Finding the ideal Valentine’s Day gift for the special man in your life can often feel like a daunting task, as you want something that reflects his unique personality and shows just how much he means to you. To make your search a little easier, we’ve carefully curated a selection of our favorite gifts, offering a range of thoughtful and meaningful options that are sure to impress and delight him this Valentine’s Day. Mayfair Collection from The Savile Row Company      Mayfair eau de parfum - This is sophisticated, rich and luxurious, the top notes of mandarin, cardamom and apple are softened with a heart of lavender, nutmeg and orange flower. RRP £85/100ml and £39/50ml.   The Mayfair Beard Oil  - Infused with jojoba, argan, sweet almond and avocado essential oils to hydrate and condition unruly beard hair, whilst soothing the skin. The nourishing oil is delicately scented with the brand's new Mayfair EDP; a warming blend of warm amber, leather and tonka bean. RRP £15   Mayfair Body Wash  - This invigorating body wash has a blend of mandarin, cardamom, and apple, creating a vibrant aroma to energise the senses. RRP £28/200ml Available from https://savilerowco.com LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW Treat the special man in your life who has a true passion for liquorice to the exquisite Valentine's Day collection from LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW. With two irresistible options—Strawberries & Cream and Peaches—each offering a delightful twist on classic liquorice. Whether you choose one or spoil him with both, these unique flavors are the perfect way to elevate his liquorice experience and make this Valentine’s Day even more memorable. Strawberries & Cream - £14.95 Peaches - £14.95 Available from https://lakridsbybulow.co.uk For the boozy lovers Nothing sets the mood for love quite like a luxurious drink, and here are a few of our top picks to help you both celebrate in style. Lum Reek 10-year-old Cask Strength Looking for a gift that’ll really impress? Lum Reek is the perfect choice! A brilliant blend of single malts from Speyside and Islay, it’s got the best of both worlds—rich, peated flavors from Islay and smooth, unpeated goodness from Speyside. The result? A perfectly balanced, yet wonderfully complex dram that’s sure to keep him coming back for more. Price: £71.00 From https://shop.theglenallachie.com PATRÓN REPOSADO Gift a truly exceptional gift with PATRÓN Reposado, made from 100% Weber Blue Agave. This smooth tequila offers a delightful blend of citrus notes like lemon tea and pineapple, complemented by rich hints of caramel, vanilla, and honey. Aged for 3 to 5 months in both new and used barrels, it delivers a clean, refined taste that's perfect for any special occasion. Whether you're celebrating or simply sharing a moment, this tequila makes a thoughtful and impressive gift. Price: £49.75 From www.amazon.co.uk Dewar's - Blended Scotch - 12 year old Whisky Give the gift of Dewar's 12-Year-Old, a whisky that offers a delightful, fruit-forward palate with notes of honey, vanilla, and a hint of warming spice. It’s the ideal dram for a romantic toast or a refined nightcap. This 12-year-old masterpiece makes a thoughtful and sophisticated gift for your Valentine, adding a touch of Scottish warmth and elegance to your celebration. Price: £47.95 From https://www.amazon.co.uk Pancho Datos Tequila Pancho Datos Tequila is crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave and made for those unforgettable moments with a loved one. With over 70 years of Mexican folklore woven into its history and brand, this tequila is packed with tradition and flavour. The Reposado is aged for 10 months in ex-bourbon White Oak casks, creating a smooth, rich fusion of agave, vanilla, caramel, and woody notes—a perfect blend that’s as memorable as the moments you’ll create with your loved one. Price: £60.00 From www.masterofmalt.com Le Sel d’Issy Le Sel d’Issy Eau de Toilette by Issey Miyake is a unique, vegan fragrance that’s sure to make a lasting impression. This captivating scent blends the fresh, invigorating essence of marine seaweed and oak moss with the warmth of ginger, vetiver, and cedar wood. The result is a dynamic fusion of salty and earthy notes that’s as refreshing as it is sophisticated. Price: £72.00 From www.johnlewis.com Osprey Wallet The Osprey Wallet combines sleek design with practicality, making it the perfect accessory for your loved one. The wallet offers space for cards, cash, and coins, all while maintaining a slim and compact profile that easily fits into a pocket or bag. With its minimalist design and attention to detail, the Osprey Wallet exudes sophistication, making it an ideal gift for anyone who values quality and craftsmanship. Price: £16.99 From www.tkmaxx.com Je t'aime bowl and cup Gift your loved one the Je t'aime bowl and mug, to add a touch of romance to their daily routine. With its charming design, featuring the timeless French phrase "Je t'aime," it’s an elegant expression of love that can brighten any meal or coffee break. Bowl - £5.99 and cup £4.99 From www.tkmaxx.com

