Keep the kids engaged and entertained during the summer holidays with a variety of fun activities around London. From kid-friendly museums and galleries, immersive experiences, and special events, there's plenty to explore. We've curated a list of our top family-friendly spots for you to visit. Interactive Aardman ‘Bug Hunt’ at new insect garden at Stratford Cross An interactive Lloyd of the Flies augmented reality trail is set to captivate families, children, and insect enthusiasts at the Royal Entomological Society Insect Garden in Stratford Cross. Visitors will join Lloyd, the first-ever non-human Royal Entomological Society Ambassador, in his quest to find his friends and guide them back to the garden's 'luxury bug hotel.' This engaging experience offers a fun and educational way to discover fascinating facts about the tiny creatures that sustain all life on Earth. For further information visit https://www.royensoc.co.uk/the-res-garden Frameless Immerse yourself in the world of some of history's greatest artists as Frameless, the UK’s largest immersive art experience, unveils a revamped version of one of its four main galleries, ‘The World Around Us.’ Marking the most significant update since its 2022 debut. Frameless introduces reimagined masterpieces that blend art, music, animation, and cutting-edge technology. Visitors will find themselves in a vibrant, imaginative playground where storytelling comes to life like never before. The experience features five new immersive artworks from some of the world’s most revered artists, including Hokusai and Van Gogh, alongside seven existing masterpieces which have been reimagined in collaboration with BAFTA award-winning VFX studio and Frameless’ Official Production Partner Cinesite. For more information and to book tickets visit https://frameless.com/ The Giant’s Garden at Westfield London Get ready for a magical summer adventure at Westfield’s ‘The Giant’s Garden’ event! From 16th August to 1st September, Westfield Stratford City’s indoor event spaces will be transformed into enchanting gardens where everything is larger than life. You can try walking on water in the Zorb pool, rolling around in giant inflatable balls—a thrilling activity for kids aged five +. There will also be classic garden games, a giant swing ball setup perfect for some friendly competition with foam racquets and much more. Every day at 12pm and 3pm, there will be storytime sessions featuring popular books, plus garden-themed arts and crafts activities where kids can create their own masterpieces to take home. All free of charge, open daily from 12pm to 8pm*. For more information visit https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity/events-detail/the-giant_t_s-garden Theatre at Kew Gardens The Australian Shakespeare Company is back for its sixth season at Kew Gardens, bringing back the Dream Fairies production. This interactive story follows four fairies from A Midsummer Night’s Dream who get lost and cross paths with Tinkerbell on their journey. Dream Fairies is a charming mix of song, dance, and fairytale magic, perfect for younger audiences. With plenty of interactive adventures, it’s a magical experience designed to keep the little ones engaged. Book tickets at: https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/theatre-on-kew-24 ECLIPSO This summer, both kids and adults can journey through 3.5 billion years of Earth's history, from the evolution of cells to modern day, all thanks to Eclipso Entertainment's latest creation, Life Chronicles. Using cutting-edge VR technology, you can experience the incredible story of our planet firsthand, fully immersed in a wireless VR environment that lets you move around and interact with others. Located at Westfield Stratford, the Eclipso Entertainment venue welcomes everyone aged 6 and up, making it a perfect adventure for the whole family. For more information visit https://lifechronicles-experience.com/london/ Jumeirah Carlton Tower x The Roald Dahl Story Company Jumeirah Carlton Tower has teamed up with The Roald Dahl Story Company to create an awesome experience for kids aged 2 to 12. It is exclusive for families staying in any of the hotel’s 186 rooms. The rooms are transformed into a book lover’s paradise, with all sorts of fun goodies waiting for the little ones. When families arrive, they’ll find a room filled with soft toys, games, and movies to enjoy during their stay. There’s even a Roald Dahl-themed Monopoly game where kids can race Matilda to outsmart Trunchbull in a fun twist on the classic board game. And when it’s time for bed, the kids can get cozy in exclusive Roald Dahl dressing gowns and slippers, or snuggle up with a special Enormous Crocodile blanket and pillows as they fall asleep to a Roald Dahl audiobook. For more information visit https://www.jumeirah.com

