Electric Cinema

 Ideally situated in the eclectic hub that is Notting Hill’s Portobello Road is the Electric Cinema, a marvellous old fashion style cinema with astute modern touches. The venue specialises in cult and indie films, world cinema and classics. The cinema suffered a fire in June 2012, but is due for reopening imminently.

The cinema is decked out in a fabulous art deco style, with cream walls, gold gilding and red leather seats. Its decoration is not encased by tradition however - there are innovative touches such as footrests and tables, plus two seater sofas at the rear of the cinema which are ideal for date nights. The Electric even have a proper bar that serves wine, beer and for the more decadently minded, champagne. They also serve food, including snack plates with olives, pork pies and piccalilli, pork belly, and caramelised onion tart, alongside good old-fashioned ice cream pots.

The major draw of the Electric Cinema however is the events that they throw. In the past they have held horror movie all-nighters, with select spooky films for Halloween, and Electric Scream – a Monday matinee where parents and their babies can go to the cinema together to enjoy a film without concerns over disturbing the audience. Their most notable event however has to be Edible Cinema, a particularly interesting concept curated by the cinema in collaboration with the Curious Confectioners and Bombay Sapphire. Throughout the film, the audience are offered food at key cinematic moments to heighten their sensory experience through taste, smell and texture. Their most recent edible exploit was Beetlejuice for Halloween, and they have also recreated the experience for Spirited Away and Pan’s Labyrinth.

 

The Electric Cinema is due to reopen on 3^rd December to much anticipation, with a reupholstered interior, a new sound system and digital projector. Tickets are available from £7.50 for afternoon screenings, although prices are understandably more for events. And the cinema even offers 3D screenings, for those still into the gimmick.

http://www.electriccinema.co.uk/

Oxford Aromatics

Nestled in Oxford’s historic covered market is Oxford Aromatics, a redolent haven for anyone who loves bathing. This little boutique bath store houses a wide selection of bombs, melts, soaps, lotions, serums, jellies, powders and perfumes within its tiny walls, most of which are sourced from small, independent manufacturers.

Natural products are the order of the day here, with products typically unsullied by petrol chemical, parabens or synthetic fragrances. Instead, a potent, heady waft of quality essential oils is yours for the taking, complemented by natural moisturisers such as shea butter and rosehip oil. Mother and baby friendly products are in abundances here, as is items for those with sensitive skin. Whether its relaxation or stimulation you are looking for, genuine aromatherapy is available here.

What is particularly noteworthy of Oxford Aromatics however is the curious selection of sumptuous and diverse products. For example, alongside the locally sourced products is a huge selection of plain old soaps from reputed French company Savon de Marseille, who offer dozens of scents from blue bell to cinnamon to almond. Such intrigue is continued through other products, such as frankincense face cream, and cardamom body lotion. The star product at Oxford Aromatics however has to be their bath bombs. Smaller than traditional bath bombs, these moisturising nuggets are enriched with pure coco butter, and are available in utterly gorgeous scents, such as thyme and rosemary, Moroccan rose and black pepper. They even come packaged in little egg boxes to keep them safe.  

Oxford Aromatics has a huge selection of interesting bath and beauty products that you will struggle to find elsewhere, and what’s more, their prices are exceptionally reasonable. They would be an ideal place for finding Christmas stocking fillers, or even a few little pick-me-ups for yourself over the festive season.

http://www.oxfordaromatics.co.uk/

Morelli’s Gelato

 Established by an Italian immigrant in 1907, Morelli’s offers some of the richest, creamiest gelato the seaside has to offer. Giuseppe Morelli started his business over 100 years ago selling home made ice creams from the back of his push bike. This bike eventually turned into a van, and finally, 1932, Morelli set up his ice cream parlour in Broadstairs, Kent, on a cliff high above the sea. 

The shop remains to this day, and features grand art deco interiors that evoke a lost hay-day in English seaside culture. Indeed, part of Morelli’s charm is its atmosphere. Presiding as it does over the well-kept Viking Bay, the interior of Morelli’s includes pink leatherette booths, a jukebox and a soda fountain, which obviously has a charismatic, retro glamour. 

The real appeal behind Morelli’s however is the sheer quality of the ice cream on offer. Morelli’s ice cream is velvety soft, silky, and very different to industrial, mass-produced ice creams. All Morelli’s ice creams are made from fresh, natural ingredients chosen for their taste and quality. These ingredients combine to make hand-made ice cream, fresh everyday and formulated to a signature family recipe by Morelli’s special ice cream chef. Supposedly the gelato is milk based, which as well as being healthier and easier to digest, carries flavours better, for a crisper, more robust taste. Certainly, this is a heritage brand that clearly knows a good ice cream from the inside out.

