March 2011

NXNW MARCH 2011

NORTH BY NORTHWEST

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

PLENTY OF OTTOLENGHI

WE CHAT TO THE MAN BEHIND THE BRAND

SADLER’S WELLS

A TALE OF TWO SWANS OUR BLACK SWAN INSPIRED SHOOT

CHOCOLATE HEAVEN PAUL A YOUNG’S CHOCOLATERIE

SOMETHING ABOUT

CAREY

WE TALK TO BRITAIN’S HOTTEST HOLLYWOOD EXPORT THE MAGAZINE FOR CROUCH END, HAMPSTEAD, HIGHGATE, MUSWELL HILL, PRIMROSE HILL AND SURROUNDING AREAS NXNW MARCH 11 Cover.indd 1

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BLACK SWAN BALLET SPECIAL

CONTENTS MARCH 2011

FEATURES 8

EDITOR’S PICK

Three things you MUST SEE this month…

12 THE GRADUATE

Carey Mulligan talks about her love of acting, An Education and her latest role in Never Let Me Go

16 WELL, WELL, WELLS

The history of London’s renowned dance theatre

19 MUM’S THE WORD

Beauty products for Mothers Day

28 ODETTE OR ODILE?

Our Black Swan inspired fashion shoot asks, which swan are you?

38 CHOCOLATE HEAVEN

We look around Paul A Young’s Chocolaterie in Camden Passage…

47 THE JOYS OF SPRING

This month sees the return of the Country Living Magazine Spring Fair to Islington’s Business Design Centre

REGULARS  EDITOR’S LETTER

WE

L LOCA

 FAMILY

NXNW MARCH 11 CONTENTS.indd 3

 HEALTH & BEAUTY

 GADGETS

 FASHION

 MOTORING

 FOOD & DRINK

 WHAT’S ON

 INTERIORS

 PROPERTY

28/02/2011 19:05

EDITOR’S LETTER

NXNW NORTH BY NORTHWEST

Hello Dear Readers

W

hat vernal delights do we have in store for you this month? As its Mother’s day right at the beginning of April, we thought we would load you up with some utterly delightful beauty and home-ware gift ideas – now there’s no excuse to forget!

If your mum happens to be a chocolate lover, why not treat her to some artisan truffles from Paul A. Young? Our Food Spotlight took us to the charming chocolaterie in Camden Passage, the only place in London today that makes hand-made chocolates on the premises (p38). The shop is also a great place to stock up on ideas for Easter (as well as a few tasty treats) and they’ll soon be putting the eggs into production. Our food obsession (compounded, we’re sure by the fact of our envious location and the variety and abundance of food on offer in the local area) even extends to our March celebrity interview, as we talk to renowned chef, Yotam Ottolenghi in his Upper Street café (and scoff an obligatory cake).

Our fashion shoot this month is inspired by Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan; everyone seems to have gone ballet mad and we over at NxNW are no exception – floaty skirts, billowing fabrics and ‘youthful ingénue’ are what we’ve drawn on to create this beautifully feminine shoot (p28). And if it’s yoga that gets you flexing your muscles instead, then check out our Tried & Tested feature, which reviews the launch of Islington’s new Life Centre and one of its many classes (p23) And so we march triumphantly into spring…and we wish all the lovely mums in the borough a Happy Mother’s Day!

NXNW MARCH 2011

NORTH BY NORTHWEST

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

PLENTY OF OTTOLENGHI

WE CHAT TO THE MAN BEHIND THE BRAND

SADLER’S WELLS

A TALE OF TWO SWANS

Helen Baron

OUR BLACK SWAN INSPIRED SHOOT

helen.baron@zest-media.com

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

PAUL A YOUNG’S CHOCOLATERIE

Editor Editorial Assistants

Helen Baron Gemma Billington Cate Sewell

Shoot Coordinator

Frances Park

Beauty Editor

Helen Rance

Feature Writers

Alex Elliott Ruth Sherrington

Head of Design

Ray Searle

Senior Designer

Jim Donald

Production Assistant Photographers

Lauren Giles Dan Williams Colin Streater

Lifestyle Manager Property Manager Sales Executive Finance Manager Publishing Director

Leah Day Tara Gentry Rochelle Streater Alexandra Hvid Sherif Shaltout

For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com To receive the latest copy of NXNW simply email us at subscriptions@zest-media.com Zest Media London Studio 202, Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 0QH T: 020 7704 0588 F: 020 7900 3020

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

Subscription: 6 & 12 month subscriptions are available at £15 & £25 respectively (purely to cover postage and packaging).

For details of subscriptions please contact us on 020 7704 0588

SOMETHING ABOUT

CAREY

www.nxnwmagazine.com

WE TALK TO BRITAIN’S HOTTEST HOLLYWOOD EXPORT THE MAGAZINE FOR CROUCH END, HAMPSTEAD, HIGHGATE, MUSWELL HILL, PRIMROSE HILL AND SURROUNDING AREAS NXNW MARCH 11 Cover.indd 1

NXNW JAN 11 EDS LETTER.indd 4

CHOCOLATE HEAVEN

HAMPSTEAD, HIGHGATE, ST. JOHNS WOOD, HIGHGATE, PRIMROSE HILL, CAMDEN, CROUCH END, MUSWELL HILL AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS

23/02/2011 18:42

28/02/2011 19:13

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WHAT’S ON

100 YEARS OF THE PHOENIX CINEMA, RUNNING UNTIL MAY An exhibition marking the centenary of the Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley, one of the oldest surviving purpose-built cinemas in the UK. The show places the Phoenix in the context of the history of cinemas in NorthWest London.

Phoenix Cinema, 52 High Road, N2 9PJ, 020 3074 1967

EDITOR’S PICK Three of the best local things to do this month

THE GARDENS OF ENGLISH HERITAGE, RUNNING UNTIL 3 APRIL

The Gardens of English Heritage exhibition is based on a new publication of the same name and is the first publication to describe the spectacular parks and gardens in the care of English Heritage and both the exhibition and the book feature stunning images from the collection of the National Monuments Record (NMR), the public archive of English Heritage.

Anne Woodward, curator of the exhibition, said: “English Heritage looks after some of the country’s best and most important gardens and landscapes. This exhibition not only showcases them with some beautiful photographs but looks at what makes them great. It is a must-see for both seasoned and budding gardeners. And there is no better setting than Kenwood House and its magnificent estate.”

Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR, 020 8348 1286

GET TESTED! AN EVENING WITH BOY GEORGE, 31ST MARCH

To conclude their hugely successful collaboration with Boy George, The Hepatitis C Trust’s GET TESTED! campaign is hosting an auction and evening of jazz with Boy George and very special guests at the Jazz Café. Guests performing on the night will include Josh Weller and Paloma Faith with many more special guests to be announced ...and the magnificent Jodie Harsh will be the auctioneer for the evening!

Jazz Café, 5, Parkway, Camden, London, NW1 7PG

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28/02/2011 19:58

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NowÊ oPeN Try your first class for FREE at The Life Centre Islington before 31 March when you mention North by NorthWest (NxNW)

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*If you have never been to The Life Centre before, instead of a free class you can take advantage of our New Client Offer and pay £14 for 10 days of unlimited classes. ** The Islington 10 class pass must be purchased by 28 February 2011.

For nearly 20 years, The Life Centre has been one of London’s leading yoga centres. Now we are expanding our community to North London, with our fabulous new centre conveniently located close to the vibrant hub of Islington Green.

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*If you have never been to The Life Centre before, instead of a free class you can take advantage of our New Client Offer and pay £14 for 10 days of unlimited classes. ** The Islington 10 class pass must be purchased by 28 February 2011.

28/02/2011 19:30

LOCAL OFFERS

MY LITTLE

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

£12 DIM SUM LUNCH

COCKTAILS AND CUPCAKES WORKSHOP

THROUGHOUT MARCH

Indulge in a delicious lunch at Gilgamesh, where you can pick any three dishes from the lunch menu for £12! Feast yourself on wonderful food like chive & mushroom dumplings or black bean baby ribs to keep full until dinner.

Gilgameshbar.com, The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road,NW1 8AH, 0207 428 4922

MARCH 6, 12, 13 & 20

Take part in The Cocoa Box’s workshop to get hands on experience baking - you’ll even get to take home your handmade cupcakes and the secret recipe for the cocktail.

Special offer of £29 for NXNW readers - e-mail itsthecocoabox@gmail.com with the code ‘NXNWMarch11’ to redeem your voucher. Thecocoabox.co.uk, Hampstead Britannia Hotel,.Primrose Hill Road, NW3 3NA, 0208 245 8186

MOTHER’S DAY BOUQUETS MARCH 30

Join Abi Reiss from Ab Fab Flowers to create the perfect bouquet of flowers for Mother’s Day. Create and take home a fresh bouquet of pink roses - champagne and nibbles will also be on offer all night blooming marvelous. £120 per pair, theoakstudio. com, 8 Perrins Court, Hampstead, NW3 1QS, 0773 878 4631

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THE GRADUATE AN INTERVIEW WITH CAREY MULLIGAN

From Holloway to Hollywood, star of Oscar favourite An Education, Carey Mulligan discusses her new film Never Let Me Go, working with illustrious co-stars and her hopes for her career

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INTERVIEW

S

he is the soft-spoken things from life and can’t get them,” actress, born in Mulligan explains. “The script was Westminster, (until perfect and we didn’t change a line recently residing in North from the first draft. We had a great London’s Holloway) who just a environment to work in. Mark couple of years ago was anything but [Romanek, director] had a copy of a household name. However, Carey the book with him all the time and Mulligan soon became very familiar I had a copy of the book with me – to film fans thanks to the enormous we all had the book and would refer success of 2009’s An Education, in to it. Especially me: the whole book which she played an independentis narrated by my character. We spirited teenage girl in sixties could do three takes and act badly or London, whose eyes are opened to get bored, then find one line in the the world through a relationship book and it would inspire you – so I with a charismatic playboy (played by Peter Sarsgaard).

The film became one of the big stories of awards season that year, earning Mulligan an Oscar nomination and a BAFTA win, and led to bigger projects – such as last summer’s Wall Street sequel.

While she was the focus of much of the showbiz world’s attention for that time, Mulligan admits it was hard to take in.

“Wow, that all seems like such a blur now,” the actress recalls. “It was such a wonderful time for me, and for the film to be recognised in that way… you just hope you can follow that with good work.”

The latest film added to Mulligan’s increasingly impressive CV is Never Let Me Go, in which she plays another precocious young woman – but in altogether more tragic circumstances.

Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s acclaimed novel of the same name, Never Let Me Go sees Mulligan take on the role of Kathy, the most mature and CAREY AT THE LONDON FILM FESTIVAL level-headed member of a trio of friends (her fellows are played by Andrew Garfield was looking at the book a lot of the and Keira Knightley) who make time.” a shocking discovery about their Indeed, she found the presence collective future while growing up of the book’s author on set a real in the closed off environment of a aid to her performance. “Keira and fifties English boarding school.

I did Pride and Prejudice together, “I read the book when it came out and other adaptations where the and I loved it. It’s a love story and author’s not around to tell you if it’s about people that want very simple rubbish,” she says with a smile. “So

this was doubly helpful – but also doubly intimidating, because we had Ish [Ishiguro] with us and you want it to be everything he imagined when he wrote it.”

It’s an old acting cliché for actors that it’s easier to portray pain than it is happiness, but it is something Mulligan found to be especially true on this film.

“It’s always harder to maintain raw enthusiasm and joy than to go into a really dark place,” she explains.

“For this part, though, I think it was a case of trying not to get too dark, not to burst into tears in every scene.

I was trying to hold back, we were watching each other; we didn’t want to portray tragedy or observe our circumstances, we just wanted to live with the circumstances we had.”

Although Mulligan admits it was a harder task for her than it may have been for others. “I cry all the time; it’s my modus operandi,” she laughs.

Mulligan’s film debut came nearly six years ago, supporting her future costar Keira Knightley with a small part in Pride & Prejudice. “I had two lines and giggled through the whole shoot,” she recalls.

She followed this with several noted TV parts – DoctorWho fans may remember her from the award-winning episode Blink.

Mulligan’s talent had not gone unnoticed, and soon the big studios came calling.

She stood out even in tiny parts opposite well-known actors – be it Johnny Depp in Public Enemies or Jake Gyllenhaal in Brothers. It was 2010 that saw her rise to prominence, however, with An Education garnering award wins and nominations aplenty. She followed that success with a brace of big Hollywood films – The Greatest (alongside Pierce Brosnan) and as Shia Labeouf’s girlfriend in Wall 13

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INTERVIEW

“I READ THE BOOK WHEN IT CAME OUT AND I LOVED IT. IT’S A LOVE STORY AND ABOUT PEOPLE THAT WANT VERY SIMPLE THINGS FROM LIFE AND CAN’T GET THEM” Street: Money Never Sleeps. “Someone asked me if 2010 was ‘the year of Carey Mulligan’, which I thought sounded dreadful,” she jokes. “But it’s lovely, it’s nice to have projects out. In this business, a lot of things one gets involved in don’t work out, or don’t come to fruition the way you would want them to, and so to have these films coming out that I loved working in, and that turned out exactly how we set out to make them… I’m just happy with it!”

As with a lot of young talent born within these shores, Mulligan is often asked to give her take on British film. Although sometimes seen as a poor relation to its American cousin, Mulligan believes we have a unique perspective to bring to the world. “I think British film is so unique because of the landscape it represents,” she explains. “I live in London and there’s huge diversity here, there’re so many

stories, lives and dramas being played out every day, and I think the arts can’t help but reflect that.” That said, would she move to Tinseltown full time if the big roles started piling up? “I think any actor has to take the parts that they want to play. Look at Andrew [Garfield, who has been cast as the new Spider-man], he’s a fantastic actor and those types of things can only work when you’ve got a great actor in the lead role.”

In a career that is already beginning to seem defined by a sense of healthy variety, the next steps are – appropriately – two very different roles. First, Mulligan will play a significant role in the action drama Drive, about a movie stuntman (Ryan Gosling) who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals.

After that, she will be appearing in director Steve McQueen’s followup to the acclaimed Hunger, a gritty

drama called Shame which will costar Michael Fassbender as a thirtysomething whose life is thrown into disarray when his reckless sister comes to stay. And all the while, the Hollywood rumour mill keeps churning, lately linking Mulligan to the role of Daisy in Baz Luhrmann’s epic (and potentially 3D) remake of The Great Gatsby. Mulligan herself, however, is content just to take each job as it comes.

“It’s not that long ago I was doing other things to supplement my acting,” she says – perhaps recalling her time as a runner on Al Pacino’s 2004 film The Merchant ofVenice. She continues: “To not only be working, but to have people saying nice things about the films we make, is fantastic.”  Never Let Me Go is out now. Drive will be released later this year.

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WELL,WELL,

WELLS… I

t’s plain to see that Sadler’s Wells is enjoying a productive old age. Billed as ‘London’s Dance House’ and born (or founded, if you prefer) on its current site on Clerkenwell’s Rosebery Avenue way back in the 17th century, today’s establishment has the worldly air and elegance of a distinguished old thespian – liberal-minded, steeped in culture and possessed of a unique and colourful character: a fact that’s unsurprising when you consider that, like a veteran actor, the theatre has inhabited a diverse range of roles and guises in its long lifetime.

The Sadler’s Wells we know and love today does not, of course, occupy the same theatre built here at the tail-end of the 1600s. In fact, six different theatres have stood on the current site at one time or another over the last 328 years! But the story of Sadler’s Wells runs beyond mere bricks and mortar anyway, with fashion, passion and a taste for artistic endeavour connecting the tumultuous tale of the theatre’s past with both its prestigious present and its unknowable (but predictably glittering) future.

The first Sadler’s Wells was constructed

by Richard Sadler in 1683, and was only the second public theatre to open in London after the Restoration. But Sadler’s acumen and ambition extended beyond the dramatic arts, and upon discovering monastic springs on his property, he sought to wring a second living from what he advertised as the site’s healing mineral waters. An influx of aristocratic clients from the city – Clerkenwell was still a semi-rural outpost at the time – saw Sadler prosper, but as the years passed and more wells were dug or discovered in the local area, the exclusivity and popularity of his product declined.

Meanwhile, the theatre side of the business was in no position to shore up the reputation of the spa – for too long it had been attempting to cater to the lowest common denominator, and by the second decade of the 18th century, polite society had largely written off Sadler’s Wells as a den of iniquity and moral turpitude.

The theatre’s first rebirth came in the

With its name now synonymous with dance around the world, Clerkenwell’s famous performing arts space has a future bright as that of any theatre in town. But what of its past?

middle of the 18th century, when thenmanager Thomas Rosoman supervised the building of a new stone theatre that would provide a more hardy and appropriate venue for operatic productions. At that time, the Theatres Royal (in Drury Lane and Covent Garden) enjoyed a legally enforced duopoly on productions combining music and drama, but as these theatres operated only in the winter months, Sadler’s Wells was able to stage operatic productions during the spring and summer. The building of the second Sadler’s Wells took just seven weeks and saw the new theatre ready by April 1765. A new chapter had begun.

This next phase in the life of Sadler’s Wells was notable for its markedly populist bent: patriotic plays and productions that drew on national events like wars and revolutions were plentiful in number, and many of the era’s best-loved novels – including works by Dickens and Thomas Blake – were adapted for the stage. A huge water tank was used to re-enact naval adventures and some of the earliest stars of show-business, including the actor and famous clown Joseph Grimaldi, trod the boards. But still the entertainments and clientele at Sadler’s Wells were characterised, both in fact and in the public

imagination, by boorishness and brutality.

At one point, the theatre management began to offer escorts to audience members as they left the theatre, in order to protect them from their more thuggish fellows or from other unsavoury types loitering in the vicinity.

The theatre’s reputation was saved by the intervention of the esteemed actor and theatre manager Samuel Phelps. He came to Sadler’s Wells around the same time as the Theatres Act of 1843 was passed, which ended the commercial domination of the Theatres Royal. As a result, Phelps was able to bring a programme of Shakespeare to Sadler’s Wells – and he did so in truly revolutionary style, discarding the popular but bastardised rewrites and adaptations of contemporary writers in favour of the original texts. Some of the Shakespeare plays Phelps put on at Sadler’s Wells had last been performed in Shakespeare’s own (long gone) Globe Theatre – and with Phelps himself a distinguished Shakespearean actor, widely regarded as the finest King Lear of his time, success was assured. The mid-1800s thus saw Sadler’s Wells assume a new mantle and an entirely new prestige – but it was not to last.

Phelps left the theatre in 1862 and without his guiding hand, the programme of events began to swing back towards melodrama.

Instability returned, and by 1865 there were proposals to turn the building into a bathhouse. But fate had other indignities in store: a little later, Sadler’s Wells was transformed into a skating rink to cash in on the popular craze for rollerskates; next came a brief stint as a prize-fight arena. In 1878, the bells tolled the theatre’s doom: the building was condemned as dangerous and closed to the public.

It wasn’t long, however, before the entrepreneurial spirit had reinvigorated Sadler’s Wells, and in 1879 the theatre re-opened, spruced up and saved from destruction. It was now devoted to the emerging form of music hall, and celebrated performers including Roy Redgrave (progenitor of today’s Redgrave acting dynasty) and Marie Lloyd made regular

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SPOTLIGHT appearances. Later still, the theatre served as a cinema – but even with the advent of exciting new forms and technologies, changes of management and a lack of sustained focus meant that survival was always a struggle – and prosperity wishful thinking. In 1915, Sadler’s Wells closed again, seemingly for good – and it was not until 1915 that an unexpected saviour emerged to ensure the theatre’s future.

Lilian Bayliss was the renowned and dedicated founder of the young and successful Old Vic Theatre Company, and was extremely well-connected. She also relished a challenge, and in 1925 she agreed to spearhead a campaign designed to procure funding for the purchase, renovation and relaunch of Sadler’s Wells. With friends including the writer G.K. Chesterton, politician Winston Churchill and suffragette composer Ethel Smyth upon which to call for help, Bayliss soon raised the amount required and, by 1931, Sadler’s Wells was back in business.

A world-renowned host of dancing and acting talent was soon installed at the theatre, including the choreographer Frederick Ashton, the ballet dancers Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anton Dolin, and the actors Charles Laughton and Peggy Ashcroft. The new theatre opened with a performance of Twelfth Night starring John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson, and during the next sixty years would play host to thousands of celebrated productions of dance and drama.

Ballet companies founded at Sadler’s Wells would go on to become resident at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden and to form the basis of the Royal Ballet Touring Company.

The Sadler’s Wells Opera Company decamped to the Coliseum Theatre in 1968 and

would later be renamed the English National Opera. Sadler’s Wells was finally living up to its promise as a breeding ground for serious new talent… but the building itself was aging rapidly, and in 1994, under the stewardship of Chief Executive Ian Albery, it was announced that Sadler’s Well was to be demolished. A new era was about to start.

