London always has lots to offer visitors and residents alike, from new shops (it’s called “a nation of shopkeepers” after all) to restaurants to its renowned theater and, of course, art. Here, a few of the latest.
What to See
“Kruger: Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You.”
American artist Barbara Kruger is taking over Serpentine South with her first solo institutional show in London in more than 20 years that features her strong and visceral visual language. The exhibits span from installations and moving images to multiple soundscapes to comment on how consumers engage with digital content.
“Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art”
Fifty artists from around the world are coming together to tell the tale of how textiles remain political via a series of sculptures and hand-stitched collages at the Barbican. The artists include Pacita Abad from The Philippines; Magdalena Abakanowicz from Poland; Igshaan Adams from South Africa; Arpilleristas from Chile, and more.
“Sergej Jensen: Older Works and Shadow Paintings”
Danish artist Sergej Jensen is returning to the White Cube gallery in London’s Bermondsey for the first time since 2016 to showcase more than 50 paintings that play with textiles and fabrics such as burlap, linen, silk and wool.
What to Watch
“King Lear”
“Come not between the Dragon and his wrath,” says King Lear in the classic William Shakespeare play, which has taken on many lives in popular culture, from Joseph L. Mankiewicz’ “House of Strangers” in 1949 to the loosely compared HBO hit show “Succession.” At the Almeida Theatre, Danny Sapani takes on the role of the king, while his daughters are played by Akiya Henry, Gloria Obianyo and Faith Omole.
“FutureQueer”
What would a fully queer world look like? At the King’s Head Theatre, it’s 2071 and world queer domination has taken over, with a statue of George Michael in London’s Hampstead Heath; Starbucks owning Pride, and the Olympics adding two new categories: voguing and lip syncing. Playwright and performer Alexis Gregory finds out if the grass is really made out of rainbows as he takes on life with one powerful tool, a vintage Donna Summer vinyl record.
“Manon”
Manon, a young woman who falls in love with Des Grieux, comes to find that nothing in life is fair, especially not when it’s to do with love and riches. She’s sold to the highest bidder by her brother Lescaut and is on the run for her life in this tragic ballet.
Where to Eat
Bellazul
Simone Serafini, previously a head chef at Cecconi’s, Cacciari’s and 5 Hertford Street, has opened a Mediterranean restaurant, Bellazul, that takes inspiration from Italian, Greek and Moroccan cuisine. The menu includes grilled roast beer black poulet noir served with crumble potato; a lamb Moroccan tagine with Moroccan bread, and a baked cod filet served with porcini mushrooms, potato, tomato and clams.
43 Blandford St, London, W1U 7HF
Sumosan Twiga
From sushi to handmade pasta, Sumosan Twiga is the place in London’s Knightsbridge to find the unlikely combination of the two cuisines. The restaurant sits next to all the luxury stores — it’s got Audemars Piguet, Prada and Hermès as neighbors. The menu includes salt-crusted baked sea bass; red king prawns gnocchetti, and marinated lamb cutlets with aji panka, marjoram and pico de gallo.
165 Sloane St, London, SW1X 9QB
Donia
Donia, the Filipino restaurant in Kingly Court, is the brainchild of those behind the Filipino ice cream parlor Mamasons. However, this time around, it’s adobo mushroom croquetas; aubergine and tomato ensalada with pomme Anna — as well as a desserts list that of course includes ice cream.
Kingly Ct, Carnaby St, Carnaby, London, W1B 5PW
Where to Treat Yourself
Soeur
French contemporary brand Soeur has opened their first store in London on 37 Redchurch St., which was designed by architect Gilles Viard. The store is over 1,000 square feet across three floors and uses polished concrete with exposed brickwork for its interiors with steel rails, oak shelves and a vintage brutalist bench.
37 Redchurch St, London, E2 7DJ
Potato Art Studio
Amid all the noise London has to offer, Potato Art Studio in Marylebone is offering citygoers something more wholesome in the name of arts and crafts. The studio hosts furball painting sessions and candle making classes, as well as making perler beads and cream gels.
7 Durweston St, London, W1H 1EP
The Bulgari Spa
The spa at the Bulgari Hotel in London is more than 20,000 square feet with a 25-meter swimming pool that features green and gold mosaic and a vitality pool that is covered in gold leaf tiles. There are more than 10 treatment rooms, as well as a steam room.
171 Knightsbridge, London, SW7 1DW
