March 2010 by ABSOLUTELY Magazines

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YOUR PREMIER GUIDE TO LUXURY LIVING

MARCH 2010

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT POPSTAR TO OPERASTAR

FINAL DESTINATION

DISCOVER ST PANCRAS STATION

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK LOCAL SPOTLIGHT GADGETS INTERIORS FASHION SHOPPING PROPERTY

HIGHBURY & ISLINGTON

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CONTENTS MARCH 2010

FEATURES 7 12 16 38 40 53 62

EDITOR’s PIcK The must-see events of this month

cLassIcaL TaLENT Rufus Wainwright’s bold transition from pop to opera

IN THE sPOTLIGHT St Pancras Station uncovered

FIvE OF THE BEsT INTERNaTIONaL cUIsINEs Go around the world with five of the best international restaurants

HIDDEN GEm John Woodward, Head Chef of the Malmaison Hotel, explains why it is more than just a place to stay

my DEsIGNER LIFE

Founder and Managing Director of Dwell, Aamir Ahmad reveals how he made such a success of the high street furniture company

HavING a LaUGH Comedian Tim Key on winning awards and performing at the Old Queens Head

53 REGULARS n EDITOR’s LETTER n FamILy n HEaLTH & BEaUTy n FasHION n FOOD & DRINK n INTERIORs n GaDGETs n mOTORING n aRT n PROPERTy

Editor’s l et t er

CITYLIFE MAGAZINES

The real beauty of Islington and its surrounding environs surely lies in its amazing array of arts and culture events. With its assortment of theatres, comedy clubs, art galleries and live music venues, the area is a bubbling hub of diversity and culture. Sadler’s Wells is perhaps the prime example of a top-quality culture venue in the neighbourhood. As the UK’s leading dance house, it is uniquely dedicated to bringing the very best dance and musical events to the public domain; and this April they are doing just that, hosting international musician Rufus Wainwright’s debut opera, Prima Donna. I discover that Rufus, once labelled a ‘fast-living, bumptious wunderkind,’ is in reality very different from his perceived persona. Giving a frank and honest interview about the recent death of his mother, the Canadian-American singer-songwriter explains how his loss spurred him on to complete his first transition into the classical world and how opera saved his life. Staying with the arts, we chat to artist Sarah Harvey about her current exhibition at the Sesame Gallery, and then have a laugh with funny man, Tim Key, about performing at Islington’s cultural melting pot, the Old Queens Head. Going back in time, we explore the history behind the stunning architecture of King’s Cross St Pancras and how the newly regenerated station has a lot more to offer than a trainspotters’ mecca. I discover that, after years of living in the area, I am still stumbling across little gems such as the Malmaison Hotel. Situated in the beautiful and historic Charterhouse Square, the hotel is the backdrop to a fantastic brasserie run by top chef John Woodward. Serving up exquisite classic French inspired dishes, John reveals what it takes to keep a cool head in the kitchen. And while I go all French in Farringdon, Carrie Mitchell heads to Stoke Newington to experience the Sunday delights of The Londesborough. Enjoy!

no limits in change

Editor Lesley Ellwood Editorial Director Kate Harrison Deputy Editor Jenny White Motoring Editor Matthew Carter Fashion Editor Lucie Dodds Feature Writers Josephine O’Donoghue Ruth Sherrington

Senior Designers Laddawan Juhong Hiren Chandarana

Production Manager Dan Hyde Sales Director Eren Ellwood P.A. to Sales Director Ella Kilgarriff Group Advertising Director Sherif Shaltout PR & Marketing Manager Rebecca Walton Managing Director Giles Ellwood Finance Manager Annette Habel

www.cityandangel.com For advertising enquiries please contact Sherif Shaltout on 020 7987 4320 / 0783 7515 665 s.shaltout@runwildgroup.co.uk For editorial enquiries please email Jenny White on j.white@runwildgroup.co.uk

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YOUR PREMIER GUIDE TO LUXURY LIVING

MARCH 2010

RunWild Media Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Runwild Media Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

Jenny White

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book ou interiorr free service design today.

£15 & £25 respectively (purely to cover postage and packaging). RUFUS WAINWRIGHT POPSTAR TO OPERASTAR

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FAMILY FOOD & DRINK LOCAL SPOTLIGHT GADGETS INTERIORS FASHION SHOPPING PROPERTY 14/01/10 12:06:06

THE CITY & ANGEL MAGAZINE

In partnership with

Photography by Sacha Schweda mail@sachaphotography.com

CONTRIBUTORS Carrie Mitchell is a writer and editor who previously worked for InStyle and Elle magazine, writing about fashion, beauty and lifestyle. She is currently features and travel writer for Wedding magazine.

Matthew Carter is a London-based freelance journalist who’s been writing about cars for most of his working life. A former editor of Autocar magazine, Matthew is a serial car owner, who currently has five in his stable, including a couple of classic Alfas and an awesome 550hp Ford GT.

Jamie Carter is a freelance journalist specialising in gadgets and technology. Jamie has written for the likes of T3, Home Cinema Choice and The Guardian as well as a number of websites.

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editor’spick

Exhibition

Editor’s

pick EvEnt

la dolcE Vita At The Business Design Centre 11–14 March, www.ladolcevitaevent.co.uk A taste of Italy comes to Islington this month, with La Dolce Vita celebrating the very best of the Italian way of life with four days of fresh food, wine, property, travel and design. Highlights will include master-classes by celebrity chefs and tastings and demonstrations by some of Italy’s top artisan food and wine producers – Splendido!

Exhibition thE plEasurE principlE by Sesame Gallery 4 March – 8 April www.sesameart.com

Sarah Harvey’s latest exhibition focuses exclusively on underwater paintings. Bound, gagged, and thrown into the water – her work has a very sinister and sensual quality that has gained her a keen following amongst art collectors. Working from images taken in pools and seas across the world, Sarah Harvey draws deeply on very British painting traditions, from School of London painters such as Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon, through to contemporary figurative artists such as Jenny Saville, and with echoes of David Hockney’s pool paintings. It’s a must-see!

Marsschwarz und titanwEiss / titaniuM whitE and Mars Black East Central Gallery 13 March–24 April This is Brazilian, Clarissa Cestari’s first solo show in London which consists of five mono-sized and monochrome paintings and two diptychs, as well as work on paper. The body of work was created while Clarissa took up temporary residency in Berlin, in late 2009 and early 2010. After years of trying two-coloured combinations, she felt confident enough to step into the monolithic realm of Black and White, making this an interesting and bold exhibition.

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LITTLE Black Book This month’s best deals, bargains and must-haves – get your pens at the ready!

TasTy invesTmenT

If you like to dine out and experience new cuisines, then why not become a member of the Gourmet Society? With over 3,000 restaurants to choose from in the UK, members can use their Gourmet Society Card to receive two-for-one meal deals at Michelinstarred fine-dining establishments right through to everyday family favourites. With a handful of restaurants in Islington such as Pasha, Parveen and The Coach and Horses, it is a tasty investment. To receive an exclusive discount of £39.95 for 12 months membership (usually £53.50) go to www. gourmetsociety.co.uk and quote promotional code ‘2city’

Fizz and Fashion

Are you lacking inspiration when it comes to what to wear? Then why not give your wardrobe a bit of an overhaul, and seek some styling advice? Zoe Lem, the stylist behind Trinny and Susannah’s, What Not To Wear and owner of Islington boutique, My Sugarland, is opening up her shop to all those looking for fashion ideas and fun. The evening will offer the chance to hear Zoe’s styling secrets, as well as the chance to do some discount shopping while sipping champagne. Tickets are usually £15 but, exclusively to The City & Angel, you can buy two tickets for £20 when you book and quote the code TCAMSL. 7pm–9.30pm, 7 April 020 7841 7131, info@mysugarland.co.uk

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Sadler’s Wells Book now by telephone: 0844 412 4300 online: www.sadlerswells.com Also touring the UK. For more information visit: EnglishTouringOpera.org.uk

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localfocus

COUNCIL MINUTES

A ROUND-UP OF WHAT ISLINGTON COUNCIL IS DOING FOR THE BOROUGH…

MOVIE MAKING COMPETITION

Budding film directors from Islington are being challenged to make short films about the borough; a competition from Islington Council and Film London, ‘Islington in 90 Seconds’ aims to find and encourage new local film-making talent. The challenge is to make a 90-second film ‘fable’ – a short story that makes a moral point – which illustrates Islington life, and how people feel and think about the area. The winner for Best Film will get a cash prize of £300, funded by Film London and will be entered into Film London’s Best of Borough Film Awards. Entrants must be under 30 and be living in Islington. Application forms can be found at www.islington.gov.uk/filmcompetition.

MEMORIAL MURAL

New artwork, inspired by a street-mural painted in memory of teenage murder victim Ben Kinsella has been presented to Ben’s family at Islington Town Hall. A striking image of Ben, who was murdered in 2008, was originally sprayed onto a street junction box in Islington, but was accidentally painted over by BT contractors last year. Now the artist who created the mural has made a new version, which he gave to the Witness Service in Islington to present to the family. “We would like to thank the artist so much for repainting it for us,” says Debbie Kinsella. “It was a simple but effective tribute to our son.”

CURTAIN RISES ON RESTORED ASSEMBLY HALL

A historic building that hosted the stars of yesteryear, Islington’s Assembly Hall has been lovingly restored and is about to welcome its public for the first time in 20 years. The Grade II-listed Assembly Hall has been carefully returned to its original splendour as a space for performances, weddings, and meetings – complete with original features and sprung dance floor. To celebrate its rebirth a week of free arts events is being hosted from 5–13 March. Free tickets are available to residents and visitors. For tickets, call the Pleasance Theatre box office on 020 7609 1800 or visit www.pleasance.co.uk.

VOTER REGISTRATION: ISLINGTON COUNTS! Ahead of May’s Local Government Elections Islington Council’s elections team is preparing for one of its biggest logistical challenges in modern times by putting together a campaign, ‘Islington Counts’, to make sure all residents secure their right to vote. Islington Council has already succeeded in registering a record number of homes (93% of households are now enrolled) but there is still time to boost these numbers before the registration deadline on 20 April. For information about electoral registration or to request a replacement form call 020 7527 3110 or email electoral.services@islington.gov.uk

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All in tHe music Jenny White chats to pop’s notorious enfant terrible, Rufus Wainwright, about his bold transition into opera, how it helped him cope with his mother’s death, and how Elton John aided his drug recovery

e has been referred to by Elton John as “the greatest songwriter on the planet,” and praised by The NewYork Times for his “genuine originality;” but Rufus Wainwright’s arrival on the music scene in 1998 brought with it a perception of a fast-living, arrogant genius, who vacuumed up every temptation (namely methamphetamine) and whose ability to create masterpieces came to him a little bit too fluently for his own good. However, the Rufus Wainwright who is laughing down the phone during our interview, seems a much more content and unpretentious character than expected. Although the recklessness vibe seems to have disappeared with mentions of his long-term boyfriend, and looking forward to becoming an uncle to his sister Martha’s baby, the nervous creative energy is still palpable. His manic edge, that has been written about so much, seems to have subsided but the flamboyant, showbiz element is still very much alive.

