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Date: 27 / 28 / 29th July 2011
Venue: The Hurlingham Club, Ranelagh Gardens, London, SW6 3PR
Time: 12:00pm – 6:00pm Garden Party and gourmet barbeque
7:00pm – 1:00am Evening Dinner and cocktail party
Details: This year’s Concours D’Elégance promises to be one of the highlights of the Summer, drawing together some of the world’s most exclusive lifestyle brands.
Set within the grounds of London’s Hurlingham Club on the banks of the River Thames, this exclusive event has a rich 20-year heritage and celebrates everything that epitomises luxury and style.
This year’s Concours D’Elégance will showcase some of the world’s fastest, and most expensive super cars, alongside luxury yachts, boats and helicopters, which will be openly displayed on the Hurlingham lawns.
Brands such as Art of Kinetic, Cessna, Sunseeker London, Rizon Jet, designer clothing, jewellery from Catherine Best, exclusive properties and Safaris will also be accompanied by a Second World War Spitfire on the cricket pitch - what better way to spend a quintessential British summers afternoon than enjoying Veuve Clicquot in this graceful private members club.
The Concours D'Elégance has always been billed as an exclusive garden party, which is a firm favourite with celebrity guests and car enthusiasts alike. Guests are invited to shop for vintage cars, super yachts, designer jewellery and luxury homes.
Charity: The event is sponsoring the Christchurch appeal, one of just five charities supported by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Tickets: There are two bands of tickets available, daytime tickets (12:00pm – 6:00pm) and evening tickets (7:00pm- 1:00am)
Daytime Tickets: Include a gourmet lobster barbeque lunch, traditional afternoon tea and fully inclusive Veuve Clicquot Champagne, beer & soft drinks.
Price: Individual tickets start from £165 +VAT . Tables of 10 start from £1650 +VAT
Dress Code: Garden Party Chic
Evening Tickets: Includes Veuve Clicquot champagne and cocktail reception, gourmet food stalls in The Hurlingham Grounds and guest DJ, Seb Fontaine.
Price: Individual tickets start from £165 +VAT . Tables of 10 start from £1650 +VAT
Dress Code: Dress to Impress
Website: www.concourslondon.com
SPECIAL OFFER FOR HOT BRANDS COOL PLACES READERS
An exclusive 10% discount to the event. Simply log onto the Concours D'Elegance website www.concourslondon.com/book-now/ and type in "CDE02" under the 'Voucher Code" dropdown box to receive this special offer.
THE MASTERPIECE LONDON LUST LIST
The sixth item on the Masterpiece London Lust List is one of the most anticipated exhibits this year – an original two-seater Spitfire which will be made available at this month’s fair. All the pieces at the fair are among the best of the best in their field, extremely rare and sure to wow and inspire.
Lust List 6:
MT818 - built in 1944 - it is the only Spitfire prototype surviving, in any condition, in the world
This aeroplane is truly spectacular and has an impressive list of credentials making it one of the most exciting Masterpiece lust list items yet.
· It is one of only two Spitfires with a complete documented service record from the 1940s*
· It has its original Vickers workhorse Merlin 66 engine
· It is the only surviving Spitfire which was used by the RAF for secret trials and developments during World War II
· In March 1971, it flew the most distinguished of its passengers - HRH The Prince of Wales
· It is the only Spitfire to have won the 1950s London to Paris air race
· It is one of only three original two-seater Spitfires which exist today
· This is an opportunity for someone to own a significant piece of British aviation history, which because it is a two-seater, they can enjoy flying without personally having a pilot’s licence
· At the Masterpiece Midsummer Party in support of CLIC Sargent on Thursday 30 June there will be a chance to bid in a silent auction for a flight in this Spitfire
The Spitfire is one of the UK’s most famous icons with almost 22,000 being built between 1938 and 1945. Today there are only approximately 50 still flying. It is inseparable from its role in World War II and the best known warplane of all time.
*Excluding those owned by the Royal Air Force
£ POA
Masterpiece London, now in its second year, will once again showcase the very best in fine and decorative arts with premium collectors’ items such as classic cars, fine wines and contemporary design all under one roof.
