This past week has been hectic. I’ve been in and out of Wimbledon covering the Championships and in Epsom shooting at a lavender farm for an upcoming project (tbc!) - all whilst lugging around 50kg’s worth of camera equipment on my back. I refuse to complain about the heat however. I’d still have this 25/8 than be back in January.
I did squeeze in some time for dinner at The Chalk Freehouse in Chelsea and was very pleased to say the least. Mouth-watering butter on bread, olives that I had to order twice for, decently priced Japanese whiskey, a very summery crab potato salad. The schnitzel was the crowd favourite, but the beef with beetroot was my absolute highlight. Hats off to Chef Tom De Keyser.
| Day | Forecast | Feels Like | 04:53 | 21:16 | UV | Pollen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | ⛅️ | 20°C | 04:53 | 21:16 | 5 | Low |
| Tue | 🌦️ | 20°C | 04:54 | 21:15 | 6 | Low |
| Wed | 🌦️ | 23°C | 04:54 | 21:14 | 4 | Low |
| Thu | ☀️ | 27°C | 04:55 | 21:13 | 5 | Low |
| Fri | ☀️ | 29°C | 04:55 | 21:11 | 5 | Low |
| Sat | ☀️ | 28°C | 04:56 | 21:10 | 4 | Low |
| Sun | 🌤 | 27°C | 04:57 | 21:09 | 5 | Low |
Mare Street Market, King’s Cross | Now Open
Island is the new surf-and-turf venture by chefs Brad Carter and Tom Brown. Carter brings nose-to-tail meats, Brown delivers seafood, and the grill does the talking. Dishes like oyster ice cream sandwiches and heritage cuts suggest a sense of play, but the setting promises polish.
Battersea | Opens July 7
Duck & Rice opens its second site inside the Turbine Hall at Battersea Power Station, this time leaning into the idea of a “British pub and chop suey kitchen.” The menu reprises comfort-first plates: curry soft-shell crab, pork and prawn shumai, roasted duck. Beer and cocktail service will thread it closer to gastropub than dim sum parlour.
South Bank, Opens July 8
Luna is the new offshoot from the team behind Legare. It’s a small, all-day spot focused on low-intervention wines and a restrained food menu - designed more for sipping than feasting. The list leans classic, with producers that favour slower, more ethical farming.
Clapton | Opens July 9
Taking over the Elephant’s Head pub in Hackney is a new Southern Italian menu by ex-Manteca chef Francesco Sarvonio. Picture Shrigley prints and a somewhat rustic decor that now anchors around wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked ragù, and small plates with Naples leanings. It’s a family-friendly setup, with a kids-eat-free policy.
Fulham | Opens July 15
Brasserie Constance borrows from classic British cooking but adds detail: coronation chicken pâté en croûte, girolle-stuffed soufflés. The room is designed for daylight floor-to-ceiling glass looking out over the Thames.
Paradise Row, Bethnal Green | Opens July TBC
This isn’t your usual Americana-tinged dive bar. All My Gods lands with a British backbone - Crobar spirit, skater-scuffed energy, and a mural or two by tattoo artist Roxy Velvet. It’s unapologetically matte: black walls, grey edges, a pool table waiting in the shadows. Drinks stay simple - Margs, Picklebacks, Buzz Balls from a vending machine. No speakeasy pretence.
Whiteley Building, Queensway | Opens Summer TBC
Six Senses is soon opening its signature rhythm of restoration to the city. The spa alone spans 20m of still water, vaulted ceilings, and the quiet ritual of its Alchemy Bar. Upstairs, members will access Six Senses Place - a wellness club with coworking, dining, and programming that invites pause and progression.
Events
Pride hits the rooftop on July 5th as 12th Knot brings bubbles, skyline views, and live sets from JVK, Hayley Wallace, and Kele Le Roc.
Burlesque The Musical kicks off on July 10th at the Savoy, starring Orfeh and Jess Folley in a live-glam showcase of Cher, Aguilera and theatrical flair.
A State of Trance hits Silverworks Island on 13 July with Armin van Buuren and a 12-hour takeover of high-energy, waterfront euphoria.