Having achieved success by carving out his own singular sound, he has released six albums, appeared on numerous soundtracks and acted in films such as Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator. He is known to use his tortured relationship with his famous family – folk singers, Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright – to inspire his music, as well as unpacking his heart to create lyrics which are full of raw selfrevelations. “It’s tradition in our family to write songs about how we feel for each other, especially for my father. It is pretty amazing how my father uses his music to express his feelings about us,” exclaims Rufus, whose relationship with Loudon is somewhat tenuous since his mother left his father when Rufus was three years old. Songs such as Dinner at Eight, are poignant expressions of Rufus’s feelings of abandonment. When I suggest that perhaps more is known about the man than the music, he chuckles. “You would be surprised what you don’t know about me. The brain is a pretty deep, dark jungle so I find

interview

ways to hide out,” he explains. “I don’t really know myself, so it is always interesting when people think they know me.” For those that do know Rufus, they will know that he has been a fanatic of opera since the age of 14 and, although his career has been mainly in the mainstream, it was inevitable to him that his path would eventually lead to him writing and directing his own opera, Prima Donna. “Like many opera fans will tell you, it is not really them who decides to get involved with opera, but it’s the music which arrested them and took them hostage. I had no choice but to go to the opera house,” explains the Canadian-American singer-songwriter, whose love song to opera tells the tale of Régine Saint Laurent, an aging opera singer attempting to regain

her status as one of the world’s greatest sopranos. “It was many years of going to the opera that culminated in this piece. I had so much respect for the medium that I knew without a top-level classical education, which I don’t have, I at least needed a few years of soaking to get a handle on it. I went the osmosis route.” Following Prima Donna’s hugely successful premiere at the Manchester International Festival in July 2009, it is now making its London debut at Sadler’s Wells this April, along with an exclusive Evening with Rufus Wainwright; “It is a double whammy for the UK, as usual I always hit England hard, as they seem to rather like being abused by me,” cackles the 36-year-old New York resident. “I am so excited because we have

interview had time to fine tune things since Manchester and it is a little more streamlined and subtle.” It is hard to believe that anything Rufus does is subtle. Originally commission by the Metropolitan Opera, in New York, Rufus fell out with Met director, Peter Gelb, after they questioned his desire to write the libretto in French, and the fact they would only commit to a production in 2014. Despite all his drollery, Prima Donna has shown Rufus to possess a surprising amount of grit. The reviews from the critics, suspicious of a pop singer working in the classical field, were varied. “I felt I really bore the storm that was inevitably going to happen. There were great reviews, terrible reviews and luke warm reviews; but in the end I think it evoked really passionate reviews and caused such a visible reaction,” says Rufus, with a slight nervy demeanour. “At the end of the day I survived. I don’t think in any way that this is my great masterpiece and that the world is missing out on a kind of Bible, but there is something about it that is compelling.” Compelling it might be, but there is definitely a sense of urgency that has been captured organically within the opera, due in part to his mother’s illness and wanting her to see it before she lost her battle with cancer. “Under the circumstances I think it is pretty amazing work, when you consider that my mother was dying and I had only a year to do it for that very purpose – I wanted her to see it before her death,” says Rufus. “Also, I had never orchestrated anything in my life or written a play, so I took a lot on very quickly and I think that adds to the piece.” “Opera was really our gay/straight, mother/son romance. We dated at the opera; whether it was in Germany, Italy or the Met, our most pristine and perfect moments were spent at the opera house. It was really our love affair. Also, it was something that I

really introduced to my mother. Where she had been very influential to me as a child with music from Edith Piaf and Bob Dylan, I really brought opera into the mix,” Rufus says of his relationship with his mother, who died in January. “She loved it (Prima Donna) and she was very, very, very happy and overjoyed to have seen it and to have really partaken in the process. She came to rehearsals and she was vocal about what she thought, so it was a fantastic experience.” With chat of always having had a guardian angel watching over his career, Rufus says he has two now. He explains that it was the comfort he gets from opera that helped him coped with his mother’s death and which has regularly saved his life. “Opera hit me right at a time when I came out of the closet and when AIDS was ravishing the gay population. I really thought for a least five or six years that I was going to die, and opera was the only medium that really dealt with those issues and sustained my belief in salvation through that treacherous period,” he explains with brutal honesty. “Then, later on with drug addiction, I would continually return to opera and would always have the same experience whether I was on drugs or off drugs; it would just transcend all the daily toil and bullshit. I could never quite reach the high of having seen a great opera with the high of any drug, so therefore it helped me put it down because it wasn’t the ultimate.” His addiction to crystal meth caused him to temporarily lose his sight and it was only after he asked for help from former addict, Sir Elton John, who got him into rehab, that he kicked the habit. Although he understands that it was a period in his life that he can’t “minimise the seriousness of,” he doesn’t believe it defines his artistry. When it comes to his work, he is self-obsessed but in a likeable way, and claims to be the only one who is qualified to bring opera to the masses. “I am definitely qualified and I claim this mantel in pure excitement for anyone who wishes to challenge me to be the only pop artist who truly understands the world of opera from the inside, in all its glory. So, unless someone else wants to come up and debunk me, then I am the one.” He has been called pretentious and arrogant but, actually, he’s neither. It seems that with the highs and lows he has faced over the years, it has brought a more thoughtful and vulnerable man, who although not one to shy away from gilding the stage, he understands that at the end of the day it is very straight-forward; it’s all about the music. “In these days, with death, bad politics and being in a 30-something environment, the more I can escape to the piano the better; not that I’m saying these are bad times, this is the prime of my life and I am very excited, but the piano makes that possible. It is always nice to take a moment to escape and stare at myself in the reflection of the black piano.” n Prima Donna – 12–7 April An Evening with Rufus Wainwright – 13 April Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN www.sadlerswells.com

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KING’S CROSS ST PANC R St well Chad

ne of the last and most extravagant of the great Victorian railway stations, St Pancras was designed by William Barlow in 1863 and is still today celebrated for its exquisite architecture. Considered a true engineering wonder, the famous Barlow train shed consisted of a single arch spanning 240 feet, and is over 100 feet high at its apex. On completion in 1868, it was the largest enclosed space in the world and today St Pancras train shed is the grandest enclosed space to have survived from the 19th century. Introducing the station to London is the red-brick Grade 1 listed Gothic front facade of the Midland Grand Hotel. Built between 1868 and 1876 as part of a competition, it was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott and for a decade or two was the epitome of luxury. In 1935 the Midland Grand Hotel closed and the building became railway offices, known as the St Pancras Chambers. Seen as too showy and vulgar, many at the time could not forgive the way the hotel obscured the pioneering steel structure of the station and there were open attempts to demolish it. Performing an important role during both World Wars, as a departure point for soldiers off to war, the station was hit during the Blitz in WWII. But despite the devastation, London Midland and Scottish Railway soon had the station back up and running. However,

this was not to be the greatest threat to the station. In 1966 plans to amalgamate King’s Cross and St Pancras were put forward but, thanks to Sir John Betjeman, who took up the cause to save the station, and a change in public opinion, the Government listed the station and hotel as Grade 1 in 1967. In 1988 the office workers were forced to move out after the building was declared unsafe and it was left empty for much of the late ‘80s / ‘90s. Playing the part of a gigantic haunted house, it was often used as a popular location for films, including Harry Potter, Batman Begins and the Spice Girls’ first music video, as well as providing the venue for Richard III’s demented palace. Today, the renovated and expanded station, which cost £800 million, has set new standards for a railway station in the 21st century; the hotel has been restored to its former glory, with 67 apartments now completed and a new hotel due to open next year. St Pancras International is where the heart of London meets the heart of Europe, with Eurostar travelling to both Paris and Brussels. However, the true uniqueness about St Pancras is that it’s not just a train station, but a place where people go even if they are not catching a train.

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C RAS

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK: A truly grand retail and hospitality destination, St Pancras is a great place to meet friends and enjoy a distinctive social experience. Divided into four distinct zones – Rendezvous (upper concourse), Circle, Arcade and Market – there are a whole host of places to eat and drink, whether you are THE GLAMOROUS looking for something on the go or ST PANCRAS GRAND somewhere to enjoy a relaxed meal. The glamorous St Pancras Grand CHAMPAGNE BAR IS Champagne Bar is Europe’s longest EUROPE’S LONGEST BAR bar, offering stunning views of the magnificent Barlow Shed while you sip on a glass of fizz. With stylish leather seats that are heated during the winter months, the stunning venue offers an impressive Champagne list and there is always a sommelier on hand to give you advice as to which bottle would suit your choice of food from the small, but elegant menu. Situated near the champagne Bar, on the upper concourse, is the St Pancras Grand. A stylish destination restaurant, it offers quintessentially British dining and is open from 7am until midnight, offering everything from lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Offering private dining in the elegant Betjeman Room, informal dining in the Oyster Bar, or an impressive whisky and cocktail selection in the Whisky Bar, there is something for everyone. The Betjeman Arms specialises in fresh, seasonal English produce and is the ideal place to head to for

“

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informal dining or if you just fancy a pint. Adjacent is Carluccio’s, which is just one of the handfuls of chain eateries that have made St Pancras its home; YO! Sushi, Le Pain Quotidien and the Fine Burger Company are just a few of the ‘fast-food’ places. And if you feel like indulging in between browsing the shops, the luxury English baker Peyton and Byrne is located in the Arcade, baking yummy treats. WHAT TO DO AND SEE: With over 50 shops under one stunning roof and set beneath the beautiful red-brick arches of the Victorian building, The Arcade features an array of well known shops. Brands such as Oliver Bonas, Fossil and L-K Bennett as well as Hamley’s, Foyles and Wilton and Noble are situated within the spotless precinct. On street level is The Circle and features high street favourites such as La Senza, Monsoon, M&S and Boots. An alternative to the crowded West End shopping, St Pancras’s beautiful architecture makes it a unique shopping experience. Exclusive to St Pancras is a daily seasonal market in the heart of the station. Selling the freshest fruit, veg and herbs, as well as fish and meat, the market is mostly organic and local. Open seven days a week, it means there is always something new to explore. WHILE YOU ARE THERE: Check out the Meeting Place statue; weighing six tonnes and watching over the station at eight feet tall, this beautiful bronze sculpture of a couple locked in an intimate pose stands underneath the famous clock. On the same level is a tribute to Sir John Betjeman.The sculpture of the poet features him looking up in awe at the splendour of the roof whilst holding on to his hat.  Photographer: Sacha Schweda mail@sachaphotography.com

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery

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“Providing a secure, caring environment for children aged 3 months to 5 years” Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Islington 27-29 Amwell Street, Islington London EC1R 1UN

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super Cool

This super stylish T-shirt is bound to be a hit – and not just with the kids! Choose from a range of off-beat, humorous designs to add to baby vests, bibs, sleepsuits or T-shirts, not only will your little one look stylish, but they will also make you look cool. www.futurefreak.co.uk 020 8962 9782

three in one Stylish, innovative and extremely practical, this pod-like chair will be an excellent investment for years to come. Its adjustable seat enables a high chair for meal time or a large play tray at a more accessible height. For when they need a quick nap, tilt the top and let them snuggle into the padded upholstery. www.funkykidsfurniture.co.uk 01531 650 974

looKing hot!

March sees the official start of UK summer and may although it might not have quite arrived, there is no reason why you shouldn’t start planning for the hot weather! This dainty little outfit is available for six months to five years and will leave your little one feeling cool and looking oh so cute! www.australiandesignstore.com 020 7193 1880

LITTLE ANGELS

Finding the perfect nursery for your little one can be a challenge, particularly in London. For an excellent start for young children aged three months to five years, the Little Angels nurseries offer a wide range of stimulating activities, workshops and first-rate care. Little Angels uses audio and visual books and oral storytelling every day to extend children’s vocabulary and enjoyment of language. It’s just one part of the rich and varied curriculum. Teaching takes place all year round and the nurseries do not close for school holidays. Each day includes structured activities linked to learning intentions and goals, and all children over three will spend some time with one of our qualified teachers, covering the foundation stage required for all primary education. Additional activities include: music, drama, gym time, creative cooking and puppet groups and, on Fridays, activities also include French and Spanish. For a guided tour and to see their excellent Ofsted reports contact Caroline Thompson on 020 7354 5070 / 020 7281 3514 or email littleangels@btconnect.com www.littleangelsdaynursery.co.uk

CHILD’S P LAY Your comprehensive guide to keeping your children stylish, active and having fun

