From factory floor to hip new eaterie: Hixter Bankside puts meat on the plate (chicken or steak to share) and major Brit art on its walls. Launched in the summer at 16 Great Guildford Street, it boasts a range of fare for the avid carnivore (accompanied by lots of greens) in several relaxed settings, together with friendly service. The restaurant, just off Southwark Street, is the seventh opened by celebrated chef, Mark Hix. The dress to dine in, on this occasion, is an imperially purple silk chiffon piece, by Diane von Furstenberg.
Last year in June, I headed down to Chichester, in 'Pallant-bound' and 'Bill's, Chichester', and now I'm back again, for both the Pallant and a pit-stop at Carluccio's. The magnificent cathedral guided me to the centre of the city, down charming cobbled streets to the art gallery to view the last marvellous hour of The Scottish Colourist J.D. Fergusson exhibition, after which I passed the Stik men, by a London-based street artist, whose work is to be found across Europe, Asia and the USA. I ended the day at Carluccio's with a lovely meal comprising hand-made tortelloni and wine-braised venison, followed by a delightful cioccolata fiorentina. Wrapped in layered winter greys: a Lowie cape, a TK Maxx merino wool jumper, Nicole Farhi trousers and my Louis Vuitton vintage bag. Both Thierry Lasry sunnies and Versace reading glasses (two pairs are needed when you get to my age!).
Greek is key... in the pattern on the collar of this authentic blouse, purchased in a street market in Islington. I am nowhere near the Aegean, but the colour of the silk culottes is the colour of the sea I'd like to dive into, any time. The '80s trousers, from Mabel in Dulwich, have the quirkiest label: Equipment of Boom Club. My jewellery is vintage, as is the knitted bag, from Past Caring. Sunnies are from Forever 21. Lunch and surroundings, both Med-style, are courtesy of local Italian eaterie in Dulwich, Sorsi & Morsi.
After viewing a small, but perfect, exhibition: Pandemonium, celebrating the unique life and work of Derek Jarman (in the Inigo Rooms of Somerset House), I made a pit-stop at fabulous Fernandez & Wells for a citron pressé.The free exhibition runs until 9 March.
Don't you just love a place where pretty much everything is for sale? From a slice of delicious lemon loaf and a glass of hot chocolate (complete with marshmallows) to quirky collectables and pieces of artwork on every wall. Where? The Montage in Forest Hill. You may recall a post last year in June. This time I'm sitting in a little wallpapered hideaway within the maze of rooms that is the magical Montage, wearing a silk embroidered Chinese jacket from nearby shop, in Sydenham's Kirkdale: Syd's Vintage, run by Claire Draper. Alongside the jacket: a pair of plum skinnies, a purple John Smedley knit, funky Ras boots, all topped off with a Nicole Farhi coat over the shoulders.
Where to look in Carluccio's? My lunch, my cheese, my dessert, my purchases. Spoilt for choice... that is Carluccio's! We even spotted the man himself.
http://www.carluccios.com/