Dates: 30 June – 5 July 2011, with a Preview on 29 June
Venue: South Grounds, The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3
Tickets: £20 per person, available from www.masterpiecefair.com
LAUNCH OF LOUIS X111 LE JEROBOAM AT MASTERPIECE FAIR
- A limited number of 100 decanters worldwide will be released this year
- The capacity of Le Jeroboam is 3 litres, which is 4 times the volume of the regular Louis XIII decanter
- Le Jeroboam comes with a pipette,the working and tasting tool of Rémy Martin cellar masters, inviting each owner of the decanter to act out this century-old ceremony
- The 5kg heavy decanter is manufactured by Cristallerie de Sèvres
- Recommended retail price of Le jeroboam is €16 000
- Louis XIII Le Jeroboam is a masterpiece of craftsmanship
SPREADING HAPPINESS THE SMILEY WAY…
The Smiley Company has teamed up with Comic Relief to create a special ‘Happy Now’; Take That tour t-shirt to raise money for Comic Relief.
Comic Relief spends all the money raised by the public to give extremely poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries a helping hand to turn their lives around.
Nicolas Loufrani (CEO of The Smiley Company) says;
We’re really proud to have donated the use of our image to the ‘Happy Now’ Take That t-shirts because all the profits from the sale of this t-shirt will go straight to Comic Relief where they can spend it helping the people that need it most. “
The t-shirt will be sold during the Take That summer tour.
About ‘The Smiley Company’
The ‘Smiley’ company is home to one of the most recognisable symbols in the world. The original Smiley brand was born on January 1st 1972 with the ‘take time to smile’ promotion in French newspaper ‘France Soir’. The Smiley logo was used to highlight all good news so people could choose to read positive and uplifting articles.
40 years on the logo is now the symbol for a globally recognized brand and has enjoyed worldwide success with extensive licensing partnerships. 25 years later with the evolution of the internet global communication changed forever not surprisingly, Smiley was there from the beginning.
In 1997, Nicolas Loufrani launched a universe of self expression with the brand ‘SmileyWorld’ by creating variations of the original Smiley developing expressive characters and promoting the universal language of the ‘emoticon’. Today we have thousands of different icons and characters.
‘Smiley’ is more than an icon, brand and lifestyle; it’s a spirit, a philosophy. It is here to remind people of how powerful a smile is and how much a simple smile can change your life and the lives of others around you.
10% of all royalties will go to charity through the Smiley World Association, which was formed in 2005 to help people in need by setting up health and educational infrastructures in third world countries.
Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland)
Website : http://www.smileycompany.com
Twitter : @SmileyCompany
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR £50,000 EUROPEAN START-UP PRIZES AS VILLAGE CAPITAL LONDON LAUNCHES
23 June 2011: Today sees the launch of Village Capital London, an incubator programme for European social businesses.
Applications are open for any for-profit social business located in the UK and Europe. Sixteen social entrepreneurs will be selected for Village Capital London to participate in a 12-week programme with workshops focused on fundraising, marketing and designing for impact. The 16 participants will develop the core skills needed to attract investment and scale their businesses as well as receiving mentoring and coaching from a team of experienced advisors.
The program culminates in peers selecting the two entrepreneurs to receive of the £50,000 investment prizes.
Stephen Rockman, founder of Merism Capital, said: “We’re really excited about launching Village Capital London, which will help European entrepreneurs with the skills needed to build successful social businesses. Being able to leverage Village Capital’s network and experience will provide a fantastic boost to the whole of the impact investment sector, so we encourage start-ups from across Europe to apply for Village Capital London”.
Village Capital is an incubator program, started in 2010, which has been run in New Orleans, Boulder, Mumbai and San Francisco. It has been cited as “#1 Trend to Watch in 2010” on Change.org; featured in Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine and Beyond Profit. 82 entrepreneurs from more than 500 applications have now been through the program.
Village Capital London will be the first programme to be run in Hub Venture Labs, a new social venture incubator space created by Merism Capital in partnership with Hub Westminster. This central London space will be accessible to all participating entrepreneurs and will enable them to work collaboratively and gain peer feedback, as well as entrepreneurs having access to regular mentoring sessions.
“We’re aiming to build a fertile ecosystem for social ventures, a place to take ideas to action and impact,” explained Alice Fung and Indy Johar, co-founders of Hub Westminster. “In addition to relationships with investors, entrepreneurs also need to build peer support networks for validation and collaboration. This programme is a great opportunity for them to do just that, as peers are each other’s best advisors - and toughest critics.”