GYMBOREE ISLINGTON If you’re one of the many looking for a fun way to occupy your little ones this spring, look no further than the recently opened Gymboree Islington. A variety of fun and inspired classes including ‘Baby Play’, gym, music and arts are on offer for 0–5 year olds. Led by experienced and enthusiastic teachers, classes are run throughout the year in fabulous and fully-equipped premises just by Highbury Corner. The pre-mobile ‘Baby Play’ classes focus on sensory exploration with songs, dance, infant signing, fibre optics and a wide variety of props. Gym classes are full of play-based activities with climbers, slides, and tunnels, whilst music classes explore music from around the world. Alternatively, choose from art activities including painting, sculpture, drawing, collage and more. Gymboree Islington also offers custom-made parties and private sessions in local nurseries and play- centres. Free trial classes are available, as is a reduced membership fee. For more information, visit www.gymboree-uk.com, email islington@gymboree-uk.com or call 07818153700

city&angelpromotion

STAGECOACH

For any parent dreading the effort involved in throwing a kids’ birthday party, there is an easier answer. Stagecoach Parties (from the same successful company that runs Stagecoach Theatre Arts plc.) is now offering a range of stress-free themed children’s parties. The parties range from a two-hour creative drama, dance and singing party to a spine-chilling ‘Murder Mystery’ evening experience. Stagecoach Parties create unique stories, designed to unleash the imagination and creativity of the children, ensuring that no two parties will ever be the same. Party themes for age 4–10 years include ‘Wild Wild West’ for little cowboys, ‘Once upon a Time’ for would-be princesses and ‘Disco Divas’ for aspiring pop stars, whilst the ‘Murder Mystery Parties’ are perfect for teenagers. Children are encouraged to come in fancy dress and Stagecoach Parties will provide props like hats, capes and fairy wings – so smiles all round for both kids and parents! For more information, call 020 7460 1809 visit www.stagecoach.co.uk or email islington@stagecoach.co.uk

FROCKS AWAY! Frocks Away is a stylish designer boutique for the whole family, stocking favourite ranges such as Marithé and François Girbaud, Pepe Jeans, Odd Molly, Jottum, Start-Rite and Converse for women, men and children – all served with a cup of tea and a smile. A family-run business, Frocks Away boasts 25 years of know-how – so the staff understand the importance of a toy box to keep the kids entertained and newspapers for bored dads! Frocks Away also offers popular personal shopping and private shopping evenings, with a luxurious glass of champagne. So, if this is the kind of stress-free shopping experience that appeals, pop into the Muswell Hill or Islington boutiques, or visit the website. 5 Theberton Street, N1 0QY 020 7354 0771 www.frocksaway.co.uk

THAT PLACE ON THE CORNER That Place On The Corner has got to be N16’s best kept secret. If you’ve got kids it’s the place to head to. Having thought of everything from the kid’s food to the play area with its dressing up wardrobe, little puppet theatre and book corner, they also hold daily classes for babies and toddlers. Running very popular Saturday morning ballet classes for 2-5 year olds, That Place On The Corner has something for every little one. There are dressing up costumes, books, puppets and old fashioned jars of sweets which are all available for purchase and a free gift wrap service. Also offering a fabulous venue for birthday parties, there’s no wonder the locals want to keep this find to themselves! 1-3 Green Lanes, Newington Green, N16 9BS 020 7704 0079 www.thatplaceonthecorner.co.uk

79-85 Fortis Green Road Muswell Hill, N10 3HP 020 8444 9309

health&beauty

CITY GIRL’S TOP BEAUTY SECRET

URBAN RETREAT After five years located in Camden Passage in the heart of Islington, Kimantra Urban Spa is opening their second heavenly salon in King’s Cross. Located in the newly refurbished Ozone health and fitness club, it is the ideal place to retreat from the bustle of daily life and enjoy a sumptuous pampering session.

Life in the big city is always fun, but often take its toll – especially on your hair. With all the pollution that we encounter every day, our hair can often start to look unhealthy and limp. However, help is at hand in the form of Neville salon and their Mist-ifying machine which puts the goodness back into hair using dry steam to open the follicles, and then a mask to combat the effects of the city. The treatment starts with a gentle scalp massage and lasts a mere 15 minutes – perfect for a girl on the go!

www.kimanra.co.uk

www.nevillehairandbeauty.net 020 7235 3654

HEALTH&BEAUTY NEWS

FEEL GOOD THIS MONTH WITH THE LATEST TIPS AND TRENDS

SOUNDS GOOD

If you are feeling stressed and in need of getting the right life balance then maybe some time away is the answer. The Ultimate Balance is a series of 7-day breaks around the country offering you the chance to re-affirm your life and focus yourself, through healthy eating, exercise, meditation and rest.

If your life runs at 100 miles an hour and you find it hard to make time for yourself to de-stress, then Innersound is the answer to your problem. London’s top stress experts, Innersound harness the body’s natural energy using ancient South Korean techniques to stress detox the body in just 15 minutes. Similar to acupuncture, but using sound vibrations, instead of needles, the body’s main energy points abdomen, arms, legs, back, shoulders and head – are pressed stimulating the blood flow and causing energy to circulate to all organs and cells, giving you a quick boost when you need it most.

www.theultimatebalance.co.uk

www.insfoundation.org

FIND A BALANCE

Brought to you in association with The Wellington Hospital, one of the world’s leading private hospitals. www.thewellingtonhospital.com

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Non-members welcome. HypoxiZone @ The City Point Club, One Ropemaker Street, Moorgate, London EC2Y 9AW Tel: 07916 257 927 to book an appointment or trial or go to www.hypoxizone.co.uk for further information

HAIR & BEAUTY HAIR & BEAUTY 171 Upper Street Islington N1 1RG 020 7354 3733 www.171hairandbeauty.com open 7 days a week

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Major specialties include: - Acute Neuro Rehabilitation - Bariatric Surgery - Cardiac Surgery - Critical Care - Dermatology - Interventional Cardiology - ENT - Gastroenterology - General Surgery - Gynaecology - Liver and Hepatobiliary Medicine

The Wellington Hospital is one of the world’s leading private

- Hip Surgery

hospitals with an international reputation for the excellence

- Knee Surgery

of its medical care. It is part of HCA – London’s No 1 private

- Neurology

hospital group. It provides a wide range of acute medical services

- Neurophysiology

supported by the very latest diagnostic, imaging and treatment

- Neuropsychology

technology, enabling fast and accurate diagnosis of complex

- Neurosurgery

conditions. State-of-the-art facilities include:

- Ophthalmology - Orthopaedics

• 6 4 slice CT scanners able to provide images of the heart and its associated blood vessels with higher definition than before • t he latest MRI scanners; the full range of x-ray and ultrasound, angiography & fluoroscopy plus a cardiac research centre • e ndoscopic ultrasound facilities enabling gastroenterologists to employ the latest diagnostic & treatment techniques, including capsule endoscopy

- Plastic Surgery - Speech Therapy - Spinal Surgery - Urology - Vascular Surgery

• a range of minimally invasive surgical procedures that are performed through one incision in the belly button, which is virtually scarless surgery • a 45-bedroom Acute Neuro Rehabilitation Unit, which is the best equipped and most extensive in the UK • the largest Critical Care facility in the private sector The hospital has a dedicated GP Liaison service giving GPs and patients easy, fast access to the hospital’s extensive services & facilities. For further information please contact the Helpline:

Tel:

020 7483 5148

Fax:

020 7483 5618

Email: wellington.enquiryhelpline@hcahealthcare.co.uk www.thewellingtonhospital.com Wellington Place, St Johns Wood, London NW8 9LE

5266 HCA Well Canary Wharf advert.indd 1

21/12/09 13:25:53

health&beauty

The CompleTe paCkage Jenny White discovers just how much the foods we eat directly affect the performance of our brains

o you often experience a slump in the middle of the day? Where tiredness hits and you are left struggling until home time? This is something that has always affected me, hitting my ‘wall’ about 3.30pm; I find it hard to concentrate on the task at hand. Well, it seems I have found the solution to the problem by simply changing my diet. When you think about it, it’s not rocket science, but it has been proven that by eating the right food, you can boost your IQ, improve your mood, sharpen your memory and keep your mind young. By combining portions of protein, complex carbohydrates and essential fats, you will be able to think quicker, have a better memory, be better coordinated and have improved concentration – just what I need. However, with little knowledge about the difference between good and bad fats and not much time to cook proper meals every day, I decide to enrol some help in the form of The Pure Package. Based on the principles of the ‘Perfectly Balanced Diet’, The Pure Package is the leading UK company of its type to offer freshly prepared, ethically sourced and convenient meals direct to your door. Taking away the need to plan, shop and cook, The Pure Package provides you with a team of nutritionists, dietary therapists and chefs who design a programme full of tasty, healthy food that can be tailored to your specific health goals. So, whether you want to lose that baby weight, detox or need support while training for a marathon, The Pure Package knows exactly what you need. Opting to do the programme for ten days, I talked through all my likes and dislikes with one of the consultants over the phone and then eagerly awaited my first delivery. Placed outside your front door every morning at 6am in a temperature controlled bag, it couldn’t be any easier. With breakfast, a mid morning snack, lunch, a late afternoon snack and dinner, there is no chance of going hungry, which was one of my main concerns. Meals are rich in omega 3 and 6 and are combined with foods rich in protein, which play a key role in optimum brain performance. Worried that I was up for ten days of bland, uninspiring food, I was pleasantly surprised by what I received. Every day was a different combination, so there was no chance of getting bored. Breakfast varied

from spiced apple Bircher Muesli to fresh orange segments with organic rye bread and peanut butter. Lunch was always a cold meal such as Falaphel and Tabbouleh or my favourite, organic salmon, sesame and rice noodle salad. Dinner was a hot meal that could either be cooked in the oven or, to save time, in the microwave. Herb-Crusted Pollock, Goan Coconut Chicken and Mexican Bean Pot were just a few of the tasty evening dishes, and even though everything is healthy I was still allowed the odd treat; such as my day four afternoon snack, a mouth-watering dark Belgian chocolate mousse. From day one I noticed a difference in the way I felt. My energy slumps had vanished and, by the end of each day, I didn’t feel as exhausted as I had prior to the change in my diet. Although weight loss wasn’t my main goal, I did note after just three days that I felt trimmer and not at all bloated after meals like I had previously. I certainly felt that, had I tried to do this on my own, it would have been tough to kick-start and that this was the easiest and most successful way of making a very substantial change to the way I viewed my food. n www.purepackage.com

WELCOME TO THE WELLINGTON HOSPITAL

At the very heart of London’s medical community, we find out more about The Wellington Hospital and their reputation for medical excellence

Throughout history, London has been at the very centre of medical research and scientific discovery. Spend some time in the capital, and you’ll notice references to London’s medical past all over the place. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the corpses of criminals executed at Tyburn were taken to the Surgeon’s Hall in the Old Bailey for public dissection and medical teaching; in 1854 a London doctor,

John Snow, discovered the cause of cholera from a water pump on Broad Street; and in 1928 the most important antibacterial drug ever, Penicillin, was discovered in a lab at St. Mary’s Hospital by Alexander Fleming. These are just a couple of examples, but as a centre of world-class education and research, London has always been home to some of the most important medical advances.

health&beauty

THE HEART OF THE CITY Today, London is proud to continue to uphold its reputation as one of the world’s leading medical centres, in both medical research and world-class treatment. One of the world’s foremost private hospitals, The Wellington Hospital is London’s largest private medical facility upholding London’s reputation by offering an unparalleled quality of care with the latest technology and access to the country’s leading medical experts. The Wellington Hospital is always improving and by utilising investment in the newest equipment and technologies, the expert staff can deliver outstanding Imaging services which speed up the time from diagnosis to treatment. Internationally acknowledged in several fields including cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, liver and gastro-intestinal medicine, gynaecology, orthopaedics and rehabilitation The Wellington Hospital is quite simply, one of UK’s best private hospitals. OUTSTANDING CLINICAL CARE The Wellington Hospital is owned by HCA, the largest private hospital group in London, with six world-class acute hospitals and HCA Laboratories. Working in association with medical teams at London’s finest teaching hospitals, The Wellington Hospital makes use of the very latest equipment

THE BREAKDOWN: • 266 Registered Beds • 46 Neurological Rehabilitation Beds • 20 Intensive Care Unit Beds • 4 High Dependency Unit Beds • 11 Operating Theatres • 3 Cardiac Catheter Labs • 2 Endoscopy Theatres • 3 Angiography Suites • 27 Consulting Rooms

THE EXPERIENCE Patients enjoy luxury accommodation, complemented by the latest technologies, together with a warm and friendly service, all of which create a caring environment and a comfortable hospital experience that promotes fast return to normality in your everyday life. Every patient is cared for as an individual and is treated with compassion and kindness.