Tired of the same old dash to Pret for a quick sandwich? Craving a more satisfying meal during your lunch break? Plume has just rolled out The Power Hour menu, and it's a game-changer. For just £14, you can dig into a Golden Boy or Bacon Boy sandwich, inspired by its popularity in New York City . If that doesn’t tempt you, there are other tasty options like hot honey halloumi, beef, or aubergine flatbread with chips or a side salad. Plus, a glass of wine is included—how sweet is that! Available Monday to Friday from 12-3 pm, all dishes are served within 20 minutes, with a complimentary glass of wine if they take any longer. Address: 26 Wellington St, London, WC2E 7DD Website: https://www.plumewinebar.com/ Photo courtesy of Plume

This week we caught up with Vidushi Binani the Co-Founder of Volonté to talk about her inspiration behind Volonté, why nutrition is important, her biggest achievement and much more. Can you tell me how Volonte came about, what was your inspiration? We know how important nutrition is to you, can you tell us how you came about planning the dishes at Volonté? I love food. But, to be brutally honest, I used to have a very unhealthy relationship with food. In my childhood, I ate too much and unhealthily and then ate too little or almost nothing on some days in my late teens. In early adulthood, after trying to navigate my strange relationship with food, I learned the basic principle of maximising without sacrificing too much and making balanced choices when it comes to eating and drinking. During university, I would try and make better choices when eating at home and allow myself to indulge when out with friends. I trained smartly 4-5 times a week, walked whenever I could, and tried to break the cycle of eating very unhealthy food and then punishing myself by not eating anything at all. This cycle never works - it’s not sustainable. I also learned that portion sizes play a big role when it comes to indulgence. Moderate indulgence does not do much harm, yet allows you to satisfy your mind and body. I became fascinated by the ways in which flavorful food could intersect with healthy eating habits which inspired me to study nutrition, and the practical gastronomic application of it at Le Cordon Bleu after university. My studies - frankly a lockdown obsession - in nutrition provided me with a deeper understanding of how our bodies work and helped me to formalize the theory behind some of my self-learnings. While in university and at Cordon bleu, to help maintain my balanced lifestyle approach, I tried to look for “healthy” spots in London where I could grab a quick lunch or even a fun brunch with friends. Most places had very boring menus or food that was not freshly prepared. Being a vegetarian I also found it difficult to find places that had a variety of tasty options for me to choose from. After not having much luck, stemmed the idea of creating Volonté. Today I am passionate about how people can fuel their love for food in a sustainable, balanced way, without having to remove what they love the most. At Volonte you will find familiar elements in dishes, inspired from trying to recreate my favourites from all over the world in a fresh and cleaner way. I used the Covid lockdown to experiment with recipes - having access to limited ingredients forced me to be creative and achieve flavours by not adding too many ingredients. Trying to use homemade sauces and bases to all dishes and balancing each plate with elements from all food groups is the ethos behind everything we create. All food groups are allowed - in the right portion size. This is why high-quality chocolate, wine and prosecco can also be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle at Volonté. I believe that balance and moderation allows you to enjoy everything you desire without causing harm while maintaining a moderately active lifestyle. Translating as the French feminine noun for ‘willpower’, Volonté is a place built upon feminine strength and a core belief that optimum wellbeing is achieved through a life of abundance rather than restriction. What has been your biggest achievement since starting Volonté? I think being able to have 3 sites in two years has been an achievement that I am proud of. I still