(Things we're doing and stuff we like)
Mark Hix recently opened his new restaurant – Hix – on 66 Brewer Street in Soho – and my dining experience was delightful. The ambiance is both comfortable and glamorous, created by the marriage of both the rustic wood and the seductive low level lighting. Hix’s wide repertoire has an emphasis on British fare and I loved the partridge on toast with salsify and elderberries. Downstairs is Mark’s, the speakeasy bar, with game boards, bar billiards, and a low level bar that is difficult to pull
away from at the end of the evening.
The US cult store Anthropologie opened its flagship store on Regent Street this morning. With another branch on the old Antiquarius site on the Kings Road they are clearly aiming for the more sophisticated shopper. Eager Londoners were keen to explore the three floors of beautifully selected and presented merchandise- mostly new to the UK- and the tills were ringing. American staff had flown in for the launch to ensure that it reflected the quirky, bazaar feel of its Stateside counterpart. Look out for the ‘Living Wall’ which is like a tropical garden. I loved the colourful fabric chandeliers, ceramic pots shaped like balls of wool and Peruvian quilts on antique tables and chests.
Anyone within a half mile of Regents Park could not miss the sheer mass of people crowding into to see the spectacular Frieze Art Fair. With an impressive list of international galleries and heavy hitters such as Gagosian, Maureen Paley and Timothy Taylor, some of the finest works in the contemporary art world are there to behold. I was personally enthralled with White Cube’s exhibit which featured works by Damian Hirst, Gary Hume and Tracy Emin. The enthusiastic crowd seemed to be eagerly going about their business. I only wish it could be on all year!
On Tuesday, I attended the opening of the Pavilion of Art & Design in Berkeley Square. The show was absolutely buzzing with activity. Jaw-dropping works by legendary artists such as Matisse, Picasso, Le Corbusier and Chagall were on show alongside contemporary icons such as Gerhard Richter, Nobuyoshi Araki and Ron Arad. On the design art front, Carpenters Workshop Gallery was a standout with rAndom international’s You Fade to Light installation. Truly an impressive event!
I ventured to Tate Britain to check out the Turner Prize short list. The ideas behind the work were strong and the execution, in most cases, was beautiful. I’ll put my money on Lucy Skaer to win the prize. Her whale skull had a sculptural mystery to it and I really liked her wall drawings and prints. I also took in the newly opened show: Turner and the Masters. Turner had a really competitive streak and it’s fascinating seeing the way he took on, and bettered, in many cases, the Old Masters. His ability to conjure atmosphere is so impressive. But I’d love to know what he’d make of the artists who are vying for the prize which bears his name!
Archive
May, 2013April, 2013
March, 2013
February, 2013
January, 2013
December, 2012
November, 2012
October, 2012
September, 2012
August, 2012
July, 2012
June, 2012
May, 2012
April, 2012
March, 2012
February, 2012
January, 2012
December, 2011
November, 2011
October, 2011
September, 2011
August, 2011
July, 2011
June, 2011
May, 2011
April, 2011
March, 2011
February, 2011
January, 2011
December, 2010
November, 2010
October, 2010
September, 2010
August, 2010
July, 2010
June, 2010
May, 2010
April, 2010
March, 2010
February, 2010
January, 2010
December, 2009
November, 2009
October, 2009
September, 2009
August, 2009
July, 2009
June, 2009
May, 2009
April, 2009
March, 2009
February, 2009
January, 2009
December, 2008
November, 2008
October, 2008
September, 2008
August, 2008
July, 2008
June, 2008
May, 2008
April, 2008
March, 2008
February, 2008
January, 2008
December, 2007
November, 2007
October, 2007
September, 2007
August, 2007
July, 2007
June, 2007
May, 2007
April, 2007
March, 2007
February, 2007
January, 2007
December, 2006
November, 2006
October, 2006
September, 2006
August, 2006
July, 2006
June, 2006
May, 2006
April, 2006
Moblog
Bangkok Thailand
sunset on koh tao, thailand
brixton village
six senses spa koh samui
smith restaurant bangkok