their full potential through creativity. The Roundhouse aims to work with young people who have been excluded, marginalised or disadvantaged by society, aiding them to find pathways back into education, work or simply to enjoy a wider cultural life.

Much of this activity takes places

In addition to this, the

in the Paul Hamlyn Roundhouse

Roundhouse offers opportunities

Studios where there’s a range of

to secondary schools, colleges

brilliant facilities including media

and pupil referral units. The

production suites, band rehearsal

organisation also runs a free

rooms, media labs, a recording

Teacher’s Education Network

studio and the Bloomberg TV

for London based education

Studio. The Roundhouse Info

professionals of all art forms

Base is also a dedicated space

and phases to share knowledge,

inside the Studios where all

develop skills and seek advice

11-25 year olds taking part

on cultural and creative projects

in Roundhouse projects and

and opportunities for young

activities can get help and

people and schools.

support from a Youth Support A majority (60%) of the young

team.

Some young people who have taken part in projects at the

people who take part in programmes at the Roundhouse

Also housed in the Paul Hamlyn

Roundhouse have gone on to

are facing significant socio-

Studios is Roundhouse Radio – an

build brilliant careers in the

economic disadvantage. Where

online radio station. The station

creative industries. But others

they may have missed out

provides a platform for the next

take away something more

on experiences growing up

generation of radio talent to

fundamental than that,

the Roundhouse gives young

push the boundaries of music

entrepreneurial skills – improved

people the chance to thrive in

and speech radio. Since 2006

confidence and self-esteem,

a creative environment. This is

the youth-led station has given

stronger team-working skills, a

done through various drop-in

over 1,200 young people the

reduction in social isolation. And

sessions, projects and long-term

opportunity to learn technical

importantly, they’ve generated

courses in music, performing

radio skills, develop creativity

their own individual employment

arts, circus and digital. Courses

and get a foot into the radio

pathways.

range from music production to

industry. Each year the station

—

vocal coaching, devising theatre

is run by two Trainee Station

to writing poetry and radio

Managers – all of whom have

presenting to film production.

gone on to work in the industry.

More information: www.roundhouse.org.uk 15

LE BON GLUTEN FREE

La Polenteria offers Healthy Eating on the move

La Polenteria brings all the passion of Northern Italian cuisine to the heart of Soho.

The recently refurbished restaurant is the first 100% gluten-free Italian kitchen in London, on a mission to show the city that healthy (and gluten-free) does not mean free of flavor.

La Polenteria’s goal is simple, to

but their homemade pastas and

promote healthy eating– without

ravioli are also very popular! As

sacrificing taste or tradition–

gluten-free eating grows more

for the tight schedule and the

prevalent in London, this unique

tight budget. In the restaurant’s

fusion restaurant (did we mention

sleek and simple dining room,

polenta is vegan?) is rapidly

you can expect a comfortable

growing, breathing a new life into

and casual dining experience.

old Italian classics. La Polenteria

The food is delicious, offering a

is also involved in the community:

novel fusion between tradition

sponsoring the Coeliac UK’s Virgin

and modernity, bringing all

Money London Marathon: offering

After twelve years in the financial

the passion for cooking and

a pre-theatre menu, as well as

sector, La Polenteria founder

community so characteristic of

work-lunch specials!

Gabriele Vitali wanted to get back

Northern Italian cuisine. On the

to his roots. In order to create

other hand, the state of the art

Text Will Cox

what would become his first

kitchen also embodies fast and

Photo Ella Hermë

foray into the restaurant world,

friendly cuisine in a perfectly-

—

Gabriele drew on his memories of

positioned balancing act –

eating polenta every week at his

without sacrificing any of the

grandmother’s communal table

taste, or health benefits!

in the hills of Bergamo. Now, the tradition lives on: giving you the

La Polenteria is the only

taste of the traditional Italian

restaurant in London to

dishes within Central London,

specialise in polenta, offering

a community that never stops

interesting takes on healthy,

moving.

fresh and homemade dishes–

16

64 Old Compton Street London W1D 4UQ Tel: 020 7434 3617 lapolenteria.co.uk

LA POLENTERIA

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L'ERBOLARIO

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HUCKLETREE SHOREDITCH

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and get 15% off agency fees* French Nannies in London Phone: 020 7313 6582 26-36 Wharfdale Road - London N1 9RY contact@ouimaman.co.uk ouimaman.co.uk

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LA FERME

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French products, delicatessen & restaurant

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The easiest way to BUY and SELL furniture with character