make mistakes but I think having the strength and confidence to battle each new challenge that comes with a new site has been an incredible journey - and most of the credit will go to the people who support me and allow me to focus so hard and take these risks. My family and fiancé have encouraged me from day one and Volonté would honestly not be standing 3 stores strong without them. I also think I have now built a great core team that keeps all sites running smoothly. In a tough labour market, especially in the hospitality sector, I am thankful to have some great team members who have helped me through the journey too. I also believe building a good team has been an achievement of its own (this journey has had its own several ups and downs). How do you prioritise your own wellbeing while running a business? If I am completely honest it's difficult. My mind tends to be working non-stop so sometimes even when on holiday, I am only thinking about work and not switching off mentally even though I am not physically at work. Making work your life tends to not be sustainable. I’ve learned that my work is a large part of my life, but I cannot let it consume me fully. I need to learn how to balance my life the same way that I balance my food. I try and exercise at least 3 to 4 times per week, I used to only like exercising in the mornings and during busy times I would not get time in the mornings so I would end up skipping exercise. Now I exercise at anytime I can, on days where I can’t carve out time early in the morning. Having your own business means that you are in charge of your own time (mostly) - which is a boon and a bane. A boon as you can have a more flexible work schedule, but a bane as if not physically tired or forced to stop - you can spiral into working nonstop. It’s important to remind yourself that every problem has a solution and that the solution can even be found tomorrow. On vacations - I try to focus on the more creative aspects of work as new places and people can inspire new ideas and can help get creative juices flowing, I try and finish any urgent admin beforehand so that I can work on “fun” elements which keep me inspired and excited. Congratulations on your new studio, Volonté - Fitzrovia, how does this studio space differ from your other studios? Fitzrovia is an intimate low impact studio, focussed more on classes such as reformer Pilates, Yoga, Dance, Barre and meditation - which has a wider audience across all age groups and fitness levels. The Chelsea studio has a more strength and functional training based set up - now used mainly for personal training and small group training. You host amazing events at Volonté, do you have anything coming up you can share with our readers? We recently updated our wine list and added some exciting new cocktails too. We will be hosting some wine tastings and Pilates events in the next few months. What would your ideal day in London be like? Even after living in London for 8 years I am yet to see so many parts of it. An ideal day would be one where I have enough time to go and explore a new area and try out some hidden food gems. I have a long list of places to try that are not in my immediate local areas and I would love to have a day to go try some of those and just walk around a new area as each locality of London is unique in its own way. To find more about Volonté and to book a class visit https://www.volonte-energy.com/ Photography by Nyla Sammons

Pravaas, in the heart of South Kensington, and close to the National History museum, The V&A and Science museum is redefining the Indian culinary scene with an exciting new breakfast menu. For those who can't resist a weekend without a hearty fry-up, Chef Patron Shilpa Dandekar’s version of the Full English Breakfast is a must-try. Visualise lamb merguez sausages, crispy turkey bacon, grilled heritage tomatoes, alongside a delicious mix of potato and kale. And the menu doesn’t stop there, there are plenty of savoury options such as lentil dumplings served alongside two eggs and a rich hollandaise sauce, egg paratha, and a delectable avocado toast. For pancake enthusiasts, Pravaas offers savoury varieties including malpuas with a combination of spinach, cheese, mushrooms, and dosa… Those who prefer their breakfast on the sweeter side will find their cravings satisfied with traditional Indian malpua pancakes. These pancakes are given a sophisticated touch with crushed black pepper and fennel, then topped with mixed berries, clotted cream, and maple syrup. Pair your breakfast with a sweet and spicy masala chai or choose from an array of refreshing teas like Jasmine Queen Tea, Royal Darjeeling, and Assam Tea for the perfect morning pick-me-up. Breakfast is served exclusively on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10am to 12pm, making it an ideal weekend treat. Address: 3 Glendower Place, South Kensington, SW7 3D Website: https://www.pravaas.com/ Written by Lorna Bryn Photo courtesy of Pravaas