The Waterfront at ExCeL is a new dining destination that invites you to indulge in a world of flavour-packed street food while enjoying the relaxed and scenic vibes of the Royal Docks waterfront. This spot effortlessly combines a laid-back atmosphere with an exciting menu, making it a must-visit for food lovers. When we visited, we decided to forego the traditional starter-main-dessert format and opted instead to share a variety of plates, embracing the eclectic mix of cuisines on offer. The meal began with the Ancho Chilli Sweet Potato, a vibrant dish packed with refried beans, young spinach, Mexican black beans, crispy onions, burnt corn, iceberg lettuce, crushed nachos, jalapeños, pico de gallo, and coriander. It was a hearty, plant-based option bursting with flavour. We also tried two types of chicken wings: the Gochujang BBQ Wings, coated in a bold and spicy sauce complemented by sriracha, XO emulsion, toasted sesame seeds, pickled cucumber, coriander, and chili corn; and the Chipotle & Lime Wings, which were equally delicious with their zesty lime flavour and served with sour cream, mushy pea guacamole, jalapeños, tortilla crumbs, fried corn, and coriander. For a more classic option, we went with the Fish & Chips, which delivered exactly what you’d hope for—crispy, golden-battered cod paired with thick, seasoned chips, mushy peas, herb tartare sauce, and a fresh lemon wedge. Alongside this, the Truffle Fries proved to be an indulgent treat, topped with Parmes’en, wild porcini powder, truffle, and oregano. To finish, we couldn’t resist a dessert. The Chocolate Tart was rich, decadent, and perfectly balanced, served with a refreshing limoncello relish, honeycomb sprinkles, Maldon Sea Salt, and vegan vanilla ice cream. Equally indulgent was the Salted Toffee Cheesecake, which came topped with toffee sauce and vegan salted caramel ice cream. Both desserts provided a sweet and satisfying end to the meal. The Waterfront at ExCeL offers a creative menu, relaxed setting, and picturesque location. The variety of dishes ensures there’s something for everyone, and the flavours and presentation make it clear that a lot of thought has gone into every plate. Address: Waterfront Street Kitchen & Bar Immerse LDN, Excel Waterfront One Western, Gateway Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1XL Website: https://www.excel.london/exhibitor/food-d Written and food photos by Stephanie Sowaha

This winter, Londoners can escape the grey skies and bask in the glow of the Sun—indoors. From January 25th to March 25th, 2025, the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich will host the London premiere of Helios, the latest celestial installation by renowned British artist Luke Jerram. Set within the breath-taking Painted Hall, often called “Britain’s Sistine Chapel,” Helios is a seven-meter illuminated sculpture celebrating the life-giving power of the Sun. Created at a scale of 1:200 million, this stunning artwork offers an unprecedented opportunity to explore the intricate beauty of the Sun’s surface, including sunspots, solar flares, and filaments. The installation combines solar imagery with an evocative surround sound composition by Duncan Speakman and Sarah Anderson, creating a sensory journey that invites reflection on the Sun’s role in shaping our health, culture, and the natural world. The majestic setting of the Painted Hall adds another layer of wonder. Completed in 1726 by Sir James Thornhill, the Baroque masterpiece depicts Apollo, the classical sun god, casting light over monarchs and mythological figures. Jerram’s Helios harmoniously complements this historic narrative, bringing a contemporary perspective to an iconic space. Co-commissioned by the Old Royal Naval College and other cultural institutions, Helios is accompanied by a series of special events, including a silent disco in the Painted Hall and a sustainable fine dining experience with Douglas McMaster, chef at the world’s first zero-waste restaurant, Silo. If this sounds like something you would like to venture into, each event can be booking directly on their website, which you can see here - https://ornc.org/whats-on/ Dates: January 25th – March 25th, 2025 Address: Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9NN Written by: Stephanie Sowaha Photography courtesy of Old Royal Naval College

