Suriya Bala

The term ‘vin naturel’ was revived in France in the 1980s to describe wines that use ‘natural’ fermentation with little intervention in the winemaking process. Critics have described so-called ‘natural wines’ as tasting sour, farmyardy or like stale cider. But there are also enthusiasts who like their distinctively different character. Organic wines are different – they use no pesticides or artificial fertilisers. Biodynamic wines are different again - they are usually (though not always) organic, but incorporate mystical beliefs together with the ecological practices; many growers really do plant cow horns, stags’ bladders, and more besides. If you're in the market for a glass of vino with a twist, here are the best wine bars in London for something eau naturelle.  RECOMMENDED: Superstar sommelier Honey Spencer’s guide to London’s best foodie wine bars. 

Imagine an indoor market in Queensway swarming with tourists snagging cheap luggage and velour cushions flaunting King Charles’s face. Survive this neon-lit maze, and you’re rewarded with Malaysian food that slaps you around the face, then has you yelping for more. Welcome to Normah’s. Normah’s is a home-style café with simple wooden tables and mismatched seats. An old fish tank sits in the corner, and the menu is laminated. It ain’t fancy, but what the restaurant lacks in décor, it makes up for with bold food and effervescent service.  It remains intimate and unaffected, like you've been let in on a secret At the helm of the kitchen is Normah Abd Hamid. She’s an ex-investment banker who, now in her sixties, feels more authentic in the kitchen than on any trading floor. Her charismatic nephew, Rezi, runs front of house – with the restaurant perpetually heaving, it’s a frenetic feat, yet diners are never rushed off their tables. Roti canai is made to order and arrives hot and flaky, lavished with ghee, and scrunched into a buttery mess. It verged on greasy but was redeemed when plunged into creamy, slow-cooked lentil dhal. A whole seabass came deep-fried, with crisp fish skin and moist, tender flesh in a pool of fiery, lava-coloured chilli sauce. It’s brave and impressive, especially considering it comes from a tiny kitchen and a one-woman show.  I’ve eaten many versions of curry laksa, and here the soup was comfortingly thick, with a robust flavour achieved thanks to a seafo

Levi Roots catapulted into our collective consciousness when he slayed Dragon's Den with Reggae Reggae Sauce. Since then, he’s written cookbooks, led us through Jamaica exploring Caribbean food on BBC Two, and boldly entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in March of this year.  But this culinary entrepreneur is equal parts chef and musician. He’s performed on the mic with James Brown, counted Bob Marley as a mate, and sees food and music as inextricably connected in his journey. This union started at Notting Hill Carnival, and he first experienced the world-famous street party in the late 1970s, where his aunt had a stall. Later, he opened his own stand, serving jerk chicken doused in his grandma's hot sauce. For Levi, the music was always as important as the food. ‘I was involved in sound systems from when they first took off, which is where my musical career started,’ he explains, 'I was part of a sound system called Coxsone, sponsored by Nelson Mandela's South Africa.’ He continues: ‘Even though we were Jamaican, it was important that we supported the struggle against apartheid back then.' Music was his focus for about a decade. ‘Until finally, one year, I put down the microphone and decided to pick up the spatula and an apron.’ Reggae Reggae Sauce was born. Which is why we can't think of anyone better to guide us through the best food at Carnival. Here is Levi Roots’ invaluable guide to the finest jerk shacks, bbq joints and Caribbean restaurants of Notting Hill Carniva