Have you ever dreamed of exploring the mystical Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and its mesmerising cenotes? El Cenote Camden brings that magic to life, offering a dining experience that transports you to these serene natural wonders. Named after Mexico's spiritual cenotes, this restaurant celebrates the beauty of Mexican heritage and takes diners on a metaphorical journey to these natural wonders through its ambiance, cuisine, and decor. The moment you step inside, you’re enveloped in an atmosphere that feels cosy yet captivating, just like the cenotes. It's a must-visit for lovers of Mexican food and culture alike. First and foremost El Cenote Camden impressed us with their exceptional customer service. The friendly and passionate staff are dedicated to sharing the rich traditions of Mexico. This passion is evident in every detail, from the beautifully decorated interior to the carefully curated music playlist. Traditional Talavera tiles line the bar and staircase, adding to the interior charm, making for beautiful Instagrammable moments. Additionally, melodic sounds of Latin American and pop hits fill the air at a perfect volume for conversation, creating an ideal setting for relaxed gatherings with friends. The Margarita Madness offer also seemed perfect for those friendly get-togethers: taking place from 4-7 PM and 9-10 PM daily, selected cocktails are £6, along with promotions on beers and prosecco. After a warm welcome, we were seated in a booth, there is also outdoor seating available for those who prefer dining al fresco. Our enthusiastic waitress guided us through a diverse menu featuring a wide array of taco options, including seafood, meat, and vegetarian varieties. Beyond tacos, the menu boasts enchiladas, steaks, nachos, quesadillas, a refined selection of traditional Mexican desserts, and much more. We initially settled on ordering drinks that were as unique as they were refreshing. The Horchata mocktail and Lavender Margarita stood out, offering flavours we'd never encountered before. The Lavender Margarita, in particular, was a delightful twist on the traditional Margarita, aromatic and lemonade-like in its freshness. For those with a sweet tooth, the Horchata's blend of vanilla syrup with cinnamon is sure to please. For appetisers, we opted for a classic: tortilla chips with four different salsas. Each salsa presented a unique picante flavour, from guacamole to cheese. We were also recommended the popular Baja Fish Tacos, which were not only beautifully garnished but also tasted extraordinary. The battered Sea Bass was perfectly complemented by the Habanero sauce. Our main courses continued to impress. The Arrachera "Make Your Own Tacos" was a fun and satisfying concept, we found it allowed us to tailor each taco to our own taste, and the well-done beef was very flavorful. After being impressed with the Baja Fish Tacos, we felt inclined to opt for a seafood main course as well. The King Prawn al Tequila dish featured fresh, marinated king prawns served with a generous portion of rice and salad, perfectly balancing flavours and textures.  We were a little to full from our starters and mains, we decided to pass on a dessert. However, the menu’s offerings, like the popular Pastel de Elote, looked very tempting and we imagine would be well worth a return visit. Despite being open for only three months, El Cenote Camden has already made a significant impression. It is evident that the team have poured their hearts into every aspect of the restaurant. The culinary team, led by skilled chefs, is dedicated to embodying the spiritual essence of Mexican heritage. The dishes were rich in flavour and impressive. The waiting staff were extremely attentive and radiated positivity and passion. We can confidently say El Cenote Camden is a new favourite of ours in the city and whether you’re a Mexican food aficionado or a culture enthusiast, El Cenote Camden offers a dining experience that is both authentic and enchanting. Address: 2 Inverness St, London, NW1 7HJ Website: https://www.elcenotecamden.com/ Written by Imelda Nela Photo one courtesy of El Cenote Photo two by Ismelda Nela

