Muddy Stilettos

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tuck-in-to-the-newness">Tuck in to the newness </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="640" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/79148b_1bb7c8782836487897100c8b15a86dcbmv2.jpg" alt="LES 2 GARCONS LONDON BIB GOURMAND" class="wp-image-86911" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/79148b_1bb7c8782836487897100c8b15a86dcbmv2.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/79148b_1bb7c8782836487897100c8b15a86dcbmv2-600x450.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Robert Reid and Jean-Christophe Slowik of Les 2 Garçons in Crouch End</figcaption></figure>



A constellation of Michelin stars will light up the sky on Mon 5 Feb, but they have whet our appetite with 20 new Bib Gourmand award. Hot off the press, two more London restaurants can add the coveted Bib Gourmand status to their culinary crowns, recognised for their good value, quality cookery. The latest spicy project from the Gunpowder restaurant group, <a href="https://www.empire-empire.restaurant">Empire Empire</a> in Notting Hill, which opened just last year; and French bistro, <a href="https://www.les2garconsbistro.com">Les 2 Garcons</a> in <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/crouch-end-london/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crouch End</a>, run by Robert Reid and Jean-Christophe Slowik (JC)  who both worked under Marco Pierre White. Next stop, Michelin stars.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="763" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-29-at-14.27.06.png" alt="Sushi at Clap London restaurant " class="wp-image-86503" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-29-at-14.27.06.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-29-at-14.27.06-600x458.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Hungry for more? If you’re peckish and you know it clap your hands. That’s what we’ll be singing (in our head) when we book a table at just-opened Japanese dining experience <a href="https://claprestaurant.com/london/">CLAP Restaurant</a> in Knightsbridge. A handbag’s throw from Harrods, menu highlights include Hokkaido scallops, pistachio-crusted baby chicken with yuzu and roasted tamara king crab leg. Best of all, there’s a rooftop bar with panoramic London views. 



Fancy Paris restaurant Mimosa is about to open its first outpost at five-star <a href="https://www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/london/dine/mimosa/">The Langham</a> in London – talk about a match made in heaven. Apparently the original Mimosa represents ‘nature, pleasure and sun’, which is giving Muddy high hopes, particularly with a menu featuring dishes like blue Brittany lobster aioli, grilled octopus, chickpeas and coriander. Famous for its brunches, form an orderly queue for the egg bar (yes, really). 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="667" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Food-Tostaditos-667x1000.jpg" alt="Mini tacos at Los Mochis London City" class="wp-image-86505" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Food-Tostaditos-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Food-Tostaditos-400x600.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Food-Tostaditos.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" /></figure>



Liverpool Street’s rapidly becoming our favourite culinary hot spot, and the temperature&#8217;s set to soar again with the launch of <a href="https://www.losmochis.co.uk">Los Mochis London City</a> in a few weeks. That’s right, the popular Notting Hill restaurant specialising in Mexican Japanese cuisine (Tulum meets Tokyo) is heading east, opening a branch with a rooftop terrace at 100 Liverpool Street. Looking forward to the wagyu tomahawk steaks. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spa-vellous">SPA-VELLOUS </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/spa-listing-treatment2.jpg" alt="Treatment room at the Peninsula London Spa &amp; Wellness Centre " class="wp-image-86507" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/spa-listing-treatment2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/spa-listing-treatment2-600x337.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



After all that food, you&#8217;ll need a lie down. Make a beeline for the just-launched <a href="https://www.peninsula.com/en/london/wellness" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Peninsula London Spa &amp; Wellness Centre</a> beneath the swish Peninsula Hotel, which opened its revolving doors last September. Muddy was among the first press through the door and can confirm that the 25m pool, 24ct gold face mask Margy&#8217;s treatment, relaxation room massage beds and complimentary healthy poolside ice lollies, make it one of the best spa experiences in the city. Take us back. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="681" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lobster-Salmon-fish-pie.jpg" alt="Romantic package meal at the Hyatt Regency London Stratford " class="wp-image-86501" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lobster-Salmon-fish-pie.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lobster-Salmon-fish-pie-600x409.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Love bites at the <a href="https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/lhrrs/offers/a1a5jwkfdngpwrv55nr62rvbc5kpab9k64?src=prop_lhrrs_en_misc_promo_vday24_">Hyatt Regency London Stratford</a> in time for Valentine&#8217;s Day. Its Romantic Package includes a one-night stay, chocolates, breakfast for two, 15% off a three-course meal at the Elondi restaurant with a glass of Champagne each and Appelles rose-infused candle and body oil &#8211; all for £144 per couple (use promo code VDAY24). Offer’s available from now until 16 Feb (is it wrong Muddy’s tempted to dodge 14 Feb, take a best friend and hit Westfield afterwards?). Nah!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-art-attack">ART ATTACK</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/banner_image_8.jpg__1200x1000_q95_crop_subsampling-2.jpg" alt="Artwork at new London exhibition Quentin Blake: Now" class="wp-image-86496" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/banner_image_8.jpg__1200x1000_q95_crop_subsampling-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/banner_image_8.jpg__1200x1000_q95_crop_subsampling-2-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Muddy will be click-clacking our stilettos to <a href="https://www.cromwellplace.com/whats-on/quentin-blake-now" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cromwell Place</a> in South Kensington next month to check out a new, free exhibition of art work by Sir Quentin Blake. The show includes previously unseen pieces and pen and ink sketches created over the past 12 months. Runs 31 Jan – 18 Feb. 



All aboard just-opened arts venue <a href="https://theatreship.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Theatreship</a>, which is floating our boat with one-off events like a screening of opera movie Tales of Hoffman followed by a live operatic performance by Eve Rhodes. Billed as Europe’s largest floating arts centre, you’ll find it spread&nbsp;across two historic cargo ships docked in Canary Wharf.



Friends, Romans, countrymen, there’s a big new exhibition opening at The British Museum. <a href="Life in the Roman Army" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Legion: Life in the Roman Army</a> is partnered with Horrible Histories, so expect a feast of fun and artefacts for all ages, including the Vindolanda tablets (some of the oldest handwritten documents in the UK). Runs 1 Feb &#8211; 23 June, entry £22.&nbsp;



This week is your final chance to check out the V&amp;A Museum’s free exhibition <a href="Imagining Musicals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Re:Imagining Musicals</a>. Charting the evolution of musical theatre, from Miss Saigon to modern classics like Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, it&#8217;s a nostalgia fest of posters, costumes and set designs.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="690" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/smitf-lux-life-light-show-1024x707-no-type.jpg" alt="Luxmuralis light show Life at St Martin's in the field church in Trafalgar Square " class="wp-image-86498" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/smitf-lux-life-light-show-1024x707-no-type.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/smitf-lux-life-light-show-1024x707-no-type-600x414.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



And don’t miss St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square being lit up by stunning immersive light show Life. Celebrating the natural world, the show&#8217;s created by <a href="https://projectionartgallery.com/index.php/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luxmuralis</a> (£10 entry, runs until 3 Feb), and there’s an atmospheric soundtrack too.

Newsflash! Award-winners, new openings and the latest arty parties

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