With a key in hand – one like you’ve never seen before, a pig’s face was cut out of the lock head – and a clue about the location, this was going to be one party we didn’t want to miss.

With the venue packed head-to-toe with 1920s imagery, the lucky attendees were quickly transported back to the Roaring Twenties. As the band took to the stage and effervescent dancers tore up the space in front, upstairs a mock casino room set guests hearts racing, while downstairs they could explore the apple store and relax in the vintage film room.

Inspired by the time, the Blind Pig cider range is blended with fruit and spirit flavours for three unique-tasting ciders including Bourbon & Blueberry, Rum & Poached Pear, and Whiskey, Honey & Apple. The ciders have an extra punch of flavour, something more complex than what’s available at the moment with each variety perfectly complementing the sweet yet sharp tones of the apple.

To launch the new cider, six young British talents have come together to form the Blind Pig Collective, producing a collection of original work inspired by the 1920s and the renowned speakeasies of the time (below). The Collective includes artists Laura Carlin, Shonagh Rae, Adam Simpson, filmmakers Joe Morris and Mark Donne, better known as Brass Moustache, and photographer Rebecca Scheinberg.

Given the mission statement of expressing the intrigue, excitement and character of the time, Adam Simpson was inspired by the romanticised idea of the 1920s speakeasies. “I liked the idea that behind a seemingly anonymous building, there was a place that brought people from all walks of life, who collectively forgot their worries,” said Adam. “I wanted to create an intriguing scene with hidden layers.”

Laura Carlin’s piece focuses on the sense of society and good times the speakeasies brought. “It was in fact a place where all parts of society could mingle and integrate with few problems between them. I wanted to portray the crazy, heightened atmosphere with the blurry assortment of different characters and eccentrics,” she said.

Shonagh Rae’s clever blend of photography, stencil printing and illustration is just as striking. “I referenced daguerreotypes as I was interested in having a strong portrait or figurative element, however I was also keen to treat this with shadows, thinking of the subdued lighting of the 1920s era,” Shonagh explains. “When I was doing some research based on the brief I was interested in portraying some sense of the subversive spirit of the time and the idea of political heroes. Bearing in mind that the artwork was to be reproduced at a large scale, I wanted to create a poster artwork with strong graphic elements representative of the artistic movements of the time, such as Constructivism and Bauhaus design. I also included one of the coordinates that appears on one of the bottles, to Chicago Navy Pier which was a well-known port and area of entertainment venues in the early 1920s.”

It was only right that at the end of the night a faux police raid brought it all to a close. With guests spilling out onto the street and back to modern times. It was a fantastic night that really transported guests back to the spirit of the 1920s and the excitement of speakeasies of the era.

Transport yourself and try a Blind Pig Cider at one of the select bars across the UK. To discover more, follow BLINDPIGCIDER on Instagram: www.instagram.com/blindpigcider

The atmosphere is relaxed, and while it isn’t the largest coffee shop, you’re welcome to sit in there with a book or a laptop and while away the morning. The baristas know what they’re doing and are careful not to burn the milk, a big problem for a number of the cafes close by. The coffees are full of flavour, without the gritty taste you can get from expresso.

Ester’s real standout though is the food. With a selection of tempting cakes and treats on the counter, the doughnuts from St. John are the best in London, filled with a range of homemade jams and creams. Their hot food is just as good too. With an ever-changing menu, every day they serve a signature sandwich plus breakfast options like a delicious Cardamom French Toast and savoury dishes inspired by Turkish cuisine.

At last, stylish Stoke Newington has a coffee shop to match.

Esters, 55 Kynaston Road, London, N16 0EB
www.estersn16.com

Plum + Spilt Milk is the restaurant of the recently reopened, and equally fantastic, Great Northern Hotel. Part of a £42m renovation of the iconic property, no expense was spared with the restaurant refit. From the big, comfy armchairs to the 120 hand-blown glass pendants that cascade from the ceiling, the interior is reminiscent of Bob Bob Ricard, chic, class and elegant, and it’s matched by the food.

The vision of Michelin-starred chef Mark Sergeant, the menu is not fussy, instead delivering excellence on a collection of enticing British dishes, with touches of extravagance and creativity that sets them apart. The dishes feel familiar and homely, yet there’s a cutting edge that makes Plum + Spilt Milk a real fine dining experience.

With dinner we enjoyed cocktails that are also the brainchild of Mark Sergeant. With a manageable 10 drinks on the menu, all signature creations, the Lady Violet – pairing elderflower vodka with champagne and raspberry liqueur – and Northern Sour – pink grapefruit and lemon shaken with gin, cointreau and rhubarb bitters – both come highly recommended.

Jumping straight into the mains, we had the Angus sirloin steak and loin of venison. Both were fantastic but the venison stood out in particular. Something most probably only eat while dining out, the cuts of loin were served with pancetta and sloe gin and ranks in the top 5 dishes I’ve ever enjoyed. The sides to share made a real difference too.

The chefs at Plum + Spilt Milk take real care in preparing the vegetables as well as the mains. We shared glorious buttered mash, steamed anya potatoes, winter greens and honey-roasted parsnips which were sensational.

For desert, the restaurant offers its titular plum dish although we opted for the baked alaska, and while it didn’t quite match the brilliance of the main courses, it was delicious nonetheless. Doused in a healthy amount of alcohol before being set alight at your table, the baked alaska was a fitting finale to a fantastic meal, and big enough for three, never mind the two it suggests on the menu.

A suave and intimate setting, perfect for entertaining guests, catching up with friends or a effortlessly romantic date, the Plum + Spilt Milk floor plan allows for ample space between parties and you’ll feel like anything but sardines jam-packed alongside each other.

Little touches like the music in the room – modern rather than stuffy jazz – gorgeous menus and great crockery design really make all the difference and set restaurants like Plum + Spilt Milk apart from the nearly names across the capital. This restaurant is the real deal, and it won’t completely break the bank.

Plum + Spilt Milk is the star on the Great Northern Hotel’s lapel but deserves to be heralded as its own hugely successful venture. We’ll be coming back.

For reservations visit the Plum + Spilt Milk website here: www.plumandspiltmilk.com

Plum + Spilt Milk
Inside the Great Northern Hotel
King’s Cross Station
Pancras Road
London, N1C 4TB