If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Fulham's High Street, The Brown Cow Pub offers a serene haven paired with an exceptional brunch experience. For starters we chose the Grilled Summer Courgettes. Grilled summer courgettes were perfectly charred and paired with succulent Isle of Wight tomatoes. The vegan burrata was creamy and indulgent, and the Fresh basil provided an aromatic finish that tied the dish together beautifully. For my main I opted for the Ravioli of Simplicity 'Nduja' and Olive Ragu, a standout dish, featuring ravioli filled with spicy 'nduja. The robust olive ragu added depth, while the slow-roasted tomato and fennel provided a touch of sweetness. My companion opted for the 8oz Ribeye Steak. The steak was cooked to perfection, with a rich, flavourful garlic butter melting over it. The thick-cut chips were crispy and golden, the roasted mushroom earthy and tender, and the fresh watercress added a peppery bite. For an extra touch of indulgence, the peppercorn and béarnaise sauce options are highly recommended. To accompany our mains we picked the BBQ Sweet Potato with Pineapple Salsa. The BBQ sweet potato had a smoky, caramelised exterior which was delicious, perfectly balanced by the bright, tangy pineapple salsa. To round up the meal and satisfy our sweet tooth we shared the Vegan Three Little Biscoff-Filled Donuts: These donuts were a vegan delight, each bite revealing a creamy biscoff filling. The donuts were light, fluffy, and indulgently satisfying. We also shared the Vegan Cheddar Valley Strawberries: This dessert was a perfect end to the meal. The fresh Cheddar Valley strawberries were juicy and sweet, beautifully paired with whipped lemon cream. The pistachio shortbread added a delightful crunch, and the strawberry sorbet was refreshing and vibrant. The Brown Cow Pub offers an unforgettable dining experience that begins with a relaxing brunch and extends into a delightful evening. Whether you're in for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, this Fulham gem promises culinary excellence in every dish. Address: The Brown Cow, 676 Fulham Rd, London, SW6 5SA Website: https://butcombe.com/the-brown-cow-pub-fulham/ Written by: Stephanie Sowaha Image one courtesy of Brown Cow Photography by Stephanie Sowaha

art'otel London Battersea Power Station proudly overlooks one of London’s most exciting new neighbourhoods and the iconic Battersea Power Station. Although the hotel is a relatively new addition to the skyline, it holds itself with poise, confidence and style. Joia - meaning “jewel” in Portuguese - is the aptly named title of the hotel’s 15th floor restaurant. The restaurant serves up contemporary twists on Portuguese and Catalonian dishes under the guidance of two Michelin-starred Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa. In keeping with the theme of old and new that the hotel and the Battersea Power Station area represent, Joia serves up a very traditional British afternoon tea and somehow makes it feel very modern. With spectacular sweeping views over the power station's chimneys and the London skyline in the background, you almost get the sense of an immersive history lesson. With the brutalist architecture of the power station framed in the glass viewport of Joia, and juxtaposed against the slick contemporary aesthetic of the space. The restaurant is bright with pink pastels, touches of gold and all the curves that provide all the modern mid-century feels. Afternoon tea is a familiar three-tiered medley of sandwiches, sweet treats and of course the beloved scones, jam and clotted cream. The sandwiches are punching a little over their afternoon tea category with a smoked salmon, cucumber, dill and cream cheese, a salted egg & dijon mustard mayonnaise and our personal favourite, the beef and horseradish which is tender with a light heat from the horseradish. The sweet treats are delectable and look every inch as good as they taste. What appears to be some sort of chocolate roll sandwiched between two white chocolate walls, reveals a surprising chocolate and banana mousse. There’s a pear & almond choux bun with passion fruit crémeux. And our personal favourite a sumptuously crusted cinnamon custard tart topped with raspberries. The sandwiches and sweets bravely stand out from the very familiar scones, with Jam (first), then thick cream, but what would an afternoon tea be without this addition? Joia offers Afternoon tea with an iconic view and an environment that makes it all feel that little bit more special. For a laid-back weekend afternoon, it’s a winner in our books. Afternoon Tea is available at Joia every Saturday and Sunday for £55pp or you can push the boat out that little bit more with the Champagne Afternoon Tea, including a glass of Telmont Brut Réserve Champagne for £65pp.  For more information and to book visit https://www.joiabattersea.co.uk/ Written by Rick Hartley Photography courtesy of Joia Battersea

