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Metro
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
We tried London's 'incredibly chic' fried chicken – does it compare to KFC?
Welcome back to The Slice! We survived the heatwave. Phew! As London returns to more manageable temperatures, we've been on the search for relaxing spaces to wind down and recover after days of being reduced to sentient puddles on the Tube. This week, we've gone from unwinding in a serene Mayfair hideaway to an underground wine bar that makes braving Covent Garden's crowds worth it. You can also find the best places to get your fried chicken fix – because let's be honest, when are we not craving some crunchy, golden wings? And coming up this weekend, there are Wimbledon screenings, £5 pints at German Gymnasium's birthday bash, and a £10 food crawl through Peckham's coolest spots, courtesy of another fried chicken hero, Mr Bao. Read on for a whole range of recommendations for 5-6 July, handpicked as always by The Slice. The Slice is your weekly guide to what's happening in London, so if you're looking for restaurant reviews, drinks deals or just a great new exhibition to visit on a rainy Saturday in the capital, we've got you covered. Click here for this week's edit of the best things to do in town. The Slice newsletter also a brand new look! We'll still be in your inbox every week, bringing you all the very best things to eat, drink and do in the capital. So if you want get the next edition before anyone else, sign up here! If you want to do it all on the cheap, you can also find our latest batch of exclusive hand-picked offers in partnership with Time Out here. If you're looking for something to do this weekend, here are 11 of the best activities, dining, and drinking spots in the capital. By Beatrice Aidin Cursing Berkeley Square's kamikaze cyclists, I turn into Bruton Place and have my grump immediately abandoned. Opening the door of Silva I discover three of my favourite things; calm, a set lunch menu and a room of beauty. Latin for forest, Silva's designers have curated curved wooden chairs, elegant marble green tables plus a long banquette that curves like the branch of a tree. I've always thought it a sign of pride in a restaurant when dishes for a set menu come from the main menu, they really want to you to try them. Silva's signature starter of egg crispy fried arrives round with a plump, sunny yolk atop a parmesan sauce loaded with earthy girolle mushrooms. Then risotto with wild garlic and morels – both a wonderful adieu to spring, though the spatchcock chicken looked similarly impressive. As for the crazy bikers from earlier? Over it. For you can't but feel solace at Silva. Two-course lunch menu, £29. 26 Bruton Place, Mayfair, W1J 6NG. Book here. By Kitty Chrisp If you're after a crisp glass of vino in the early evening sun with a spread of comforting Middle Eastern nibbles, then Arabica in Borough is well worth a visit. Also with a restaurant at Kings Cross, this classy-but-chilled establishment offers the most lip-smacking dips from £8, with their signature pitta breads to mop it all up. The pick of the hot mezze is a salty, delicious black honey halloumi, while the orange-infused chocolate mousse with a sesame brittle is a must-try. It's relaxed enough for post-work catch ups, but special enough for a date night. All in all, a versatile pit stop for some flavourful bites and a refreshing spritz or two in a true Flatmosphere (fun London atmosphere). Mezze from £14. 25th Anniversary Chef's Selection £48pp for the whole table. Borough Market and King's Cross. Book here. Get £5 pints of Warsteiner Pilsener courtesy of German Gymnasium! For its 10th birthday (11-13 July), they're treating you to a cracking deal, plus a Live Oompah Band on 11 July. You can also get your hands on a special menu for the week, including braised lamb shank and a Schnitzel Caesar Salad. Mr Bao is bringing back their Peckham food weekender for 2025 to celebrate Peckham's vibrant food scene while giving back to the local community. From 4-6 July, you can get £10 specials at some of the most buzziest SE15 spots (including Forza Wine, Jurkish and White Men Can't Jerk). £1 for each special will be donated to Peckham Pantry. Find out more. Best for: a real Irish delicacy Forget Guinness stew, Ireland's true national dish is the chicken fillet roll – breaded chicken in a perfectly soft-yet-crunchy roll alongside a variety of your favourite fillings and sauces. We sent The Slice's Irish team member Dylan to test out Emerald Eats, which supplied 'the nicest version of the dish [he's] ever