The Village Capital programme was created 2 years ago by First Light Ventures, a leading seed-stage social venture fund, and has grown into a network of incubators spanning Boulder, New Orleans, San Francisco and Mumbai. In 2010, 81 entrepreneurs (carefully selected from 500+ applicants) went through the programme, with 12 successful entrepreneurs sharing awards of over $1m at the end. The group attracted a further $4m of investment and created over 200 jobs.
For more information and to apply for Village Capital London, go to www.hubwestminster.net/hubventurelabs or follow @hublab and @merismcapital on Twitter.
ROCK UP AND SEA FAT FACE LAUNCHES BRITISH BEACH EVENTS THIS SUMMER
Summer’s on its way, the forecast is good and the living just got a whole lot more fun thanks to Fat Face.
We’re heading for the coast. We’re launching some exclusive beach events and we’re giving lucky guests the chance to learn to surf, paddle board or sea kayak - all for free! What’s more, the fun won’t end at sunset. We’re throwing in after- parties for all our guests to include fresh grilled food, drinks and live music and it’ll all be served up in our original cool Fat Face style.
We’ve called these events ‘Rock Up and Sea’ - a unique blend of the best of British beach life, watersports and relaxed vibes. Now for the geography bit! We’ve joined up with five of the coolest coastal resorts across the South West of England to celebrate with us so here’s the lowdown.....
2nd July: 9th July: 16th July 30th July 13 August
Newquay, Cornwall;
Learn to surf & after-party
Salcombe, Devon
Learn to kayak & after-party
Bude, Cornwall
Learn to surf & after-party
Fowey, Cornwall
Learn to stand-up paddle board, kayak & after-party
Bournemouth, Dorset
Learn to surf & after-party
For your chance to get involved, visit www.fatface.com/liveinit and register as soon as you can! Rock Up and Sea registration is now open. Each event has a limited capacity and each registered place has two tickets. We’ll let you know within a few weeks if you’ve got your VIP ticket because then the fun really begins!
To book your free watersports lesson and gain access to the event, simply take your email ticket to the local Fat Face store and exchange for a wrist band.
And if that’s not enough of a reason to grab some new flip flops, sunnies and shorts, we have a competition on the Fat Face website to win a pair of Rock Up and Sea tickets plus luxury boutique hotel accommodation at each destination..
We think it’s going to be a great Summer – hope you can join us! To register for your tickets conditions to Rock Up and Sea, and to see terms and conditions visit www.fatface.com/liveinit
COMPETITION ALERT! WIN A WEEK-LONG CYCLING HOLIDAY TO FRANCE FOR FOUR
Pierre & Vacances and P&O Ferries have teamed up to offer a fantastic cycling holiday for four to France. The prize also includes £200 worth of cycling goodies courtesy of Halfords and high visibility gear from Hello Joe.
Entrants must show their passion for both France and cycling in a photograph or image – think baguettes and berets! Images should be uploaded online by 18 August 2011, via the Pierre & Vacances Facebook page.
The most creative, quirky, beautiful or appealing five photos will be selected by Pierre & Vacances and posted on the Pierre & Vacances’ Facebook page. The overall winner will be chosen by Pierre & Vacances’, with help from their Facebook fans, and announced on 30 August 2011.
France is a cyclist's paradise with routes for all levels of ability and experience, from easy scenic trails, to some of the most challenging routes in Europe. All levels of cyclists are free to enter, from families to cycling fanatics.
The winner’s prize will include:
• Seven nights in a self-catering apartment in France for four with number one French accommodation specialist Pierre & Vacances and cycle hire for the group. http://www.pv-holidays.com
• Channel crossings for four people and one car with P&O Ferries. http://www.poferries.com/
• £200 of Halfords vouchers to spend on cycling accessories for the holiday. http://www.halfords.com
• Four T-shirts from Hello Joe. http://www.hellojoe.co.uk
or further consumer information on Pierre & Vacances, please visit: www.pv-holidays.com or telephone: 0870 026 7144.