KERB Holborn opens on 7th August and will be giving away a whopping 100 free meals on the launch date from some of London's best street food traders. Food vendors to look out for include: Only Jerkin’  - serving up their triple-dipped Caribbean fried chicken. FILLIGRILLZ - serving up juicy sliced pork belly, tangy pork stews & marinated grilled boneless chicken in rice boxes and wraps.  MEXCLUB - brings their signature slow-cooked beef birria tacos to the streets of Holborn.  IT’S ALL GRAVY - expect to find slow-cooked beef, beef fat onions, swiss cheese, confit garlic mayo, crispy onions and light beef gravy. CEYLON KOTHU - infamous for smashing their steamed rotis on hot griddles before adding aromatic spiced chicken (with paneer and mixed vegetables also available). FATÉ - expect to find Middle Eastern rice bowls, shawarma wraps, dolma and more. RICE BANDITS Irresistible Singaporean food - from slow-braised beef rendang to Singaporean butter chicken - all with fresh aromatic salads and rice.     The first 100 customers on August 7th will receive a free meal from any trader of their choice. Just grab a flyer from the KERB team outside of Holborn & Chancery Lane stations on Wednesday morning and scan the QR code to be in with a chance of winning a free lunch.   The market will initially be open every Wednesday from 11.30am - 2.30pm, with a rotating lineup of London’s finest street food traders. A second trading day is expected to be added in September. Address: Hand Court, Holborn, WC1V 6JF Photography courtesy of KERB

The newest Sushi Revolution opened in June on Curtain Road, Shoreditch, following the success of their first branch in Brixton. The restaurant provides a modern take on a traditional Japanese Izakaya, featuring an impressive menu of sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and hot fried dishes, with a real focus on creativity and flavour. The interior design blends contemporary style with traditional Japanese elements. It includes shou sugi ban-style burned wooden walls, hand-crafted kintsugi porcelain tables, and a sushi bar carved from reclaimed wood. The colourful sake barrels are particularly striking, drawing your eyes and immersing you in the restaurant's beautiful aesthetic. Our waiter enthusiastically recommended the Chicken Karaage Nanban, which was a real treat for the tastebuds—crispy on the outside, tender inside, with a sticky, sweet, and tangy yuzu mayo. Another standout was the fried Japanese aubergine with beetroot den miso, crispy onions, sesame, and coriander cress. The meaty aubergine, enriched by the beetroot den miso, paired perfectly with the crispy onions for added texture and flavour. The Tuna Revolution was beautifully presented, with fresh, high-quality ingredients that pleased the palate. The Panko Popcorn Shrimp with chili mayo, chives, and parmesan also impressed, featuring a thin, crispy coating and a sweet, tangy flavour that was irresistibly moreish. Each dish I tried was a delight, and I was surprised this restaurant hadn't been on my radar sooner. The dessert menu offers just two options: miso brownie bites and mochi, I chose the miso brownie bites, which were soft, gooey, and sweet, everything you could ask for in a brownie and the miso is a welcome addition. The only thing I would say is two brownie bites were too small for a dessert this good, a larger serving is warranted. The quality and flavour of the food blew me away, and learning that Co-Founder Chef Tom Blackshaw has 15 years of experience at top-rated restaurants like Aqua Kyoto, Chotto-Matte, and Sticks n Sushi, made perfect sense. Sushi Revolution delivers top-notch dishes at reasonable prices, making it ideal for a quick lunch stop or a leisurely evening meal with loved ones. If you haven't visited Sushi Revolution yet, make sure to book a table the next time you're in Brixton or Shoreditch. You won't be disappointed! Address: 2, Stage Plaza, Curtain Rd, London, EC2A 3NQ Website: https://www.sushirevolution.co.uk/ Written by Nyla S. First two photos courtesy of Sushi Revolution