102-104 Farringdon Road - London EC1R 3EA

Find unique pieces from London’s best vintage

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*on spending over £15 – offer available on week days only

LE BON WALL

Poll position for potential band name, we need you’re help – Jesus H Christ and the A Bombs – Cream Cheese and

Good wishes to everyone in the South, I’d not be who I am today without

the Dick Lips – Deep Communion – Flat White and the Bitter Tones – Pom Pom POV – Crash Course in Jazz – Mike Hunt and the Itches – Dazed, Confused and Ham-fisted Feminism – help @

you Rhiannon

webandbandweband

ur dear day to o th ir b y p on p Le Bonb A big ha ux from a rg a M frenchy aris xxx Team P

Lukasz, morda, come to Paris next month, Anton wants to see you ;-)

Anything is possible BDH

Sometimes it’s the little things

Simplicity is key, I

that really matter

seem to have lost

David C

Let’s drink, fuck, break-up and make love... baby it’s your charm EHA

mine Lin Yundi

Ai Wei Whale, Lion Gander, YokomOno Dragon, Bas Jan Adder, Gorden Manta ray Clarke, Martha Rooster – here’s remembering Amsterdam and all the high brow jokes along the way – CWAD 2015

Let me pull you apart like the smoky slow-cooked joint of

We’ve got the boot, Troy Deeny’s boot, we just don’t think

Dishoom, it’s been a blast Ben

Gangster miss! - Rebecca and the year six class of 16 in Limehouse

Karina x

Big shout out to the folks at

Today is the day, let’s seize it honey

pork you are.

you understand! He’s a supersonic man, he’s better than Zidane, we’ve got Troy Deeny’s boot – the Watford F.C travelling fans posse

25

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LE BON COCKTAIL Text Seki Lynch

Bunnies, Beards and Booze We’ve been expecting you since we first donned our puffers, packed our sheets with goose-down and shivered our way to work. We get flickers of you in March; daffodils, lambs, lengthened light catching us coming home from nights out, but it's not really until April that we can safely utter your name... Spring!

practical joke that's run on a bit

fear for your masculinity. Prior

too long. We're still waiting for

to this time and certainly before

Boris Johnson to pop up on telly

the 20th Century, pink was as

grinning and let us know it's over,

manly as a lumberjacks short and

"April Fools'!"

curlies- and we've seen just how the hipsters have revived that

Often I’m asked, “what’s your

with face pubis galore adorning

favourite cocktail?” It’s like being

Shoreditch men! A small, but

asked your favourite book, film

tasty twist, here's to an April with

or meme - it really depends on

egg on your face.

your mood. Since Spring brings, come sunset, the pastel pinks

Bugs' Clover Club

and blues of a cherry blossom The first relation to tomfoolery

and borage- the backdrop to the

and April came up in Chaucer's

silhouettes of stone buildings in

The Canterbury Tales. In the

London Town- I might be inclined

'Nun's Priest's Tale' a proud

to a Clover Club. Born in 1896 to

cockerel named Chaunticleer is

a Philadelphia men’s club of the

fooled by a fox into crowing- the

same name, which held meets

fox takes him by the neck and

in the Bellevue-Stratford hotel,

carries him off. However, later,

this Easter bunny pink drink is a

the vulpine villain is himself

refreshing mix of gin, raspberries,

outfoxed by the cock, who

lemon, and egg white.

convinces him to open his jaws a moment in order to call off

For those of you who think it's

his pursuers, the cock takes this

rather effeminate to be seen

opportunity to take refuge in a

holding a beverage the colour of

nearby tree. Skip to today and

a Power Puff Girl, be not fooled,

our Etonian Mess in government

it was only advertising in the '40s,

makes it difficult for us not to

geared towards selling gender-

believe someone is playing a

specific clothing that made you

50ml Gin 25ml Lemon Juice 20ml Sugar Syrup 1 Egg White 2 Large Strawberries Method: 1. Muddle strawberries in cocktail tin.

2. Add all ingredients to shaker tin.

3. Dry shake (without ice) to emulsify egg white.

4. Wet shake (with ice) 5. Double strain and into a cocktail coupe.

6. Enjoy!

27

LE BON ESSAYE Text Aisha Badmus

The Tinder Trials The reasoning…

The options were very black and white, with no desperate hues of grey in between. Either I find a suitable partner or go through the painful trials of meeting ‘suggestions’ put forward by my mother AND my father (who has joined this crusade), related and many unrelated aunties, and the anxious grandparent awaiting my nuptial before she meets her maker.

comes first, mother says. She is

7.

