James Mair, founder of Viaduct, invited fifteen chefs from local restaurants to devise menus for 15 chair designs, independently of each other. Fergus Henderson at St. John, Sam Clark at Moro and Michael Belben at The Eagle are among the chefs who rose to the challenge.

The chairs include Basel Chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Vitra, Carbon chair designed by Bertjan Pot and Marcel Wanders for Moooi and Eames DSR chair designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Vitra.

With 15 menus and 15 contemporary classic chairs on show, you can see the minds of these renowned chefs at work.

Friday 23rd March to Friday 13th April 2012.

Viaduct Showroom
1-10 Summers Street
London EC1R 5BD

www.viaduct.co.uk

See you there!

When your business trip is for just one or two nights, you could book a London hotel; it’s not so bad. If the bed is comfortable, the shower is hot and your room is in a quiet, Central London location, it can work.

However, for any 1, 2 or 3 night stay, an apart-hotel is the new, increasingly popular alternative to a traditional hotel room. Stylish, serviced apart-hotel accommodation offers more space for your money. Cooking facilities mean that you can eat and drink exactly what and when you like. You eat it sitting at a proper table, too. In Earl’s Court or London Bridge.

When business travel to London is for 4 nights, 1 week or longer, apartment rental is a great choice.  Short term London apartment rental, in City of London or in Soho provides the luxuries of space and privacy to relax after a hard days work away from home.

Money matters, of course. A serviced apartment in Central London is economical, too.

You can enjoy boutique luxury in an apartment close to City of London, 4 minutes walk from Farringdon Station and 10 minutes away from Islington Business Design Centre from £135 per night.

In Bloomsbury, London WC1, you can rent a tranquil apartment in a quiet location from £135 per night.  The apartment, in a green and leafy garden square, is within easy walking distance of Holborn.

Wherever you need to be in London, Big Red London apartments in London West End, in the City, Earl’s Court or Bankside offer excellent accommodation for business and executive travel at the best price.

Opening Times
Womenswear: Friday 17th February – Monday 20th February 2012 | 10.00 – 19.00
Tuesday 21st February 2012 | 10.00 – 18.00

Menswear: Wednesday 22nd February 2012 | 10.00 – 18.00

List of Exhibiting Designers for AW12
New this season: search by exhibitor location

For enquiries please contact:
Lucia Heath
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7759 1977
lucia.heath@britishfashioncouncil.com

Exhibition Information Hotline during LFW: +44 (0) 870 112 9088

Exhibition Road – one of London’s most popular tourist destinations –  has finally completed the works to transform into a shared space street. ,A shared space street is exactly as the name suggests – automobiles, bicycles and pedestrians all sharing the space, with few on-road markings to separate them. Though this may sound like an odd idea, similar schemes in European cities have been successful in reducing collisions, with road users paying more attention to their surroundings and travelling at a slower speed.

But can this work in a city like London, where car is king?  The team from one of our favourite blogs, thisbigcity, visited Exhibition Road in November to check out the completed project, and again last weekend to see how it was settling in.

Read their blog post here: London’s take on shared space.

The Clachan 34 Kingly Street, London W1B 5QH
Formerly The Bricklayer’s Arms. A Beaux Arts turret and dome distinguishes The Clachan from outside. Lovingly-maintained wrought ironwork and intricate carved wood contribute to the very special atmosphere inside this gay boozer. An eclectic range of real ales, handmade ciders and proper pub grub highlight just why The Clachan is so perennially popular.

The George Inn George Inn Yard, 77 Borough High Street, SE1
Dating from 1676, this is the only remaining galleried coaching inn in London. Grade 1- listed and now owned by The National Trust, the bedchambers of yesteryear have been transformed into a restaurant. It is the romance of this unique history, rather than the food on drink on offer therein, that makes The George Inn well worth a visit.

Jerusalem Tavern 55 Britton Street, Clerkenwell EC1M 5UQ
The Priory of St John of Jerusalem was founded in Clerkenwell (then Cleric’s Well) in 1140 AD and the name of this excellent little pub derives from the Priory. The Jerusalem Tavern itself dates from the 14th C. and its open fire has been burning on this same, tiny site since 1720. As well as the full range of St Peter’s beers and ales (brewed with malt from East Anglia and British hops), this award-winning pub serves coffee and on weekdays, good food.