Ping Pong restaurants have created a variety of special menu items to welcome the Year of the Snake with style (and taste). You can expect Grilled Eel on crispy rice cake with unagi sauce; Roast Pork Collar glazed with char siu sauce, paired with steamed bok choi; Wagyu Beef & Black Bean Dumpling, with a hint of chili; and wuxiang sauce Enoki & Cauliflower Dumpling. If you fancy a sweet treat, you can also try one of their fluffy Black sesame bun. Finally, you can enhance your experience by ordering the Snake Yuzu Vodka Sherbet, a cocktail curated specially for the occasion, with Tarsier Yuzu marmalade vodka mixed with house sake, and citrus syrup. All of this is available alongside the usual Ping Pong menu. The exclusive dishes are available from 14th January until 10th February, in all Ping Pong locations: Soho, Southbank, Bow Bells House and James Street. Set menus are available for groups of 8 people and more, with vegan, gluten free and halal options. Website: https://www.pingpongdimsum.com/chinesenewyear/ Written by Alexandra Herlaut Reinhardt Photography courtesy of Ping Pong Restaurants

In order to welcome the Chinese New Year, Ping Pong Restaurant has designed a selection of special menu items, available until the 10th of February. We visited the Soho branch to try out the new dishes. The ambience sets the perfect tone for celebration, with its warm lighting, paper lanterns, and oil-paper umbrellas, all accompanied by a mix of jazz and lo-fi beats. The space is lively yet cozy, and the menu—where guests tick off their choices—adds a playful touch to the dining experience. First up the Snake Yuzu Vodka Sherbet, a cocktail served in a coupette glass, which blends Tarsier Yuzu marmalade vodka with house sake and citrus syrup. The mix is impeccably balanced, with the bright flavour of the yuzu cutting through the vodka's warmth. For something lighter, the Pineapple, Coconut & Lime mocktail offers a sweet and refreshing option to accompany the dim sum and other hot dishes. The first dish we tried was the Grilled Eel on Crispy Rice Cake, an intimidating choice for me, as it was my first time eating eel. It ended up being a pleasant surprise: the fish was tender and coated in a rich unagi sauce, while the crispy rice cake provided a satisfying crunch to the bite. Out of the New Year’s item selection, this was definitely a standout dish. We also tried the Sichuan Crispy Aubergine, available all year round in Ping Pong restaurants. With a crispy, garlicky exterior and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior, this dish offers a lovely balance of textures and flavours. Among the special menu item, the Char Siu Roast Pork is another option. The pork collar slices were tender and glazed in a savoury-sweet char siu sauce. The depth of the flavours were perfectly complemented by the freshness of steamed bok choy. Moving on to the stars of the show: dumplings. We were able to try three different types: the Enoki & Cauliflower Dumpling, the Wagyu Beef & Black Bean Dumpling, both brought to the menu to celebrate the Year of the Snake; and the Chicken and cashew nut dumpling, which is available on the restaurant’s regular menu. The Enoki & Cauliflower Dumpling truly hit the mark. The mix of vegetables, sautéed in wuxiang sauce and encased in a soft and chewy golden pastry, made it a great comfort food option. It was warm, juicy and had subtle, balanced flavours. For those who like a bit of spice, the Wagyu Beef & Black Bean Dumpling delivers bold flavours. The deep, savoury taste of braised wagyu is complemented by earthy black beans and a fiery chilli kick. Wrapped in a vibrant red pastry, this dumpling is visually striking and full of flavour, especially if you enjoy robust meaty flavours. Finally, we gave the Chicken and Cashew Nut Dumplings a go. The filling was creamy, and its soft nutty flavour really complemented the pastry. A great addition to the meal. To round off the meal, we tried the traditional Black Sesame Bun, which was a delicious treat. The fluffy bun is filled with a rich black sesame paste, creating a great balance between the light, airy dough and the indulgent filling. Whether you’re looking to celebrate the Chinese New Year in style or a dim sum enthusiast, Ping Pong restaurant’s exclusive dishes are worth trying out. They are available until the 10th of February, in all Ping Pong locations: Soho, Southbank, Bow Bells House and James Street. Website: https://www.pingpongdimsum.com/chinesenewyear/ Written by Alexandra Herlaut Reinhardt Photography courtesy of Ping Pong

