Stig Abell
“It's December, it's cold, there's a worrisome new variant of Covid, and so it's easy to feel a bit gloomy. Especially for me, as I have to get up at 2.50 in the morning, which - let's face it - is the middle of the night. But I refuse to be downhearted. Firstly, because I get up to go to Times Radio, the brilliant radio station (connected to the Times newspaper) we launched at the start of the pandemic, which has been growing ever since. We have loads of brilliant presenters including Mariella Frostrup and John Pienaar, and we are the perfect company for a time of lots of news and lots of uncertainty. I also have just finished my first novel, called ‘Death Under a Little Sky’, which is about a detective who despairs of living in a city full of ill people and goes to live in the idyllic countryside. So no wish-fulfillment there. And finally, my youngest child is three, and so this is the first Christmas she will really get excited about. Her joy in Santa and presents and cake should get me through the month.”
Stig Abell - Journalist, editor & broadcaster
Restaurant: Trattoria Brutto
Russell Norman, the lauded co-founder of the Polpo restaurant group, is back, this time with Trattoria Brutto, and it’s as brilliant as you would expect from Norman. Brutto translates as “ugly but good” and this Tuscan inspired eatery serves up dishes that do exactly that. This isn’t over the top fine dining with architecturally structured plates, but what you get, tastes bloody fantastic. Primi, Secondi, Dolci, it all tallies up to a sumptuous Italian feast with dishes such as pork tonnato with caperberries, a tomato and vodka penne, Tuscan beef shin and peppercorn stew, rabbit pappardelle or their signature Florentine T Bone steak. Accompanying your food will of course be expected classics such as negronis, spritzes, old fashioneds or a full and delicious wine list. A nostalgic Italian interior sets the scene for your banquet and the decor seemingly follows the same pattern as the food. Although less ugly, more simple and homely. However, there is a large full scale mural from artist Neal Fox, that takes over the back of the space giving diners something to gaze at as your tastebuds do a mini dance. You can find Brutto in Farringdon at 35-37 Greenhill Rents.
Cinema: Luna Winter Cinema
Let’s be honest, one of the best bits of the festive season is cosying up with some hot chocolate and diving into a movie. So this is why the winter Luna cinema is a firm fave of ours. All the magic and romance of outdoor cinema with some extra yuletide sparkle. This year, those of us in the capital can choose from two indoor venues (Kensington Palace or Battersea Arts Centre) whereas those outside of the M25 can choose from two drive in options (NEC Birmingham or Brands Hatch in Kent) and films are available from the 3rd to the 23rd of the month depending on your location. They've lined-up every classic and feel-good Christmas film you can think of. With some great food and a full festive bar thrown in, along with giant screens with incredible state of the art sound, it all adds up to the perfect Christmas evening out! For the more deluxe experience you can book a VIP sofa ensuring you can snuggle up to your date or friend making it all extra cosy. Now for the most important part- film showings include It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, The Holiday, Home Alone, The Greatest Showman, Die Hard, The Gruffalo and a Muppet Christmas Carol (amongst others). Book your tickets via the website with prices starting from around £17.
Bar: Hacha Brixton
‘Oh Tequila, it makes me happy…’ as does Mezcal for that matter. If you feel the same then head on over to Brixton’s Market Row and indulge your happiness at new bar Hacha, sister to the Dalston agaveria. Split over two floors, Hacha is a bar, open kitchen and bottle shop all in one serving up a rotating menu of 25 varied Tequilas, Mezcals and lesser-known agave spirits. They have their award-winning Mirror Margarita along with a Brixton special - La Bandera- which comprises three mini cocktails each using a different agave spirit served in the three colours of the Mexican flag. In terms of grub, the resident kitchen partner, Maiz Azul, serves up all the Mexican treats you would expect including Tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and cheese chicharon. Perfect for soaking up some of the alcohol! If you’d rather enjoy the drinks en tu casa then pop into the shop and pick up a bottle or two for your own front room fiesta. Hacha will also close one day a week for their not-for-profit organisation Equal Measures which will offer training, mentorship and workshops to improve the representation of BAME communities within the hospitality industry.