Visit the Pierre & Vacances blog: http://blog.pv-holidays.com
Pierre & Vacances on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pierreetvacances.uk.ireland
Pierre & Vacances on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/pierrevacances
Competition Terms & Conditions
1. All prizes are non-refundable and no cash alternative will be offered. 2. The prizes must be redeemed within 12 months, unless otherwise stated. 3. The holiday prize cannot be taken during French and UK school holidays in 2011 or 2012. The winner will be advised of exact dates when provided with further details of the prize. 4. The prize is a seven-night holiday for four people, staying at a Pierre & Vacances self-catering resort in France, with cycle hire provided by the resort. Accommodation and cycle hire is subject to availability. 5. Return cross channel ferry transport will be provided by P&O Ferries for four people and one car traveling together between Dover and Calais in conjunction with the week's accommodation booked with Pierre & Vacances. Crossings are subject to terms and conditions and availability. 6. A £200 Halfords voucher will sent to the winner to spend on bike accessories in a Halfords' store. The voucher will be valid for six months from date of issue, and for one transaction only. 7. Hello Joe will provide the winner with one free T-shirt per person with a maximum of four available. The winners may chose the design of their Tshirts, subject to availability. 8. By submitting photographs, entrants are confirming they own copyright to these images. Entrants will retain copyright of their photographs, however the images may be used by Pierre & Vacances via their social media and online areas. 9. This competition is in no way endorsed, administrated by administered by, or associated with, Facebook. Facebook has no liability for entrants in this competition. 10. Participants are providing information to Pierre & Vacances, P&O Ferries, Halfords and Hello Joe and not to Facebook. 11. Pierre & Vacances' choice of the five finalists and the winner is final.
FArTHER BY GRAHAME BAKER-SMITH WINS CILIP KATE GREENAWAY MEDAL 2011
Templar Publishing’s Managing Director, Amanda Wood, said she was delighted and paid tribute to Templar’s Art Director, Mike Jolley. She said it was a huge privilege for the company to work with Grahame who’s first picture book for Templar, Leon and the Place Between (written by Angela McAllister) received critical acclaim and was shortlisted for last year’s Greenaway Award.
FArTHER was a book that Grahame tried to write for a long time. It tells the story of a father who dreams of flying. He goes off to war and doesn’t return. His son decides to make his dream come true Grahame’s moving story, with stunning illustrations, shows how, with love and a bit of ambition, you can reach seemingly impossible goals.
Using photographic collage and illustration, this is the first book that Grahame has written and illustrated. Constantly experimenting with different styles of illustration, Grahame likes to challenge the conventional boundaries with his artwork.
FArTHER by Grahame Baker-Smith is published by Templar in hb at £10.99 ISBN 9781848771260
pb at £7.99 ISBN 9781848771338 – out Autumn 2011.
LIFE THOUGH A LENS…
If you’re an aspiring Mario Testino, picture yourself as a David Bailey in the making or are inspired by royal wedding photographer Hugo Burnand but your photographic skills are more ‘twit-pic’ than ‘Getty Images’, then look no further than the five-star InterContinental London Park Lane’s new and exclusive EYE Photographic package.
Whether you’re a knowledgeable amateur, a snap-happy novice or an individual with grand ambitions, this overnight package which includes a full day tuition is sure to hone your talent. Armed with a digital SLR camera, you will spend the day with professional photographer Michael Potter – founder of EYE Photographic – immersing yourself in his expert knowledge whilst developing your visual, technical and creative skills.
Taking in iconic London sights and landmarks you can choose from four different packages; Old and new, Pro studio fashion shoots, Wildlife in Richmond Park or Plantlife at the beautiful Edwardian Petersham Nurseries.
Whichever package you opt for, the day starts on the seventh floor Club Lounge of InterContinental London Park Lane where you will become acquainted with your kit and learn basic techniques, before embarking on a visual journey with a professional tutor for a day of shooting. A working lunch in the capital will give you the opportunity to review your shots before spending the afternoon responding to individual tasks. The day finally comes to a close back at the hotel where participants are able to edit their collective shots and compile their own slideshow on a DVD.
The InterContinental London Park Lane’s EYE photographic workshop is the latest to be added to its collection of ‘Insider Experiences’ that have been created to offer hotel guests an authentic and enriching destination experience.
Prices start from £939.00 for two people (plus VAT) including one night’s accommodation and a one day tailored workshop for two with EYE Photography.
To book or for more information call the InterContinental London Park Lane on 0207 409 3131 or visit www.london.intercontinental.com
MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD
On the 1st July at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, MINI will reveal its latest and most exclusive car yet to the UK market - the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD.