Looking for the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift for your special someone? Why not create a romantic, pampering experience in the comfort of your home? With Wecasa, you can book everything from indulgent massages and facials to beauty treatments, reflexology, or even a luxurious spa package for two. Wecasa has something to make your Valentine’s truly unforgettable. Booking couldn’t be easier—browse trusted local professionals on the Wecasa website or app, and pick your desired service. To make this Valentine’s extra special, Wecasa is offering all new customers 10% off wellness services with the code VALENTINES-DAY10. Celebrate love, relax, and let Wecasa bring the magic home this February. Visit www.wecasa.co.uk for further information and to book now. Photography courtesy of Wecasa

Pergola on the Piste brings the Alpine party spirit straight to SW9, offering an unforgettable mountain-themed experience at their popular Brixton Market home. Opened earlier this month, this transformed Pergola venue promises fun for everyone, with DJs, live entertainment, shot skis, and plenty of Aperol flowing, expect a lively atmosphere to brighten up those winter blues. In true Pergola style, drinks are themed and top notch. Guests can kick things off with a shot-ski, then move on to signature cocktails like the ‘Aperol Margarita’ or ‘Mulled Margarita,’ both priced at £5. For those looking to warm up, the Maple Hard Cider (featuring Fireball Cinnamon, Absolut Vanilla, Apple & Honey) provides a cosy, mountain-inspired glow. The venue also serves up a bottomless brunch every Saturday, featuring Nachos & Tacos from Jalisco in Brixton Market. For après-ski vibes, £5 margaritas are available every Thursday, while Friday brings £5 Aperol Spritzes between 4pm and 8pm. Of course, there are alcohol free options, with a selection of low and no-alcohol drinks also on offer. The mocktail menu includes a Crodino Spritz, Lucky Saint Radler, and a Nogroni made with Lyre’s London Dry, among others. With its wintery atmosphere, Pergola on the Piste will keep the party going through early April, offering a unique and lively destination throughout the season. Weekly Offers: Thursdays - £5 Après Margaritas Fridays -  £5 Aperol Spritzes, 4-8pm Saturdays - Bottomless Brunch with Nachos & Tacos from Jalisco in Brixton Market Opening Hours:  January - Thursday - Saturday: 5pm – 11.30pm Opening hours to be extended from February    Address: Brixton Village, Coldharbour Ln, London, SW9 8PS Website:  https://www.pergolabrixton.co.uk Written by Jordan Crowley Photography courtesy of Pergola Brixton

Ring in the Lunar New Year with sophistication and flair by indulging in the exclusive Chinese New Year Set Menu at the newly opened Yú Gé. This culinary celebration is the perfect way to honour the festive season while experiencing a symphony of flavours. Chef Eng Soon Yeo has thoughtfully designed a remarkable Chinese New Year menu that offers a culinary journey through the rich traditions of Cantonese gastronomy. Highlights include stir-friend XO prawns, steamed Chilean sea bass, and braised abalone with corn-fed chicken. Whether you're gathering with family or celebrating with friends, Yú Gé’s special menu promises an unforgettable dining experience to mark the occasion. The menu is bookable at £168 per person (£88 per person for the vegetarian menu) for a minimum of 2 people. To book view https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/england-united-kingdom/park-hyatt-london-river-thames/lhrph/dining Address: 7 Nine Elms Ln, Nine Elms, London, DW8 5PH Photos courtesy of Yú Gé