The sixth and current Sadler’s Wells opened in October 1998 and has gone from

strength to strength since. Funded to a large extent by National Lottery money – £42 million of the £54 million required – the theatre now boasted a state-of-the-art setup, multiple modern auditoria and – in a nod to the history of the site – access to the original monastic wells deep below the building.

Since 2004, the theatre has prospered under the direction of Alistair Spalding, helping to imagine and reinvent the future of dance and the performing arts in its capacities both as a production house and a receiving house for productions from further afield. It seems a suitably distinguished old age for as venerable an institution as Sadler’s Wells, one that has endured and enjoyed so much in its long career. But of course, to speak of old age is to intimate an ending – and nothing could seem more improbable given the rude health of our legendary local theatre today. So here’s to another few centuries of Sadler’s Wells: may the dance go on.. ■

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28/02/2011 13:32

The Garden Party Nail Collection 118 High Tea Tulip, 119 Sugar Sweet Pea, 120 Turquoise Teacup, 121 Cupcake Carnation

Bio Sculpture Gel is the latest must have nail care product. Unlike varnish that chips and peels, this durable Gel is applied as an overlay onto natural nails by a qualified nail technician. The Gel is set under a UV Lamp giving it that strong, flexible, glossy finish which lasts for three weeks. Easy removal without damage to nails. For your nearest salon or information on training courses for beginners and experienced nail technicians, call 0845 331 2347. www.biosculpture.co.uk

NATURAL NAILS with BIO SCULPTURE GEL BioSculpture_Garden HalfA4R.indd 1

2/15/11 9:45:13 AM

NATURAL POSSIBILITIES – Incredible results with a simple treatment Many people are now reverting back to Natural Nails, but just cannot manage to grow their own nails and keep them looking good. Here is the answer:

Bio Sculpture Gel soaks off easily with no damage to your nails leaving them strong and healthy. Bio Sculpture Gel is available in over 130 beautiful colours.

If you haven’t yet discovered Bio Sculpture, the latest mustPerfect, beautiful nails and hands say a lot about a have nail care product, you don’t know what person and make a strong statement about presentation. you’re missing out on! Unlike varnish that With Bio Sculpture Gel you can achieve long-lasting chips and peels, Bio Sculpture perfect looking nails. is a durable Gel that is applied as an overlay onto Bio Sculpture is available at professional natural nails by a qualified salons nationwide. A full range of professional nail technician. The Gel is treatments consumer products are available.

The must-have nail careand products then cured under UV lamp For more information, please visit www.biosculpture.co.uk If you haven’t yet discovered Bio Sculpture, the latest must-have nail care product, you don’t know what you’re missing out on! to give it that strong, flexible, orchipscall 0845 331is 2347 Unlike varnish that and peels, Bio Sculpture a durable gel that is applied as an overlay onto natural nails by a qualified nail technician. The gel is then cured under a UV lamp to give it that glossy finish which lasts strong, flexible, glossy finish which lasts for three weeks, perfect for holidays and also great on toes! for three weeks, perfect If you wish to change your nail colour you can apply nail polish over for holidays and also great the gel. It can easily be removed with non-acetone nail polish remover and your gel nails will remain just as beautiful as before. on toes!

Bio Sculpture Gel soaks off easily with no damage to your nails

Bio Sculpture Gel

leaving them strong and healthy, and is available in over 130 beautiful colours.

If you wish to change your nail colour you can apply nail polish over the gel. It can easily be removed with nonacetone nail polish remover and your gel nails will remain just as beautiful as before.

Perfect, beautiful nails and hands say a lot about a person and make a strong statement about presentation. With Bio Sculpture Gel you can achieve long-lasting perfect looking nails.

Bio Sculpture is available at professional salons nationwide. A full range of professional treatments and consumer products are available. For more information, please visit www.biosculpture.co.uk or call 0845 331 2347.

17 Riverside Journals

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23/02/2011 15:49

HEALTH &BEAUTY FLORIS WHITE ROSE EAU DE PARFUM. SPOIL YOUR MUM THIS MOTHER’S DAY WITH A SPICY ROSE BOUQUET AND SWEET BOW-DETAILED BOTTLE. £79, FLORISLONDON.COM

MOSCHINO GLAMOUR EDP. FOR THE GLAMOROUS MUM. FROM £30.64 FOR 30ML, DEBENHAMS.COM

GUERLAIN ABEILLE ROYALE WRINKLE CORRECTION FIRMING DAY CREAM QUENCH YOUR SKINS THIRST BY USING THIS MELT TO THE TOUCH DAY CREAM - IT LEAVES YOU WITH A MATTE COMPLEXION. FROM £56 FOR 30ML, EXCLUSIVELY AT JOHN LEWIS.COM

CAUDALÍE PREMIER CRU LA CRÈME. GIVE THE GIFT OF ANTI-AGING WITH SOME OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE INGREDIENTS ON THE MARKET. £92.50, SPACENK.CO.UK

DARPHIN HYDRASKIN LIGHT FACIAL GEL THIS SUPER HYDRATING GEL RENEWS SKIN SUPPLENESS AND RADIANCE. £31, DARPHIN.CO.UK CHANEL TEINT INNOCENCE FLUID FOUNDATIION SPF 12 TREAT YOUR FACE TO SOME COUTURE MAKEUP - IT’S LIKE WEARING A SILKY LAYER ON YOUR FACE. £30, SELFRIDGES.COM

LAURA MERCIER CRÈME DE PISTACHE SCRUB & SOUFFLE BODY CRÈME. THE MOST LUXURIOUS OF DUOS WILL LEAVE YOU FEELING AND SMELLING AMAZING. £36, £43.50, SPACE NK APOTHECARY, 299 UPPER STREET ISLINGTON, N1 2TU

CA MAR 11 Beauty Product.indd 19

Sssshhhh!

MUM’S THE WORD

SMASHBOX IN BLOOM PALETTE LIVENS UP ANY MAKE-UP BAG - IT COMES WITH SHADES THAT FLATTER ALL AGES. £44, DEBENHAMS.COM

Great gifts for your mum

STRIVECTIN OVERNIGHT FACIAL RESURFACING SERUM. FOR MUMS ON THE GO, THIS FACIAL SERUM RENEWS SKIN OVERNIGHT MAGIC. £51, HARVEYNICHOLS.COM

DEBORAH LIPPMAN ALL THAT JAZZ SET THE MOST GROWN-UP OF GLITTER POLISHES. £42, HOUSE OF FRASER.CO.UK

REN ROSE 012 ULTRA MOISTURE SERUM. BRING THE GLOW BACK TO EVEN THE MOST TIRED LOOKING SKIN WITH THIS DELICIOUS SERUM. £42, RENSKINCARE.COM

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23/02/2011 09:42

HEALTH &BEAUTY

NIKE AIR MOGAN ID SHOE Cool, Comfortable and customisable; the Nike Air Mogan shoe is a versatile design with four materials to choose from and modern colours that pop. Complete with a new, bold graphic option at the accent, the Air Mogan flaunts your style like never before! £70 nike.com

ELECTROVITA SHOULDER MASSAGER Pound away stress with your very own personal masseuse. The Electrovita Shoulder Massager penetrates deep into aching muscles to stretch and relieve tension. You’ll end up feeling limber and lithe; bliss! £69.99 jmldirect.com

IJOY TWIST RIDE The latest product from the makers of the iJoy Ride, this machine targets your core stability muscles; abdomen, back and ‘love handles’ in particular through functional dynamic movement. It also works the leg and arm muscles and burns up to 76 calories every fifteen minutes. £499 johnlewis.com

ELECTRIC BODY SKIN ELIXIR Described as ‘truly honest skincare’, Electric Body present Skin Elixir, available exclusively at House of Fraser. The product, packed full of healthy ‘live’ ingredients is one of the most efficient, natural, biologically-alive, skin-rejuvenating products on the market today. £115 houseoffraser.co.uk

Fitness

FEELING GOOD GOOD...

SWIMOVATE POOL-MATE PRO This watch is the latest addition to the award-winning Swimovate collection.

As well as automatically counting your laps, speed, distance and calories on the watch-face, the Pro will download all this data effortlessly onto your PC so you can analyse your progress. £129.99 swimovate.com

this month, with the latest tips and trends

VIVA LA LINGERIE! This class, devised by professional dancer Sarah Toner, encourages women of all ages to enjoy their bodies! A combination of exercise and dance, the classes are fun and uplifting whist not being exhausting. Instead they’ll leave you energised and confident. Classes are not taken in your underwear but you just might want to indulge in new lingerie later! £12 per class or £50 for block of 5, Kelross Road Community Centre, Islington, sarahtoner.co.uk 07968 891 751

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WITHINGS WIFI BODY SCALES Compact and stylish, these scales are the world’s first WiFi connected scale which automatically records the user’s weight, lean & fat mass and BMI to a web-page or Ipod application. The user can also set objectives and ask their Body Scale to inform them about their progress via email £124.99 withings.com

TOP TIP DO THOSE SIT-UPS! IT IS ESTIMATED THAT STRENGTHENING THE ABDOMINALS CAN PREVENT 75% OF LOWER BACK PROBLEMS

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52 Stoke Newington Church Street N16 0NB 0207 241 5033 0207 249 9671 shineholistic.co.uk For International Women’s Day Promotions please visit our website

20 Newington Green London N16 9PU 020 7241 2065 020 7812 9306 shineholistic.co.uk

Perfection

452.pf_AngelAd6.1_col_1:452.pf_AngelAd2_col_1

15/2/08

11:12

Page

Nails & Beauty Salon

YOU’RE AS YOUNG AS YOUR SPINE IS FLEXIBLE

OPI and ESSIE professional nail care for ladies and gentlemen. We are committed to deliver the best quality products and services to our customers 8 Broadway Parade, Crouch End N8 9DE Tel: 020 3538 5073

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“If, at the age of 30, you are stiff and out of shape, you are old. If, at 60, you are supple and strong, then you are young.”

Joseph Pilates Get a stronger back, a flatter stomach and a suppler, younger body at our stunning studio

020 7288 8080

islington@pilatescentral.co.uk www.pilatescentral.co.uk 10-12 Gaskin St (off Upper St) London N1 2RY

Superb teachers. Superb facilities. Superb location.

28/02/2011 17:34

HEALTH&BEAUTY

STRETCH IT OUT Helen Baron tries out the yoga at Islington’s new Life Centre

A

word of warning: I may well be about to preach to the converted.