Morelli’s have also offered a huge range of flavours over the years, and will typically have at least 30 in the store at anyone time. As well classics such as strawberry, chocolate and vanilla, there is caramel, lemon, coconut, cherry, pistachio and mango. If you eat in, you can also choose from a delectable range of ice cream sundaes, all served in fabulous cut glass goblets. And the choice? How about Banana Spilts, Knickerbocker Glories, Amaretto Cherry Sundaes and Rum Babas to get your mouth watering.

Today, Morelli’s has been taken over by Giuseppe’s great granddaughter Bibi, who has seen Morelli’s go from strength to strength. In 2003, Morelli’s opened a franchise counter in Harrods, selling the same excellent, freshly prepared ice cream as that in Kent. Morelli’s have also recently opened new stores in luxurious foreign climbs, including Monaco and Dubai. You can even have Morelli’s gelato delivered in insulated packs to your own home, or have a Morelli’s ice cream cart at a special event.

For the true Morelli’s experience though, you simply must head down to the seaside, and enjoy your ice cream from a cone whilst soaking up some sea air and faded charm.

http://www.morellisgelato.com/

Poppies Fish and Chips

 Just off Commercial Street in the heart of Spitalfields, straddled between the area’s legendary fashion market and our world famous Brick Lane is Poppies Fish and Chips. As you might expect, situated as it is amongst fashion boutiques and hipster bars, this is not your average fish and chip shop – this is excellent quality fish and chips with a vintage, retro twist. Poppies fuses old school East End values and hipster sensibilities to create a cool restaurant that has tasty, great value food.

The first thing that strikes you about Poppies is the retro feel of the place. This restaurant has an informal, friendly setting, but the strongest vibe is the 1950s style – the formica tables, the jukebox, menus written in chalk and service girls wearing aprons and headscarves. This traditional visual style is replicated in the food. Chips are served in newspaper. The menu includes all the old favourites you would expect and a good ol’ fashioned chippy, with classic cod and haddock potions alongside skate, rock, plaice, lemon sole, as well as the dreaded jellied eels. You can even get a generous potion of sticky toffee pudding or apple pie for afters. 

Poppies offers the perfect combination of traditional and fresh, posh and popular. The food is so familiar, yet of innovatively good quality. All fish is sourced fresh and sustainably from Billingsgate Fish Market. Chips are peeled and hand-cut out back. The chicken is all free-range. Even the tartar sauce is home-made. 

One of the most noteworthy elements of Poppies however is the consistent quality they offer. The food is always good. You will never get a soggy chip or sour, tasteless fish. You will always be served quickly, and can usually get a seat in the restaurant, even though they seem to always be busy. Such high levels of quality and customer service, as well as the general appeal of Poppies Fish and Chips is all down to Pop, the owner of the restaurant. Pop and his family have been serving fish and chips in the East End since 1945, and the experience shows. This restaurant is a masterpiece in traditional food, offering probably the best fish and chips in London.

Poppies is active on Twitter, FourSquare et al., and they even have a customer of the week loyalty scheme on Facebook. You can eat in or takeaway; I personally like to stop for a cone of chips and a cup of tea, eaten outside the front of the shop. Such an experience is blissfully English. I’m pretty sure I had change from £2 last time too.

http://poppiesfishandchips.co.uk/

West Berkshire Brewery

Founded in 1995, this microbrewery based in Yattendon in Berkshire offers “real ales” using traditional brewing techniques, available for home consumption and licensed trade. Run by Dave and Helen Maggs, this husband and wife team have seen the brewery go from strength to strength in recent years, increasing their output by over 250% since the company’s inception. The brewery has experienced success in their field since their early days, however, with the Maggs’ winning their first award within a year of operation. The brewery has won over 25 awards in all over their 17 year history.
 

West Berkshire Brewery has built up a good reputation based on their high quality beers, good customer service and niche market, independent values. The Maggs’ really know their stuff when it comes to beer – they are consummate brewing professionals with a micro approach to sales, marketing and industry. Everything from their bottles to the names of the beers, to the places the beers are sold is thought out with their brand’s specific market in mind. West Berkshire Brewery beers have thus a perfect market position, appealing to crusty real ale fans and younger drinkers alike. Indeed, there is a greener market discovering the flavours of traditional brews at present, and WBB’s clean, quirky labels with just a hint of traditionalism appeal well to this set. As such, you can find WBB beers all over the county (and beyond), from gig venues and student watering holes in Reading to gastro-pubs in the sticks. The beers all have marvellous names as well for that added kick of indie charm, including “Old Father Thames”, “Good Old Boy” and “Dr. Hexter’s Healer”. They also do special edition beers, including one for last year’s royal wedding, another planned for the diamond jubilee. They even have a limited edition beer of the month – April 2012’s is the fantastic “Pig and Tea”, a dark beer with hints of coffee and chocolate. 

