Robert Peston
“Autumn is the most exhausting time of the year. And this year worse than ever, as the publication of my first thriller, The Whistleblower, collides with a frantically busy day job trying to make sense of the post lockdown world. It is all about evaluating the momentum behind the surge in the cost of living, whether the government has a credible plan to sustainably improve living standards, the risk that a new variant of the virus will deprive us again of our important freedoms, the consequences of the deep mistrust between UK and EU, the probability that climate-change promises will translate into planet-saving actions. We live in challenging times, to state the obvious. But I won’t be bored!”
Theatre: Moulin Rouge the Musical
After a decade of planning, creating and then touring across Australia and the States, Moulin Rouge the Musical has finally landed in the West End, ready to wow us, from the 12th of November. The Piccadilly Theatre is where the brightly coloured, feather boa’d action will take place and with 14 Tony nominations to date, it’s one helluva show. The inimitable Baz Lurhmann, producer of the infamous movie, is at the production helm of the stage version too and the soundtrack is more expansive and desirable than even our wildest dreams. Over 70 chart topping and recognisable songs are woven into the show meaning you’ll be hard pressed to not be up in your seats and singing along to the entirety. “Enter a world of splendour and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Pop the champagne and prepare for the spectacular”. Book tickets via the website.
Restaurant: Holm
The 3 amigo’s behind Hotlist faves Larry’s, Salon and Levan, are opening their first rural outpost, Holm, on the 10th November. Located in the idyllic village of South Petherton in Somerset, Holm is situated in a handsome former bank and boasts an impressive outdoor grill and dining terrace, making it a destination for visitors from near and far as well as a welcoming spot for locals to get together. As with the team’s London restaurants, the menu will be driven by the seasons and have sustainability at its core. The sleek 34-cover dining room is centred around the bank’s original vault, now housing the restaurant’s collection of organic, biodynamic and low intervention wines from UK and European producers. Meanwhile, the restaurant’s open kitchen will be surrounded by an intimate dining counter, giving six lucky guests a full sense of the action. The leafy garden and terrace, which houses a custom-made grill and can seat 50 guests, is surrounded by greenery and Holm’s own produce. Diners can choose from the seasonal a la carte menu, with a selection of small plates or larger plates including grilled celeriac with broccoli tops and seaweed Béarnaise, Tamworth pork chop, baked quince and bitter leaves or plaice, sea vegetables, elderberry capers and brown butter. Alongside the biodynamic wines, local ciders and perries from artisanal producers, a selection of classic cocktails and a range of soft drinks made in house using herbs and botanicals picked from the garden, will keep everyone’s thirst suitably quenched.
Activity: Clays
London seemingly has indoor versions of most outdoor pursuits, so we didn't even realise what we were missing….till it was here. Clays is the first of its kind, indoor Olympic clay shooting venue opening today in Moorgate, meaning we can experience a little more country dahling….in the big city. Obviously, it would need to be a fairly expansive space to shoot real clays so it’s all done via cutting-edge technology, giving you the real experience in a non-real format. Staff in tweed and leather-bound bars heighten the countryside feel as you descend into the underground hunting retreat. You and 5 to 19 mates can enjoy a 90-minute session shooting away at the targets using decommissioned shotguns. You can choose games from classic clay pigeon through to more modern shooting themes but always competing against your pals for the ultimate victory. Built in touch screens allow you to order food and drinks to your area and a former Ritz chef has created a menu of shareable light bites like Cornish whitebait with lemon & aioli, venison Scotch eggs; Korean fried cauliflower; truffle popcorn; flamed celeriac with chimichurri and also larger dishes if you ain’t a sharer. Classic cocktails and a full drinks menu will accompany all the action and presumably help you improve your aim….or not.