If you’ve heard about the launch of Islington’s new Life Centre, then you’re probably a yogi (or yoga enthusiast) with your ear to the ground. And if you’re intrigued enough to want to try the centre’s classes, then you’re probably in search of that most coveted thing – a decent space to practice. What with so many of London’s yoga spaces becoming somewhat over-subscribed, and with more and more of us letting yoga into our lives, it’s no wonder that we’re in need of more ‘centres of excellence’ that promote and answer the ever-increasing demand for yoga, pilates and natural health.

If you’re a yoga newcomer, let me tell you: a good, reliable venue is harder to find than you’d imagine, especially if you want to return to the same place each time you practise, and not end up doing the rounds of the many scout or church halls that host classes. Moreover, classes held at gyms or leisure centres can be of such varying quality that it often winds up a (losing) gamble to attend - and the atmosphere can often be rather more clinical than you’d like. It’s that much harder to feel zen with bits of dirt stuck to your foot and the caustic smell of industrial floor-cleaner wafting through the air. Yoga is as much about the experience as the exercise, and ideally you want to feel that you’ve left the crazy world behind when you enter a class; that you’ve crossed the threshold and joined a new kind of hippy regime – full of cool, striped harem pants and crotcheted hair-bands. Yoga should offer retreat and relief: out with the stresses of the day and in with tranquility!

Fortunately, the Life Centre provides just that experience. It’s mentally soothing to know you’re in the care of dedicated practitioners, on hand to guide you through life-changing postures and meditation. It reaffirms the universality of yoga, hosting a variety of classes, levels and workshops, and is already a pillar of the local yoga community, dedicated to sharing yogic knowledge via teacher training, courses and retreats.

Tried & Tested

The Life Centre opened in late January, benefiting from a design that makes full use of the building’s architecture and layout. A pitched ceiling adds to the feeling of space in the studio, as do the calm white walls. I had chosen to try a Yoga Level 2 class as, although having previously practiced Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow and Bikram, I remain a relative neophyte - but love a challenge. I made the right choice – it was pitched perfectly at my level, with nothing too stressful but some enjoyable and deeper new postures for me to try.

The class was led by Anthony Watson, who is possessed of the kind of perfectly honed physique that can’t help but galvanise you into action. One can only hope one day to match his precise and elegant poise, each of his graceful motions executed delicately but with purpose.

Anthony taught a fluid form class loosely styled on Vinyasa – which focuses on breath movement synchronisation through the various asanas (or postures). There was a satisfyingly detailed emphasis on principles of alignment, anatomical cues and body visualisation, and the small class size allowed Anthony to make corrections and approach students individually.

The class began restoratively, in order for the body and mind to relax and release tension in preparation for the more dynamic stuff to follow. Anthony’s method in the class I attended made use of krama - which is a neat way of saying ‘incremental yogic sequences choreographed to build into peak postures’.

The theme of this class was hip-opening (rather delicious); however, week on week the Level 2 class explores many different postures while retaining a focus on certain key, established basics (sun salutation, warrior and so on).

Noticeably, and no doubt due to the restorative class element, I felt far more relaxed than I have during any other yoga

class. And yet, pleasingly, I felt properly ‘worked’ afterwards, my muscles clearly exerted and slightly achey the next day (in that warm way that makes you feel like you’ve done some decent exercise, I hasten to add!)

Building on the success of its longrunning Notting Hill branch, the Life Centre aims to bring the same passion to Islington, cultivating a welcoming community spirit and making yoga accessible to everyone. If you live local and love yoga, then this is the centre for you.

A peaceful retreat in the centre of Islington, conveniently close to Planet Organic and the Food Lab deli, yoga centres like this are surely now on the move-in checklist. I fully recommend anyone interested to head to the website and check out some of the exciting new classes and workshops coming up.  Currently the centre is offering ten consecutive days of unlimited adult classes for £14, applicable on the first class visit.

Thelifecentre.com 1 Britannia Row, London N1 8QH 020 7704 0919

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WHAT’S HOT

WHAT’S HOT GOING UP

Master Colour Expert Wella Salon

Ballet Barre Classes All the fun of ballet but you needn’t be a pro – it’s great for improving posture and elegance.

Chocolateries Forget Milk Tray! Treat your loved one to some good old-fashioned romance with a box of hand-made, artisan chocolates.

And no polo-neck required.

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding Addictive viewing and with a peak audience of 7.4 million viewers, the show has given Channel 4 its highest ratings since Big Brother 2008.

£50 Off! Up to

Boardwalk Empire The new Wire. We’re obsessed and we can’t wait for the second series so we can obsess over that too.

GOING DOWN Ugg Boots How did these get so popular? Say no to slouchy fashion!

Boris Bikes Good idea but on the cumbersome side; not quite what we imagined riding around town on.

Square Toe Footwear Never trust a man that wears a shoe like a barge, quite simply.

Easier & Faster Blowdry Lasts up to 5 months!

The Sopranos It’s time this heavyweight handed the crown over to Boardwalk Empire.

The Royal Wedding Kate M herself must be sick of the relentless nattering about the forthcoming nuptials…with that amount of fuss, any wedding’s bound to be a disappointment.

WHAT’S NOT

75/77 Junction Road, Archway, London, N19 5QU

020 7272 6493 111 Essex Road, Islington, London, N1 2SL

020 7359 1432 Terms & conditions apply, Valid until end March ‘11

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28/02/2011 14:21

TRAVEL LOG: Contemporary Original Design

TRAVEL

NAMIBIA OnÊ 21stÊ March,Ê NamibiaÊ willÊ celebrateÊ 21Ê yearsÊ ofÊ independenceÊ fromÊ itsÊ neighbour,Ê SouthÊ Africa.Ê IntrepidÊ TravelÕ sÊ GillÊ LeaningÊ travelledÊ toÊ theÊ heartÊ ofÊ thisÊ relativelyÊ newÊ democracy to find out why Namibia hasÊ becomeÊ aÊ topÊ travelÊ destination

“G

• Bespoke engagement/wedding rings • Remodel old jewellery into unique pieces • Silver and Gold contemporary collections

www.krauszjewellery.co.uk

olden quiver trees burst proudly out of the dusty ground, reminding the clumps of dry grass and black skeletal tree frames surrounding them that it is possible to thrive in this harsh environment. Ostrich show off their impressive plumage as they parade along the roadside, whilst agile Springbok skip lightly across the road in front of us.

Our group is heading towards the Namib-Naukluft Park, one of the largest national parks in Africa, covering much of the central Namib Desert. This vast 50,000 km wilderness is home to some of the tallest sand dunes on earth.

As we enter the park it’s hard to understand why the Nama people called this area ‘gathering place of water’.

It looks as though the parched land hasn’t seen a drop for the last hundred years. But in fact, the Sossusvlei region of the park is actually a clay pan set amid the impressive towering dunes. The white ground which contrasts starkly with the ever-changing hues of the sand is the end point of the Tsauchab River, and around once every 10 years the rainfall is sufficient to flood the pan.

As the sun lowers in the afternoon sky, shadows plunge one side of the dunes into darkness, creating a magnificent desertscape which is as dramatic as it is vast. There’s no doubt that this is some of the most incredible scenery on our planet.”

Gill travelled on Intrepid Travel’s 8-day Comfort-style Experience Namibia trip costing £1600 (excluding international flights). Book for two people at Intrepid Islington on any Comfort-style trip this month and the second person saves 30%. For a Comfort adventures brochure visit Intrepid Travel, 76 Upper St, Islington N1 0NU, call 020 7354 6169 or visit intrepidtravel.com/comfort.

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Islington_210x297mm_advert.indd 2 Joy.indd 1

27/10/2010 21:46 17:40 28/02/2011

Paul Smit h

FASHION

ACNE BLACKSWEET JERSEY JACKET £490 matchesfashion.com

WATERMILL CARDIGAN £79 hobbs.co.uk

ELSIE SATCHEL £294 mimiberry.co.ukÊ co.uk

NIXON 42-20 TIDE WATCH IN WHITE £360 uk.nixonnow.com

BOY MEETS GIRL

ADRIAN TASSEL LOAFER BURGUNDY CLASSIC £75 drmartens.com

PAUL SMITH CLASSIC TROUSERS £225 paulsmith.co.uk

GetÊ inÊ touchÊ withÊ yourÊ masculineÊ side;Ê thinkÊ androgynousÊ tailoring,Ê boyfriendÊ accessoriesÊ andÊ tomboyÊ chicÊ forÊ aÊ coolÊ andÊ sexyÊ lookÊ withÊ bagsÊ ofÊ attitude.Ê WhoÊ saysÊ itsÊ aÊ manÕ sÊ world...

403 EVO GLASSES ANGLO AMERICAN OPTICAL 194 ARCHWAY ROAD ISLINGTON N6 5BB PRICE FROM £125 aaoco.com MARKY PATENT TRADITIONAL BROGUES £32 asos.com

WE

L LOCA

TOM FORD BLACK ORCHID FROM £42 FOR 30ML tomford.com

SILK UTILITY POCKET SHIRT £95 whistles.co.uk

LE DIFFERENT? TRY LOL, IN STORE VE.CO.UK FANCY SOMETHING A LITT F-LO R-O OU LAB NTH MO THE WEBSITE OF ACCESSORIES AND ONE-OFF QUIRKY AND ORIGINAL CLOTHING, FOR E LIN ON D AN N, GTO ISLIN ON UPPER ST A TRULY INSPIRING READ ‘WE RECOMMEND’ SECTION FOR THE ON K CLIC UE. UTIQ BO THE 27 IN PIECES CA MARCH 11 Fashion.indd 27

28/02/2011 11:16

3-D Flower Mesh Bandeau, £25 Multi-layered Reversible Petticoat in Ballet Pink , £58 Blossom Hair Clip in Ivory, £15 all from American Apparel, store.americanapparel.co.uk Pointe Shoes, £34.95, Bloch, blochworld.com

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28/02/2011 11:22

As ballet-inspired styles flood the catwalk, we pay homage to Darren Aronofsky’s Natalie Portman-starring Oscar contender, Black Swan. Sculptured pieces combine strong lines and textures with delicate hues and groomed glamour to create this beautifully chic look. And the question on every woman’s lips this spring? Am I the white swan? Or the black?