Coffee Meets Bagel

undoubtedly pushing marriage

8.

OkCupid Dating

aside in favour of grandchildren.

9.

Match.com

However, the real foundation to

…and, of course…

their worries centres around a

10. Tinder

looming event – the unspeakable

Surely I should find a suiter by the

age milestone – turning thirty.

summer.

There is nothing more concerning for Nigerian parents than having a daughter, single, at thirty.

(Self-imposed) rules and regulations…

So, a pact has been made: 2016 an attempt will be made to find

I follow a rabbit down this dating-

the bae.

hole, but not without a rule for

The question is where to start?

myself:

I could be introduced via friends

“Thou shall not be thirsty…”

and colleagues. I could read the

One shall not double-tap,

lonely hearts ads in the back

swipe to the right or select a

I make my family seem ghastly –

of the Metro. I could go speed

potential bae based solely on

some members admittedly are,

dating. This is 2016 and the first

their aesthetic. All potential baes

but it is not as extreme as I’ve

stop shop for a potential babe is

MUST make minimal effort to

made it sound. Their ‘concern’

downloading a dating app.

sufficiently fill out the ‘about me’ section, which one MUST peruse

is warranted, to a degree. No – they don’t want a son-in-

So it begins…

with an open-mind, or at least try to.

law, necessarily. Or not yet, at least. What they want, like most

1.

Tastebuds

parents, is for their child to be

2.

MeetMoi

with someone, in relationship,

3.

Bristlr

building towards something

4.

Hinge

Starting with Coffee Meets Bagel,

– i.e. children and marriage,

5.

Short Singles – I am 5’4’

application anxiety kicked in: do I

interchangeable, whichever

6.

London Dates

tell the truth and nothing but the

28

Application anxiety…

truth? After all, I don’t want to

black and white. Wait – should I

seeking, canal walking, Sunday

be dismissed without someone

tell them I am Muslim or not?

lazing, Netflix watching, cinema going, origami making, travel

getting to really know me. Yet ironically that is what I am doing,

B. Me dressed in a lace unitard

seeking, diary writing Aries with a

assuming they have taken the

as a cat for a birthday party

wicked humour and a deliciously

time to even read my ‘about me’

I.

abrasive nature.

box. Before application anxiety

cosplay nerds and geeks.

I appreciate when my date: is a

cue picture profile angst!

II. To sexual pervs who may

combination of Scott Pilgrim (or

think I am into S&M.

any character played by Michael

This would likely appeal to

Cera), Wolverine, Bane, the Joker

What picture to use?

A. An illustrated portrait of me

C. Use both A and B, but crop

and Batman.

in a headscarf

my body out of B so it’s just my

Yup – there’s honesty for you, or

I.

face.

at least honesty in this present

This would likely appeal to

moment.

artists and art fans.

II. The headscarf infers that I

And my actual profile?

Now, let the Coffee meet the

am Muslim without putting it in

I am: a cat-loving, bookshop

Bagel.

29

LE BON BREWER Text Rob Swaine

An Introduction to Home Brewing This small island loves beer, and that is no secret. In fact, London was built on the stuff. Another poorly kept secret is that craft beer has established itself as the future of beer making and consumption. With the opening of what seems like a dozen new micro-breweries each week, this explosion shows no sign of slowing.

hopped Indian pale ales, deep

guide to making your own beer

chocolatey stouts, intensely

for enthusiasts and dreamers just

strong wobble-inducing barley

like us.

wines, and beyond.

To bring the dream to life, you’ll It has become commonplace to

need some basic equipment

hear heated debate among pub

and ingredients. Wilko is a solid

goers as they make their own

place to start, offering affordable

assessment of the guest craft

entry-level gear and brew packs.

ale, like a football fan shouting at

However, for those less timid

their team on TV as if they were

who are looking to get serious

the coach. But can we transform

from the get-go, check out the

from the passionate spectator to

Malt Miller website for more

Dedicated pubs like the Draft

become the coach, and actually

hefty, space-age looking stainless

House on Goodge Street,

brew it for ourselves? Do we have

steel setups. Aside from being a

intimate tasting shops such as

to rely on a master brewer to

quality design, the SS Brewtech

BottleDog in Kings Cross, as

create a champion pale ale, or

brew bucket looks stunning on

well as craft beer home delivery

can we make it in our very own

the kitchen counter and acts as a

services are rife, and making a

kitchens?

real conversation starter.

for a watered down Carlsberg

To quote Barack Obama, “Yes

In terms of ingredients, for

when ordering a beverage at the

We Can!” And it’s fun to boot.

your first batch it’s best to

bar.

