Official Competition: Penelope Cruz shines in biting movieland satire August 26, 2022 One thing Hollywood loves to celebrate is itself. There are numerous movies of the highs, lows, and in-betweens of the American film industry, but not as many that focus on European cinema. New comedy Official Competition puts prestige cinema in the spotlight, and comes up with a winner. Set in Spain, an elderly millionaire (José [...]
Beast review: A surprisingly straight story of man vs lion, and actually good August 26, 2022 Let’s tackle the elephant – or should that be the lion? – in the room. The concept of new Idris Elba film Beast is flatly ridiculous. It features a deadly serious scene in which Elba fights a lion with his bare hands. It’s about a man-munching lion skulking around South Africa tearing limbs off locals [...]
We try a Cruffin at the beautiful Richoux on Piccadilly August 26, 2022 If you live for the weekends, then start them off the right way with breakfast at the classically beautiful Richoux on Piccadilly. This is a place that caters for your hangover with some seriously indulgent comfort food, then gets the party started again with a selection of excellent hair-of-the-dog breakfast cocktails. Please do not visit [...]
Five million pounds of Banksy art is now free to see in the City August 25, 2022 Walking into the Banksy exhibition at the new Red Eight Gallery at The Royal Exchange, the first artwork you’ll see is Morons, a depiction of an auction room upon which Banksy has scrawled: “I can’t believe you morons buy this shit.” Let’s just get this out of the way first: it’s blazingly ironic to host [...]
Moscato d’Asti: Why this sparkling wine is pure joy in a glass August 25, 2022 In my last column’s wine recommendations, I referred to Moscato d’Asti as the happiest wine. For me, it is as joyful a glass as you could hope to have, so it surprises me that more people do not indulge in it more often. Though from the same region, around the town of Asti, it should [...]
National Burger Day 2022: We pick out London’s top patties August 24, 2022 National Burger Day is upon us, that wonderful time of year where families come together to munch upon ground beef or their preferred vegetarian equivalent. To ensure the occasion doesn’t go unmarked, try popping into one of these places, where the burgers have the Morning Wire seal of approval. Dinings SW3 Chelsea Izakaya restaurant Dinings [...]
The Gardener’s Cottage and The Lookout are the perfect restaurants for the last weekend of the Fringe August 24, 2022 The Edinburgh Festival is coming to an end but thousands of Londoners are set to descend upon the city for its final weekend. And while you come for the comedy, cabaret, magic, theatre and various other barely definable acts, it’s always worth booking a decent restaurant or two before you arrive. Let me introduce you [...]
Ukraine: Insurers provide first policy for grain shipment out of war-torn country August 23, 2022 Lloyd’s of London broker Ascot and insurer Marsh have written their first insurance policy for a ship carrying Ukrainian grain out of the country’s Black Sea ports following the signing of Russia and Ukraine’s safe passage deal last month. The shipping insurance policy is set to reinforce the UN brokered deal to reopen Ukraine’s seaports [...]
The Ultimate Luxury – Fine Dining at Ascot Racecourse August 23, 2022 | Sponsored There is only one place in the world where great horses are cheered on in a setting fit for Her Majesty the Queen. Walking through Ascot’s historic gates gives an immediate sense of occasion, real excitement and anticipation of the experience to come. Founded by Queen Anne in 1711, Ascot Racecourse remains a pillar of [...]
Morgan Super 3 review: Three spirit August 22, 2022 Tim Pitt drives the new Morgan Super 3 – a quirky three-wheeled British sports car with an infectious sense of fun.