A tAle of two swAns

Photography:Ê Dan Williams Hair/Make-up:Ê Helen Rance Stylist:Ê Frances Park

CA MAR 11 Fashion Shoot.indd 29

28/02/2011 11:23

Cream Chiffon Lace Dress, £120, Eat Your Heart Out Vintage, http://eyhovintage.com Feather Diamonte Alice Band, £12, accessorize.com

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28/02/2011 11:23

Black Ruffle Bandeau Dress, Diane Von Furstenberg, £421, matchesfashion.com Leather Ballet Flats, £17.95, Bloch, blochworld.com Organza Black Rose Clip On, £12, accessorize.com

CA MAR 11 Fashion Shoot.indd 31

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Leona Maxi-dress by Nina Jarebrink £190, http://vargprlondon.wordpress.com Tights, £11.95 Pointe Shoes, £34.95, both from Bloch, blochworld.com

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Cotton Spandex Micro-Mesh Gloria V Bodysuit, £36, American Apparel, store.americanapparel.co.uk Belle Tutu, £69.90 Leather Ballet Flats, £17.95 both from Bloch, blochworld.com Classic Legwarmer, £8, Pineapple, pineapple.uk.com/products/ Alll make up supplied by: MAC GUERLAIN BOBBI BROWN TOM FORD LOCATION: Frame Fitness Studios Check out the Ballet classes at: moveyourframe.com --------------------

CREDITS: PHOTOGRAPHY: Dan Williams (danwilliams40@me.com) HAIR/MAKE-UP: Helen Rance (helenrance@yahoo.com) STYLIST: Frances Park MODEL: Gabriella Kuti at First Model Management

CA MAR 11 Fashion Shoot.indd 33

28/02/2011 11:24

Distinctly Different Limited Is Islington’s premier provider of Personal Development products and services

Personal Development and Learning for the Business, Education and Community sectors We have years of expertise working with business organisations, schools and communities, which are made up of individuals who are each unique and distinctly different; we are equipped to support them to increase their effectiveness

We exist to help individuals and organisations maximise their efficiency and further their skills through a range of tailored services: ● Consultancy and Development ● Programme Development ● Learning and Developing ● Adult Learning and Further Education ● Project Management Also specialists in the creative design of developmental products: ● Shhh or Tell It! This game helps kids to learn about decision-making in a fun and exciting way; a perfect fun filled experience for the whole family to share ● Distinctly Different Accessories Explore our range of unique products designed to increase personal effectiveness and ensure understanding of the core part of personal development

Distinctly Different Limited 658 Holloway Road, London N19 3NU Tel: +44 (0) 20 7281 8344

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31/01/2011 10:11

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KIDS

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Everything you need to keep your children entertained

1. FALLEN FRUITS T-REX SWING While away sunny afternoons on this tough eco-friendly swing that’s shaped like a dinosaur and made from recycled tyres. £79.95 johnlewis.com 2. LETTER NOTEBOOK Get personal with these pretty fabric covered initialed notebooks fi lled with multi-coloured pages. £7 each theletteroom.com 3. MR MEN BABYGROWS Made from luxurious striped cotton, and featuring a colourful velvet appliqué, these adorable babygrows are perfect for your little miss and mister. £16 fabricflavours.com 4. ZOE AND BEANS – WHERE IS BINKY BOO? Zoe’s dog Beans has lost his favourite toy; will they ever fi nd him? Fall in love with this delightful story by popular illustrator/author Mick Inkpen and daughter Chloë in their fi rst picture book partnership. £10.99 amazon. co.uk 5. JAROD MAXI GRILL Get them cooking just like Mum and Dad with this lovely all-wooden kitchen. The set is a freestanding cooker and sink unit with shelves and clock and includes several accessories. £85 afternoah.com 121 Upper Street N1 1QP 020 7359 4281 6. CAR TRACK TAPE Create your own car tracks anywhere with this ingenious road tape from Sweden. Easy to apply and to pull off, so let your child’s imagination run riot. £10 hunkydoryhome.co.uk 7. HEART BLACKBOARD Draw and make notes on this pretty blackboard in whitewashed, natural mango wood frame. £45 thewhitecompany.com 8. PIRATE ROCKING CHAIR Quite possibly the coolest chair around – hand-painted with beautiful attention to detail. Arr! beckyandlolo.co.uk £82.96 9. MY RECIPE BOOK Get kids involved with the cooking with this fun Pantry Peepers recipe book. £8.75 paperchase.co.uk

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Set in the heart of North London, a few stops away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Kassaba is everything you could want. An opulent Restaurant, Bar, Lounge and Shisha Garden, along with a dedicated royal VIP suite – all in one location.

Set across two floors, this awe inspiring venue is a perpetual Oasis of Persian, Ottoman, Eastern and Mediterranean inspired luxury. Kassaba has taken inspiration from the very first cultural fusions brought about by the legendary Conqueror: Alexander The Great, 356BC, creating an opulent ambience draped in history and infused with a modern and contemporary edge.

Kassaba’s Dome Lounge

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Opulent Luxury

Restaurant • Bar • Lounge

Tel: 020 8340 0400 to book a table Email: info@kassaba.co.uk 1 New River Avenue, London, N8 7QD www.kassaba.co.uk

Kassaba DPS 2.indd 3

28/02/2011 23:48

FOOD &DRINK

CHOCOLATE HEAVEN Helen Baron finds out how an Islington chocolaterie fashions truly hand-made creations from the finest natural ingredients…

E

ntering Paul A. Young’s shop is like stepping into another world: a world that knows only chocolate. Could anything be more tempting? Tucked away on Camden Passage - an idyllic location for an independent, traditional-styled store such as this - Paul A. Young has been in business for five years. Prior to that, the Mr Paul A. Young himself was Head Pâtissiere for Marco Pierre White, before moving on to work for retailers

Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer, developing and managing products for the brands. In this way, he was able to earn his chef stripes before choosing to specialise in chocolate. In fact, his decision to do so came after years of attending food trade fairs at which there was always a demand for chocolate. Paul investigated, and found to his surprise that there was nowhere in London that supplied it freshly made. As a pastry chef, Paul had not, at that point, worked extensively with chocolate - but his skills enabled him to begin experimenting and honing chocolate-based recipes. Before long he was commissioned by leading chocolaterie Rococo to develop and supply new

treats - and in 2006 he was invited to be an honorary member of the Academy of Chocolate.

Strongly influenced by traditional Parisian patisseries that bake on-site daily, Paul is hugely passionate about his chosen career path.

“There was nowhere you could find fresh chocolate, hand-made on the premises!” he remarks, emphatically. “And I mean fresh without glucose, sorbitol or any preservatives whatsoever.” He and his business partner took a gamble investing in a product with a comparatively short shelf life. Their faith and perseverance have, however, paid off, and their shop is now the only chocolaterie in London that

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THEIR FAITH AND PERSEVERANCE HAVE, HOWEVER, PAID OFF, AND THEIR SHOP IS NOW THE ONLY CHOCOLATERIE IN LONDON THAT MAKES TRULY FRESH CHOCOLATE, COMPLETELY BY HAND AND WITHOUT THE USE OF MACHINES OR AUTOMATION makes truly fresh chocolate, completely by hand and without the use of machines or automation. Paul thinks that the shop’s location has been key to its success.

“Islington is great for us,” he says. “Our customers love that we take an artisan approach; they enjoy coming in on a daily basis to try samples, buy a brownie or a hot chocolate and have a chat.” As a result of such support, within just 18 months of opening the doors to the Camden Passage shop, Paul A. Young were launching another at Royal Exchange in the City.

Currently, their kitchen is operating at full production capacity and the company has 110 tantalising products available to fans of the sweet stuff.

Success, however, has not bred complacency, and Paul’s purist sensibilities extend right to the Islington shop’s interior design, which steers clear of the ‘shop-fit’ look for a rather more antiquated scheme, reflective of its location. He points out to me the reclaimed French dressers that now serve, rather splendidly, as chocolate display counters. It’s a scene from a chocolate-lover’s fantasy.

Paul talks me through the chocolaterie’s seasonal activities: Valentine’s Day tends always to involve red and pink colouring, rose and heart moulds and champagne flavours. Mother’s Day engenders more floral fare, while Easter is all about bunnies and eggs - while Christmas gives rise to the most variation: an interesting mix of traditional ingredients and spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, cranberry), classic flavours and more contemporary tastes.

The business is as ‘olde worlde’ as it gets, and in the very best possible sense.

For one thing, waste is kept to a bare

minimum, and chocolate is never thrown away. If a product proves to be too daring, it’s simply offered at discount price or as a taster. Only Billingtons muscovado sugar is used, at Paul’s insistence, along with the finest natural ingredients. “I source French chocolate,” Paul says. “I don’t like other, more fatty varieties with a higher cocoa butter content – it’s more expensive, but we seek to make the most fantastic chocolate possible.”

Further evidence of Paul’s dedication to his product can be found in the kitchen, the beating heart of the chocolaterie, where we head next. Two gleaming marble slabs act as canvases for the resident chefs’ creations.

It takes months to learn the art of tempering – at which Paul is obviously a dab hand, demonstrating the process for me with deft precision. “Chocolate begins to set at 27 degrees,” he tells me, “so there is a level of molecular accuracy needed here: it’s like tempering steel, mixing and cooling with a spreading action.”

He conducts a taste test for me, to show what a difference the varying percentages of cocoa and blends can make, all the while plying me with truffles and seasalted caramel pecan brownie (it does the trick - I soon feel like I’m a golden ticket holder wandering around Willy Wonka’s magical factory). I also try 100% cocoa chocolate (liqueur, as it’s called in the business), and am slightly relieved to know that my tasting education stops there - if only because the delicious richness of the chocolate means you’re unlikely to scoff a boxful in one go – two or three chocs supply adequate flavour to see you through to your next mealtime.

The shop will soon have a whole host of exciting Easter options available in milk, white and dark chocolate. The labour intensive ‘egg work’ will begin in earnest once Mother’s Day is out of the way. My personal favourite will surely be the seasalted caramel hen’s egg (complete with a porcelain egg-cup and spoon). My inner child is going to have a field day with that one. But if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, there will be chocolate laced with gold leaf and gold pigment bunnies.