But where to begin? First, I’d

follow a recipe, not to be overly

suggest going old school and

ambitious and to let someone

The term ‘craft beer’ itself is a

buying a book, of course. For

else do the thinking for you

catch-all for a wide variety of

instance, Greg Hughes wrote

while you learn the ropes.

beers, encompassing heavily

‘Home Brew Beer: a step-by-step

Without getting too scientific,

killing. No more need we settle

30

malt-extract brewing is easily achievable in small quantities at home and exceptionally rewarding. Using raw ingredients as part of this brewing method makes you feel like an instant craft master. You’ll find a plethora of websites out there offering recipe packs such as Brew UK and The Homebrew Company.

Many of the bigger players in the business even offer ingredient packs too these days, so if you fancy having a go at recreating a Fuller’s London Pride, just fire up the stove and get cooking.

But remember friends, it’s unlikely that you’re going to create a Meantime-style smash hit on a first attempt. As your buzzword-bingo boss at work may or may not say, the key to this is expectation management.

Welcome to the long game.

31

LE BON CREATIVE Text and illustration Benjamin Harvey

Rabbit: A Short Story Tomas was looking out of the window. Wearing marigold gloves, his desperately stained Bart Simpson tee shirt and plaid pyjama bottoms, Tomas was looking out of the window.

back and forth, side to side,

to arrive, he’d be there to collect

slowly and out of time.

them. If they did, he’d tend to open them even if they weren’t

Tuesday’s are Tomas’ day off. He

for him. He’d say he misread the

would wake up early, just as his

name on account of his crippling

partner would leave for work,

dyslexia, which had become a

he’d go down into the kitchen

personal joke amongst he and

to make breakfast. He’d grate

his friends. A pan slipped from

A kind of half beat thud and a

heritage tomatoes he’d got

behind the rack and a domino

gushing whoosh of suds drew

from the market the day before,

effect of plates clattered

from the washing machine as the

cut big chunks of garlic, chop

together.

mute budding daffodils outside

cilantro and soak stale bread in a

bent in the spring air. Each dirty

bowl of olive oil. This was routine

In the park opposite the

plate he sunk into the basin of

in springtime. After breakfast

window a bunny rabbit stood

soap foam and warm water slowly

he’d take a walk to the betting

still between gaps in some

fell out of view, he’d wipe and it’d

shop, place low return bets on

shrubbery. The park was modest.

emerge ivory white. The drying

the mid week games and head

Some public fitness equipment

rack was quickly filling up and the

home via the corner shop where

and a play park for children.

washing had become a balancing

he’d pick up a newspaper. He’d

Revolutions began to whirr as

act. Wire torched in the

take the day to catch up on the

the washing machine slowly

background, ‘German Shepard’s’,

news, on social media, and clean

pushed his trainers upwards until

and Tomas was swaying his hips

the living room. If parcels were

they thud down once again. The

32

rabbit, a deep grey kitten with

rabbit began hopping in wide

the marigold gloves-around and

wooden like marble eyes, alert,

circular movements. Bounding

Around and AROUND-until the

stood or sat (Tomas wondered),

and accelerating the rabbit ran

circle became so small it was as

for a disturbingly long period

on a tilt, around and around,

if the bunny rabbit was chasing

of time, as if it was a discerning

always hitting its original spot.

its own tail. In a brief poof the

toddler. Soiled napkins uttered

Faster, almost oating above the

rabbit shot up its own ass and

about the blossoming shrubs.

surface of the park, in a kind

disappeared. The vibrations of

of whirlpool the rabbit moved

the washing machine burred

In a mute moment as the

at such a speed, circling slowly

loudly in the corner and pops of

playhouse noise of inside the

inward towards an invisible axis.

soap bubbles crackled falsetto in

kitchen stayed constant, the

The warm water pushed against

the kitchen sink.

33

LE BON MYSTIC

Aries

Cancer

How lucky can you get? April is your month, Aries.

Flowers are blossoming, the sun is coming out, hay

Not only will you finally start to see the light at

fever is about to hit you hard in the face… Sorry

the end of the tunnel in terms of projects – finally

Cancer. April will be all about balancing between

knowing which direction to head - you’ll also be

extremely good situations and deceiving ones.

at peace with your feelings. That doesn’t exclude

Work will be great because you’re in a very efficient

moments of weakness in which you might take a

mood, but you’ll probably feel hopeless when it

step back and question your motives, but remember

comes to others around you: everyone will piss you

to let go: nothing too bad can happen. Oh and,

off. But to be fair, as long as your relationship with

watch out for a newcomer… Someone might be

yourself is on point, why bother? Just wait until the

worth your time, so step up your dating game and

fog disperses…

get back on track!