and medical techniques and also supports research in a number of important areas of medicine. From the latest cardiac imaging equipment (which shows heart disease developing long before symptoms occur), to real time 3D-imaging of babies in the womb, HCA is constantly striving to provide the newest technology and training for the benefits of their patients, nurses and doctors. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Here at The Wellington Hospital, the Diagnostics and Imaging Department is one of the most modern in the country – so in short, this means no waiting-lists or cancellations, no confusion over results and most importantly, no delays. Constantly updated, and the largest of its kind in the UK private sector, The Wellington Hospital’s state of the art equipment includes a 64-slice CT scanner, two MRI scanners, a full range of X-Ray machines using a Computed Radiography (CR) system, Ultrasound equipment and Interventional Radiology facilities. All of these services are linked via a Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) which allows Consultants to view images anywhere in the hospital. Twenty consultant radiologists work with the hospital to interpret and report on the results of scans, X-Rays or Ultrasounds. Working alongside highly qualified specialist radiographers and nurses (and a back office team who prepare reports of each diagnostic investigation), there is no waiting around. The satellite unit – The Wellington Diagnostics & Outpatient Centre – on Golders Green Road boasts another 64-slice

CT scanner and an ‘open’ MRI scanner plus Ultrasound and x-ray services. The team of consultant radiologists and radiographers provide excellent support to this unit which is also linked to the main hospital via the PACS system. As part of the HCA Group, The Wellington Hospital has roundthe-clock access to the group’s Diagnostic Laboratories, with 30 biomedical scientists and 12 consultant pathologists – this results in rapid analyses and instant results sent straight back to the wards. MEDICAL PRACTICIONERS All the doctors at The Wellington Hospital are at a consultant level, many of whom hold senior positions at London’s leading teaching hospitals – there are over 600 consultants practicing at the hospital at present. The hospital is a multi-disciplinary institution, with specialists in all the major departments. Keith Hague, CEO Wellington Hospital says, “To attract the best doctors, you need the best facilities, you need the latest state of the art equipment, and you need the best staff. And we have that here.” Dr Duncan Dymond, Consultant Cardiologist agrees saying “It’s bright, it’s clean, it is well lit, the equipment is great, the staff are of a very high calibre – and you come here with your patients and you can practise medicine as it should be practised, without the restrictions that are imposed elsewhere. For us as healthcare professionals [...] you cannot put a price on that”. n For more information, call the Enquiry Helpline on 020 7483 5148 or visit www.thewellingtonhospital.com

health&beauty

LIFE CHANGING TREATMENTS For those suffering from obesity, losing weight can seem impossible – but there is a way. Claire Saunders finds out more at The Wellington Hospital PATIEnTS SUFFERIng FROM SEvERE OvERWEIgHT HAvE A DISEASE THAT MAy SPOIl EvERy ASPECT OF THEIR lIvES. FROM US, THEy nEED nOT Only SAFE AnD CORRECT PROFESSIOnAl CARE BUT UnDERSTAnDIng, KInDnESS AnD SUPPORT – TO BE HElPED, AnD nOT JUDgED Mr Alberic Fiennes, surgeon If present trends continue in the UK, nine in every ten adults will be overweight by 2050. And with this predicted increase in severe weight problems comes a marked jump in ill-health, morbidity and mortality among a large section of the population who, with adequate weight loss, would otherwise remain in good health. Today, food is always available, of good quality, affordable, convenient and heavily marketed. Compared to eating habits 50 years ago, we are preparing less fresh food at home, eating convenience food and consuming much higher levels of sugar and salt. In addition, most modern adults expend less physical energy in their daily lives, with many more working in desk jobs than 50 years ago. Studies prove that adults who have been severely overweight for a significant period lack the normal automatic physiological response that limits food intake.

Mr Kesava Mannur

“Weight loss surgery alone can provide sustained weight loss in the long term compared to any non-surgical measures”, explains Mr Kesava Mannur, consultant bariatric surgeon at The Wellington Hospital, who has been performing weight-loss surgeries since 1998. “External appearance and embarrassment are only the surface elements of overweight – of greater concern are the physical discomfort and major health risks including breathing difficulty, heart disease and diabetes, for which overweight is the single greatest risk factor.”

Mr Alberic Fiennes

BENEFITS OF SURGERY 80% of people who had Type 2 diabetes no longer need treatment

•

“Patients should expect access to a multi-professional and holistic framework, committed with them to their long-term care and well-being,” says Mr Alberic Fiennes, surgeon at The Wellington Hospital and specialist in bariatric surgery and weight management since 1995. “I am extremely fortunate to be able to be part of such a team at patients’ disposal.”

The Wellington Hospital is able to provide bariatric patients with a highly professional and experienced team. n For more information, visit www.thewellingtonhospital.com or call the helpline on 020 7483 5148

70% of people have resolution of high blood pressure or raised cholesterol

•

Arthritis symptoms improve

•

Many other overweight-related health risks improve

•

People can return to an improved emotional, social and working life

•

The risk of premature death is reduced by 60–90%

80-100% of people with sleep apnoea no longer need treatment

Options for surgery include adjustable gastric banding, gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and duodenal switch. The suitability of each is discussed thoroughly by the consultant with each individual and an individually tailored operation will be arrived at.

•

Successful bariatric surgery offers direct health benefits including:

•

Bariatric surgery can help people lose a large amount of weight by reducing the amount of food entering the body. This is achieved by reducing the drive to eat, mechanically restricting intake capacity, or reducing absorption, or by a combination of these. It’s worth pointing out that these procedures are for health improvement rather than for cosmetic gain.

Despite adverse publicity, the risks of bariatric surgery should be low if it is undertaken by experienced doctors with good resources. Surgery is almost exclusively undertaken by a keyhole (laparoscopic) approach.

Therefore, as research suggests, those classed as severely overweight are seriously harming the length and the quality of their life – fortunately these risks can be halted or reversed by lasting major weight loss. “For patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 40 or

even with BMI over 35 but having diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, sleep apnoea or other co morbidities, surgery is recommended as a long-term solution,” says Dr Rodwin Jackson (Consultant Metabolic Physician). “It has been estimated that patients who remain severely overweight may die 11 years earlier than they might otherwise.”

Name: Email:



CITY & ANGEL GUIDE ADVERT_FEB 23.indd 1

24/02/2010 12:29

fashion

GUCCI GOLD

TUX AWARDS Armani reigned supreme at the recent Golden Globe Awards, fitting the likes of George Clooney, Robert Downey Jnr, Harrison Ford, Leonardo DiCaprio, Clint Eastwood, Samuel L Jackson and Robert de Niro. Tom Ford dressed the Brits though, with Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan at the helm.

FASHION NEWS

THIS MONTH’S LATEST TRENDS

Website of the month: www.sartorialab.co.uk The contemporary man wants to look good but more than that, the look needs both to reflect his lifestyle and be perceived as effortless; a paradox in itself. Sartoria Lab offers the facility of personal stylist and shopper Sarah Gilfillan, which was conceived and created to fill a gap in the men’s grooming market. An absolute necessity for any man compromised for time.

If you are lucky enough to have been left a Gucci heirloom, you now have a simple way to find out if it’s worth anything since the label, in association with auction house Christies, has launched Gucci Collector – a new webbased service which appraises your vintage Gucci items for free. “I feel it is a noble, appropriate and modern way to provide access to original Gucci vintage products to a relevant and well-targeted audience,” Gucci president and ceo Patrizio di Marco explained. “This collaboration with Christie’s is indeed fully consistent with our ongoing objective of reinforcing Gucci’s reputation for luxury, quality and craftsmanship in our products.” The service, which is now live via both www.gucci.com and www.christies.com, will also inform the collectors whether their item would be of interest to either Gucci or Christie’s from a historical perspective – and will reassure prospective buyers of its authenticity.

Q U O TE

de, a f s n o i h Fas nal ter style is e

“

ain Yves S

”

t Lau

rent

MUST-HAVE ITEM TICKETS TO CLOTHES SHOW LIVE

After the huge success of the inaugural Clothes Show London, the event returns in June 2010 to treat the capital’s fashionistas to a sumptuous fashion extravaganza. Featuring an unrivalled range of leading fashion and beauty brands, an impressive 2,500 seat Fashion Theatre combining show-stopping dance and fashion performances, and a host of celebrity and expert appearances – tickets are a must. 25–27 June 2010 Earl’s Court www.clothesshowlondon.com

Stranger on the Photographer:

Daniel Ward Fashion Editor:

Lucie Dodds

Third Floor

White chiffon and pink linen dress, ÂŁ937

Alberta Ferretti, 205-206 Sloane St, SW1 020 7235 2349

Cream coat, £615, Milly at www.net-a-porter.com and yellow mini skirt Milly at Harrods, £245, as before Socks, £8, Fogal, www.fogal.com Coral skin courts, £395, Bruce Oldfield Beauchamp Place SW3 Mimosa quilted Nancy bag, £650 Smythson www.smythson.com, 0845 873 2435

Lemon chiffon feathered halterneck, £602 and lemon trousers, £518, both Alberta Ferretti, as before Snakeskin printed clutch, £295 Furla, www.furla.com

ITALIAN CHARM

LENA RESTAURANT

Shoreditch’s Lena Restaurant, with its proximity to the City, has fast become a meeting point for cool creatives and corporate clientele alike. With its regularly changing menu, Lena consistently produces innovative Italian fare, whilst being one of the few Italian restaurants in the capital to makes its own fresh pasta, bread and confectionary. The restaurant also insists on using only the best produce, which means every dish is both fresh and absolutely delicious. Look out for... … Live jazz evenings. Lena has built a reputation for presenting some of London’s most exciting live musicians and regular events are held on the premises. 66 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3JT 020 7739 5714, www.lenarestaurant.com

OF THE BEST…

INTERNATIONAL CUISINES Your guide to the most delicious world cuisines in north London and the City

TURKISH DELIGHT

THE OTTOMAN

Situated on Upper Street this gem of a restaurant captures the buzz and atmosphere of Islington. Having just been newly refurbished and boasting bags of character this Turkish restaurant is certainly the place to be.Their menu is as authentic as they come and offer a wide variety of traditional cuisine from hot and cold Meze to Charcole Grill dishes made freshly on the premises.The Ottoman is a family run restaurant and the staff, who are dressed in traditional Turkish clothing, provide the restaurant with a fantastic friendly vibe. Look out for... ...mesmerising belly dancers on a Friday and Saturday night who will have everyone tapping their feet and clapping along with the music. 302 Upper Street, Islington, N1 2TU 020 7354 2260, www.theottoman.co.uk

events

ASIAN FUSION This eclectic and warm venue is always a treat to visit, with a mix of modern and classical in everything from its food and drink to the decor and music.The head chef, having trained in one of Australia’s highest profile Thai restaurants, brings a delicious Asian fusion menu to the table.The ever-changing menu not only takes advantage of seasonal produce, but also continues to deliver new and exciting dishes to its loyal followers. Look out for... ... the elaborate cocktails from the bar, featuring homemade purées, syrups and infused spirits – they are a must when visiting this welcoming venue. 270 Upper Street, N1 2UQ 020 7226 1118, www.ziloufs.com

Photographer: Jodie Talbot www.jtalbotphotography.co.uk Assistant: Viesturs Gross www.v-photo.co.uk

ZILOUFS

ORIENTAL FEAST

OISHIII Local restaurant Oishiii (Japanese for ‘delicious’) is the newest venture from local entrepreneur Atique Choudhury, who has 25 years of experience in the business. Church Street’s first Japanese eatery offers a mixture of the finest contemporary and authentic Japanese cuisine; all prepared using quality fresh ingredients by an award-winning team of chefs – delicious! Look out for… … Oishiii’s private Japanese karaoke room which seats up to 20 people and has a ten-seater open plan sushi kitchen. 67 Stoke Newington Church Street N16 0AR 020 7254 3488 www.oishiiirestaurant.co.uk