We headed down to Vauxhall Arches this week to check out the newly opened Metropolis which has taken over two railway arches close to the station with ten different vendors to sate your appetite. The refit is slick with bright neon signs and an industrial club vibe, with plenty of areas to take over and a great space with picnic tables outside. They are ramping up activities with music performances, poker nights and brunch all launching soon. There are plenty of different food options to suit your tastes or appetite and all the vendors were new to us, giving us many reasons to go back! We tried Birria Tacos opting for the Loaded Lamb Birria Nachos and Beef Tacos with the Birria Consomme - the portions were super generous, with a special mention to the very tasty guacamole and the slow-cooked lamb. Next up Sekushi: we tried the avocado maki and the salmon sashimi which came with edamame, ginger and wasabi to mix with the soy sauce. These guys really know their sashimi, the salmon was uber fresh and a great size portion for us to share. We had to try the Gelato Lab which we were excited to see was an Ice Cream Union pop up. Being longtime fans of this brand we tried very generous scoops of the banoffee pie, pistachio, raspberry and dulche de leche which luckily didn't melt too quickly in the heat. This is a great place to pick up a lunchtime treat or with a group of friends, where you can all tuck into different cuisines. Address: Railway Arches, Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP  Website: https://metropolislondon.co.uk/ Written by Claire Selby  Photos by adashandasplash

Now if you want to pull out all the stops and impress a loved one or gather some friends to celebrate a special occasion, you will want to choose a restaurant that impresses with exceptional food, beautiful decor and outstanding service. Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant, Lucky Cat in Mayfair ticks all those boxes and more. Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay promises a dining experience that blends sophisticated Asian-inspired cuisine with the elegance and flair one would expect from a Ramsay establishment. Walk inside and you are greeted with a sleek and modern decor with Asian influences. Dark wood accents, antique mirrors, bamboo panelling and of course the beloved waving cats. 300 ceramic waving cats to be precise, which can be found at many restaurants in Japan, beckoning in customers. The menu offers sushi and sashimi offerings, small plates and Robata grilled dishes. I asked our waiter for some of his personal favorites, and he enthusiastically recommended the ‘GFC’ Gordon Fried Chicken. A superb recommendation, crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside. The fiery sauce provided a delightful kick of heat balanced by a sweet tang. The Australian waygu beef tataki was incredible! Sheets of thinly sliced beef with truffle ponzu, two words - MOUTH-WATERING. Do not even think about dining at Lucky Cat and not ordering this dish, it exceeded expectations and quite frankly I was gutted I ordered this to share…. Word to the wise, order this dish for you alone… For my main course I ordered the Korean Spiced Black Cod, the cod was perfectly cooked and succulent, the fish flaked effortlessly and the flavour was just incredible. A standout dish that I would happily order again. The Egg Fried Rice was another recommendation, it is different from the egg fried rice dish you would order at your local. It is presented with chopped vegetables and a runny egg sunny side up lying beautifully on the rice. The waiter then mixes all the ingredients at your table, to then leave you with a dish to admire and devour. For dessert I choose the Apple Treacle Cake with vanilla ice cream, it was presented beautifully but I wasn’t as overjoyed as I was with my savoury choices. Which just means next time I’ll opt for a different dessert because of course there will be a next time! The staff are attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about the menu. Our waiters happily offered recommendations and ensured our needs were met throughout the meal. Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay is more than just a restaurant; it is an experience. The combination of exquisite food, impeccable service, and a captivating ambiance makes it a standout destination in Mayfair. Address: 10 Grosvenor Sq, London, W1K 6JP Website: https://www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/lucky-cat/lU Written by Nyla S. Photography courtesey of Lucky Cat.