Taurus

Leo

You’ve been wanting to splurge on a ton of random

Saturn in conversation with Jupiter tells me that

and useless items, and April is the right time. Your

you will face great danger – of the emotional kind

hard work will finally be rewarded and you’ll be

– starting around the 10th. We're talking box-

showered in gold! Unleash your inner shopaholic

of-chocolates-and-bottles-of-wine-and-binge-

and indulge, although you should probably keep

watching-Bridget-Jones bad. But if you can survive

grounded and avoid spending your fortune down

the stormy seas, know that there is land ahoy, and

to the last penny, as you might want to be able to

oh, the land is beautiful, like some tropical island

eat something other than plain pasta. Forget about

full of juicy coconuts where you can get a killer tan

those parasites intruding your thoughts every other

to make all your friends jealous. In a word, hang in

minute. They’re not worth your time anyway: great

there trooper.

ideas at work await!

Gemini

Virgo

Wow, did we mention you look good? You look

Have you ever heard your gran whisper that old

great. Have you been working out or gone vegan or

saying “YOLO”? Well, it's time you listen to her.

something? Expect a few compliments this month

Now’s the time to do what would usually make you

because you are the sunshine that's missing in this

tremble at the thought. We’re talking action, both

grey, sad kingdom. However, it might seem your

professionally and in your love life. Dare to kick

boss is oblivious to it (or maybe he's just wearing

procrastination right in the balls and shoot fear

sunscreen, the bastard) so don't get too full of it,

of failure right between the eyes. For a few days,

the patron could make you come down from your

anyway. Then calm down, no one likes a maniac for

cloud. Anyway, your charm could prove useful to get

too long - do you really want to end up like Justin

what you want from a certain someone you might

Bieber? You just need a bit of motivation to get your

meet in the middle of the month…

spirits up.

34

APRIL 2016

Libra

Capricorn

Someone had to pull the shortest straw. Sorry

You will be brought to a fork in the path this month.

my friend, but April will be a tough one. You'll

Which of these two roads will you chose, dear

survive. But you're going to feel a lot of tension and

Capricorn? The road less travelled may be wise,

incomprehension around yourself in the second

but are you up to the challenge? The other is paved

half of the month. You might feel rejected by some

with yellow brick and seems far more appealing. We

friends for things that you thought were behind you:

know you aren’t a fan of the lollipop guild’s tunes

but hey, things change darling. All this frustration

but the alternative may lead to lions and tigers and

will be felt by your partner who will eventually

bears (oh my!). Chose wisely, one of the options set

complain about your performance in the bedroom –

before you will have repercussions you far prefer to

were you even trying? As a great philosopher once

the other. Decisions, decisions ahead…

said, on the eve of death: always look on the bright side of life.

Scorpio

Aquarius

April will be a quiet, long-haul flight without

Aquarius! You will be blessed with lots of love

turbulences. Sit back, watch a film or two, listen to

this month. Remind yourself that it may not

music, sleep… just chill, basically. Everything will

matter if your special someone is not necessarily

run smoothly - almost too smoothly. There’s only

astrologically compatible to you. Use the stars to

so many episodes you can watch in a row before

make it work, or alternatively, to make it last long

wandering out of a paralysing and boring vortex - as

enough to have fun. Keep it light and things will

paradoxical as this may sound. Be a bit daring and

fall into place. It’s all aligned for you this month

get out of your comfort zone during the day, but

and lucky for you, sweet moments lay ahead. Love

the night is yours. Grant yourself anything you feel

interests are waiting for you to make the first move

like because nothing will be holding you back for a

and we wish you all the best in your April endeavors.

change.

Sagittarius

Pisces

Dearest Sagittarius, we beseech you to heed our

I see you, praying whilst flicking through the

warning. The Ides of March have come and gone but

magazine, hoping this month's horoscope will

we are sorry to say that you aren’t out of the woods

grace you with a bit of spiciness. Well, rejoice. You

yet. This month will challenge you on an emotional

will be burning up early April and perhaps meet

level. Tread lightly for the next few days, who knows,

someone new around the 22nd. Be careful not to

something may be slithering around your feet.

get too carried away, though. You don't want all hell

Beware of new acquaintances or of those who seem

to break loose because you were distracted for a

to have serendipitously appeared in your life. After

minute. Creativity will be at its finest so be sure to

all, he who made kittens put snakes in the grass.

make good use of it - it’s time to shine.

