21.06.18: Seven Unmissable Events Happening in London This WeekendBy Angelica Malin
From a gelato festival to a Swedish mid-summer party– we’ve handpicked the best events happening in the capital this weekend. Happy exploring, London:
Weekend Guide: Saturday 23rd June
1. For a Mid-Summer Party: Rök
What: Rök are setting up to celebrate the Scandinavian tradition of Swedish mid-summer with a breezy seafood feast (and plenty of Aquavit to accompany). Starting from 6pm on Saturday (23rd June), the team will be pulling out all the stops as they celebrate this great Swedish tradition at their Shoreditch restaurant.
Why: Executive chef Matt Young and head chef Faust have spent the last few weeks developing a seafood-focused feasting-style menu. Expect to see takes on Swedish classics such assoused herring with knäckebröd, grilled squid with herring roe and garlic mayo and hot smoked sea trout with chilled cucumber. They’ll also be setting up a raw bar for the night – serving a selection of oysters and other raw shellfish like scallops and langoustines. For those who can’t go without meat, there’s a special of Oak roasted ribeye of native beef on the menu – served with charred spring cabbage and horseradish sauerkraut.
Price: Tickets are £40 per person for the feasting menu which includes a welcome drink. To book – email bookings@roklondon.com or call the restaurant on 020 7377 2152.
Where: 26 Curtain Rd, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3NY
2. For a Live Screening: The Grand
What: Over the summer, The Grand in Clapham are welcoming a mix of feel-good musical gems to its big screen. Gracing The Grand’s silver screen on Saturday will be The Rocky Horror Picture Show brought to life with live performances from the Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadow Cast.
Why: The live rendition will be hosted by Patricia Quinn who plays Magenta in the original film, and in true Grand style, expect amazing outfits, prizes for the best Frank n Furter, themed cocktails, delicious food offerings and a 24ft screen (the largest in London, don’t you know).
Price: From £15 per person. Grab there here.
Where: 21-25 St John’s Hill, London SW11 1TT
3. For Discovering Greece’s Favourite Bite: The Athenian
What: Loukoumades (arguably Greece’s best-loved treat) is set to hit London’s foodie scene this weekend in a special weekend dedicated to these light fluffy Greek doughnuts. Taking place over two days (23rd and 24th June) at The Athenian in White City Place, the event will celebrate loukoumades (pronounced loo-ka-math-es) – light, fluffy, doughnut style balls drenched in honey – in all its forms.
Why: As well as classic Loukoumades topped with honey and cinnamon on offer, The Athenian will be experimenting with modern twists on toppings such as hazelnut, praline and chocolate sauce which can be enjoyed individually or on a sharing board for two. Also available will be refreshing scoops of either Kaimaki Buffalo Ice Cream or Buffalo Frozen Yogurt as alternative indulgent accompaniments.
Price: £3.50 or £6.50 for a sharing board.
Where: Unit 5, White City Place, 191 Wood Ln, London W12 7TU
Photo Credit: Zute Lightfoot
4. For a Late Night Acrobat Show: Elixir
What: After winning the Best Circus and Physical Theatre Award at this year’s Adelaide Fringe – this weekend is your last chance to catch the hilarious Elixir at the Underbelly Festival Southbank. Subversive and funny, Elixir is also a piece of extraordinary acrobatic ability. Tumbling on the spinning Cyr wheel, hand standing on tottering ladders, balancing on their heads on a swinging trapeze, the Head First Acrobats’ skill will take your breath away and set your pulse racing.
Price: Tickets are available priced from £18.50 (including £1.50 booking fee). Available from the Underbelly box office or 0333 344 4167.
Where: Underbelly Festival Southbank, Belvedere Road Coach Park, London, SE1 8XX
Photo Credit: Sarah Tallott Photography
5. For a Collaborative Seafood Dinner: Norbert Niederkofler x Francesco Mazzei
What: Norbert Niederkofler, one of Italy’s most highly-regarded chefs, will join Francesco Mazzei at his Battersea restaurant, Fiume, for an evening of showstopping seafood dishes as part of the inaugural London Seafood Festival.
Why: For one night only (23rd June), Niederkofler will be offering guests to Francesco Mazzei’s riverside restaurant a taste of his famous cuisine, with a stunning dish of Risotto with tomato water, bottarga and basil oil. Meanwhile, Mazzei will be cooking up a seafood special that celebrates both British ingredients and his Calabrese heritage: Scottish scallops with ‘nduja and salsa verde.
Price: To sample either of the chef’s special seafood dishes, simply book at Fiume for dinner on Saturday 23rd June. The full a la carte menu will also be available on the night.
Where: Circus West Village, Battersea Power Station, London SW8 5BN
Weekend Guide: Sunday 24th June
6. For a Swedish Takeover: Sager + Wilde x Virtuous Vodka
What: Organic Swedish brand Virtuous Vodka has partnered with Sager + Wilde Paradise Row to bring a taste of Scandi summer celebrations to East London. In honour of the traditional Swedish Midsummer festivities, Sager + Wilde will be hosting a full takeover on Sunday 24th June with a Swedish inspired food menu, vodka cocktails and DJs including DJ Mo Fingaz and Mr Russ Ryan.
Why: Stop by the Virtuous Vodka Swedish Midsummer takeover to drink free punch, and £5 Virtuous Vodka cocktails all day long. Working with Sager + Wilde’s chef, a Swedish inspired menu will also be available, including Scandi inspired delights such as Swedish caviar on toast and Virtuous gravlax salmon. DJs will be playing a soundtrack of Swedish chill out, disco, hip hop and funk as a backdrop to the celebrations.
Price: Free entry
Where: Sager + Wilde Paradise Row, Arch 250 Paradise Row, London E2 9LE
7. For Ice Cream: The Gelato Festival
What: The Gelato Festival returns to Central London with a gelato extravaganza in the world famous Covent Garden Piazza. More than 16 artisanal gelato chefs will compete to go forward to the Gelato World Masters in 2021 – and you can taste it all.
Why: The Gelato Festival is a unique opportunity to discover the secrets of the world of gelato through tastings, themed and educational workshops presented in three 13-metre food trucks, including the “Buontalenti,” which is the largest mobile gelato production laboratory in the world.
Price: Free entry
Where: Covent Garden, London WC2