The Old Bell Tavern 95 Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 1DH
Built around 1760 for the workers constructing Christopher Wren’s St Bride’s Church. What is now the backdoor was then at the front and leads into St Bride’s Courtyard. With traditional triangular stools, a selection of cask ales and honest pub lunches, The Old Bell Tavern is everything a pub should be. Don’t forget to admire St Bride’s spire while you’re here; it inspired the tiered wedding cake.

The Seven Stars 53-54 Carey Street, London WC2A 2JB
For over 400 years, The Seven Stars, tucked away behind The Royal Courts of Justice, has been a favourite of barristers from nearby Chambers. This tiny place, with its steep, rickety staircase, holds no more than about 40 people and is often full to overflowing at 6.30pm.The lunchtime menu is short but always good. Be warned that The Seven Stars closes early; never later than 9pm.

Ye Olde Watling 29 Watling Street London EC4
Said to be built from old ships timbers by Sir Christopher Wren, Ye Olde Watling dates back to 1668, just two years after The Great Fire destroyed this area of London. It is likely that the pub was built for workmen rebuilding St Paul’s Cathedral which is just moments away. Pub lore has it that that the upstairs rooms were used as a drawing office during the building of the Cathedral. Watling Street today is tiny but once, this Roman road leading out of the City and all the way to Wales. Today, the pub has a selection of cask ales and a fair wine list and a good dining room.

The Arsenal Museum, Emirates Stadium, Islington, Greater London N7 7AJ
Arsenal supporters will be thrilled by exhibits recalling golden moments in the club’s history. As well as goal-scoring boots and shirts which once stretched across the backs of legendary players, there’s The Legends Theatre and more than a dozen fully interactive sections based on the proud history of Arsenal FC. John Radford, Charlie George, Sammy Nelson, Eddie Kelly and Perry Groves lead the Legends Tours operated by the museum.
Prices £7 (£4 Under 16s) or included with a stadium tour.
Opening times
Monday to Saturday 1000 to 1800h Sunday 1000h to 1700h. On match days, the Museum closes 30 minutes before kick-off and does not re-open.

British Postal Museum and Archive Collection, Freeling House, Phoenix Place, London, WC1X 0DL
As rich and varied as the history of the postal service that it represents, the collection includes objects of all sizes; from handstamps, labels and telephone headsets to Mobile Post Office Vehicles and a Travelling Post Office railway coach. It also includes song sheets, postcards and St Valentine’s Day missives (hence the picture), related to the postal service.
The museum collection is constantly being developed to reflect the role of people in the postal service and successive innovations in technology to meet the demands of a changing world.
Usual Opening Times
Monday to Friday  1000 to 1700h and on Thursday 1000h to 1900h
The Museum is also open on one Saturday each month.

The Cartoon Museum 35 Little Russell Street, London WC1A 2HH 
In 1843, the word ‘cartoon’ entered the English Language in the modern sense of a humorous drawing.  At The Cartoon Museum, you can learn how and why. As well as the permanant collection, there are often speical exhibitions to enjoy.
From biting political satire to childhood comic strip heroes,  enjoy a wry smile or a belly laugh at the very finest examples of British cartoons, caricature, and comic art from the 18th Century up to the present day.  Over 1500 cartoon drawings, 5000 books and 6000 comics are on display; all dedicated to the high art of laughter.
Opening times
Tuesday to Saturday 1030 to 1730h, Sunday 1200 to 1730h

The Fashion and Textile Museum 83 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3XF t. 020 7407 8664
This cutting-edge centre for contemporary fashion, textiles and jewellery in London was founded by iconic British designer, Zandra Rhodes. The centre showcases a programme of changing exhibitions which explore elements of fashion, textile and jewellery. Then, there’s the fabulous The Café @ FTM.
Situated in a fantastic building designed by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, the FTM aims not just to collect and display items relating to fashion, jewellery and textile design but also, to offer inspiration to a new generation of creatives.
Opening for the duration of the exhibition (see our events pages for details)
Tuesday to Saturday 1100 to 1800h. Last admission 1715h
Closed Sunday and Monday.