As my afternoon of chocolate came to an end, I was a little saddened. It was as if I had experienced some kind of return to innocence, and now I had to leave it behind once more. I resolved to return, if not on a frequent basis, then with some degree of regularity. This is a place I want to factor into my errands. In line with wanting to buy fresh food from local grocers and delicatessens as often as is physically and economically possible, I can see Paul A. Young becoming my new ‘pop-in’ place when there are gifts to buy, a special occasion to cater for or if I simply deserve a treat after a hard day at the office. Paul loves seeing regular customers come in, from kids who save up their pocket money to splash out on a few truffles to businessmen buying box upon box at Valentine’s Day. His staunch dedication to sourcing the finest ingredients, his attention to training his staff in age-old techniques and his attention to detail in making artisanal chocolate means Paul A. Young has created a shop possessed of a charm rarely seen in the modern age. It’s a place where, quite literally, dreams are made. Long may it continue.  39

CA MARCH 11 Food and Drink INTERVIEW.indd 39

28/02/2011 11:32

SPICE SHU.indd 1

25/02/2011 10:35

FOOD & DRINK

FEATURED RESTAURANTS

CAFE REX

GR EA FO T B O RIT D IS H

172 – 174 Muswell Hill Broadway Muswell Hill London N10 3SA 020 8444 3463 caferex.co.uk

C

afe Rex is a reinvention of a national institution; the Great British Cafe. They believe in home-made food using only the finest local ingredients: full English breakfasts, great roasts on a Sunday with all the family, and a belief that the cafe should be at the heart of the local community. With a menu that includes boiled egg and dippy soldiers - devised by a Michelin starred chef - and simple, clean décor, its no surprise to hear that Cafe Rex isn’t about fads or fashion; just Great British food.

City&East

BALLS BROTHERS Minster Pavement, Mincing Lane, EC3R 7PP 020 7283 2838

☎

British

CLUB GARCON 57 West Smithfield EC1A 9DS 020 7796 0600

☎

French

North

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

☎

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

☎

Italian

NorthWest

THE BULL & LAST 168 Highgate Road, NW5 1QS 020 7267 3641

☎

British

CAFE REX 172-174 Muswell Hill Broadway Muswell Hill, N10 3SA 020 8444 3463

☎

British

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

MAGHREB RESTAURANT 189 Upper Street N1 1RQ 020 7226 2305

GAUCHO 64 Heath Street, Hampstead, NW3 1DN 020 7431 8222

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

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

MANNA 4 Erskine Road, Primrose Hill, NW3 3AJ 020 7722 8028

☎

☎

Gastro Pub

PRISM BRASSERIE 147, Leadenhall St, EC3V 4QT 020 7256 3888

☎

Moroccan and Mediterranean

☎

French

☎

☎

Argentinean

Vegetarian

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

PROUD KITCHEN Stables Market Camden Town NW1 8AH 0207 482 3867

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

YUM YUM THAI RESTAURANT 183-187 Stoke Newington High Street N16 0LH 020 7254 6751

ROSE AND CROWN 86, Highgate High Street, Highgate, N6 5HX 020 8340 0770

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

ZILOUFS 270 Upper Street N1 2UQ 020 7226 1118

☎

☎

☎

Brasserie

British

Modern European

☎

☎

☎

Japanese

Thai

Pan Asian

☎

☎

World Cuisine

French

XO 29 Belsize Lane, Belsize Park, NW3 5AS 020 7433 0888

☎

Pan Asian 41

CA MAR 11 Restaurants listing.indd 41

28/02/2011 13:30

Café, Restaurant and Juice Bar

Call. 020 7923 1303 101 Stoke Newington Church Street, Stoke Newington N16 0UD Call. 020 7226 5858 177 Upper Street, Islington N1 1RG www.thebluelegume.co.uk

“FOOT-LICKINGLY GOOD FUN. As an evening out, it’s kicking”

www.angelos-lighting.co.uk

TIME OUT SHOW OF THE WEEK

SHOES Sadler’s Wells presents

THE MUSICAL

Written by Richard Thomas Directed by Stephen Mear

Parking available behind shop

“It's shiny, exuberant and consciously naughty. A HIGH-SPIRITED NIGHT OUT” THE INDEPENDENT

Until 3 April TV Media partner

Media partner

P42 BLUE LEGUME/SADLERS WELLS/ANGELOS.indd 2

Fitting service available

Why pay High Street Prices when you can buy direct from us Choose from over 20,000 styles and designs. Importers, Wholesalers, Retailers, whatever your requirements we can deal with it.

Modern/Classic, Wrought Iron, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Edwardian, Victorian, Tiffany/Crystal Chandeliers, Venezian, Outdoor and many more designs made to measure.

Commercial Enquiries welcome – Open Tuesday to Sunday

127-137 Turnpike Lane, N8 Tel: 020 8348 5460 or 020 8482 2688

28/02/2011 17:40

FOOD & DRINK

FEATURED BARS

ROSE & CROWN

O OLD AK -W Y O AF RL FA D IR

199 Stoke Newington Church Street Stoke Newington N16 9ES Tel: 020 7923 3337 roseandcrownn16.co.uk Opening Times: Mon-Sat 12:00-24:00 Sun 12:00-23:00

T

he Rose and Crown is a well-known local landmark that has been owned by the same family since 1986. Adjacent to the 13th century St. Mary’s Church, the pub stands proudly overlooking Clissold Park and fashionable Stoke Newington Church Street, with its eclectic mix of boho shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. The bar is an Old-world oaky affair with a giant bay window from which to view the hustle and bustle of Church Street and a more intimate snug area by a real log fire. And the best thing about it? There’s a boutique guest house just upstairs - 6 charming rooms, recently refurbished with king-sized beds, original features and stand-alone baths - just what you need after one drink too many!

City&East

BAR MUSIC HALL

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

151-153 Commercial Street, London E1 6BJ. ☎ 020 7377 8418

North

ALBERT & PEARL

181 Upper St Islington N1 1RQ ☎ 020 7354 9993 THE BARNSBURY

209--211 Liverpool Road, Islington N1 1LX 020 7607 5519

☎

NorthWest

THE ADELAIDE

143 Adelaide Road Primrose Hill, NW3 3NL ☎ 0870 383 4595 THE ALICE HOUSE

283-285 West End Lane West Hampstead London NW6 1RD ☎ 020 7431 8818

CALOOH CALLAY

THE COACH & HORSES

COCO BAMBOO

COTTONS

THE HANBURY ARMS

FIFTY FIVE BAR & LOUNGE

LOUNGELOVER

KESTON LODGE

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

2 Crouch End Hill, Crouch End, London, N8 8AA ☎ 020 8340 1028

PAUSE BAR

THE LONDESBOROUGH

MAGDALA

VINOTECA

WAX JAMBU

THE QUEENS PUB AND DINING ROOM

65 Rivington Street, Shoreditch EC2A 3AY ☎ 020 7739 4781

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

1 Whitby Street Shoreditch E1 6JU ☎ 020 7012 1234

80-84 Leadenhall Street, Shoreditch EC3A 3DH ☎ 020 7621 0850

7 St John St London EC1 ☎ 020 7253 8786

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

Linton Street, Islington, N1 7DU ☎ 020 7288 2222

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

144-145 Upper St, Islington N1 1QY ☎ 020 7226 7660

48 Chalk Farm Road London NW1 8AJ ☎ 020 7267 6613

31 Jamestown Road Camden Town London NW1 7DB ☎ 020 7424 9054 KINGS HEAD

2a South Hill Park, London, NW3 2SB ☎ 020 7435 2503

26 Broadway Parade, Crouch End, N8 9DE ☎ 020 8340 2031

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FOOD & DRINK

RESTAURANT REVIEW: ODETTE’S, NW1

ODE TO ODETTE’S Helen Baron does fine-dining in Primrose Hill

A

s restaurants go, Odette’s is immediately impressive. My companion and I are politely ushered in to an intimate dining space, dimly lit and atmospheric, where the general chatter of a wellheeled clientele is absorbed by elegantly luxurious furnishings: thick curtains, ornate wallpaper, velvet chairs…

Hushed tones and a discreet buzz provide the soundtrack to the evening alongside the faintly musical clinking of silverware.

Our first stop at Odette’s is downstairs, where it’s darker and more intimate still. We grab a spot on the plush sofas and thoughts turn to drink… The drawing room ambiance suggests that the best choice would be something dark on the rocks or the finest champagne.

In the meantime, the maitre d’ regales us with some stories from the restaurant’s prestigious history before dashing back off to duty upstairs. Odette’s is an iconic establishment with many of the great and good among its fans. The photographer David Bailey used portraits to buy dinner here, and you can see the result: his work adorns the walls. The restaurant opened in 1978 and its low-key charm has ensured it has remained high on the hit list of the great and good ever since.

The bar is secluded and cosy, with low arched ceilings and banquettes that wouldn’t look out of place in Mad Men. There’s a rampant trend toward period decor nowadays (see cocktail bar Bourne and Hollingsworth on Rathbone Place as well as any number of Prohibitionera themed parties being held each

month across the capital). And with the 1920s-set HBO series Boardwalk Empire poised to achieve a similar kind of popularity to that of Mad Men and gangster forebear The Sopranos, Odette’s could be more in demand than ever – the real deal in a sea of bandwagonjumpers.

But back to our visit! The décor made a great first impression – and once we were seated, the menu only added to the thrill.

It’s always a good sign when more than one dish takes your fancy for each course (on paper at least!) but it does necessitate some difficult decision-making. In the end, my partner plumped for divinesounding hand dived scallops with pork belly and apricot while I had langoustine with broccoli and blue cheese gnocchi.

Next was roasted pheasant for my partner, while I felt quite certain in my choice of roasted turbot with cockles and samphire (opting to omit the braised oxtail on this occasion).The reason for this confidence?

My dish was devised and served for the first time at Queen Elizabeth’s 80th birthday celebrations. Fancy that!

The chef at Odette’s, Bryn Williams, was a successful contestant in the BBC’s regal cook-off, ‘Great British Menu’, and the designer of the very special main course in which I was about to indulge.

He popped over to our table to say hello and was utterly charming; on seeing my dish of choice, he confided that he’s been unable to remove it from the menu because customers always ask for it.

And it’s no surprise: it was beautifully presented, fluffy but succulent and served in a perfectly sized portion – in fact, I relished the opportunity to polish off all three courses in comfort for once, without feeling like the one ton woman.

Plus, I felt rather smug about having tried a dish that began life for HRH! Our food was further enhanced by the wines, each recommended as appropriate to the dishes we’d ordered.

A glass of the 2009 Viognier (Casa de la Ermita, Jumilla) from northern Spain accompanied the scallops, while

a 2008 Chenin Blanc was the perfect complement for the langoustine. A Côte du Rhône brought out the rich flavours of the pheasant and, as a result of a moment of oenophilic doubt on my part, a kindly sommelier brought me two wines for the royal turbot: a 2009 Beaujolais Villages and a 2008 Castillo Viento Blanco. I sampled both and plumped for… both. And I don’t mind admitting that they went down a treat.