35

LE BON SNAPSHOT

36

37

LE BON AGENDA Sponsored by Dice

Klaves and the golden filter 8th April ÂŁ5 MOTH Club Having already toured with Nicolas Jaar and delivered a stunning breakout EP with People/Oh No through the great PMR, Klaves is rapidly becoming one to keep a fervent eye on. Skream, Annie Mac and Tensnake have peppered Klaves all over BBC Radio 1 whilst SBTRKT, Catz n Dogz and Monki are among a series of A-Graders also quick to support the young Polish prodigy. On April 8th, Klaves touches down at MOTH Club alongside the jilted electronic brilliance of The Golden Filter.

Years & Years 8th April ÂŁ28.50 SSE Arena Wembley After scoring a number one album and single, it's fair to say that 2015 has belonged to Years & Years.

The darlings of the blogosphere have spent the year smashing performances at gigs and festivals across the globe, and have dominated playlists with their instantly addictive brand of synth pop. Having sold out two nights at Brixton Academy, this date at SSE Arena Wembley is the icing on the cake. Get ready to lose your voice singing along to hits like King and Shine.

38

LE BON AGENDA Sponsored by Dice

Jack Garratt 15th April £19.50 O2 Academy Brixton Over the course of 18 months we’ve seen Jack Garratt rise through the ranks of Shoreditch’s small stages through Shepherd’s Bush’s three tiered expanse, to find a home this April at Brixton Academy. It’s a look that’s nothing short of huge.

Selling out London East, West and centre, his tracks are an explosive and vibrant flood of skittering hooks and daring production. Last single Weathered was a heart-striking slice of sentimental romance paired with overwhelming crescendos. Live he delivers, switching between instruments with a frenetic energy, bringing his perfect pop to life with an infallible passion. Get a ticket and watch him blow up.

Nao 26th April £12.50 Village Underground It's time to pay attention. A standout artist in the current crop of uber cool songstresses, NAO has been picking up fans across the globe. With a sound that jumps between nu soul and R&B, the Hackney born solo artist is set to be the next big thing.

Releasing a couple of EPs and after collaborating with revered producer A. K. Paul, NAO has now turned her attention towards her debut album.

With an enviable style, a voice that'll have you so captivated you'll forget to breath, and with more charm and sass than Beyoncé, NAO is a name you won't get a chance to forget.

39

LE BON ADDRESSES

AIDA

HUCKLE TREE

133 Shoreditch High Street

87 Charterhouse Street

Shoreditch | E1 6JE

Clerkenwell | EC1M 6HJ

Phone: 020 7739 2811

Phone: 020 7336 8634

APPESTAT

MERO RETRO

102 Islington High Street

2 Bradbury Street

Angel | N1 8EG

Dalston | N16 8JN

Phone: 020 7226 5457

Phone: 020 7686 6807

CHOI’S

OUI MAMAN

226 Bethnal Green Road

Lighterman House, 26-36 Wharfdale Rd,

Bethnal Green | E2 0AA

King’s Cross | N1 9RY

Phone: 077 2052 4995

Phone: 020 7313 6582

CONSERVATORY ARCHIVES

SEESAW STUDIOS

493-495 Hackney Road

3 Stanford Mews,

Cambridge Heath | E2 9ED

Hackney | E8 1JA

Phone: 077 8552 2762

Phone: 020 7254 5671

EAST LONDON LIQUOR COMPANY

STRIP

221, Grove Road

164 Upper Street

Victoria Park | E3 5SN

Angel | N1 1US Phone: 020 3651 3600

LA POLENTERIA 64, Old Compton street

THE RESTORATION

Soho | W1D 4UQ

2 Bouverie Road

Phone: 020 7434 3617

Stokey | N16 0AJ Phone: 079 9057 3889

LA FERME LONDON 102-104 Farringdon Road

SIGNORELLI

Angel | EC1R 3EA

7 Victory Parade,

Phone: 020 7837 5293

East village | E20 1FS

ERBOLARIO

DICE

106A Upper Street

www.dice.fm

Angel N1 1QN

Buy Tickets with no booking fees!

Phone: 020 3601 8130 VINTERIOR www.vinterior.com

40

* Je veux toujours plus de looks.

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