MOROCCAN FLAVOUR Mohamed Faraji boasts extensive knowledge and skill when it comes to creating authentic North African dishes and his restaurant, Maghreb, is the place to go for delicious, traditional Moroccan food. Faraji is always travelling back and forth between London and his hometown, Larache, in northern Morocco, to pick up new recipes, which means his menu is always packed full of mouth-watering flavours. Look out for... ... the exceptional Tagines (the traditional, slow cooked Moroccan stew) such as spicy fish, lamb with prunes and sesame seeds, or rabbit. 189 Upper Street, N1 1RQ 020 7226 2305, www.maghreb-restaurant.com

Photographer: Thomas Farnetti, www.tsgfarnetti.com Assistant: Paul Smedmor

MAGHREB

Hidden Treasure Jenny White discovers how London still manages to produce a few surprises when it comes to places to eat

t is rare to find an oasis of calm in the heart of London. A place where the busy roads can’t be heard and the bustle of everyday life can be blocked out. However, this is the first thing that you observe when you take a slight detour from Smithfield Market and walk into the chic lobby of the Malmaison London. Situated in Charterhouse Square, Malmaison, a byword for all things luxurious and individual, is a boutique hotel featuring 97 rooms. While offering stunning rooms and suites for visitors to

the City, the hotel is much more than somewhere comfy to sleep, instead acting as a lavish background to the Malmaison brasserie. Run by head chef John Woodward, the brasserie is open to the public and, unlike most hotel restaurants, Malmaison gains most of its business from those working in the City and from Islington locals. “What sold this job to me was that it was more like a brasserie with bedrooms. We don’t do much room service, unlike other hotels I have worked in, such as the Hilton and The Marriot, which is very room service based,” explains John. “I see myself as a restaurant chef and not a hotel chef – I think there is a real difference.” Having already established a great following, John is also executive chef of the hotel group De Vere, keeping the consistency throughout all 12 of the Malmaison restaurants around the country. “In the other hotels I would say 60 to 70 percent will be hotel residents that eat in the restaurant, but here it is mainly locals,” explains John. “Although it doesn’t feel like you are in London being in Charterhouse Square, this is a great foodie area and there are some of the best restaurants around such as St Johns, Club Gascon and the Gaucho. There is a lot of competition and because we don’t rely on guests, we have to keep our eye on the ball and make sure what we are doing is right, competitively priced and just be aware of what is going on around us.”

food&drink

“

Sadly, we don’t get much meat from Smithfield. it iS dying a death, which iS very Sad Since it haS been there for well over 800 yearS and iS the oldeSt market in london

”

Serving classic and locally inspired French dishes, John prides himself on using as many local and homegrown produce as possible – sourcing oysters from the River Blackwater in Maldon, Essex and using traditional ale from the Battersea Brewery. And do they look close to home for their meat? “Sadly, we don’t get much meat from Smithfield. It is dying a death, which is very sad since it has been there for well over 800 years and is the oldest market in London,” explains John, who trained at Slough Thames University while doing an apprenticeship at the Hilton. “However, there has been talk of turning the market area into something similar to Covent Garden, which would be great for us to bring in new people and set us new challenges.” Meeting with the suppliers and building a relationship with them is the key to John’s obvious success. “Take, for example, the man who smokes my kippers and salmon in Maldon; I have a great relationship with him and if I need him to smoke something a little longer, he will do it for me,” smiles John. “Also, you are cutting out the middleman and the producers are reaping all the benefits.” Steeped in history, the hotel rubs shoulders with the Charterhouse, which is on the site of a former Carthusian monastery founded in 1371, and was established near a 1348 plague pit. The pit is located in the square and formed the largest mass grave in London during the Black Death. The Malmaison started life as a nurse’s residence for St Bartholomew’s Hospital until it transformed into the chic hotel in 2003. John explains that every year the retired nurses who used to live in the building come back and all meet up for dinner in the restaurant – “They are all about 70 years old now, but it is great to have them visit.” With 12 chefs and four kitchen porters, John says the key to being a good head chef is to have a good team around him. “You have to work well with your team because often you are spending more time with them than you are your own family, so it is very

food&drink

“

There is a loT of compeTiTion and because we don’T rely on guesTs, we have To keep our eye on The ball and make sure whaT we are doing is righT, compeTiTively priced and jusT be aware of whaT is going on around us

”

important to make sure that daily life is enjoyable,” states John. “I don’t want any egos in my kitchen.” With no egos in sight, the Malmaison is certainly a little hidden gem worth finding. And, if after your visit you have had one too many at the glamorous Veuve Clicquot Champagne bar, or are feeling too full and satisfied after one of John’s notoriously tasty steaks, then just remember there is always a comfy room available to sleep it all off. n www.malmaison.com

CHICKEN LIVER & FOIE GRAS PARFAIT METHOD:

IngrEDIEnTS: 800g Fresh foie gras 800 Fresh chicken livers 16 Whole eggs at room temperature 1600g Whole butter, melted and just about blood heat 600g finely sliced shallot 6 Cloves of garlic finely sliced Generous sprigs of thyme 400ml Ruby port 400ml Madeira 200ml Brandy Sel Rose 1 pack of butter

1 Reduce port, Madeira and brandy until almost dry with the shallot, garlic and thyme. 2 Slice foie gras and chop chicken livers, warm to just above blood heat, then covered with two level dessert spoons of sel rose and two level tablespoons of white salt. 3 In a stainless steel bucket, place 1 and 2 above. Blend with a stick blender until fully liquidised. 4 Add whole eggs and mix. 5 Add melted butter. 6 Working quickly, pass through a chinois into a warm container and transfer into terrine dishes. Cover tightly with aluminium foil. 7 Place in a bain marie and cook for 1–2 hours at gas mark 3. 8 Remove from bain marie, cool and refrigerate for 24 hours. 9 Soften 1 pack of butter, melt one third of another pack and whisk back together. 10 Spread a 1mm layer of butter on top of parfait. Run a hot knife around the edge and turn out onto a board. Butter the other side exactly the same.

TO SErvE Slice with a hot knife and place in the centre of the plate with toasted pain Poilane to serve.

restaurantlistings

FEATURED restaurants LE SACRÉ COEUR ADDRESS: 18 Theberton Street, N1 0QX 020 7354 2618 www.lesacrecoeur.co.uk

OPENING TIMES: week days 10am–11.00pm weekends 10am–11.30pm

A hop, skip and a jump from Islington Green and the bustle of Upper Street’s trendy crowds, Le Sacré Coeur is a delightful, traditional French bistro, serving delectable regional dishes. Going to great lengths to use the freshest and finest quality ingredients, Le Sacré Coeur aims to create a little bit of France in the heart of Islington. If you are looking for somewhere for business lunches, or that has an intimate setting for a romantic dinner, Le Sacré Coeur covers all those bases; or if you are looking to celebrate, then why not hire the entire place? (It has been recently extended to hold up to 70 people.) With a varied wine list and a popular Sunday roast, Le Sacré Coeur is a restaurant that always provides an efficient service, whilst keeping your experience relaxed and friendly.

ALMEIDA FRENCH RESTAURANT & WINE BAR 30 Almeida Street N1 1AD ☎ 020 7354 4777

DI MONFORTE 70–72 Liverpool Road, Islington N1 0QD ☎ 020 7226 1475

PROJECT A Gainsborough Studios West 1 Poole Street N1 5EA ☎ 020 7033 7880

BROWNS 9 Islington Green, Islington N1 2XH ☎ 0871 971 7661

FIG & OLIVE 151 Upper Street N1 1RA ☎ 020 7354 2605

THE OTTOMAN 302 Upper Street N1 2TU ☎ 020 7354 2260

French

British

Italian

European

Thai

Turkish

CAMINO 3 Varnishers Yard, Regents Quarter, King’s Cross N1 9FD ☎ 020 7841 7331

LE MERCURY 140a Upper Street N1 1QY ☎ 0871 332 7745

CLUB GARCON 57 West Smithfield EC1A 9DS ☎ 020 7796 0600

MAGHREB RESTAURANT 189 Upper Street N1 1RQ ☎ 020 7226 2305

SMITHS OF SMITHFIELD 67-77 Charterhouse Street EC1M 6HJ ☎ 020 7251 7950

DOLLAR GRILLS AND MARTINIS 2 Exmouth Market Farringdon EC1R 4PX ☎ 020 7278 0077

MERCADO BAR & CANTINA 26-30 Church Street Stoke Newington N16 0LU ☎ 020 7923 0555

ST. JOHN BAR & RESTAURANT SMITHFIELD 26 St John Street EC1M 4AY ☎ 020 7251 4090

FIG RESTAURANT 169 Hemingford Road Islington N1 1DA ☎ 020 7609 3009

MORGAN M RESTAURANT 489 Liverpool Road N7 8NS ☎ 020 7609 3560

THE PEASANT 240 St John Street EC1V 4PH ☎ 020 7336 7726

FIFTEEN LONDON 13-15 Westland Place N1 7LP ☎ 020 7251 3909

OISHIII 67 Stoke Newington Church Street N16 0AR ☎ 020 7254 3488

Spanish

French

American

British/ Scandanavian

Italian

French

Moroccan and Mediterranean

Mexican

French

Japanese

SABOR RESTAURANT LTD 108 Essex Road N1 8LX ☎ 020 7226 5551

Pan American

Modern European

British

ZILOUFS 270 Upper Street N1 2UQ ☎ 020 7226 1118

Gastro Pub

Pan Asian

The Hanbury Arms Public House

Stone baked pizza/free jukebox/ fine wines/pub quiz/Sunday cinema club/Sky sports on HD screen/pinball machine/pac man/pool table. A dozen real ales/ premium lagers/ cider/fruit beers/ stout on draught

Function Room available FREE for parties

33 Linton Street, Arlington Square, Islington, London N1 7DU t. 020 7288 2222 www.thehanburyarms.com

The Hanbury Arms N1 -The Regent N1 -The Lauriston E9

Hanbury_ad_feb_10_horizontal.indd 1

23/2/10 13:36:31

barlistings

FEATURED bars THE HANBURY ARMS

Linton Street, Islington, N1 7DU ☎ 020 7288 2222 DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE

30 St Peter’s Street, Islington N1 8JT ☎ 020 7359 3066 KESTON LODGE

131 Upper Street, Islington N1 1QP ☎ 020 7354 9535 THE FELLOW

24 York Way, London N1 9AA ☎ 020 7837 3001 THE LONDESBOROUGH

36, Barbauld Rd, N16 0SS ☎ 020 7254 5865

LUCKY VOICE BIG CHILL HOUSE

THE REGENT PUB

Lucky Voice is not only the most liberating, heart-racing, life-affirming singing experience on earth, it serves up exquisite drinks in a delightful cocktail bar, and offers a mix of live bands and DJ sets on Friday and Saturday nights. Book a beautifully designed private karaoke pod to sing your heart out with your closest pals, or just relax and enjoy the bar space which is open to everyone. And now on Wednesday nights, officially known as Neighbour’s Night, Lucky Voice is inviting anyone who lives or works in N1 to sing for half price. When The Going Gets Tough midweek, just know You’ve Got A Friend in Lucky Voice who can help you spice up your usual 9 to 5. To book your half price pod, call 020 7354 6280 and quote Angel Neighbour’s Night (with postcode to hand) or email hello@luckyvoice.com.

