Here are some bits that have got us talking over at LOTI HQ and you know we like to share, so here’s some news you can use this week
This Year’s Claridge’s Christmas Tree Will Be Designed by Louis Vuitton
It’s been revealed that the 2023 Claridge’s Christmas tree will be designed by no other than Louis Vuitton. We’re not quite sure what it’ll look like yet (will it be LV printed like so much of the luggage that passes through the hotel?), but watch this space for more info and imagery as it comes. And, if you wanna see it for yourself, the tree will be unveiled at the Claridge’s lobby on Thurs 23rd November.
The London Underground Will Appear on Google Maps Street View Soon
The Google Street View cameras are about to be trawling the London Underground as Transport for London (TfL) has announced that around 30 major Tube stations will be shown on their maps. Passengers will be alerted to the fact that cameras are in operation (at the likes of Waterloo, King’s Cross St Pancras and Green Park), but blurring technology will be used to protect their privacy. And we can expect the images to be released in 2024.
Beer & Crisp Pairing
Pretty Decent Beer is taking over Theatre of Wine in Leytonstone this week for another edition of their tailored beer and crisp tasting. Taste six of the brewery’s signature beers, from hazy IPAs to refreshing sours, alongside the perfect crisp pairings selected by Pretty Decent’s beer guru.
Forest Wines is Launching a New Chef Residency
After some time away, the kitchen is returning to organic wine shop Forest Wines as their new chef residency – featuring Richard Foster, previously of Chiltern Firehouse – will kick off on Wed 8th November 2023. The residency’s menu will centre around open-fire cooking, as Foster puts it: “Think of it as your backyard BBQ, with lovely ingredients adding smoke & char, but with much better booze, a lot less cleaning up & certainly no rain.” Bookings are filling up quick – get yourself a table before they’re gone.
Free Cheesecakes
Albert Adria is celebrating the fifth birthday of his Cakes & Bubbles dessert spot at Hotel Cafe Royal by giving away 100 of his signature cheesecakes to the first people through the door from 6pm on 10th November. There’ll also be a golden raffle ticket up for grabs with someone winning a trip to Barcelona and a meal at Adria’s Michelin-starred Enigma.
A New Bakery for North London
Florin Grama and Felix Ortona Coles, who met at Restaurant St Barts, are crowdfunding to open their own spot, Tarn, in Highgate. The bakery will use UK-grown wheat and ingredients from small producers for its sourdough bread, cookies, tarts, croissants and savoury treats.
Boiler Room’s Charity Tees Return
Bolier Room is relaunching its Boiler Room Palestine T-shirt to raise funds for Palestinians living in Gaza without access to water, food, electricity, shelter and medicine. All proceeds from the sale of the tees are going to Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Lab-Grown Fats Are Here
Biotech company Hoxton Farms is looking to shake up the food industry with cultivated animal fats, because as we all know, fat = flavour. The idea is to produce lab-grown fats that can be added to plant-based food to truly replicate that meaty taste and texture.
Damien Hirst Desserts
Bacchanalia, the OTT Greek-Italian spot in Mayfair, is not known for its affordability but the restaurant is really pushing its bank-breaking status with a new dessert inspired by Damien Hirst’s Medusa sculpture. The Gorgon is made from coconut & tonka cream, is served with exotic fruit and cacao nibs, and will set you back a crisp £50.
Sympo. Round Two
Launched earlier this year, Sympo. is a quarterly social club for people in the hospitality biz, featuring guest speakers, a wine tasting and a late-night party. The second edition on 12th November has the theme ‘going the extra mile’