Bar: Louche
We are still revelling in the novelty of being able to venture out for drinks after work and at the weekends, free from social distancing and all the other Covid red tape (that was much needed at the time, don’t get us wrong). What makes us even happier is to see new venues opening up as the hustle and bustle of our much-loved London nightlife, returns. The latest to have caught our eye is Louche in Soho, the centre of the capital's raucous bar hopping. Most people will have heard of, not least visited, one of London's “records” bars, namely Northcote Records, Old St Records or Venn St Records? Well they are the team behind the imminent arrival of Louche on Greek Street, in a three storey townhouse filled with a dedication to the history and debauchery of Soho drinking from days gone by. Think punk, rock and roll, jazz and cabaret amongst others! Louche want to revive the ‘spirit of old Soho’ with live music and performances that will soundtrack your evening as you indulge in sumptuous original cocktails and a spirited atmosphere. Louche is setting up home in the old 68 & Boston site which many of you will know means it’s a vast drinking space for over 250 revellers in low lighting and inviting but dark interior colour schemes. Louche’s signature serves will include a watermelon mezcalita, a Soho spritz made with rose cider, and a Umamartini, which sees a classic gin martini flavoured with fino sherry, elderflower and olive brine. It’s a yes from us.
Christmas: Southbank Christmas Market
Are we allowed to say the C word yet….no not that one, we mean Christmas! The nights are drawing in and the temperature is dropping so it’s only right we start to warm up Buble and Mariah and dig out the ol’ fave Xmas jumper. A favourite festive jaunt is to stroll along a winter market and where better than the Southbank to get you in the xmas spirit? Their winter market opens up on the 4th of the month bringing cosy wooden chalets, warming street food and hot toddies, arts and crafts and more, from now until Christmas Eve. Wrap up cosy and browse the market stalls for stocking fillers, gifts and decorations, ‘keep your belly merry with savoury plates of truffle burgers, fish wraps or gourmet cheese toasties; winter classics like fondue, bratwurst and eggnog; and mince pies, dutch pancakes and other sweet treats, and ward off the cold by cradling a mulled wine, hot toddy or hot chocolate.’. So festively fancy and just what we need after Xmas was all but cancelled last year!
Activity: Epping Ongar Light Fantastic
Sticking with a wintery theme, festive cheer can only truly be experienced with some twinkling lights, right? And London always goes over and above on the festive light displays. For 2021, there’s a new kid in town….and it moves! May we introduce you to the Epping Ongar Light Fantastic railway experience...yup, you heard us, it’s a moving light show aboard our very own Polar Express that departs from North Weald Station in Epping. Hop on to the most merry and brightly decorated train you ever did see and enjoy the one hour route through rural forests with woodland animals, fairies, elves and just all the Christmas magic your little ones could dream of. The trips kick off from the 19th November and run through until early January, but are proving popular, so get in quick for tickets. An onboard story will further magnify the Christmas cheer for the little’uns and it’s a generally heart-warming, mood lifting, light spectacular to warm all our hearts. Tickets are £20 and available via their website.
Charity of the Month: Stop Hate UK
Stop Hate UK is one of the leading national organisations working to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual’s identity. They provide independent, confidential and accessible reporting and support for victims, witnesses and third parties, 24 hours a day every day of the year. Set up in 1995 in direct response to the murder of Stephen Lawrence as a service for victims of racial harassment, the charity also delivers and supports projects on areas including community cohesion, youth engagement, stop and search consultancy and scrutiny panels among others. In 2013 they launched the Stop Learning Disability Hate Crime Line and in January 2015, the Stop Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Hate Crime Line, funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, was launched across England, Scotland and Wales. The work they do is invaluable and you can donate via their website to help them continue their important work or find other ways to fundraise for them.
App of the month: Sojo
Gone is the summer wardrobe and out comes the chunky knits and padded coats. But hark, what’s that, a hole in thy favourite Cos jumper? Well panic not because Sojo is a clothing alteration and repairs app that acts in a Deliveroo style to find you the nearest and best tailor or seamstress to fix your woes. Simply input the appropriate alteration required and a bike will collect your items before returning them, good as new, around five days later. Magic! We can banish the need to buy new and instead take comfort in knowing we are participating in a more sustainable circular economy. Well done us.