had – although pricier than back home.' (Given it's all freshly made it front of you though, he said he'll allow it.) He tried the 'Full Shabang': chicken, lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheese and garlic mayo. Sounds delicious. They also do a mean spice box – think salt and pepper chicken but even better. Yes, it's possible. Chicken roll, £10. Spice box, £11. Various locations. Just turn up! Best for: that crunch There are a few things to get right with fried chicken – it needs to be crispy (we're talking ASMR style), not oily, have some level of seasoning, and be moist. Sticks'n'Sushi gets all of that right with their chicken karaage. Piping hot, it's got a serious crunch on it, and it's perfectly golden with a perfect balance of seasoning. Served alongside tangy neon pink pickled red onion and a punchy wasabi caesar sauce, we could have a whole portion of this to ourselves. Chicken karaage, £11. Various locations. Book here. Best for: when bossman just won't cut it If you've ever wanted to feel incredibly chic while eating fried chicken, FOWL is the place to be. The vibes are cool, the drinks are quirky (Duck Fat Martini, anyone?) and the food is delicious. Be sure to start with the Satay Chicken Toast, a delightfully unique twist on a classic, and follow up with spicy Pink Pepper Honey chicken strips with a side of chicken salt fries. Trust us, once you've tried this, you'll never want a basic KFC again. Six chicken wings or four strips, £12. 3 Norris St, St James's. Book here. It's Pride in London this weekend! Check out last week's picks of the best events to celebrate in the capital here, including a daytime rave with performances from Bimini and Nadine Coyle and Kapara's Pride Pit Stop. Wimbledon has officially kicked off, and there are plenty of screenings around the city – including free screenings at East Village's Centre Court East, Rooftop vibes at Rooftop Film Club, and more. Ride your way into a fabulous weekend at Tour De Cuvée, a community bike right from London to Brighton. The day begins with complimentary Oatly coffees at Top Cuvée Shoreditch, before hitting the road at 8am. And once the hard work is done, the first pints are on Top Cuvée, followed by a mega afterparty with live music, prizes and more. Tickets, £36. Sign up here. By Gergana Krasteva 'Where is good to go for a drink in Covent Garden?' is a question I often Google ahead of a show in the West End – and generally, I end up being disappointed with the result. The opposite of what is promised to tourists in London, the area has been spoiled with uninspired chain restaurants and unauthentic pubs, flogging warm pints and murky wine for double digits. Courtyard Wine Cellars – the latest opening inside Covent Garden's famous Market Place – may be a gamechanger. The venue, which opened in May, touts itself as the largest wine bar in London. I was recommended the Lanson Champagne followed by the aromatic orange Bedoba wine from Georgia, all complemented with an overflowing cheese board and truffle fries. With a curated collection of more than 1,000 wines from across 10 countries, the Courtyard Wine Cellars has all it needs to satisfy even the most precious wine snob like myself. Wines by the glass from around £9. Platters from £16. 17, The Marketplace, Covent Garden, WC2E 8RB. Book here. Primary school traders will take over Borough Market on 3 July! 60 young traders from 12 local London primary schools will sell fruits and vegetables they've grown in their school gardens. All money raised from the sale will be donated to food redistribution charity Plan Zheroes. By John Nathan More Trending Knowing that Noel Gallagher was in the row behind me added an edge of authenticity to this superb play about the conflicts and creative processes of a great band. Not that you need the Oasis bro to be in the building to be convinced. One of the miracles of David Adjmi's play, which arrives from New York with five Tony awards, is that its music by former Arcade Fire member Will Butler could easily be from one of the greatest albums of the 1970s. Set entirely in a Californian recording studio with a monster mixing desk centre stage, we join the group as they embark on their second album. That the cast play everything live is another of the evening's many miracles. David Aukin's three-hour – yet gripping – production reveals the fault lines of a band that is both welded and weakened by its relationships, not least that between Peter and his dominated, gifted singer-songwriter girlfriend, played by Lucy Karczewski. How I wonder what Noel thought. View More » Until 11 October. Duke of York's Theatre. Book tickets here. MORE: I spent 96 hours in 'little London', where life is easier MORE: Iconic London nightclub set for one last party before closing its doors for good Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Metro