Dessert was as spectacular as what had come before. We shared a baked passion fruit cream with mango and coconut ice cream and a classic apple tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream. The fruit option was deliciously presented and a refreshing finisher, while the tarte tatin was a bit of a surprise due to the American-sized portion. Still, we made a valiant attack on it, not wanting to do our tastebuds the grave disservice of leaving a morsel on the plate.

As we made our way home afterwards, my partner and I were positively glowing.

The deft skills of Odette’s kitchen, the little flourishes of culinary artistry that made their way onto our plates, the inventive yet traditional combinations – all amounted to the kind of dining experience of which dreams are made. I surprised myself with the realisation that for some time I hadn’t eaten anywhere that really lived up to the notion of ‘fine dining’. Odette’s embodies that ideal in every sense. A touch of class.

And then some.  Odette’s 130 Regent’s Park Road Primrose Hill, NW1 8XL odettesprimrosehill.com 020 7586 8569

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Year of the Rabbit According to Chinese astrology, those born in the year of the Rabbit are creative, sensitive & love to learn about new countries & cultures.

If 2011 has brought out the rabbit in you, Intrepid Travel has over 1000 different ways to help you discover the real world this year. Maybe you’ll learn how to make an authentic Thai curry in Chiang Mai. Perhaps you’ll take part in a floating candle ceremony on the banks of the River Ganges. You might learn how to make mint tea with Bedouin hosts in Morocco or even challenge yourself to keep up with the locals in the pulsing dance halls of Havana.

And if you want to start your rabbitting a little closer to home, you can get creative and learn something new at the Intrepid Travel Store every week this month…

wildlife photography

asian cooking

Tue 1 Feb @ 7pm

Learn to… prepare tasty Asian dishes from scratch with School of Wok chef Jeremy Pang.

Learn to… capture amazing wildlife shots with Nick Garbutt, BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year winner.

Tue 8 Feb @ 7pm

salsa dancing

african crafts

Tue 15 Feb @ 7pm

Wed 23 Feb @ 7pm

Learn to… move your feet to a salsa beat with World Champion Salsa Tutor Ronnie Raul.

Learn to… create beautiful West African Adinkra fabric designs with Magie Relph from African Fabric.

Make this your year of the rabbit & book your free place at:

intrepidtravel.com/events or call 020 7354 6169 The Intrepid Travel Store, 76 Upper St, Islington N1 0NU

INTREPID TRAVEL FEB 11.indd 1

31/01/2011 09:57

full_page _dogs_winter_Layout 1 22/12/2010 16:26 Page 1

Winter Sale Fulham Islington Notting Hill Richmond Wigmore Street Cheltenham Guildford

020 7736 7362 020 7704 8260 020 7229 2123 020 8744 9993 020 7297 6220 01242 521 900 01483 573 584

www.roundhousedesign.com

Made in Britain,Built to Last

Roundhouse Design Jan 2011.indd 1

28/01/2011 17:10

HOME& GARDEN

THE JOYS OF SPRING This month sees the return of the Country Living Magazine Spring Fair to Islington’s Business Design Centre.

A

nticipating the arrival of Spring with delicious food, home styling and demonstrations from some of the UK’s leading artisans, the fair brings together a wide range of skilled craftsman under one roof. At Caurnie’s Scottish Garden stand for example, you can find handmade soaps and candles while Linen Lawn will be displaying a range of seasonal and stylish tea dresses and cardigans. There will also be numerous independent jewellery designers showcasing unique and one-off pieces.

In addition, the Food Hall makes the fair the perfect place to taste some incredible products. An array of delicious cheeses will be available from The Truckle Cheese Company and Debbie & Andrew’s Ltd will be bringing their world famous sausages in impressive flavours such as pork and ale and leek and cheddar.

We caught up with Emma from Velvet Ribbon, who specialises in vintage inspired quilts and home accessories and will be bringing her stall to the Spring Fair this year....

How did the company Velvet Ribbon come about?

I worked in Interior Design for several years and have always had a passion for antique items and the unique feel they lend interiors. I started sourcing items for friends and then decided to invest some savings in setting up a website; it all spiralled from there. As sales increased I was able to leave my job and focus on running Velvet Ribbon full time.

What made you pick ‘vintage’ as your theme?

I love everything about vintage and antique items, the beauty and feel of time-worn objects and their unique history. However, I do like mixing old and new and so we do sell some new items. Vintage Items add such individuality to homes!

What is involved in the sourcing of the items how do you find a gem?

Lots of early mornings! Up at 5am to get to my local antique fair to find the best items, if I’m looking for something particular the early bird really does catch the worm, so it’s well worth getting out of bed to get the best selection of gems.

What would be your dream find while sourcing vintage goods?

A Chanel 2.55 handbag, but it hasn’t happened yet, although I did get a great Chanel jacket from the Red Cross shop off of the Kings Road!

What has been one of the hardest items to get hold of?

Antique quilts are becoming much harder to find, especially hand stitched ones and also old enamel advertising signs; I used to see these quite often but they are becoming quite rare.

In future, do you hope to expand your sourcing trips globally?

We currently source items from many places in Europe but I would love to explore Asia, specifically China as this could uncover some really different items!

Do you design the linen patterns – how long does it take to design and make one linen?

We have designed a small range of fabrics which has proved to be quite a time consuming process! These prints are all inspired by vintage French and English patterns, the designs are then drawn up on Illustrator and then sent to the mill for printing.

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HOME& GARDEN

Do you have a favourite piece from the current collection?

Our Regal Crown cushions will be out soon, they have a very British feel and feature beautiful hand-embroidery.

What is the best part about running a vintage company?

The eternal treasure hunt!

What are your main influences / inspirations for the brand?

I have always been a huge fan of Rachel Ashwell. I remember poring over my Mum’s copy of “Shabby Chic” when I was younger and have had a passion for the ‘freshness’ of that look ever since.

Also, being dragged around many flea markets / estate sales whilst young really cemented the passion for vintage!

Finally, do you have any tips for vintage seekers?

Check the antiques trade gazette online or the paper for local boot fairs and auctions - there are some great ones around and if you get there early you’ll never fail to find a gem. Chiswick Car Boot Sale is held on the first Sunday of every month and it’s my favourite!

Dates: 23rd - 27th March 2011 Tickets: Adult advance £11.50 on the door £16 Child (5 - 16) advance £5 on the door £8.50 Under 5’s free.

23rd / 24th 10am - 6pm 25th / 26th 9:30am - 6pm 27th 10am - 3pm

Wide range of bespoke residential design services Planning and layout of single rooms to complete homes Sourcing furniture and/or materials Interior decoration Refurbishments One-off consultations Services for estate agents looking to enhance the value of properties for sale

INTERNO UNO – London, UK – t. 07949 868 105 – emidio@internouno.co.uk – www.internouno.co.uk

CA MAR 11 - My Interior Life edit.indd 48

28/02/2011 12:55

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EMAIL: INFO@BIBLIOTHEQUE.CO.UK | WEB: WWW.BIBLIOTHEQUE.CO.UK Bibliotheque March11_v7.indd 1

01/03/2011 11:06

INTERIORS CAKE KNIFE This cake knife not only looks great, but due to its cut out letters, air is created with the cutting process to aid with a clean cut.

Perfect! £14.95 rocketstgeorge.co.uk

TEA AND CRUMPETS APRON Look positively proper serving up a warm brew and baked goodies in this ruffled delight. So pretty you’ll want to keep it on all day. £28 anthropologie.eu

HANDMADE GLASS CAKESTAND A beautiful dining accessory from The White Company handmade from clear Polish glass. Stylish and simple, its a piece that will go with everything else on your table. Perfect for serving cakes, quiches, tortes and more. £50 thewhitecompany.com

AGRARIA LEFT BANK CANDLE Inspired by Paris’ famous Left Bank, this fine scented candle, presented in frosted glass holder, has been carefully crafted from a special blend of vegetable based premium soft waxes that release perfume as the surface melts, distributing the delicate notes of Lemongrass, Patchouli and Cashmere Wood. £48 gift-library.com

Mama Mia!

ROB RYAN’S ‘THIS IS FOR YOU’ Forget flowers; give mum a work of art with this beautiful book by print-maker Rob Ryan. Each page of the story is illustrated with Ryan’s poetic and intricate paper cut-outs. Truly an item to treasure. £12.99 misterrob.co.uk

INTERIOR MOTIVES Extra-special interior gift ideas for Mum SPOT OILCLOTH LAPTOP CASE The ultimate accessory for the working yummy mummy, this chic bag is made from durable oilcloth and padded for protection. It features a detachable shoulder strap to make it easy to carry and has lots of pockets for anything extra. Stylish and practical. £55 cathkidston.co.uk BIRDIE PAPERWEIGHT A lovely paperweight with bird design – a pretty addition to any surface! Also available in blue and green. £18 each lavender-room.co.uk

WE

LOCAL

MOROCCAN FOOTSTOOLS Let mum put her feet up with one of these gorgeous flower print footstools by London-based designer Susannah Hunter. All pieces are upholstered by a well established London firm using the finest traditional methods and techniques. £460 each, susannahhunter.com, 7 Rugby Street WC1N 3QT, 020 7692 3798

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KITCHENS OF DISTINCTION GERMAN MADE

Little Kitchen Store.com 878 High Road, North Finchley, London N12 9RH

020 8445 5454

Little Kitchen Store.indd 1

28/02/2011 14:58

Amtico Brintons Crucial Trading Dalsouple Karndean Luxaflex Pergo Porcelanosa Vincent Sheppard

Japanese Panel

Amtico and Wood

Stripes

Blinds and flooring We’ve got it all covered

Est. 1881

470-480 Roman Road London E3 5LU 0800 716 783 www.abbottsflooring.co.uk Abbotts.indd 1

28/02/2011 14:57

DIARY MUSIC MARCH 17

IMELDA MAY ROUNDHOUSE Dublin-born Imelda May invites you to spend a very special St. Patrick’s Night with her in London. The rockabilly star, who has shared a stage with Eric Clapton, Van Morrison and Jools Holland to name a few, performs for one night only in Camden. roundhouse.org.uk

THEATRE MARCH 10 APRIL 9

ECSTASY HAMPSTEAD THEATRE Award-winning director Mike Leigh is, for the first time ever, returning to one of his past plays. Having originally aired at Hampstead Theatre in 1979, Ecstasy is based after the Winter of Discontent but just before Margaret Thatcher’s regime is about to take over England. A compassionate, thoughtful and very funny play about old friends reuniting in a Kilburn bed-sit hampsteadtheatre.com

What’s On

MARCH We round up all the best things to do this month

INSTALLATION VIEW, I KISS YOU, 2004 PINK NEON LIGHT © TRACEY EMIN. COURTESY THE ARTIST AND ZABLUDOWICZ COLLECTION PHOTO: TIM BOWDITCH

THEATRE MARCH 16 - 19

DRIVE RIDE WALK JACKSON’S LANE THIS NEW UNIQUE NEW MUSICAL TELLS THE STORY OF THREE DIFFERENT JOURNEYS THROUGH LONDON; BRINGING TO LIFE THE POIGNANCY, HUMOUR AND DELIGHT OF LIVING AND TRAVELLING IN THE BIG CITY. jacksonslane.org.uk

EXHIBITION TILL MARCH 27

THE SHAPE WE’RE IN ZABLUDOWICZ COLLECTION Camden based Zabludowicz Collection proudly presents the off-site installation piece ‘The Shape We’re In’; showcasing sculpture by numerous artists across New York and London. Tracey Emin, Dan Attoe & Jack Strange exhibit neon-based pieces in vacant Camden shop windows, reclaiming the spaces which have been left empty by the recent economic downturn. These can be viewed 10am - 10pm daily and are particularly striking in the evening.

