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Shopping with a good cause as #OneGoodThing returns to the West End
#OneGoodThing pop-up shop, which raises money for homeless people, returns to London’s West End in March
Returning to the West End this spring is an opportunity to shop with a conscience. Opening in Seven Dials on 1 March, #OneGoodThing pop-up shop will raise money for London’s homeless.
Run by homeless charity The Connection at St Martin, the boutique will sell quality fashion, accessories and homewares donated by local shops and the public. Last year’s pop-up raised thousands of pounds to help those sleeping rough on London’s streets.
Located on Earlham Street, #OneGoodThing will stock designer and vintage clothing and shoes, silk scarves, jewellery, leather handbags, pictures, ornaments, antiques and china. All profits will go towards helping London’s homeless move off the streets, while the store will provide homeless people from The Connection with volunteering placements so they can gain retail experience and the skills to help them in future employment.
Lance Kuhn, Enterprise Manager, from The Connection says: ‘We are so delighted to be opening a new shop off the back of last year’s success and aim to do even better this year. Sadly, rough sleeping in the capital is increasing so this is a chance to collectively make a difference to homeless people’s futures. Nearly everyone has #OneGoodThing which is gathering dust at the back of a wardrobe and could be recycled for this good cause. Now’s the time to dig it out and donate it!’
- #OneGoodThing, 38 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, WC2H 9LH. Nearest station: Covent Garden or Leicester Square. The store will open from 1-31 March 2016. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am‐7pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-6pm (Closed: Easter Sunday). To donate, bring items to The Connection St Martin’s, 12 Adelaide Street, WC2N 4HW, between Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
For a guide to what’s on in London in March, click here.
Flesh & Buns review: Sushi, sashimi and cocktails in a bustling basement
Raw: Mixed Sashimi platter with 2 pieces each of tuna, salmon & yellowtail
Upon first entering Flesh & Buns, I remembered this used to be a basement bar I spent a birthday in about 10 years ago. It had definitely changed a lot since. Flesh & Buns is a Japanese Izakaya bar and restaurant from the same team behind Bone Daddies Ramen. The interior is quite basic, with long high tails and stools dominating the central dining area. My party of two turned up on a Saturday night without a reservation – admittedly rather naïve given this restaurant in a big hit with young London foodies right now. There was quite a party atmosphere with the clientele predominantly in their 20s and 30s. Loud music and the risqué bathrooms which have been decorated in Japanese anime porn so perhaps not a place to bring the in-laws.
With no table available, my date and I found a spot at the very busy bar with a server estimating it would be a 45 minute wait. However it appeared the existing groups dining weren’t in a rush to move on so after two rounds of drinks, we were given the option to eat at the bar so we took it.
A bit of a kick: Softshell crab with jalapeno mayo
The restaurant’s title flesh and buns refers to the choice of meat – steaks, duck and chicken – and the small soft buns. However, on this visit, I ended up ordering neither – opting for a tapas-style meal from the Small Bites menu for us to share. We ordered the Mixed Sashimi set, which included two pieces each of tuna, salmon & yellowtail (£12) served on a bed of ice. Despite the casual feel of the venue, the presentation of food was very good, adding to F&B’s reputation as a foodie destination. We also ordered the Salmon Avocado Roll, which was well complemented One of my favourite dishes was the Softshell Crab, with fried squid, grilled broccoli with miso and sesame (£9.50), with jalapeno mayo adding a kick. We added some greens with Grillied Broccoli with miso and sesame (£5.50).
Overall, I enjoyed the food and drink. The high-energy venue wouldn’t always be a suitable choice for a meal out depending on the company (eg. your mother), however I would definitely suggest it as a good place to eat on a big night out with friends. The service was friendly and I applaud our attentive waitress for keeping track of us amidst all the hustle and bustle. The toilets were definitely a good taking point!
- Flesh & Buns, 41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, WC2H 9LX. Nearest stations: Covent Garden or Leicester Square. For more information, visit the Flesh & Buns website.
For more of Metro Girl’s bar and restaurant reviews, click here.
Celebrate World Book Day 2015 as authors share their latest reads at Seven Dials
For the love of books: Liz Hoggard (left) and Samantha Shannon (right) will be among the authors taking part in Seven Dials’ World Book Day celebration
It’s World Book Day on 5 March and to celebrate the event, Seven Dials’ Book Exchange are hosting readings from three authors throughout the week. Writers Hannah Rochelle, Liz Hoggard with Sarah-Jane Lovett and Samantha Shannon will be reading excerpts from their new books with an intimate audience. The evening events, taking place on 3rd, 4th and 5th March, will see guests treated to complimentary popcorn and prosecco while listening to the authors in action. There will also be the chance for Q&As and book signings.
Kicking off the festivities on Tuesday 3rd is Hannah Rochelle, Fashion Features Editor at InStyle magazine and founder of EnBrogue.com, a blog devoted to stylish flat shoes. After huge success of her blog, which has been featured in The Times, The Guardian, Red Online and BBC Radio 4, among others, Hannah is now releasing the En Brogue book, featuring hand-drawn illustrations, photographs and facts about her favourite flats.
On Wednesday 4th, writing duo Liz Hoggard and Sarah-Jane Lovett will be sharing some insights from their Dangerous Women: The Guide to Modern Life. The life-enhancing tome offers practical, but humorous advice from a group of very knowledge women, with entries such as ‘Accepting A Compliment’,’Affairs’ to ‘Family Therapy’ and ‘Teenagers’.
Finally, on World Book Day itself on Thursday 5th, Samantha Shannon will be treating fans to an excerpt of her second novel The Mime Order, following on from her hit debut novel The Bone Season, which was set in Seven Dials. Her latest tale tells the story of Paige Mahoney’s alternate future London.
- To confirm your place at the events, please register at www.sevendials.co.uk, with the date you wish to attend. There will also be the opportunity for a few walk in on the evening on a first come first served basis. Doors open at 6pm, and the readings will commence at 6.30pm. Seven Dials’ Book Exchange, 9 Shorts Gardens, WC2H. Nearest tube: Covent Garden or Leicester Square.
For a guide to what else is on in London this month, click here.
Memoirs Of A Metro Girl 