Located in the heart of Chelsea, Ixchel redefines Mexican cuisine with a creative twist. Anchored by the robata grill and a commitment to quality, this vibrant restaurant sources fresh, local ingredients to craft dishes that are as innovative as they are flavourful. From the striking Mayan Goddess at the entrance to the stunning interiors and ever-evolving menus, Ixchel promises a sensory journey that will keep you coming back for more. Our meal began with an array of starters that prepared our pallet for a wonderful meal. The sea bass tiradito was a refreshing burst of flavour, with blood orange and grapefruit segments complementing the delicate fish, while persimmon and guajillo salsa added an unexpected depth. The fresh white crab tostada impressed with its balance of textures and flavours, with the macha sauce, pico de gallo, and chipotle crema tying it together beautifully. A highlight of the starters was the rock shrimp tempura, perfectly crispy and accompanied by a zesty dipping sauce that kept us coming back for more. For the mains, we opted for the grilled sea bass, served with a pistachio mole verde, fennel, and sage butter, it was a harmonious blend of rich and delicate flavours. The free-range grilled achiote chicken was equally stunning, accompanied by rajas, a creamy Mexican hummus, and a bright pico de gallo for a fresh contrast. To cool off between bites, we sipped on a Virgin Spicy Michelada, a fiery twist on a classic mocktail, and found it to be the perfect palate cleanser. No meal would be complete without dessert, and Ixchel delivered a sweet finale. The French toast torreja with cranberry compote and spiced whipped cream was indulgent and comforting, while the mango and lime sorbet provided a refreshing and tangy counterpoint. Ixchel redefines Mexican dining with creativity and finesse, offering a menu that delights at every turn. From the delightful starters to the indulgent desserts, each dish is a masterpiece, making this restaurant a true gem in London’s culinary scene. Address: 33H King's Road London SW3 4LX Reservations: https://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/ixchel Written by: Stephanie Sowaha Image one courtesy of Ixchel image two and three by Stephanie Sowaha

The Conversation is a series of weekly literary talks, addressing key societal themes such as global conflict, the climate crisis, inequality, power, and other history-enlightened reflections. It is running every Tuesdays at 6:30PM, until the 6th of May at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church. Every topic will be covered by experts in their fields, including talks with bestselling writers including Hanif Kureishi, Ahdaf Soueif, Paul Lynch and Robert Macfarlane; acclaimed historians Tom Holland, Bettany Hughes, Marion Turner and Helen Castor; theatre director Nicholas Hytner, war correspondents Lindsey Hilsum, Fergal Keane and much more. Each evening will feature a different guest, and be centered around a unique subject. The first half of the event is an hour-long interview, after which the host and programmer of The Conversation, Peter Florence, and the guest, will be directly engaging with the audience for another hour, enabling them to deepen the conversation. The Conversation 2025 explores the biggest challenges of our time, accompanied by leading thinkers, while giving the audience the opportunity to actively participate and exchange with the guests in every talk. The next three talks are: 28th January:  Award winning nature and landscape writer, Robert Macfarlane will discuss the plight of Britain’s rivers, the power of protest and advocacy and his new book Is a River Alive.   4th February:  Astronomer Maggie Aderin-Pocock demystifies stunning images from the universe, explaining what we’re learning from the world’s most powerful space telescope and her latest book Webb’s Universe: The Space Telescope Images That Reveal Our Cosmic History.   11th February:  The Oscar winning playwright, screenwriter and author of The Buddha of Suburbia, Hanif Kureishi discusses his memoir Shattered his wildly inspiring memoir of illness and defiance You can book in-person tickets for £15, or an online ticket for £10. See the full event listings visit https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/the-conversation/ Location: St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ. Dates: 14th January – 6th May Time: Tuesdays from 6.30pm – 8.30pm Written by Alexandra Herlaut Reinhardt Photography courtesy of The Conversation 2025