The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is a special edition model and the result of an exclusive collaboration with the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars design team. The stylish supremacy of the car is characterised by the highest level of workmanship (partly handmade) and exceptional top grade materials, including cashmere roof lining and foot mats made from deep-pile lambswool.
The exclusive status is rooted in the unmistakable and globally unique Rolls-Royce style. The Rolls Royce Motor Cars design team and Alan Sheppard, Interiors Design Chief, have overseen the emergence of a MINI which reflects the outstanding workmanship of this historic brand in the small car community for the first time.
Production of the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD will take place at the Oxford MINI plant and is restricted to one thousand units worldwide. The dominant colour of the interior is the exclusive Rolls-Royce variant Corn Silk, a warm and natural shade of beige which washes over the instrument panel. The surface of the instrument panel and doors boast a Walnut Burr finish unique to Rolls-Royce. These veneers are selected at the Goodwood factory exclusively for the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD.
When it comes to the exterior paintwork, customers can look forward to the Diamond Black metallic shade developed by Rolls-Royce Design. Alternatively, the MINI colour variant Reef Blue metallic can be specified as an option.
The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is the most efficient engine in its displacement class, powered by a l.6-litre 135 kW/184 bhp four-cylinder engine with Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct petrol injection and variable valve control.
• THE MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is being shown for the first time in the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, West Sussex 1-3 July 2011.
• THE MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD will be available to order from July 2011.
• THE MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD will be built March-May 2012 and launched as part of an exclusive ‘MINI YOURS’ bespoke product line
FAST4WARD TO A MORE STYLISH, RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE MODE OF TRANSPORT
Ultra Motor launches new range of innovative electric bikes The UK’s leading manufacturer and distributor of electric bikes has launched a brand new collection of high performance e-bikes at more affordable prices. Chic, yet practical, the Fast4ward range offers a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to commuting via train, car or motorbike.
Reaching a speed of 15.5mph (50% above the average cycling speed), these innovative e-bikes represent a fun and efficient way to travel giving all the pleasure of cycling, without the pain of climbing big hills or the risk of getting too hot and sweaty. The bikes give you complete freedom to travel and explore without the worries of insurance, MOT, congestion, tax and parking.
Fast4ward e-bikes are...
Stylish - created by a team of expert designers based in Berlin with over 16 years of experience, the Fast4ward range are elegant, sporty and sophisticated.
• Reliable - Fast4ward bikes are excellent quality, made only with branded components. The bike frame comes guaranteed for 10 years while the battery, motor and electronics are guaranteed for two.
• Affordable – notonly is it a pleasure to cycle, the Fast4ward range is affordable. Breaking the preconception that electric bikes are expensive, prices of the Fast4ward start at just £999. Once you’ve bought the bike it’s cheap to run as you simply charge the battery as and when required with 7p of electricity taking you up to 40 miles.
UK Managing Director of Ultra Motor, Mark Loveridge says: “The brilliant thing about electric bikes is they give you the opportunity to put in as much effort as you want; so if you’re feeling energetic you can peddle all the way or if you’re tired after a long day at work you can simple turn it on, allowing the battery to assist your ride home or do all the work for you!”
transportation and our new range of Fast4ward bikes break the misconception that electric bikes are expensive and heavy. They’re affordable, light, stylish and reliable.”
For a limited time only, Ultra Motor are inviting people to give the new Fast4ward a free trial in their ‘Try before you buy’ initiative. Those interested in buying an e-bike can borrow one for a maximum of three days before they decide if it’s for them. Ultra Motor are encouraging testers to take a video diary of their time on the bikes, and upload them onto YouTube and Facebook for a fantastic chance to win the bike they tried out.
There are three types of Fast4ward e-bike to choose from:
The Fast4ward Edge (RRP £999)
The Fast4ward Ride (RRP £1,099 for 26v battery and £1,249 for 36v battery)
The Fast4ward Peak (RRP £1,249)
Ultra Motor – where design meets performance
www.ultramotor.com
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The Fast4ward bike range is available at independent bike shops up and down the country. For a full list of dealers and for more information visit www.ultramotor.com
THREE FOR TWO AT THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, ST. FILLANS
The Four Seasons Hotel, Perthshire is offering guests a free night of relaxation, rest, stunning views and great food.
Guests booking a two night break from June to August will be treated to an extra night’s bed and breakfast completely free, with the hotel’s special three-for-two deal, representing a minimum saving of £54 per person.