West Berkshire Brewery make malty, full-bodied bitters, milds and ales, available in casks, bottles and polypins, all of which are available to mail-order online. They also have a brewery shop where you can purchase t-shirt, bar towels and glasses, amongst other things. The brewery also acquired The Rising Sun pub in Stockcross in 2005, which won the CAMRA Berkshire pub of the year award in 2007. The brewery also has strong environmental ethos, employing sustainable brewing techniques and business attitudes, sourcing their resources locally when possible, and supporting the local economy. Cheers!

http://www.wbbrew.com/next.html

Clara Francis

Jewellery designer Clara Francis creates beautiful, intricate and delicate necklaces, bracelets and earrings from thousands of tiny glass beads. These opulent and luxurious yet subtle creations take distinct inspiration from the British countryside – of 1930s’ studies of flora and fauna, of old watercolours and line drawing studies. There is a certain eclectic vintage charm in each Clara Francis piece – a bit Dr. Parnassus, a bit Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, vague gothic and faintly magical. Think foxgloves, sleeping beauties, hummingbirds, hot air balloons, dark woodlands, ornate gilded frames and wax seals.

After working as an actress for a number of years, Francis picked up jewellery making – initially just designing for friends and family, and then moving on to having her own stall at Spitalfields fashion market. She is entirely self-taught, and initially all her jewellery was crafted by Francis herself. She now heads up a team of five highly skilled assistants, developing all the designs herself. 

From such humble beginnings on a market stall, Clara Francis’ jewellery has now skyrocketed to dizzying heights. Harvey Nichols snapped up her first official collection, and her pieces have also been exhibited at London Fashion Week. Even more excitingly, Francis was recently invited by the Victoria and Albert Museum to design a piece for their exhibition “Cherry on the Cake”, along with many other prestigious designers including the talented and eccentric Grayson Perry. This had led to sterling coverage in the likes of Vogue, Marie Clare, Grazia, Cosmopolitan and Elle, as well as a celebrity fan base including the very hip Alexa Chung.

Clare Francis pieces range from £60 - £250. Each item is handmade in London, and takes anywhere between 3 and 22 hours to make, so you really are investing in a skilled crafts-person’s time. Each item is a piece art and fashion that will never date or age, making for an ideal present for a birthday or anniversary, or as a personal reward for a promotion perhaps.

http://www.clarafrancis.co.uk/openingpage.html

Tara Starlet

For fabulous and feisty vintage inspired fashion with a heavy 1950s vibe, you need look no further than Tara Starlet. Tara Starlet is a boutique fashion line offering classic, timeless attire, with a special focus on glamorous, chic skirts and dresses. Inspiration is taken from 1950s’ silver screen idols such as Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor, resulting in clothes that are sexy, vibrant and vivacious, whilst retaining a significant edge of class and subtly. Think rockabilly fashion meets Betty Boop meets 1950s’ pip-up paintings, and you are along the right lines. 

These clothes have a decisively fun edge to them. They are certainly beautiful, but they are also robust and well-made enough for everyday life. There are playsuits for picnicking in the park, dresses for rolling in cornfields, blouses for frolicking on the beach, and lingerie for seducing. These sartorial choices are not simply for looking pretty – they are for enhancing and enabling natural feminine allure and vigour.

Tara Starlet is now predominantly run by Tara Scott, although her mother, who is still involved in the company, initially set up the business. The timeless ethos of the company’s clothes has been with them since inspection, and goes far deeper than brand marketing. Tara Starlet’s clothes intend to make strides against throw-away fashion, instead taking further literal influence from a era when clothes were valued and cherished - where buttons were sew back on if they fell off, where “make do and mend” had real meaning. As well as making clothes to a very high standard to ensure each item will last, Tara Starlet recycle where possible, use end of roll fabrics, and re-use original buttons and trimmings for that extra snippet of authenticity. Clothing is often made from original patterns, and are produced on short-runs, making items borderline original. Put it this way, it is highly unlikely anyone will be wearing the same item as you on the bus or train! Finally, all clothes are designed and made in London, so each item has a low carbon footprint.

Tara Starlet have an online shop, and are stocked at various boutiques across the UK and Europe. A small selection of their line is also available in the concessions department of Topshop’s flagship store in Oxford Circus. Items can be a little pricey, but as always, you can pick up some excellent bargains in the sales. It is also important to remember that these items are so well made and classic that you could still be wearing them in 10 - 15 years time, and are therefore worth a bit of extra investment.

http://www.tarastarlet.com/index.html

Nordic Bakery

Nordic Bakery offers its punters a potent snippet of Scandinavian culture, right in the heart of Soho. Founded by Finnish chef Juli Wahlsten in 2007, the aim of the Nordic Bakery is to create a café environment “just like any café you would find across Scandinavia”. The focus is on serving traditional Scandinavian food, with a simple, homemade vibe. The result is very authentic, good quality cakes, sandwiches and biscuits at completely reasonable prices. 
 