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
What to do in London if you didn't get tickets to Chelsea Flower Show
Welcome back to The Slice! It's that time again. Time for London to be decorated in all sorts of floral delights for the Chelsea Flower Show. And if you didn't get tickets to the official events, we've got lots up our sleeve. From a gorgeous Baskets In Bloom menu at MiMi Mei Fair, to a Bridgerton-esque afternoon tea at Sketch (with a string trio as the perfect backdrop). We're also letting you in on the fun at Flukes, the brand-new games hall from Big Penny Social in Walthamstow. And we indulge at neighbourhood spot Tozi, trying their signature dish – buffalo ricotta ravioli in a buttery black truffle sauce. Spoiler: it's as luxurious as it sounds. Read on for a whole range of recommendations for 24-26 May, handpicked as always by The Slice. The Slice is your weekly guide to what's happening in London, so if you're looking for restaurant reviews, drinks deals or just a great new exhibition to visit on a rainy Saturday in the capital, we've got you covered. Click here for this week's edit of the best things to do in town. The Slice newsletter also a brand new look! We'll still be in your inbox every week, bringing you all the very best things to eat, drink and do in the capital. So if you want get the next edition before anyone else, sign up here! If you want to do it all on the cheap, you can also find our latest batch of exclusive hand-picked offers in partnership with Time Out here. If you're looking for something to do this weekend, here are 11 of the best activities, dining, and drinking spots in the capital. By Beatrice Aidin Rarely do I gasp at the sight of dim sum, but the vibrant beauty of the green garlic, chive and chicken and ruby-red crystal morel trio has us snapping away on our phones. They taste as good as they look – and are not only great value but utterly delicious. We're seated in the chic Chinoiserie-style dining room, and we indulge in Sichuan Suffolk corn-fed chicken with cashew nuts – its kick of dried chilli is just right. Their vegetarian options are equally special, like the clay pot black bean aubergine. Each dish is served with olive fried rice and crunchy seasonal vegetables (set menus often get you on the sides). For pudding, the refreshing coco mango vegan sundae felt just like heading into the Mayfair sunshine. Baskets in Bloom menu, from £34pp. 55 Curzon St, Mayfair, W1J 8PG. Book here. Best for: fashion meets Chelsea Flower Show Sticks 'n' Sushi is embracing this year's Chelsea Flower Show theme with a stunning installation of a floral display by the legendary late Alexander McQueen. The sushi restaurant is drawing inspiration from McQueen's Spring 2001 'VOSS' collection influenced by dusky purple kimonos featuring exotic birds dancing through an oriental garden. To celebrate, they have launched a limited-edition cocktail, Kimono Bloom, made with Akashi Tai Yuzushu, St Germain and strawberry shrub. Kimono Bloom cocktail, £14. 19-25 May. Sticks'n'Sushi Chelsea. Book here. Best for: feeling like you're in Bridgerton Sketch In Bloom isn't technically tied to the Chelsea Flower Show, rather it's a floricultural celebration of Jane Austen's 250th birthday. Enter through a clematis-strewn pergola fluttering with pages from Austen's novels, and step into the Library, where a giant wisteria tree awaits. In the iconic rose gold dining room, staff in Regency-inspired dresses serve afternoon tea, while a string trio worthy of a Bridgerton ball plays in the corner. Miniature spring delights on your silver cake stand include a daisy-shaped apricot tart, lavender macaron and an adorable mousse cake disguised as a strawberry. Even the iconic Pod bathrooms are blooming, watched over by a giant topiary Jane on a throne of ballet pink roses and lilac delphiniums. Afternoon tea, £115pp including a glass of Champagne Pommery Brut Royal. Until June 1. 