Prices start from just £54 per person per night for bed and breakfast in a chalet or from £61 per person per night in a hotel room.
The Four Season’s legendary breakfast is served in the Meall Reamhar restaurant, looking out over the breathtaking views of surrounding hills and across the waters of Loch Earn, twinkling in the morning sun. For those looking to sample locally sourced, seasonal fine dining cuisine, the two AA Rosette Meall Reamhar restaurant also offers a four course evening menu for just £38 per person.
Only one hour’s drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh, The Four Seasons Hotel, with its fabulous position on the banks of Loch Earn, exudes a tranquil and relaxing ambience. It is the ideal place to spend a few days unwinding in the summer sun and soaking up the stunning Perthshire scenery.
For the more active there are walks and hikes for all abilities, water sports, golf, fishing and much more right on the doorstep.
To book please contact The Four Seasons Hotel on 01764 685 333 quoting PP002.
To book online or for more information visit www.thefourseasonshotel.co.uk .
AS WIMBLEDON LAUNCHES INTO ITS 125TH BIRTHDAY, BENTLEY’S IS CELEBRATING WITH A QUINTESSENTIALLY BRITISH MENU, COME RAIN OR SHINE
On Swallow Street this year, Richard Corrigan’s seafood restaurant Bentley’s will be treating tennis fans to a celebratory menu in honour of 125 years of Wimbledon beginning this week.
Guests can dine in the Grill Room on The Queen’s Wild Salmon (which Richard cooked for Her Majesty), a Summer British Beef Tea (a consommé of four cuts of prime beef, with morels) followed by Champagne, Strawberries and Cream, all for £29.50 including a glass of bubbly on arrival.
Out on the Terrace, there will be plasma screens showing the games where you can relax in leather chairs, either in the sunshine or safe under the terrace canopies if the clouds appear! Between 3pm and 6pm Bentley’s will be serving sharing plates on the Terrace or the Oyster Bar such as Vietnamese Oysters (£6.00), Scallop Ceviche (£7.50), Salt Chilli Prawns (£8.50), Cod Goujons, Tartare Sauce (£7.00) and Fresh English Strawberries with a glass of bubbly (£17.50).
Wimbledon: Monday 20th June – Sunday 3rd July
- ends -
Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill
11-15 Swallow Street?London?W1B 4DG
Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus
T: +44 (0)20 7734 4756?F: +44 (0)20 7758 4140?E:
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GILGAMESH TO HOST “TT LONDON” – THE UK'S FIRST TABLE TENNIS DISCO
Celebrity hot-spot Gilgamesh, in the heart of Camden Stables, will host London's first ever ping pong table tennis disco for a second night, on Thursday 30th June.
TT London is the brainchild of Eli Baraty, former England youth coach and current professional table tennis coach. Gilgamesh will bring sport, dancing, music and socialising together under one roof in its new nightclub and events space, Gilgamesh Studio.
The ping pong nightclub will hold competitions, coaching, interactive activities and exhibitions from world class players, including our very own Olympic hopeful, England no.3 Darius Knight. TT London will operate seven ping pong tables, serve food and drink and have DJ's spinning tunes into the early hours. Five of the tables can be hired including bats, balls and an allocated assistant. One table is designated for a robot machine, which fires out balls at different speeds and spins. The last table is designated for coaching and available for anyone wishing to hone their skills.
The glamorous interior of Gilgamesh Studio provides the ideal setting, with its vast 9,000 sq ft of space. Guests can engage, compete ‘on friendly terms’, accommodate colleagues, clients and friends or just soak up the beat of the club.
Ping Pong is the hip sport in today’s vibrant London. Corporate companies are having more tables at their work place - Ping London recently launched, scattering tables in and around London workplaces.
Table tennis is currently proving itself as a social experience, which does not require any specific attire and can be enjoyed at any level. The sport's huge resurgence can be seen in America with successful “SPiN Nightclubs” in New York, Milwaukee and LA.
After a successful celebrity Ping Pong tournament at Gilgamesh earlier in the month (in which JLS, East Enders' Sid Owen, Jade Jones, Frank Bruno and Jeremy Edwards competed), TT london will be taking over the Gilgamesh Studio month.
Widely regarded as one of London's premier destinations for food and drink, Gilgamesh is proud of its critically acclaimed Pan-Asian cuisine by renowned Head Chef Ian Pengelley. The restaurant, lounge bar and Studio nightclub, provide the ultimate experience for guests who are looking for something special.
