Smells define our world – but modern life is killing them June 26, 2025 The smell of the Clockwork Orange – AKA the Glasgow Subway – has mystified Glaswegians for over a hundred years. Newspapers have pored over the pong since the metro first opened in 1896. Over the years the curious, slightly fusty scent has been described as an “odour-laden spice caravan” and prompted one Redditor to ask [...]
How I discovered the joys of tinned fish June 26, 2025 Until I was in my twenties, I thought tuna was a sort of grey, flaky mulch that tasted of brine and disappointment. I had no concept of what an actual tuna might look like: I’d only ever seen them in the form of a hockey-puck sized cylinder. They might have fished them from the inky [...]
Pop star Estelle tells us what she’d eat for her last meal June 26, 2025 Grammy award-winning British singer, rapper, and actor Estelle tells us what she would eat for her last meal, from West African puff puff to Granadian saltfish and a glass of whisky My mother and my grandma were both chefs. Mum went to school for it, and learned how to cook all these amazing things. She would come [...]
No Glasto? No problemo! Here are the top things to do in London June 25, 2025 With thousands of Londoners trading the concrete jungle for the fields of Glastonbury, you could be forgiven for thinking the world’s greatest music festival is the only thing in the calendar this weekend. But London continues to knock it out of the park, and with the temperatures rising to a positively Mediterranean 31 degrees, here [...]
Eat, drink, sleep, repeat: Foodie delights in Dubai June 25, 2025 Martin Williams is one of the judges for our first Toast the City awards. Here he tells us about his recent trip to the gastronomic paradise of ever-sunny Dubai. The Serpentine Summer Party never disappoints. After a wonderful lunch at Petrus, I found myself enjoying Mujen Sochu Cocktails, created by the bar legend Tato Giovannoni, who [...]
Lunchtime Tourism: Discover The Café Below a St Mary-le-Bow June 25, 2025 If you fancy a cup of Rosie Lea and a slice of Give and Take, then the Café Below in St Mary-le-Bow may be right up your Field of Wheat. Famously, those born within earshot of the Bow Bells are considered true Cockneys, a term that originated as a way for countryfolk to mock their [...]
From Oasis to Pulp, Britpop is back, baby! But why? June 25, 2025 Tonight, we’re gonna party like it’s 1995. Oasis have smashed box office records. Pulp have a new album out. Suede just announced one, too. Supergrass, Sleeper, Cast, Ocean Colour Scene – even Kula Shaker – are all on the road again. Britpop is back – the question is: why? Britpop’s blend of swagger, cynicism and [...]
F1 movie: Brad Pitt adds charm to Formula One movie June 25, 2025 Hollywood hasn’t always been enamoured with Formula One, but that’s changed over the last decade or so. Netflix’s Drive To Survive, 2013 drama Rush and 2019’s Ford V Ferrari have elevated interest Stateside, along with the relaunch of the US Grand Prix in 2012. Now, F1 is officially getting the Hollywood treatment, with one of [...]
This Bitter Earth, Soho Theatre review: Billy Porter’s playful tragedy June 25, 2025 This Bitter Earth review and star rating: ★★★★ This Bitter Earth is the UK directorial debut of Pose star Billy Porter, which in and of itself makes this an incredible LGBTQ show to catch this Pride month – but the play is about more than just its starry parts. It’s a surprisingly playful and immensely [...]
The Bowls Club is the best summer event in the City June 25, 2025 If ramming the car full with tents and wellies and trekking the countryside sounds like too much hard work, stay in the City this summer for a dose of festival spirit – the new Bowls Club in Finsbury Square feels like the City’s own little music festival. There’s a live DJ every night, and some [...]