Film review: A Little Chaos April 17, 2015 Cert 12a | ★★★★☆ Upon waking, King Louis XIV is greeted by his son who has just passed wind in his majesty’s bedchamber. This opening scene accurately sets the tone for A Little Chaos, a period romp with a keen sense of the absurd. Alan Rickman may not be the first person you’d choose to [...]
Film review: The Salvation is a Viking cowboy fable April 17, 2015 Cert 15 | ★★★☆☆ The Salvation is the tale of a Viking cowboy, which is reason enough to see it right there. Mads Mikkelsen (pictured above) is a war veteran, who fled Denmark for a peaceful life in the American West. After seven years he is joined by his wife and child, but when [...]
Art review: Hue’s she? Sonia Delaunay April 16, 2015 Tate Modern | ★★★★☆ Sonia Delaunay’s life story is every bit as colourful as her paintings. Born in Odessa to an aristocratic family in 1885, she moved to Paris in 1908 where she married the gay art dealer Wilhelm Uhde, divorced him, married her lifelong collaborator Robert Delaunay, moved to Portugal, moved back, and eventually [...]
Something for the weekend April 16, 2015 EAT! THE BULL AND GATE It took its time, but the Bull and Gate in Kentish town finally returns this weekend after a meticulous renovation. Head upstairs to the Boulange Bar for a salubrious mix of velvet upholstery and the finest in British seasonal cooking. bullandgatenw5.co.uk LAUGH! BAC FUNDRAISER Last month’s fire at Battersea Arts [...]
Sun’s out buns out: Where to eat al fresco in London – restaurants with outdoor dining April 14, 2015 Angler, South Place Hotel, Moorgate anglerrestaurant.com / 020 3215 1260 This Michelin-starred seafood restaurant in South Place Hotel has a beautiful terrace overlooking the City. It has an a la carte menu offering three courses for £35. Must try: Roasted monkfish tail with braised octopus, aubergine caponata and golden raisins Typical cost for [...]
Mix it up: Why the lazy cocktail drinker should consider pre-mixed April 14, 2015 @philip_salter The words “pre-mixed cocktail” are anathema to many self-respecting cocktail aficionados. The experience of consuming these fine, upstanding drinks goes far beyond simple taste – it’s about the knowledge that a great deal of work, expertise and even love has gone into making each and every one. The slogan “good things come to those [...]
Car review: The Tesla Model S P85D is seriously fast, with an “Insane” mode to scare off its rivals April 13, 2015 Tesla, the darling of the alternative-power car makers, has made more progress in a few short years than the likes of Ford, General Motors and even Toyota when it comes to electric cars. The American firm, co-founded by Elon Musk of PayPal fame, has not only made great strides technology-wise, but has also achieved much [...]
Not convinced? April 13, 2015 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… BMW M5 PRICE: £73,960 0-62MPH: 4.3 secs TOP SPEED: 155mph CO2 G/KM: 231g/km MPG COMBINED: 28.5mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Three Stars PERFORMANCE Four Stars PRACTICALITY Four Stars VALUE FOR MONEY Three Stars MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 63 AMG S PRICE: £87,010 0-62MPH: 4.2 secs TOP SPEED: 155mph CO2 G/KM: 235g/km MPG COMBINED: 27.2mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Four [...]
Vinyl revival: See what the fuss is about and head to a record store April 13, 2015 FLASHBACK 50 Essex Road, Islington This scrupulously organised collection is set over two floors, with CDs on top and vinyl in the basement. Find new, second-hand and reissued classics ranging from rock to soul to reggae. SISTER RAY 34-35 Berwick Street, Soho No matter what music you’re into, you’re sure to find [...]
Have a whale of a time beside the Sunshine Coast in the real Australia April 12, 2015 Everyone knows it’s a long way to Australia, but I don’t think people really compute just how claustrophobic a 24 hour flight is until they’ve done it. When I touched down in Brisbane, a small child jubilantly ripped her seatbelt off and cried, “I’m free, Mummy! I’m free!” I was right there with her. If [...]