9 Conduit St, Mayfair. Book here. Best for: floral fun London's chicest floral festival is here. It's Chelsea in Bloom, where you can gaze at 115 different floral displays across the streets of Chelsea. It's the perfect way to soak up the floral fun. Take in stunning installations like giant yellow wellies beneath umbrella canopies in Sloane Square and Elton John-inspired sunglasses on Sloane Street. The Cadogan Arms is joining the celebrations, with a floral installation, a special cocktail menu in partnership with Casamigos and an edible flower-topped dessert. Chelsea In Bloom, 19-25 May. Find out what else is on here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Crosstown (@crosstown) Celebrate Chelsea Flower Show with CROSSTOWN'S limited-edition doughnuts. We're eyeing the Lavender Crème Brûlée, filled with silky lavender buttercream and custard, and the Pistachio & Salted Caramel Cookie Cup. The sweetest sip in town… available from all CROSSTOWN stores and online later this week. By Sophie Laughton Go down the unprepossessing bus stop side of Victoria station and you'll find neighbourhood gem Tozi. It's a poster child for warm Italian hospitality, with complimentary fresh bread and gorgeous Sardinian wine by the glass. It's all very La Dolce Vita… literally. They're projecting the 1960s classic onto the wall above the kitchen. Share your way through the cicchetti menu: delicate yellowtail carpaccio, fresh and simple salads, and a delicious selection of Italian meats and cheeses. Their springtime special, Rustichelle with peas, asparagus and Tuscan pecorino, is vibrant, green and earthy, but it's not a patch on their signature dish: perfect pasta parcels of buffalo ricotta in a buttery black truffle sauce. Continue the green theme with Tozi's take on London's trendiest ingredient – a silky, nutty pistachio tiramisu. Bellissima ! Cicchetti from £9.75. 8 Gillingham St, Pimlico, SW1V 1HJ. Book here. Set in the upstairs area of the cavernous warehouse setting of Big Penny Social in the reliably trendy east London neighbourhood of Walthamstow, Flukes promises enough interactive games, craft beer, and cocktails to make for the perfect birthday celebration or corporate get-together. It's a bit more expensive than simply putting your pound down at the local pub, but the interactive darts board with a projector, screen, and array of games is a competitor to the likes of Flight Club. The design of the pool table area can make gameplay a little awkward with people coming and going, but the atmosphere and bar food more than make up for it. Though the private karaoke rooms could use a lock (interruptions mid-warble aren't ideal), the brand-new equipment and proper soundproofing mean this spot is likely to become justifiably popular. Darts, shuffle and karaoke, £10pp per hour. Pool, £15 per hour. Upstairs at Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, Walthamstow, E17 6AL. Book here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kudu (@kudurestaurant) Peckham's Kudu is getting a new home in Marylebone after eight years in the neighbourhood. This is your last chance to catch their tasty plates at the old location with their limited-edition 'Best of Kudu' menu. First in the series is Christina Soteriou's Sumac and pomegranate stewed cherry slushy – £1 of each slushy will be donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians. Available from 1 June. Find out more. Honest Burger has teamed up with DOOM to celebrate the release of DOOM: The Dark Ages. And they're bringing the heat. The new DOOM burger features double smashed beef patties, double American cheese, bacon, sweet onions, pickles, black garlic mayo, crispy onions and hot sauce from The Rib Man. Plus, chances to win prizes like two Xbox consoles wrapped in DOOM graphics, and more! Keep an eye on Honest Burger's Instagram to take part. Are you a natural chatterbox? Can't go a day without a podcast in your ear? The Podcast Show at the Business Design Centre in Islington features live podcast stage shows, 150+ speakers, after parties and even a chance for you to pitch your own podcast idea. Get your tickets here. The London Cycling Festival takes place this Sunday, and there are tons of ways you can join in. Expect bike markets, family friendly activities, and live music. Find out where your local events are. The most Tony-nominated play (13 nominations) ever is back! After a smash hit run on Broadway, Stereophonic is transferring to the West End's Duke of York's Theatre for just 20 weeks. More Trending The play invites the audience to immerse themselves in the process of a band on the brink of blowing up, as they struggle through recording their new album set from 1976 to 1977. Expect booze, jealousy, songs coming together and relationships falling apart. Duke of York's Theatre, Covent Garden. 24 May-20 September. Book tickets here. MORE: What's Cooking? I worked in cabin crew for 12 years — avoid these five foods on planes MORE: I rarely buy drinks from Co-op — but £7.35 bottle blew me away