This week we interviewed Anthony 'Murf' Murphy, Co-Founder of The Beefy Boys, to talk about the drunken BBQ, that kicked it all off, where they ranked at the World Food Championships and much more. What inspired you to create The Beefy Boys, and how did the journey begin? 1. The Beefy Boys is a drunken BBQ that's seriously gotten out of hand - so out of hand we now have four restaurants, 200 staff, two food trucks, and a Sunday Times best-selling book about said drunken BBQ. It all started 14 years ago when one of my lifelong friends Dan was having a BBQ for his partner's birthday. He called me and asked if I would help cook for it. None of us had a catering or hospitality background, but we had been watching a lot of Man vs Food and Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. So we did a ton of research and practice and cooked a BBQ for our friends - burgers, pulled pork, ribs etc. They all loved it. From there, we decided to enter a BBQ competition in Bristol called Grillstock. We won Best Burger there and got entered into the World Burger Championships in Las Vegas. We headed over for what we thought would be a drunken trip to Vegas where we would come last in a cookery competition, and somehow we managed to come second in the world. That's pretty much what kicked the whole thing off and led to where we are today. 2. How did it feel to compete on an international stage like the World Food Championships, and what did you take away from that experience? It was completely mad. They shut a big part of the Las Vegas strip off for it. We were lucky enough to return again this year after winning the UK Burger Awards in 2023. This year, it was in Indianapolis, which was an amazing place to visit. We ate so much food we all came back about a stone heavier, and this time we came fourth in the world, which was an amazing result.  3. Was there a pivotal moment when you realised that The Beefy Boys could become a major success? Literally, as we walked off the stage in 2014 after coming second place, I remember thinking at the time, this is it now, we need to take this seriously. When we came back to the UK, our first pop-up had a queue of 300+ people before we even fired the grill up. If it wasn't for the World Food Championships, we 100% wouldn't be here today.  4. Do you have plans to expand further, or are there other food concepts you’d like to explore in the future? Definitely. It's taken us 10 years to get four open. We are very picky about where we go - we don't want to open sites for the sake of it. We want to be considered in our approach to expansion. We've seen so many people get bigger, drop the quality, and collapse in on themselves, and we really don't want that to happen. There are other food concepts we would love to do that connect to our BBQ roots, specifically live fire. We have a lot of ideas in that regard, and it's something we are working on for (hopefully) our second cookbook and maybe some special pop-ups in 2025. But our main focus is expanding The Beefy Boys restaurant brand.  5. What’s the most unexpected or adventurous topping you’ve ever considered for a burger? Oh God, loads. I've never managed to fully nail my concept of a shepherd's pie burger. We have loads in the cookbook, from surf and turf to a Hawaiian burger (yes pineapple on a burger-it can work!) The roast dinner burger is pretty special and one I'm quite proud of in the book. Also, the cowboy burger where we top a burger with a steak, is pretty mad.  6. If you had one day off in London, where would you like to visit / explore?  I am a real sucker for the tourist side of London. I love Soho and the West End, and if I had a day off, I would take the wife to see Hamilton. We've been wanting to go for years. (I'm not massively into musical theatre, by the way - we just both love a bit of Hamilton.) Food-wise, I would definitely head to Kiln. For more information visit https://thebeefyboys.com/ Photography courtesy of The Beefy Boys

Situated in the heart of the city, nestled in the vaulted space beneath The Royal Exchange, The Libertine provides a stylish and truly atmospheric drinking and dining experience. Ideal for post-work drinks as well as fine dining, the Libertine offers a relaxed environment in which to indulge the senses with hearty food in a rich, darkly luxurious interior. The venue is known for its event space and calendar of special menus, including an exceptional Sunday Roast. To ring in January, The Libertine launches their Supper Club Series with a toast to Robert Burns, the Burns Night Supper Club will take place on Saturday 25th January and is the perfect opportunity to savour the flavours of Scotland, a three-course feast awaits, paired with three contrasting whisky expressions from Scotland’s finest distillery, Glenmorangie.  Along with great food, expect a lively evening, led by an expert Master of Ceremonies who will ensure all traditions are upheld, including the piping in of the Haggis and its subsequent address. Complete with neeps, tatties, cranachan and drams of Glenmorangie aplenty, it will be an evening befitting of the great ‘Rabbie Burns’.    Event Date: Saturday 25th January from 7.45 pm Tickets: £120.00 per person Included: A three-course dinner complete with a welcome cocktail and whisky pairings For more information or to book tickets visit https://libertinelondon.co.uk/ Written by Claire Boom Photography courtesy of Libertine London