GILGAMESH
Camden View
Camden Stables Market
Chalk Farm Road
London
NW1 8AH
02074825757
www.gilgameshbar.com
Open seven days a week from 11am until late.
INTRODUCING WATATSUMI
Take a culinary journey that goes beyond sushi and sashimi at the recently opened Watatsumi restaurant on Northumberland Avenue.
With a fantastic ‘raw bar’, elegant restaurant and stylish cocktail bar plus a range of menus, from the full ‘omakase’ tasting experience and Watatsumi’s a la carte to the highly affordable bento boxes, there’s something for all tastes and budgets.
Highly skilled chefs and husband and wife team, Peter and Hili Makohus (who met in the kitchens of Nobu Park Lane), offer exquisitely presented dishes that marry bold new recipes with contemporary flavours.
As elegant as the menus, the opulent, high-ceilinged, marble-pillared dining room is a stunning backdrop to drink, dine or entertain in. A sleek and simple interior of comfortable white leather seating and dark wood tables complement the space with a beautiful light sculpture made up of hundreds of hanging white fish taking centre stage and casting shadows.
THE RAW BAR
Purists should pull up a stool at the raw bar and watch the highly skilled shokunin (sushi technicians) in action. As well as the classic sashimi, nigiri, maki and temaki rolls one would expect, Watatsumi offers a range of tantalising ‘tartars’ and ‘tataki’ dishes that include tuna with spicy miso and salmon with yuzu, all prepared in full view of the diner.
For an affordable casual lunch, Watatsumi offers a range of delicious bento boxes featuring miso soup, sushi, sesame stir-fried vegetables and Japanese steamed rice with a choice of chicken, beef, salmon or tofu tepanyaki for just £14.50 with a glass of wine.
THE RESTAURANT
For a more formal dining experience, book a table in the stunning restaurant. Start with a platter of expertly executed California rolls with a selection of hot appetisers including tempura, yakitori, gyoza and their signature Watatsumi crispy calamari.
Must-try mains from the hot kitchen include pan fried seabass in shisho butter; Gressingham duck breast marinated in mikan miso with a spicy kumquat compote; roasted red tilapia grilled in cedar wood and, for committed carnivores, US grain fed beef with sansyo teriyaki.
Puddings include classics like a chocolate fondant and speculoos white chocolate cheesecake as well as more characteristically Japanese desserts such as mochi ice cream served with a lychee liqueur and a cranberry and yuzu tartlet.
For the full Watatsumi experience, discerning diners can indulge in the ‘omakase’ chef’s tasting menu and explore the restaurant’s stunning signature dishes for £65 for seven courses.
The drinks list at Watatsumi features a carefully chosen selection of over 15 sakes and sakamais from all over Japan and beyond. Wines have been chosen with consideration to complement the cuisine with the house selection starting at just £19 and, for real bon vivants, there’s a range of fine wines with choices such as Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru and Meursault as well as a budget-blowing Chateaux Margaux 1998 Premier Grand Cru Classé.
THE BAR
Cocktail connoisseurs will not be disappointed. The Bar at Watatsumi offers an interesting and innovative list of bespoke concoctions as well as the usual classics. Sip on an Asian-inspired Shiso Martini made with fresh shiso leaves, yuzu and wasabi, shaken with Disaronno and Honjozo sake; or the Chic Nashi, a champagne cocktail muddled with fresh nashi pear and Xante pear cognac – the perfect aperitif with a bowl of spicy chilli-salt edamame.
Watatsumi
7 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5BY
T: 020 7036 8520
PIZZA OR PASTA FOR £1 AT PREZZO!
Stylish Italian restaurant chain Prezzo have created a great offer for pizza and pasta lovers everywhere. For every new fan that 'Likes' their Prezzo Facebook page, a voucher which can be used from Monday 11th July until Wednesday 13th July, will be produced which entitle their fans to enjoy either a Margherita Pizza or a Penne Arrabbiata for £1.
Serving delicious Italian cuisine in casual yet chic surroundings, Prezzo uses only the finest seasonal ingredients to create their award-winning pizzas, as well as other dishes prepared with produce sourced directly from Italy.
Prezzo
Website: www.prezzorestaurants.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/#!/love_prezzo
Facebook: www.facebook.com/loveprezzo
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