257-259 Pentonville Road ☎ 020 7427 2540

201 Liverpool Road, Islington, N1 1LX ☎ 020 700 2725

LOUNGELOVER

ALBERT & PEARL

1 Whitby Street Shoreditch E1 6JU ☎ 020 7012 1234

181 Upper St Islington N1 1RQ ☎ 020 7354 9993

VINOTECA

THE WINCHESTER

7 St John St EC1 ☎ 020 7253 8786

2 Essex Road, N1 8LN ☎ 020 7704 8789

EMBASSY BAR

LEXINGTON

119 Essex Road, N1 2SN ☎ 020 7226 7901

96 Pentonville Rd Islington N1 9HS ☎ 020 7837 5371

COTTONS

SHAKESPEARE

70 Exmouth Market, Farringdon EC1R 4QP ☎ 020 7833 333

57 Allen Road Stoke Newington N16 8RY ☎ 020 7254 4190

WENLOCK ARMS

ANAM BAR

ADDRESS:

26 Wenlock Road, Shoreditch N1 7TA ☎ 020 7608 3406

3 Chapel Market, Islington, N1 9EZ ☎ 020 7278 1001

THE COACH & HORSES

AULD SHILLELAGH

178 Stoke Newington, High Street, N16 7JL ☎ 020 7254 6697

105 Church Street, Stoke Newington N16 0UD ☎ 020 7249 5951

BAR MUSIC HALL

THE LORD CLYDE

134 Curtain Road, Shoreditch EC2A 3AR ☎ 020 7729 7216

340-342 Essex Road, Islington N1 3PB ☎ 020 7288 9850

173-174 Upper Street N1 1RG www.luckyvoice.com

OPENING TIMES: Mon–Thu, 5pm–12am Fri–Sat, 3pm–2am Sun, 3pm–12am

London N1

food&drink

RESTAURANT REVIEW

A RIGHT GOOD ROASTING

Carrie Mitchell is won over by the new kid on the block in Stoke Newington

he Londesborough is an old-school local off Stoke Newington’s Albion Road which has recently been revamped by the owners of award-winning gastropub The Peasant in Clerkenwell. As winners of London GastroPub of the year in both 2008 and 2009, they have quite a benchmark to live up to, but when we stopped in on a bitterly cold Sunday afternoon, the buzz of dozens of happy punters suggests they’re on the right track. Making our way round the long bar which curves round the front section of the space, we choose a cosy little table for two overlooking the main restaurant area. Next to us are a pair of well-worn Chesterfield sofas occupied by a couple tucking into a tasty-looking brunch of Eggs Benedict, while in the restaurant below there’s a hubbub coming from several large groups in for lunch with their young families in tow. The childfriendly attitude of The Londesborough is no doubt part of its appeal for Stokey’s yummy mummy contingent, but there’s also a host of bright young things in the bar, proving that it has something for everyone. Resisting the temptation to join our neighbours in a quick Eggs Benedict and a remedial Bloody Mary, we decide to settle in for the afternoon and go for a full-on Sunday lunch and a cockle-

warming bottle of red. Our starters arrive shortly after the wine – a fact which is a miracle, given the fact that the kitchen must be working flat out to keep up with the appetites of so many hungry patrons. My warm salad features tasty bites of pickled beetroot, butternut squash and gooey goats cheese with a smooth artichoke puree tying it all together nicely. Over the table, my guest’s salmon fishcake comes with a splash of light champagne sauce, which complements the rosy chunks of fish beautifully. Modest introductions to our meal over with, we move swiftly onto the main event. I’ve gone for the traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings and, boy, am I glad I did. My plate is heaped high with crunchy roast potatoes, perky florets of broccoli, the cutest baby carrots I’ve ever seen and a huge golden Yorkshire pud topping it all off. Underneath, the roast rib-eye of beef is cooked to perfection – silky and pink in the middle so the meat practically melts in the mouth. Pepped up with a fiery dollop of horseradish, it truly is some of the best roast beef I’ve ever tasted. Between mouthfuls, my friend joins in the praise – this time for her grilled fillet of mackerel, which comes atop a warm salad of capers, spinach and tomatoes with sautéed potatoes. She demolishes the lot but impressively still finds room for a dessert of poached pear crumble with sweet berries and custard. I’m assured it’s divine but all I can manage after that humungous roast is a little espresso to coax my limbs back into action for the walk back to Angel. I’ll try the puds when we come back next Sunday.  36 Barbauld Road, Stoke Newington, N16 0SS 020 7254 5865, www.thelondesborough.com Photographer: Thomas Farnetti, www.tsgfarnetti.com Assistant: Paul Smedmor

You can now buy all your fresh food straight from local farms

better for you, better for farmers

Groceries delivered direct from the farm: wonderfully fresh & great value. Two ways to receive your order: home delivery, or collection from our local depot in the heart of Islington at 11 Ronalds Rd, N5 1XL. A wonderful mix of organic and free range produce: and a range of meats, dairy and veggies that you just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get through most high street shops. 20 participating local farmers and food producers, ensuring low food miles, and sustainably produced food. No obligatory boxes, no commitments, no minimum order value: what you want, when you want!

www.farm-direct.com 0845 519 2415

SH O CO VO W N TE O SU D F M TH ER E YE AR

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* EXCEL, LONDON 1 - 9 MAY 2010

Call 0844 581 0771 or book online

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FREEÊ KITCHENÊ DEMOS

FREEÊ SEMINARS

Organised by Media 10 Ltd. Grand Designs is a trademark of Freemantle Media Limited. Licensed by Freemantle Media Enterprises. www.fremantlemedia.com Photography taken at previous Grand Designs Live events.

18/2/10 15:10:40

interiors

Trendy STorage make Tea TIme Fun

Be a rebel and sip your tea out of these stylish tattoo embossed mugs. Designed by Alexander Hasnoui, the man behind Robbie Williams’ tattoos, these limited edition old-school sailor-style tattoo designs add a bit of hip to your tea time. £24.95 for set 4, www.menu.as

The Collect Cabinet by Sara Larsson is the perfect piece to add a dash of vibrancy to your home. Exclusive to the UK, this colourful storage system with its brightly coloured squares reflects the current trend to inject colour and brightness into the home. £995 www.amode.co.uk

InTeRIORs news

this month’s must–haves for the home

Ideal Home SHow

Be inspired to create your perfect home with ideas and advice from the Ideal Home Show. The famous, trend-setting show will be returning for its 102 year, with a completely new and revamped format; offering a 17-day-long event, packed full of the latest trends, technological advancements and design innovations, helping you achieve your ultimate, ideal home. 20 March–5 April at London’s Earls Court www.idealhomeshow.co.uk

three of the best…

wall Clocks

Be a BIT CraFTy

Keep your pot plants blooming while fighting third world poverty with these gorgeous hand-painted watering cans. Made from sturdy galvanised steel, buying just one of these fairtrade watering cans is not only practical but charitable. £10–£24, www.traidcraftshop.co.uk

Queen Clock

The Aspiral Clock

diamantini & domeniconi Butterfly Clock

£49.95 www.hunkydoryhome.com

£350 www.aspiralclocks.com

£120 www.heals.co.uk

Home Sweet Home KIA DESIgNS LTD

Kia Designs Ltd is an interior design company that creates luxury residential interiors in London. Set up by local Islington resident, Kia Sunda, the interior designer is quickly becoming recognised as one of the top interior designers in London, thanks to her all inclusive design service. Creating beautiful and varied interiors, Kia’s aim is to simply take the stress out of property renovation and maximise the potential of each client’s living space. 07912 138822, kia@kiadesigns.co.uk www.kiadesigns.co.uk

RENOVATION SOLUTIONS

Absolute Project Management facilitates the execution and delivery of property renovation projects, minimising the time and effort homeowners spend on managing work carried out on their properties. From the initial planning to timetabling activities and project milestones, liaising with the company’s recommended highly-skilled contractors and arranging quotes, Absolute Project Management can get your interiors dream into action. The interior design service from Cat Hoad includes personalised advice, planning and sourcing materials, contractor management and handling any problem solving or troubleshooting along the way, ensuring that disruption to clients’ homes and lives and is kept to a minimum. Cat Hoad at Absolute Project Management 020 7359 3835 or 07957 284655 www.absoluteprojectmanagement.com

interiors

FuNKTIoNAL KITchENS

Advert-Angel

25/1/10 3:06 pm

Page 1

The best Italian Tiles are here in Crouch End

Creating kitchens to accommodate individual styles, without compromising on quality, is what Funktional Kitchens is passionate about.Today’s kitchen is also today’s living room, where living, cooking and relaxing are combined in the most beautiful way. Our cleverly designed, high quality, German Kitchen furniture is available in over 100 different colours and finishes, giving you complete design freedom. Door finishes include contemporary glass and matt lacquers, stainless steel effect, classic Shaker designs and a wide choice of wood finishes. To design your perfect kitchen please contact us at one of our showrooms where we will be happy to help you create your perfect room. Crouch End 142 Crouch Hill, N8 9DX 020 8341 2020 www.funktionalkitchens.co.uk

Islington 42 Cross Street, N1 2BA 020 7359 4041 info@funktionalkitchens.co.uk

Direct Import ensures FACTORY GATE PRICES.

SET IN SToNE

BESPoKE SToNEWArE

As a family-run business with over 40 years of experience in the tiles industry, Checkalow is passionate about tiles – choose from a massive selection of wall and floor tiles for wet rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and conservatories. The company is proud to offer one of the widest selections of quality tilesSTONE in the ITALIAN PORCELAIN & NATURAL UK with top quality service. wall & floor tiles for WET ROOMS,

Galleria Ceramics specialises in bespoke stoneware and tiling, offering a wide variety of materials including: porcelain, glass, resin, bespoke stoneware and bespoke glass shower screens to suit any style. The company offers full bathroom installation for wet-rooms and walk-in showers.

141 Crouch Hill, N8 9QH KITCHENS, BATHROOMS,

77 Essex Road, N1 2SF 020 7226 2010

020 8347 0396

CONSERVATORIES.... www.checkalow.com

in fact anywhere.

OPENING TIMES MONDAY-FRIDAY 8.00 - 5.30 SATURDAY 9.00 - 5.00 SUNDAY FROM 10AM - 4.00

ArchITEcTurAL Forum

Also at: 1-7 Moxon Street, Barnet

Architectural Forum deals

EN5 5TY Tel: 020 8441 7070

traditional reclaimed building materials, such as Georgian and Victorian chimney pieces, and flooring. Architectural Forum also stocks a fabulous selection of stylish garden features.

www.checkalow.com

141 in Crouch Hill,and bespoke original Crouch End N8 9QH architectural items, including Tel: 020 8347 0396

312–314 Essex Road, N1 3AX 020 7704 0982 www.thearchitecturalforum.com

27 The Broadway, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar Tel: 01707 654087

all with easy parking, browsers welcome

TILE STYLE

Tile Studio is a unique concept, showcasing a wide range of desirable products to suit all budgets and tastes. Discover porcelain, ceramic, glass and mosaic tiles, where contemporary and classics can be blended to create individual designs to suit your lifestyle. Call in to discuss your needs, browse through our innovative displays and pick up a free copy of the latest brochure. 398-400 St. John’s Street EC1V 4NJ 020 7837 7957 www.worldsendtiles.co.uk

0845 6449063 www.myhomeislington.com

Angel • Islington • Stoke Newington • Crouch End • Muswell Hill

interiors

DESIGNER

LIFE

Aamir Ahmad, founder and managing director of Dwell, reveals what it took to make a success of his company and what the future holds for the ever expanding business

amir Ahmad launched Dwell in November 2003 as a multi-faceted company, offering mail order, online buying and a small store in Balham, South London. Over the past seven years Dwell has grown into a strong multi-channel retailer with a significant online presence and 17 stores throughout the country, include a branch in Islington and a new store set to open this month on Tottenham Court Road.

BUSINESS

Dwell offers exclusive furniture with an aspirational lifestyle look at achievable prices.

My background is in Computer Science which I studied at University and prior to the launch of my first company, Ocean, I was a Management Consultant. My previous incarnation was as a management consultant where I carried out some work for a large well-known mail order company. While I was doing that I realised there was a gap in the market for selling good quality designled furniture by mail order. I packed in my job, sold everything I could to raise the money and produced my first catalogue. My friends and I door dropped it by hand in affluent areas with a result of . . . Nothing! Dwell came about after selling my previous business where I took a year off and spent the time in Spain mulling over what I would do and if I did another mail order business, what I would do differently. I knew it still had to be designled furniture as there was a space in the market for what I wanted to offer but it was how I presented the offering that needed fine tuning. I am obviously involved in all areas of the business but I would say my favourite area is product; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what the business is all about. I have a buying team and I attend the fairs with them looking for new ideas and trends. I also visit our factories regularly talking to the designers and discussing with them our ideas about what we are looking for. One of the mistakes we made in the past was fulfilment. We were good at getting

interiors Westfield is a great location; easy to get to and well served by public transport and on brand. It’s got great footfall but most importantly it attracts customers that the dwell brand appeals to. Tottenham Court Road is a no brainer; it’s the premier destination in London for furniture, getting a store there puts us right in the public eye alongside other great furniture brands.