Photographer Nyla Sammons created a portrait series of ten Tough Women in Sport and Adventure, telling the stories of strong women who have gone beyond the ordinary to push boundaries and break world records. She was motivated to begin the portrait series after photographing Kiko Matthews, who in 2018 broke the world record for being the fastest woman to row the Atlantic solo. Inspired by Kiko’s achievements, Nyla wanted to celebrate Kiko’s success and determination, along with nine other incredible women like her and this was the birth of Tough Women in Sport and Adventure. Nyla also wanted to inspire a new wave of adventures and those that wanted to achieve their goals and dreams. Two photos were taken of the tough women, one in a studio environment and the other taken on location, to capture the individual story of each women. KIKO MATTHEWS Kiko is a former teacher who in 2009 developed Cushings disease. Having decided to row the Atlantic solo in order to raise funds for Kings College Hospital she found a tumour on her brain whilst training. With surgery successfully completed, she got straight back to her preparations and in 2018 successfully broke the record becoming the fastest person to solo row the Atlantic in just 49 days. In the process she raised over £115k. Since then she has completed a 250km desert ultramarathon and a 7000km cycle of the UK’s coast line including 60 beach cleans with schools and communities along the way. PIP STEWART Pip found herself in a relationship with the flesh-eating parasite Leishmaniasis after a world-first, 2.5 month, paddling expedition through the dense Amazon jungle. The journalist, presenter, and poet now raises awareness of this neglected tropical disease – the second biggest parasitic killer after malaria. Pip has also cycled halfway around the world (16,000km from Malaysia to London) and presented a six-part series on the impact of deforestation. LAURA HOGGINS Laura aka ‘Biceps’ is hugely passionate about strength training, especially for women, and celebrates its mental and physical benefits, whatever your ability. She is an advocate of putting in the graft to achieve your goals, nothing worth having comes easy and nothing looks as good as strong feels. She coaches thousands of clients per year through their first experience of functional weight lifting and loves seeing how it opens their eyes to transferring these skills into everyday life. She is a personal trainer, author of ‘Lift Yourself’ and novice strongwoman competitor, attempting to be a marathon runner and is the Head Trainer at boutique studio gym Ministry of Sound Fitness. She trains at some of London’s top S&C and modified strongman gyms and you will usually find her throwing atlas stones around or talking about the benefits of getting strong. RUQSAN BEGUM Having attained a BA in Architectural Technology and worked within the field for a year, Ruqsana soon realised that her passion lay in the sports arena. Taking up Thai Boxing/kickboxing at the age of 18 she trained in secret whilst at university for fear of people not approving of her participation in such a demanding and male dominated sport whilst coming from a traditional Muslim Bangladeshi background. She knew she would have to break down stereotypes and cultural boundaries in order to train and accomplish her goal of becoming a national champion. In 2009 she was selected for the GB team where she acquired a bronze medal in the world championships, in 2010 she became the British atom weight champion and in 2011 won the European gold medal from Latvia before securing a bronze medal in 2012. BETH FRENCH From wheelchair-bound to world class athlete, Beth French stretches the horizons of her own possibilities, tackling seemingly impossible feats of endurance and adventure. Beth suffered with ME from the age of 10 and by 17, she was in a wheelchair. Overcoming debilitation, she forged a path to ultimate health her own way. Beth is the first woman to swim the notorious Kaiwi Channel of Bones in Hawaii (twice,) and the first person ever to swim from Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly. Last year, she was named as one of the World Open Water Swimming Association’s top 50 adventurous female swimmers. Beth is the subject of the film, Against the Tides, that documents her journey through treacherous waters, making heart-rending decisions that test what toughness is at the very core. EMMA KIRK-ODUNUBI Emma is a woman who’s had a passion for sport from a young age, she sort to take on sporting challenges for charities after multiple family members died from cancer. Across the last 4 years she has completed an Indoor Iron Man, 4 marathons, 10 half marathons and most notably 24hrs of Burpees. During the feat completed in 2015 she completed 7015 burpees and became the youngest person to ever take on the challenge. On a daily basis she continues to coach runners on track as part of Track Life LDN, educate as a running footwear buyer; and train in running and CrossFit to seek new challenges to keep proving women what they can do. To view all of the Tough Women portraits visit Nyla Sammon’s website: To view all the photos visit https://www.nylasammons.com/projects/tough-women-in-sport-and-adventure To view the short film on these ladies visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roUr1t4C6Rs&t=32s