The Nordic Bakery offers comfort food Scandinavian style, with cakes and pastries being a particular speciality. On any given day, you can find Swedish Tosca cake, poppy seed and ginger cakes, as well as fabulous Finnish cinnamon buns, which are utterly divine. There are also plenty of tasty savouries, including open rye sandwiches with ham and Jarlsberg, gravadlax or smoked salmon. Food is based around seasonal fare and low-fat options where possible. There is also plenty of tea, and excellent quality, strong coffee to wash it down with. 

Food is available to eat in or take away, but unless it is a particularly beautiful day it is wonderful to sit inside this peaceful, uncluttered, and uncomplicated café. The Nordic Bakery interiors are minimalist as you might expect, with cool, muted colours, dark woods, and functional IKEA-style furniture. 

There are a variety of rye breads baked daily to take home, which are light, tasty, and nothing like the heavy stodgy stuff you get in supermarkets. You can also purchase preserves and juices from the Tillmans of Sweden range, with Scandi flavours such as lingonberry, raspberry and Arctic cloudberry. You can even buy cases of hand-bottled natural blueberry juice.  

Nordic Bakery have a main branch in Soho, and a sister site in Marylebone. A third branch is due open in May 2012. The bakery has also published a cookbook in 2011, with plenty of sweet and savoury recipes.

http://www.nordicbakery.com/

The Jericho Tavern

The Jericho Tavern, hidden away from the tourists slightly in the north of the city, is not only one of the best pubs in Oxford, but it is also home to the city’s best music venue. Downstairs is the pub – a beautiful space full of traditional English touches. There are plenty of leathers, velvets and woods, with a palette of plums, burgundies and emeralds, furnished with subtle golden lighting and huge arched windows. There is a vague modern vibe to the place however, and the subtle licks of bohemia stave off any staid, old-fashioned pretence that could potentially accompany such decor.

The Jericho offers plenty of marvellous touches that every good pub should offer. They host inventive nights including quiz nights, book swapping events and roast dinners on Sundays, as well as the odd lot of sport on a big screen TV for traditionalist. They have a heated, covered beer garden that hosts BBQs in the summer, and a good selection of real ales, wines, spirits and continental ciders and lagers. They have plenty of tables and chairs – always an important element in a pub, and there is an eclectic indie jukebox which is not so loud that you cannot hear the person next to you.

On of the best things about this pub though is the food. The Jericho Tavern offer amazing pub grub, very much “New English” fair which is classic, inventive and tasty. As well as the Sunday roast, there is a snack bar and sandwich menu, a fix prix menu and a main menu, which includes food as varied as warm pork belly with balsamic beetroot and sweet potatoes, fig, goats cheese and pecan tart and potted mackerel with horseradish on toast. All meals are under £10 (except the 10oz steak, which will set you back fifteen whole pounds).

Upstairs though is The Jericho’s piece de resistance. Accessed via a collection of numerous staircases is a marvellous den clad in black, with a teeny stage and surprisingly good sound. There is loads of space to both stand and sit, and the upstairs venue even has its own bar. The Jericho has recently hosted the likes of Summer Camp, Braids and Cults, although in a previous life the venue hosted Radiohead’s first gig, and Supergrass purportedly signed their first record contact there too.

The pub became part of the Scream chain in the late 1990s, but returned to indie ownership, and reinstated the music venue in 2005. It even has cheap and easy parking, especially for Oxford.

http://www.thejerichooxford.co.uk/

Labour and Wait

Labour and Wait is a little store filled with traditional, functional home items featuring a contemporary edge. Founded by duo Rachel Wythe-Moran and Simon Watkins in 2000, Labour and Wait used to be located on Cheshire Street, just of Brick Lane. For those of you familiar with the store it’s not gone, it has just moved to Redchurch Street, still in the heart of the East End in a beautiful corner building clad with dark green tiles (this building used to be The Dolphin pub). 

  

Stocking timeless pieces and functional products for everyday life, Labour and Wait is sort of like a small, high quality IKEA, selling simple yet ingenious kitchen, household and garden items. Wythe-Moran and Watkins personally search for specialist items from around the world, and have hand-selected over 450 original products for their store. They offer both new and reclaimed vintage items.

The shop stocks lots of cookware, such as lemon juicer-jugs and earthenware ceramics. They also offer general home wares such as candles, bellows and even firelighters made from reindeer poo, as well as simple, classic tailoring including shirts and jackets. Items are fairly unisex and ideal for men and women, although there is certainly a 1950s housewife vibe to the whole affair.

Labour and Wait stock items ranging in price from 20p to £220. They have a mail-order service online via their website, though if you can get yourself to Shoreditch then do – the store is just lovely.

http://labourandwait.co.uk/home-page.htm