CINEMA MARCH 20

HIS & HERS SCREENING PLUS Q&A WITH KEN WARDROP TRICYCLE THEATRE Using his mother’s life as inspiration, Irish director Ken Wardrop has created a film that explores life’s shared journeys. His & Hers is an investigation into the ordinary to discover the extraordinary; unfolding sequentially through young to old with a charmingly unabashed array of Irish ladies, and there’s not a man in sight. tricycle.co.uk 269 Kilburn High Road NW6 7JR 53

NXNW MARCH 11 What's on.indd 53

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459_tm h&g_ad full page house

21/2/11

21:01

Page 1

Tim Moss Bespoke kitchens showroom at 326 Dukes Mews London N10 2QN / 10am — 5pm 020 8444 9911 / www.timmoss.co.uk furniture @timmoss.co.uk

Tim Moss March11.indd 1

22/02/2011 09:34

NXNW

PROPERTY NORTH BY NORTHWEST

MARCH 2011

HILL COURT, HIGHGATE, LONDON, N6

GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ1,595,000 SHARE OF FREEHOLD

A three bedroom luxury apartment, one of just eight set in the private West Hill Park estate close to the centre of Highgate Village, and also bordering on Hampstead Heath. In addition to its excellent position, and substantial accommodation of some 1882 sq. ft. it has award winning architecture and high quality gardens and common spaces. The estate lies within the Highgate Conservation Area, and benefits from a high level of statutory protection. This protection, together with the obligations set out in each resident’s Deed of Covenant, has ensured that the character and appearance of the estate has remained largely unaltered since it was built in the mid 1970s. The apartment comes complete with allocated parking and a private garage.

WINKWORTH 36 Highgate High Street, London, N6 5JG Tel: 020 8341 1988, Fax: 020 8348 5674, winkworth.co.uk

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KnightFrank.co.uk

Henstridge Place, St. Johns Wood NW8 Contemporary house A newly built, architect designed, wide, low built house offering 6-7 bedrooms, swimming pool, garden and garage. 5-6 further bedrooms (2 with en suite dressing room and all with en suite shower/bathroom), bedroom 7/study, sitting room, family room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, gym, guest WC, swimming pool, terrace, garden, off street parking, garage. 715sq m (7,696sq.ft).

Knight Frank St Johns Wood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

Guide price ÂŁ15,250,000 Freehold (266503)

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KnightFrank.co.uk

Clifton Gardens, Maida Vale W9 Beautiful Period house This spacious family home has the rare benefit of a private garden with direct access to a 4 acre communal garden. 6 bedrooms (3 with en suite facilities), 2 bathrooms, family room, 2 living rooms, dining room, library, gallery office, kitchen and breakfast room, self contained staff/guest accommodation incl 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchenette, 2 guest WCs, roof terrace, patio garden, communal garden, off street parking for 2 cars.

588.1sq m (6,330sq.ft).

Knight Frank St Johns Wood stjohnswood@knightfrank.com 020 7586 2777

Guide price ÂŁ7,950,000 Freehold (300139)

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innovative selling techniques,

excellent staff, the

stylish way to represent your property

anscombes.co.uk anscombes.co.uk Anscombes March.indd 58

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CREIGHTON AVENUE, EAST FINCHLEY N2

£2,250,000 Freehold

A mAGNIFICENT dETACHEd RESIdENCE SET bACk FROm THE ROAd bEHINd AN ExTENSIVE dRIVEwAY, OFFERING 5/6 bEdROOmS, 5 bATHROOmS, 4 RECEpTIONS AS wELL AS A STUdIO FLAT. 4 Receptions | Kitchen | Studio Flat | 100ft Garden | Terrace | Driveway Master with Dressing room & En-suite | Office | Garage | 4/5 Further Bedrooms 3 Further Bathrooms

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HIGHGATE OFFICE: t: 020 8340 2600 e: Highgate.sales@anscombes.co.uk

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Dukes Avenue, Muswell Hill n10

£1,625,000

A beAutiful & extensive eDwArDiAn HoMe set over tHree levels offering cHArActer tHrougHout & locAteD witHin 100M of Muswell Hill broADwAy. tHe property offers living spAces filleD witH ligHt, versAtility over tHe AccoMoDAtion AnD lAyout witH tHe ADDeD benefit of A soutH fAcing gArDen. tHis HoMe offers Any fAMily tHe freeDoM to grow into AnD enjoy over tHe following yeArs. Double Reception | Further Reception/Bedroom | 4 Further Bedrooms (1 Ensuite) Kitchen/Dining Room | Further Bathroom | 2 Separate WC’s | Utility | South Facing Garden

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HigHgAte office: t: 020 8340 2600 e: Highgate.sales@anscombes.co.uk

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Langbourne Mansions, HigHgate n6

ÂŁ560,000

Located in tHe ever popuLar HoLLyLodge estate tHis wonderfuL apartMent is perfectLy situated for access to HaMpstead HeatH and tHe cafe cuLture of swaines Lane. tHe property enjoys exceptionaLLy brigHt and spacious accoMModation witH a private baLcony and direct access to tHe extensive coMMunaL gardens. furtHer benefits incLude excLusive perMit parking arrangeMents and easy access to tHe city and west end.

Double Reception | Master Bedroom | Two Further Bedrooms | Kitchen | Bathroom Separate W.C | Balcony | Extensive Communal Gardens

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HigHgate office: t: 020 8340 2600 e: Highgate.sales@anscombes.co.uk

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Linzee Road, N8

£925,000 Freehold Sole Agents

Superb mid terraced Edwardian house offering spacious family accommodation affording many of the original period features; benefits also include a brick built out building forming one of four original stables providing an ideal studio/ playroom/work space which is to the rear of the garden. Situated just off Priory Road within easy access to the Broadway’s of Crouch End and Muswell Hill and within walking distance of Alexandra, Park, Palace and Rail Station.

Crouch End Office: 020 8341 4050

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www.tatlers.co.uk

Wood Vale, Highgate Borders, N10

ÂŁ1,350,000 Freehold Sole Agents

Situated within a short walk of Highgate Tube Station and Queens Woods, this five bedroom semi detached family home provides spacious and well proportioned accommodation throughout; it also benefits from a garage with off street parking for two cars. Whilst in need of modernisation there is extensive development potential (subject to relevant consents), to the rear, the delightful mature garden offers views over Crouch End playing fields.

Muswell Hill Office: 020 8444 1771

Alexandra Gardens, N10

ÂŁ735,000 Freehold Sole Agents

Set over three floors is this truly stunning 1920s built semi detached three bedroom plus study family home which is being offered excellent decorative order throughout and benefits from a fantastic kitchen/diner which leads out to a lovely rear garden with a decked terrace; added benefits also include a master bedroom (loft conversion) with spectacular views of London. Located within moments walk from Muswell Hill Broadway and within catchment of Muswell Hill Primary School.

Muswell Hill Office: 020 8444 1771

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PROPERTY

PROPERTY NEWS

NO SHORTAGE OF TENANTS MUSWELL HILL IS A POPULAR PLACE TO LIVE FOR FAMILIES AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, who want to enjoy the friendly community feel and the easy commute to central London via the many transport links including the Northern line, Piccadilly line and Overground. An area which has restaurants, cafes, good links to the city and some of London’s best primary and secondary schools on its doorstep means properties available to let in Muswell Hill don’t stay on the market for long.

In fact, Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward’s Muswell Hill lettings

branch says properties are often let within a day and with no shortage of tenants looking to rent, this busy trend looks like it’s here to stay. Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward’s Muswell Hill branch is managed by Carla Ingram who has over four years experience in the Muswell Hill lettings market and she says properties to rent in Muswell Hill are in more demand than ever before. Ingram says “There is a great shortage of properties to let on the market and any that are coming available are being let fast, particularly two double bedroom houses with a garden in school catchments.

2011 so far has been consistently busy with properties attracting

plenty of interest”.

So as families and young professionals flock to Muswell Hill, landlords are seeing significant returns on their investment. In such a buoyant market there are no gaps between tenancies and in the bid to win a property tenants are often flexible on contract terms, making Muswell Hill a landlords dream.

If you would like more information on letting your property in Muswell Hill please contact Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward’s Muswell Hill branch on 020 8883 2340.

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PROPERTY

PROPERTY NEWS PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

PRINCE ALBERT ROAD, PRIMROSE HILL NW1 £1,250,000 SHARE OF FREEHOLD IMPRESSIVE FLAT OVERLOOKING REGENT’S PARK A beautifully refurbished maisonette in an elegant period building moments from Primrose Hill and Regents Park. The property benefits from well proportioned rooms throughout and features two separate WCs and excellent storage. It also boasts outstanding entertaining space and light and airy accommodation. 3 bedrooms (1 with en suite shower room), shower room, reception room kitchen, dining room, guest WC, sauna. Approximately 136.5sq m (1,469sq.ft).

KNIGHT FRANK ST JOHNS WOOD 020 7586 2777 STJOHNSWOOD@KNIGHTFRANK.COM WWW.KNIGHTFRANK.COM

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3862 – KFH Angel North Mag A4_Layout 1 18/01/2011 09:39 Page 1

Completely at home in London Whether you want to buy, sell, let or rent, we’re completely at home in north London and best placed to help you.

Visit kfh.co.uk or your local KFH branch Belsize Park Islington Crouch End Muswell Hill Highgate

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