by London continues its season of great events and this week’s guide has a distinctly global feel to showcase culture across the capital.
It will be a celebration of Uzbekistan, a peace market to raise vital funds for Gaza, a modern Greek restaurant and an even newer venue with a luxurious Japanese feel.
Elsewhere the capital is brimming with culture and, in addition to Pride and a handful of wider cultural events, there’s a stunning art exhibition by photographer Dean Sameshima, a four-day film festival and a handful of naked people on bikes.
What city, what weekend.
The hot table: Akira Back
The new Mandarin Oriental in Mayfair is the latest luxury hotel to open in the capital and Akira Back is the main gilded restaurant inside. Back’s eponymous dining room is the newest addition to the chef’s vast portfolio of restaurants, about 18 around the world and more on the way, so expect high-falutin’ high-end dining room trappings: plush fixtures, expensive works of art and some amazingly opulent. food The “tuna pizza” is already making the rounds online (pound-thin tuna, sliced into wedges to look like a pizza) but perhaps more interesting is the turbard with saké butter or the traditional bento box lunches.
22 Hanover Square, W1S 1JP, mandarinoriental.com
The (other) hot table: Oma
Agora in the Borough is the modern Greek pub on the ground floor that preceded the upstairs opening of Oma, the moderately grown-up spot that is probably one of the most popular restaurants in London at the moment. The menu is all about eastern Mediterranean food through lobster biosque börek, mussel saganaki and octopus and sausage skewers. The wines are also mostly Greek: a treasure trove of top labels that represent reasonable value. Go here.
3 Bedale Street, SE1 9AL, oma.london
The food fundraising initiative: Souk el Salam
Dubbed the “market of peace”, and raising vital funds for the Palestinians through the Amos Trust appeal in Gaza, Souk el Salam returns to London this weekend. Organizers include authors Sami Tamimi, Noor Murad, Melissa Thompson, Nicole Pisani and more. Restaurants including Akub are also throwing away produce, which can be bought on the day to raise more money. With the ticket including two plates from the menu, but with plenty more available, expect delicious things on the day.
Tickets £20, 9 June, St James’s Church Piccadilly, W1J 9LL, autotrust.org
The film festival: Sundance London
London’s very own Sundance film festival returns to town this weekend to screen 20 independent films at Picturehouse Central. From Michael Fassbender’s much-anticipated Irish film Kneecap which opens the season, to Indian film Girls Will Be Girls with an introduction and post-film Q&A with director Shuchi Talati, the films and events over the four days are essential your lovers. of the silver screen.
Until 9 June, Picturehouse Central, 15 Windmill Street, W1D 7DH, picture houses.com
The art fix: Boscoe Holder and Geoffrey Holder by Victoria Miro
After a preview for the London Gallery Weekend last week, the Boscoe Holder and Geoffry Holder exhibition at Victoria Miro continues this weekend. The two brothers, independent artists in their own right, are shown here together for the first time in the UK, highlighting the similarities and differences between these two mid-20th century Island artists. Displayed across Victoria Miro’s two main spaces, this is a dual exhibition that considers, in the words of the gallery, “two sisters, as painters at the same time”.
Until 27 July, 16 Wharf Road, N1 7RW, victoria-miro.com
The (other) art fix: Dean Sameshima being alone at Soft Opening
Dean Sameshima’s latest show at Soft Opening explores loneliness and human connection as well as discussing sexuality that is usually “hidden” from view. Three series of sharp, black and white photographs taken behind visitors to a porn theater in Berlin, the silhouettes of these images are, without exception, alone. Exploring desire and fantasy alongside its own documentation of strange spaces, this little show is a must.
Until June 8, 6 Minerva Street, E2 9EH, soft opening.london
The culture setting: Uzbek Culture and Food Festival
This weekend the Uzbek culture and food festival returns for only its second year for two days to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of Uzbek culture. Expect dishes including Samsa; soft-sweet pastries filled with meat, potatoes or pumpkin, and the national food of the Uzbeks; plov, a pilaf rice dish with meat, carrots, onions and raisins. Celebrating art, culture, dance, music and food, this is a real opportunity to discover something new.
8 and 9 June, Potters Fields Park, SE1 2QX, uzbekculture.co.uk
The Odd London: World Naked Bike Travel
The global nudie phenomenon hits London again this weekend for its 20th anniversary as thousands of riders ditch their Rapha slings and take to the streets of the capital in their birthday outfits. Originally launched as a protest movement against the increased use of fossil fuels, the multiple bike tours across the city (there are 11, each starting at different locations) now attract a range of riders pushing their bums and pay attention to pedestrians. If getting a stallion on a bike isn’t your cup of tea, there are often riders with pants and socks too.
June 8, across London, wnbrlondon.uk
The ticket to book now (for later): Pophams x Capezzana
Capezzana is a Tuscan winemaking and olive oil production family with almost 100 years of heritage. This month, they’ve teamed up with Pophams for a rather special Italian feast. The Tuscan supper will include dishes including mushroom sformato, several handmade pasta dishes and a main of venison wellington with a croissant dough crust. The dinner is a reflection of the Pophams team’s recent visit to the region, so expect Tuscan authenticity over the top six courses.
Tickets £85, 13 June, 197 Richmond Road, E8 3NJ, seven rooms.com