New Years Eve: Studio Paradiso
Studio Paradiso invites us to forget the outside world for one night, ‘where nobody cares who you are as long as you are fabulous’. In a secret Manhattan loft, we’re invited to let love live at a Studio 54 inspired party. With a live pianist, singers and a world class circus performer, this immersive winter pop up will evoke a 1970s wintery Manhattan with all the retro glam you could hope for. Picture 70s furniture, fur rugs, a vintage wood burner, disco balls, and superb period warehouse features. Performers include Silvia Pavone, who after running away to the circus as a teenager has become a world class hula hoop star. The house pianist, Adam Sopp, is an actor and musician who has appeared in BAFTA and Olivier Award winning productions including Sunny Afternoon and Last Night in Soho. It wouldn’t be the 70s, or winter, without fondue. And at Studio Paradiso the fondue is made with a very special ingredient: Champagne! Layered into the Comté, Gruyère and Emmental, the Heidsieck Monopole Brut Grand Cuvée takes the fondue to new heights. All served with classic accoutrements and optional charcuterie boards, the fondue is presented in vintage fondue sets. There is an extensive cocktail menu in addition to the champagne treats. This is the perfect New Years Eve party and tickets are priced from £65. However, Studio Paradiso is open for business from now until the end of January so if you already have NYE plans then fear not, you won’t miss out.
Christmas: The Gingerbread City
The Gingerbread City is an annual exhibition in Belgravia where architects, designers and engineers create an entire city made of gingerbread. Yup you heard that right. Located at 6-7 Motcomb Street, the aim of the exhibition is to connect the public with architecture through an innovative display designed for the holiday season. This is whilst also tempting your tastebuds and getting you in the Christmas spirit simultaneously of course. The exhibition raises money to support the Museum of Architecture as a charity and helps to create programming, exhibitions and events for all architecture lovers both old and new. You can explore this mini edible city from the 4th December through until the 9th January and all ginger nuts can join one of the festive gingerbread house-making workshops taking place every day during the exhibition. It really is quite a sight to behold so visit the website or Instagram for some strong visual enticement. You can almost smell the city through your phone.
Museum: Museum of the Home
London’s much loved Geffrye Museum in Hoxton, closed its doors back in 2018 and has since undergone a rather wonderful refit before now reopening as the Museum of the Home with even more exhibition space for us all to enjoy. The inner contents of the Museum are somewhat given away by its name- a collection of rooms from throughout history that span 400 years’ worth of domestic life. As a visitor you wander through these ‘Rooms Through Time’ and experience how home life has evolved over these years. Especially for Christmas, each of the rooms have been redressed in a festive manor and this runs until early January. Outside they have created ‘Gardens Through Time’ - unsurprisingly the same concept as inside, allowing us to see the varying garden styles and uses from across the ages. On top of all this you can take part in a variety of workshops including wreath or jewellery making, attend family friendly storytelling for the little’uns or panel discussions including exploring the significance of Hanukkah, plus tuck in at Molly's Café which offers a seasonal, good value menu for Museum visitors, local neighbours and food lovers alike, housed in a former Victorian pub building, it all adds up to make the Museum of the Home a must visit in December.
Music: Festive Gospel Motown Sunday brunch at The Anthologist
On the 12th or 19th of December why don’t you show R.E.S.P.E.C.T to the greats at a one of a kind soulful brunch at The Anthologist near Bank. Sip on unlimited Bloody Mary’s, Alpine Spritz cocktails, prosecco or selected beers and tuck into a tempting brunch dish of your choice while listening to the sweet sounds of an incredible gospel choir and live Motown singers. From Aretha Franklin to Stevie Wonder, to Sister Act & Beyoncé, it’s an opportunity to sing along with some amazing live singers whilst sipping on your favourite cocktails. We’ve all probably indulged in some joyful singing after a bottomless brunch or two so why not do it alongside the experts eh? Tickets are £54.99 per person and the event takes place over 4 hours so really quite the bargain for an alternative Sunday lunch! Head to the website to book.
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Charity of the Month: Save the Children
Friday 10th December marks Christmas Jumper Day where Save the Children ask us ALL to don fancy festive knitwear and donate £2 to the charity to help improve the lives of children through better education, health care, and economic opportunities, as well as providing emergency aid in natural disasters, war, and other conflicts. This special day celebrates its tenth anniversary this year so let’s help STC raise the most funds ever this year. Simply visit the website and register your office, workplace, school, book club, whatever it may be, and you’ll receive an online fundraising pack full of all the info you may need to make it a fun filled day for a good cause and how to collect donations online too. In 2020, Save The Children helped 45 million children across the world get the medicine, good food and education they need. With nearly 600,000 supporters, alongside families, nurses, teachers and other workers, they believe children shouldn’t be defined by their situation, but by who they are and what they can be. A phenomenal charity and one that truly deserves our support at this time of the year. (and all year round for that matter!)
App of the month: 1 Second Every Day
1 Second Everyday is a video journal app that makes it easy for you to create meaningful movies that include every day of your life. It works by stitching second-long snippets from your life into a compelling, personal movie. With built-in reminders, a simple editing tool, and a pleasing design, 1 Second Every Day is everything you need to put together your own thought-provoking narrative. The app has critical acclaim and it certainly makes for a more compelling watch than the average insta feed in our opinion. One to get lined up for 2022 perhaps?