InspIratIon

the orders, not so good at getting the items to the customer, we took too long. This time around we made sure that our service levels are a key part of the brand. When you place an order we aim to deliver in-stock items within seven days, we use our own trained drivers and our own fleet of vans, we call an hour prior to delivering so you’re not having to sit in all morning waiting on us, and if you are out you have time to get home, we deliver at weekends and are testing later evening deliveries as well. We know our customers work and we I packed In my job, sold try and fit our delivery of their goods in and around everythIng I could to raIse the money and produced my their schedule. Dwell’s interior fIrst catalogue style is clean lines, functional, solution offering, liveable and achievable. Dwell sources materials from the UK, mainland Europe and the far East. The latest addition to the chain is a shop at Westfield Shopping Centre, and soon there will be a branch on Tottenham Court Road and for all our stores it’s about the location. It’s about making us accessible to customers, so we tend to choose places where we know we have customers.

“

”

My interior peeve is badly designed furniture, and by that I mean furniture that has design elements in it for no reason. My interior tip is neutral colours on the main furniture. This will create a great palette for stronger more vibrant accessorise which are easy and not very costly to change giving the ability to create different looks. What I love about my job is being my own boss and the ability to be creative. My future plans for Dwell and beyond are to grow and expand the number of stores we have in the UK and to become a brand that is well known for offering an aspirational lifestyle to people at a price that most people can afford.

Home I couldn’t live without lip balm, I am addicted to the stuff. The last book I read was the Secret life of Ants My favourite artist is Mark Rothko. I think his work is simple yet unbelievably emotional. My signature drink is a cup of tea - you can’t beat it. Although I am trying to wean myself off drinking it really strong. My favourite place to hang out in is my home. When I’m not working I am out having dinner, meeting friends, going to the cinema - I am a fairly social person. My favourite room in my home is the bathroom as I take ages to get ready in the morning; I aspire to having a Japanese wet room style bathroom as I tend to get water everywhere. n 0845 675 9090, www.dwell.co.uk

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motoring

BEAM ME UP Who hasn’t brought work’s presentation projector home for the night to watch a giant-sized movie, and then been thoroughly annoyed with having to set up separate speakers? Step forward the EH-DM3 from Epson, a nicely priced occasional – and highly portable – home cinema-in-a-box that includes 10W speakers and a DVD player. Manual levers next to the lens means you can plonk the EH-DM3 just about anywhere and still create a widescreen 100-inch+ image in seconds, but it’s aimed more at gaming nights on the Nintendo Wii and DVD movies, rather than at high definition. Capable of playing CDs as well as MP3s (with the lens turned off), JPEGs and DivX video files from a USB stick, the EH-DM3 isn’t HD-ready, but this jukebox-cum-homecinema has just about everything else. Epson EH-DM3 home cinema projector, £699 www.epson.co.uk

SMALL WONDER Here’s another example of how hi-fi is emerging from its dusty old reputation to become a real must-have in the living room. More sensibly priced – though less ambitious – than Linn’s Klimax DS is Yamaha’s MCS1330, a mini system that clubs together both high-end sound quality with digital convenience. It stops short of wireless streaming, but the MCS1330 does include an iPod dock and USB port for playing music from a memory stick, as well as CD player and two super speakers – and all in two tiny units just 60mm tall. As an all-inone hi-fi for a living room, it’s hard to beat. Yamaha MCS1330 mini component hi-fi, £999 www.yamaha-uk.com

GADGeTs news

Jamie Carter presents this month’s hottest gadgets

DOUBLE CLICK

THIRD WAY

In case you hadn’t noticed, the CD is dying. With hoards of us replacing record shop trips with iTunes clicks, CD player makers like British brand Linn are turning their attention to hi-fis that can stream digital music. A fine example is the Klimax DS, a high-end system that deals in MP3 as well as audiophile-grade lossless file types like FLAC and WAV. Promising ‘precision engineered performance and beauty’, the Klimax DS uses wireless to stream digital music (as well as CDs) from a separate hard drive. Best of all, it can be controlled from a laptop or netbook, though an iPhone App would be nice.

With some Blu-ray discs now certain to include 3D versions of films this summer, and Sky planning to launch the UK’s first ever 3DTV channel late in 2010, now is the time to start checking - out the emerging 3DTV market. Samsung is one brand that’s grabbing the zeitgeist with both hands, announcing three ranges of LED TVs with built-in 3D processors. Its 7000, 8000 and 9000 LED TVs can handle all 3D formats, while the latter also includes a revolutionary remote control. Sporting a touchscreen LCD screen, this remote uses its brains to stream music, photos and videos from your PC to the TV, and can even display a different channel to the one you’re watching on the big screen.

Linn Klimax DS hi-fi with digital streaming, £11,400 www.linn.co.uk

Samsung LED9000 55-inch LED TV with 3D processor www.samsung.co.uk

RED ALERT One push of a button and Vauxhall’s mild-mannered Insignia turns into a fire-breathing monster. It’s fun the first few times you engage the VRX booster, says Matthew Carter, but you wouldn’t want to do it all the time

s a piece of automotive theatre, it’s hard to ignore the VXR button in the hottest Vauxhall Insignia. As in many performance cars, the top-of-the-range Insignia allows its driver to stiffen the chassis by pressing a ‘Sport’ button on the dashboard. But the Vauxhall goes one step further by having that VXR button as well. Press ‘Sport’ and the ride gets firmer and body roll is reduced. But go the whole VXR-hog and the car grows horns. The steering becomes more direct, the throttle more responsive and the chassis is put on full performance alert. Best of all – and here’s the theatrical touch – the dials change from a subdued white glow to a menacing red hue, just to remind the driver what’s been unleashed. On paper the newest member of Vauxhall’s VXR performance stable is an impressive beast. Based around the Mondeo-bashing Insignia, the VXR adds a potent 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 under the bonnet, delivering a none-too-shabby 325 horsepower to a four-wheel drive chassis, specially honed after thousands of miles pounding round the famous Nurbürgring race track in Germany. And it’s pretty good in reality, too. On the road the Insignia performs its Jekyll and Hyde role admirably. With the chassis on its standard setting, the ride is comfortably firm while the engine and six-speed box delivers plenty of grunt. Performance ought to be mighty – 0-60mph takes a claimed 5.6 seconds – but thanks to the grip of the all-wheel drive chassis and the creamy smooth power delivery, the acceleration is sophisticated rather than aggressive, meaning it never really feels as fast as it undoubtedly is. Move up to the sports setting and things start to get sharper, but it’s the VXR mode that sets this Insignia apart from its tamer stablemates. And it’s great fun… at first.You’ll find yourself jabbing the button just to feel the steering and throttle come alive as you watch the dashboard lights do their thing.

motoring

But after a few miles the bone-jarring ride becomes little more than tiresome… especially when the car comes on optional 20-inch wheels and tyres. Handsome they may be, but they don’t half wreck the car’s composure on our pock-marked roads. In truth, unless you’re indulging in some track day action, the sport setting is the one that’ll be used most of the time. The car certainly looks the part. In standard form, Insignia is good-looking in a solid, dependable, Germanic way. But for the VXR version, the designers have added some drama with deep trapezoidal air intakes at the front, embellished by chunky matt chrome surrounds. At the rear, there’s more matt chrome around the exhausts while the lowered chassis is set off by the large wheels. Like the rest of the range, the VXR is available as a saloon, hatchback or an estate.

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Press ‘sPort’ and the ride gets firmer But go the whole VXr-hog and the car grows horns

IN BRIEF CaR: Vauxhall Insignia VXR PRICE: £30,995 ENgINE: 2.8-litre V6 turbo-charged petrol PowER: 325ps DRIvE: Four-wheel drive

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It’s that chassis that’s perhaps the most impressive aspect of the VXR. The front suspension has been redesigned to handle the extra power, while the electronically controlled four-wheel drive system and adjustable damping turn it into a formidable crosscountry machine. Rapid progress is helped by the extraordinarily supportive Recaro front seats. Their only downside will be felt by those in the back. Not only is space in the rear at a premium, it’s extraordinarily claustrophobic sitting behind the tombstone front seats. And while we’re on the negatives, the dashboard layout is a real mess. In its attempt to give drivers control over everything, Vauxhall has fired a blunderbuss full of buttons at the dashboard resulting in a bewildering array of major and minor controls within an arm stretch of the wheel. At least the ‘Sport’ and ‘VXR’ buttons have different textures so the driver can tell which one he’s prodding without having to take his eyes off the road. There’s no doubt that the VRX Insignia is an impressive beast in many ways, especially as it’s possible to tone down the traditional VRX lunacy by avoiding excessive use of the ‘red’ button. But the real question is whether it stacks up against the opposition. While it knocks the Mondeo into a cocked hat (Ford’s quickest equivalent is 100+ bhp down) the Insignia will find the going tougher against its other natural rivals. Here’s the rub: would you prefer a Vauxhall on the drive or an Audi S4, BMW 335i or Mercedes-Benz C350? See what I mean? n

THE UNDERWATER ABSTRACT Josephine O’Donoghue talks to contemporary painter Sarah Harvey about how she creates her unique paintings from a single moment captured on camera

arah Harvey’s paintings are beautiful, translucent, watery visions of the human form – encompassing a myriad of personal emotions, and capturing the mesmerising distortions of a world under water. As the Sesame Gallery puts it, Sarah “pieces together the underwater images to build pictures of herself or another immersed in, and obscured by, liquid and light”. Her trademark images of figures floating in pools serve as a visual expression of her own life story, as well as a closer look at her ongoing fascination with the abstract. “This exhibition is all about the struggle of a young woman trying to hold her dominance in a relationship,” says Sarah. The paintings have elements of “... sexual tension and playfulness, alongside an edge of something more insincere”. In a mature expression of both human nature and human experience, Sarah’s almost obsessive

relationship with the underwater theme results in a stunning collection of paintings that showcase not only a complex thought pattern, but also a high level of technical skill and artistic poise. In the run-up to her solo exhibition (4 March–8 April) I caught up with her to find out more: Where do you get your artistic inspiration from? Light, colour and patterns in everyday life gives me my artistic inspiration. From the colour of the trees on my daily walk in Epping Forest, to the patterns formed on the floor or walls by shadows. I get very inspired by other artists; it doesn’t have to be painting, it can be sculpture, drawing or anything. Inspiration comes from every angle of my day-to-day life and sometimes without me even realising it. How do your ideas come to you? I have been painting the figure for many years, but only for the past five years have I been painting the figure under water. This initial concept of the figure under water came to me on a scholarship I won in 2003 to travel to Florence to study Leonardo da Vinci. During my time there I travelled to the north of Italy to a small town near Lucca, where I found a green swimming pool. This is where I got my first images

culture of the girls under water. To start with, my paintings didn’t have much meaning more than simply the girls swimming in water, but over the years, my paintings have become much more directional with story lines and meanings. What does water mean to you? Water doesn’t mean anything to me as such, but I do have a phobia of deep water if I can’t see below the surface. I love the water if it is clear and inviting. Water is such a wonderful, calming sensuous thing, but at the same time it can be so violent, fearful and destructive. These contradicting emotions that water holds keep my fascination ongoing. Why does the underwater concept feature in your work? The water in my painting is so important to my work in so many ways. Firstly, and most visually, I am fascinated with both the figure, and the abstract. Painting the figure under water allows me to abstract and manipulate the figure. My paintings often have sexual meanings to them also, and the water here helps to represent this. I get extremely excited by the concept of freezing this fluid medium in time to get truly unique imagery with every shot. How did you achieve this effect? Can you talk us through the making of your collection? Initially I start with my camera; for the images to be as clear as I want them, I need a good still day with a lot of sun. It’s surprising how different parts of the world have different sorts of light. So far, my favourite places to shoot are Italy and Australia. After getting my images – which usually consist of a few thousand – I select the ones I want to