Geffrye Museum   136 Kingsland Rd, London, E2 8EA t. 020 7739 9893
The Geffrye Museum shows the changing style of the English domestic interior.  Re-creations of  parlours, drawing rooms and sitting rooms typically found in homes of ‘the middling sort; from 1600 to present day  mean that the Geffrye is a museum of typical, rather than exceptional objects.  The 1880s room, situated on the upper floor, shows how a former governess living in the Geffrye almshouses at that time may have furnished it.
As well as a walled herb garden, the ‘outdoor rooms’ are based on research into the design and planting of urban middle-class gardens from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
Opening Times
Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm; Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays 12 – 5pm
Closed Mondays (unless Bank Holiday), Good Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day

Hunterian Museum and Archives at the Royal College of Surgeons of England 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE
t. 020 ?7869 ?6560
Designated as a Collection of National Importance, it’s a mix of comparative anatomy and pathology specimens; complete skeletons, bones, skulls and teeth; dried preparations, corrosion casts and wax teaching models; historical surgical and dental instruments, together with modern surgical instruments and technologies; as well as paintings, drawings and sculpture.
£3.2 million was spent on refurbishment to create a publicly accessible museum to encourage visitors’ exploration of  the scientific, cultural and historical importance of the collections. The new Hunterian Museum enables visitors to share the wealth of material that has been a source of inspiration to surgeons, scientists and artists for over two hundred years. There is a free guided tour of the Museum and Archive each Wednesday at 1300h.
Opening Times
Tuesday to Saturday from 1000h to 1700h

Bugged Out and XOYO
32-37 Cowper St, London, EC2A 4AP
Bugged Out and crew will see you safe and sweaty into 2012.  Headliners are one of 2011s most exciting production pairs, The 2 Bears. L-Vis 1990 (Night Slugs), Nathan Detroit, Disco Bloodbath’s Ben Pistor and Damon Martin and new house troupe Legendary Children offer ample support. “Expect anything from Chicago and acid trax to future garage”.

Code & Girl Action Back & White NYE Spectacular
Green Carnation 5 Greek Street, London W1D 4DD
Across all three floors of the Green Carnation. DJs from Circus, Heaven, Hed Kandi and Popstarz play commercial dance, club classics, funky house, electro and ’80s pop for laydeez and their gay male guests. Email Nicola.chubb@gmail.com if you are interested in booking a VIP table.

Fabric
77a Charterhouse St, London, EC1M 3HN
The very best deep house, melodic techno, minimal and Latin to dub-flavoured mix known to EC1 nay, all London.  Adam Beyer,  Alan Fitzpatrick, Claus Voigtmann Craig Richards, Cristi Con, the mighty Lil’ Louis, Maya Jane Coles, The Mole, Terry Francis, Tobi Neumann and Slam form the weft and weave at Fabric this New Year’s Eve.

Doomsday The Last Dance
Cargo 83 Rivington Street,London, EC2A 3AY
Hundreds of like-minded spirits will test the Doomsday ‘theory’ with body-rocking house beats and techno rhythms from Paul Woolford, Luke Solomon and Shane Watcha manning the decks. If the rumours are true and we are set for dust, go out with a bang this New Year’s Eve

The Only Way is 2012
G-A-Y at Heaven
Under The Arches, off Villiers St, WC2N 6NG
The biggest commercial gay night known to London town celebrates New Year’s Eve until 6am with appearances from Joey Essex, Kitty Brucknell, Stacey Solomon, Kitty Brucknell and more

We, Like You New Year’s Eve Party
Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes Basement of Tavistock Hotel Bedford Way, London, WC1H 9EU
Tonight, as midnight strikes, there’s a live set from those swing-hop cum dubstep-jazzers, The Correspondents and funkin’ Craig Charles is the special guests in the DJ. Another live set, from Screaming Kicks, the residents, dropping anything from hip hop to breaks and in the The Kingpin Suite, your hosts are Pop, Bubble, Rock!. There’s also free popcorn in the cinema room and, as ever, you can buy bowling and karaoke.

The Gin Palace Celebration

The Star at Night has been a favourite haunt for a while. ( years in fact!) On Friday 25th November they celebrate a well earned Birthday with a Gin Palace knees up.

Although the Star has actually been up and running since 1933, (and is one of the oldest cafe bars in Soho), the cocktail specialists opened just 9 years ago this month.

Rumour has it that there will be the world premier of a new London Gin, called Oliver Twist.  I have it on good authority that the rumour is true! So if you fancy  a  Nancy, (or a Bill)  style “oom pah pah” knees up on Friday, roll along to The Star at Night for Gin cocktails, or better still book a table!

http://www.thestaratnight.com