THE SESAME GALLEY The Sesame Gallery was founded by James Freeman in December 2003. Over six years the gallery has developed into an international-calibre space with a reputation for spotting promising young artists well ahead of the market. Along with giving Sarah Harvey her first shows after graduating, the gallery can also be credited with discovering artists such as the urban artist Matthew Small and Henrijs Preiss (showing at the Saatchi Gallery in June). Open Tue–Sat, 11–6:30 or by appointment Sesame Gallery 354 Upper St, N1 0PD 020 7226 3300 info@sesameart.com www.sesameart.com

work with on the computer. I play around with them, often cutting and pasting and manipulating the images. I will sometimes use four or five images to work from as well as my imagination. I always paint straight onto the canvas freehand. Did you find it difficult or emotional putting this exhibition together? My paintings often reflect things happening in my own personal life story so, yes, it is in some ways an emotional process to make the paintings, especially when you are documenting your life for the whole world to critique. Is there a message or story behind your work? Most of the paintings have a story behind them. Sometimes they are difficult to vocalise, but when I decide on each of the images I am going to work on, they are usually dictated by what I am trying to say in the painting. This exhibition is all about the struggle of a young woman trying to hold her dominance in this relationship with the male. The relationship has a feeling of sexual tension and playfulness, alongside an edge of something more insincere. The girl is celebrating her womanhood and is proud to be strong with it. She plays freely, no one can hold her back and she is the one in control. What are you doing next? It is always difficult to say what I will be doing next. The figure and water will still play a huge part in my work and I still have a lot to explore and many more ideas to use. If I manage to get funding, I will be able to carry out an exciting new idea that I have wanted to do for a long time – but I can only do this with the aid of funding or sponsorship. n For more information, visit www.sarahharvey.co.uk

The Key To Comedy Poet, comedian, and regular at the Old Queens Head Comedy Gold night, Tim Key is still reeling from his win at the Edinburgh Festival at the end of last year. He talks to Jenny White about awards, annoying habits and performing to Islington’s finest

warded the Edinburgh Comedy Award for his most recent solo show, The Slutcracker, Tim is also known for his BBC 4 panel show, We Need Answers, where two celebrities are pitted against each other. He’s appeared on Armando Iannucci’s Time Trumpet, notched up a successful sketch show, Cowards, on Radio 4 and BBC4 and regularly stole the show as resident poet on Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe and Newswipe with his deadpan verses. Add to that a BAFTA-nominated sideline in films and it’s WE’rE jusT maTEs WHO clear that Tim Key is WErE GETTInG lasHEd and comedy’s hottest property. HavInG Fun and sOmE How did you get involved in the muddlE-HEadEd FOOl dECIdEd IT WOuld bE a GOOd comedy world? I finished university IdEa TO PuT THaT On TElly and went back to my home town of Cambridge. I lay in bed wondering what to do next for a while. Then I squeezed myself into the Footlights scene, which is a comedy thing affiliated with the university and I got a little lucky. I met some funny people who had the same sense of humour as me. And I quickly became intoxicated by it. What do you love about the job you do? I’m writing this from Sydney – need I say more? You won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for your most recent solo show, Slutcracker – what is it about? I wander on with a large metal stake, sling it down and then read a bunch of poems about sex, death and

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dew. Then I pick up my stake and slink off. There are also some arty black and white films and I have a geeky little technician who plays the trumpet. Describe yourself in three words? Beautiful, beautiful creature. Many well-known comedians have won the Edinburgh Comedy Award, how does it feel to have joined that list? Did it bring a tear to your eye? It felt amazing. It still hasn’t sunk in. There are so many people who I love on that list. It definitely still hasn’t sunk in. I think it’s a bit of a slow burner. I had to do an acceptance speech which turned into a tongue-tied mess of a list. I kept seeing people in the audience who’d helped get me there and welling up. You have won several awards over the years – are awards important to you? Yup. Awards are great. Tell me about We Need Answers – what makes it different from other quiz shows? Probably less well-thought-out than most quizzes. I guess its USP is that it began as a live show. We did it in some poky old theatres in London and then in the boozy environs of Edinburgh. So we’d done it maybe 30 times before we got a pilot. We’re pretty lucky really. We’re just mates who were getting lashed and having fun and some muddle-headed fool decided it would be a good idea to put that on telly. Do you feel as though this year is going to be a good year for you career wise after winning in Edinburgh? To be honest, I’ve been doing projects I’ve really been into for a few years now. The main difference with this year is that I get to travel with my show a bit. I get to go to Melbourne, Chicago, Toronto and Montreal. That should spice things up. I guess it helps to be more confident and arrogant, too. As I become more of an arsehole, I imagine the work will flood in. You didn’t discover your comedic calling until your mid-20s – do you think starting out late has helped you? Not really. I think it worked pretty well this way, but if I’d gotten into it four years earlier I think they would have been a fun four years too. I was kind of into Russian until I got to 24 so I guess that means that I can greet someone effectively in Russian, but there’s no harm in missing that step out. I work with a lot of guys who were already doing it properly in their early

culture 20s – Mark Watson, Tom Basden, Jonny Sweet – and it hasn’t affected them too badly. The important thing is to have some degree of fearlessness early on. If you’re afraid of failure and become too conservative that’s no use. I think I was just about young enough and mentally loose enough to embark on it with that still intact. You can often be seen playing in the Old Queens Head in Islington at the Comedy Gold night. Why is it such a good night? Well, it’s a fairly nice mix of opulence (chandeliers) and grime (proper pub). It has comfortable seats but the whole place gets so rammed that there’s a great atmosphere in there. Everyone’s fairly open-minded in their comedy tastes so people with kooky acts can flourish.You get free Budweisers if you perform and these come in a bucket. The “Green Room” is the ladies’ toilets. Is there anything in particular you love or hate about North London audiences who come to see you? Nope. They’re good. Savvy. Generous laughers. Fit. Where are you most likely to be found writing your material? Cafés. Primarily The Breakfast Club in Angel. Pubs; primarily The Grapes in Limehouse. Or in flats; primarily my own flat.

Describe you fan base? Don’t think I can, they are pretty varied. Obviously all cool as hell. All of them beautiful. I think sometimes they get divided by my work. Some like, say, All Bar Luke (my sad radio show) more and others prefer the more caustic stuff you get in my book. Obviously the ones with any sense like absolutely everything I do. What do you prefer – radio,TV or live on stage? Obviously the hit of a live audience can be a nice pick-me-up. But to be honest it all depends on the work. I have as much passion for a piece of radio which has been intricately pieced together in a tiresome series of rewrites as I have for some syrupy, spontaneous laughs on a stage. I like to have stuff I can look back on with some pride. Film’s also up there. I like shooting little movies. Biggest comedy influence? I guess it’s probably someone like Armando Iannucci. Any annoying habits? Always losing things. What three things do you always carry with you? Diary. Keys. Wallet. Phone. Three out of those four. The other one’s lost on average. n www.timkey.co.uk www.comedy-gold.co.uk

Our guide to this month’s top events

UNTIL 21 MARCH

11 March

EXHIBITION

CLUB

WE LOVE 77

REQUEST LINE

A tribute to one of the most popular eras in music, this collection of paintings by Sardine & Tobleroni explores the political effect of punk rock and the implications this had on society, art and science. Works include artists from 1977, as well as those before and after this iconic year, such as The Clash.

The popular 80s night is back, ready and waiting to play those requests so that you can dance the night away with some yummy drinks and all your friends. The best thing? It will run every other Thursday starting 11 March. Barrio North 45 Essex Road, Islington, N1 2SF www.barrionorth.com

WW Gallery pop-up venue The Merchant’s Hall, 46 Essex Road, N1 8LN www.wilsonwilliamsgallery.com

Until 31 March

11–14 March

EXHIBITION

EVENT

INSPIRE YOUR COLLECTION!

LA DOLCE VITA

Oc-Eo Gallery presents an exhibition of International contemporary fine art from and inspired by Asia. Discover an exciting collection, strikingly fresh and different, of paintings and sculpture from Vietnam, China, Georgia, India and the UK.

Sample a bit of Italy at this year’s celebration of the Italian way of life. Now in its sixth year, highlights will include Wine Academy – your chance to taste and explore an abundance of fine wines, as well as Italian gardens and the traditional favourite restaurant, Piazza’s

85 Canonbury Road, London N1 2DG Open 12–6pm Thursday–Sunday or by appointment www.oc-eo.com info@oc-eo.com

Business Design Centre 52 Upper Street, London, N1 0QH www.ladolcevitaevent.co.uk

6 MARCH

12–27 March

MUSIC

THEATRE

HANDEL, BACH, ROTH AND HAYDN

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM One of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, this contemporary production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream will not fail to impress those looking for a night of song, dance and comedy. Watch the Chickenshed Theatre Company’s talent as they bring the Elizabethan genius’s characters to life. Bottom will most certainly be your favourite!

Enjoy an evening listening to compositions by some of the greatest composers the world has seen. Conducted by John Lubbock, the evening will end with Haydn’s Symphony No. 44 – often thought of as his most brilliant. Kings Place 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG www.kingsplace.co.uk

Chickenshed Chase Side, Southgate N14 4PE www.chickenshed.org.uk

10–14 MARCH

15 March–29 May

THEATRE

EXHIBITION

PRINCESS AND THE PEA

KING’S CROSS VOICES

Hans Andersen’s popular tale is brought to life in this charming adaptation of one of his greatest works for children. Presented by the Banyan Theatre Company, this is perfect for children aged between 2 and 5 years.

This innovative exhibition brings together the memories and experiences of those who have lived and worked in King’s Cross and the surrounding area. Produced by the Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre, you can listen to the voices of railway workers, as well as see the world they lived in through a series of astonishing photographs.

The Little Angel Theatre 14 Dagmar Passage, Off Cross Street, Islington, N1 2DN www.littleangeltheatre.com

Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre

what'son

Islington Local History Centre 245 St John Street, London EC1V 4NB www.islington.gov.uk

events

17 March COMEDY COMEDY GOLD Award-winning comedian Milton Jones is bound to get your sides splitting at this month’s night of laughter. With a quirky sense of humour, he’ll be performing alongside a whole host of other comic geniuses – an unmissable evening! The Old Queens Head 44 Essex Road, London www.comedy-gold.co.uk

23 March–11 April THEATRE

Adam Levy Photography

THE ALCHEMIST A greedy butler takes over his fleeing master’s home, committing fraudulent acts alongside a fellow conman and a prostitute. What ensue’s is a hilarious comedy as the three try to make their way from rags to riches. Book your ticket for this modern production which synthesises London as we know it today with London of the 17th Century.

Inspire Your Collection Oc-Eo Gallery

Contemporary International Fine Art Open 12-6pm Thursday-Sunday or by appointment Black Swan Interiors, 85 Canonbury Road, London N1 2DG

T +44 (0) 7775 795 867 E info@oc-eo.co.uk W www.oc-eo.co.uk 2 minutes from Highbury & Islington underground; plentiful parking

The Rosemary Branch Theatre 2 Shepperton Road, London N1 3DT www.rosemarybranch.co.uk

26–28 MARCH DANCE CLOUD DANCE FESTIVAL Head over to Islington’s well-known Pleasance Theatre for a night of high-quality contemporary dance. Highlights will include guests from our favourite reality TV shows, So You Think You Can Dance and Got To Dance, along with performances from several talented soloists and contemporary dance companies such as Cascade Dance.

25 years of

Dream bikes for perfect memories

Pleasance Theatre Carpenters Mews, North Road, N7 9EF www.pleasance.co.uk k

29 MARCH DANCE BALLET RUSSES – ENCOUNTERS Sadler’s Wells and the English National Ballet have partnered up for this celebration of the Ballets Russes’ (Russian Ballet’s) 100th year. Performances will include critically acclaimed artist Russell Maliphant’s Afterlight,The English National Ballet’s Faun(e), and Sadlers Wells own talent – the Company of Elders. Peacock Theatre Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2 www.sadlerswells.com

The all new Fixie Inc Backspin. Now in London exclusively at Mosquito Bikes. Mosquito Bikes for everything cycling – commuting bikes, repairs, clothes and accessories.

Mosquito Bikes est 1984

123 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 2SN tel: 020 7226 8765 mail@ mosquito-bikes.co.uk

www.mosquito-bikes.co.uk

www.runwildmedia.com

CITY& ANGEL