Time to rip open a bag of squidgy pink pigs because Marks & Spencer has announced that it’ll be opening a new store in Battersea Power Station this November. If you’re thinking: ‘isn’t there already an M&S at Battersea Power Station?’, you’d be correct. Marks and Sparks currently has a food hall in the swishly-refurbed industrial titan, which since opening in late 2022 has become one of London’s most popular attractions. The new M&S will be the chain’s second in the building and a ‘clothing and beauty’ outpost.  The massive new 8,400-square-foot store will build on the brand’s existing presence at the shopping centre, and it’ll feature womenswear, menswear, beauty, and accessories. The new M&S will also create 30 new jobs, and it’s part of a wider commitment by the retailer to invest more than £30 million in its London stores. The capital already saw a market-style food hall open in Sidcup (southeast London) in June, and another is due to open at Friern Bridge Retail Park (in Barnet, north London) this August. About the brand’s new BPS opening, M&S’s property director Will Smith said: ‘London is a hugely important city for us and so it’s brilliant to be bringing the very best of M&S clothing and beauty to even more customers. ‘We’ve had a fantastic response from customers to our existing food hall at Battersea Power Station and this is a unique opportunity to grow our footprint at the site.’ M&S has been on a streak of late. In addition to Battersea, it plans to launch 11 ne

In what is no less than a Dementor-worthy vibe kill, London’s Harry Potter fans are being told not to attend King’s Cross station on September 1 for the start of the new Hogwarts term. Traditionally, every year fans cram their robe pockets with chocolate frogs and amass at the fictional Platform 9 ¾ to count down the departure of the Hogwarts Express. The station cordially complies, making hoax tannoy announcements and adjusting the departures board to suit. But what started as a modest gathering has seen its numbers soar in recent years, with 2023’s edition boasting spinning wands, Butterbeer and tonnes of Hazza P giveaways. Now it appears that the havoc caused by all those feverish wizard fans has gotten too much.  Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) a global media conglomerate with a portfolio that includes theme parks, sports channels, and cinemas, has urged fans to put down their wands and stay away. It said: ‘There will be no event, departure board, or countdown at the station this year. ‘Instead, everyone is invited to tune in and join proud Hufflepuff and King of the Jungle, Sam Thompson in a celebration of Back to Hogwarts on the official Harry Potter YouTube channel at 11:00am BST.’ While a virtual party sounds a little less chaotic, it isn’t quite the same. But fear not, Potterheads – plenty of other IRL events will mark ‘Return to Hogwarts’ this year. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’s theatre Movement Director Tash Holway will host a ‘Wand Dance Workshop’, while sel

Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston. Alien and Predator. Tupac and Biggie. Every so often, two icons collide, creating a proper cultural moment. Kinda like the new collaboration between Rough Trade and the Barbican. Rough Trade, perhaps London’s most legendary independent music retailer, has opened a pop-up store in the Barbican, brutalist treasure and beacon for the arts. Running until December, the ‘capsule shop’ spotlights a curated selection of vinyl records celebrating London’s thriving music scene, past and present. Jo Davis, head of retail at the Barbican, said: ‘We are thrilled to be collaborating with Rough Trade, a true icon in the music world. ‘Our audiences will be able to shop a collection curated by Rough Trade, representing some of London’s finest artists as well as featuring records from musicians who have graced our stage.’  Expect music from emerging artists like Fabiana Palladino and Blue Bendy, plus bangers from Ezra Collective, The Slits, and Adrianne Lenker – the latter of whom graced the Barbican stage in April this year. Emily Waller This isn’t the first alliance between the two cultural titans. In 2016, Rough Trade held a 40th-anniversary show at the Barbican with performances from The Pop Group, Green Gartside (Scritti Politti), John Grant and others. In 2024, the pop-up store reinforces the shared vision of two historic entities – both of which are dedicated to bringing fresh and inspiring music to our ears. You can even snag some fun merchandise (espec

Mad about cricket? Love the Underground? Well, London Spirit, the north London 100-ball cricket side, could have the shirt for you. Set to be a collector’s piece, the team’s new kit design melds the iconic TfL roundel and the familiar blue-and-white Barman moquette with the London Spirit crest. You’ll recognise the pattern, which artfully depicts London landmarks, from the Central, Northern and Jubilee lines. Also emblazoned front and centre is the Tyrrells logo – it’s a staunch way to express your support for the tube, cricket, and salty snacks. The only setback is the price: a lavish £55 for adults with kids’ sizes at £50. On collaborating with TfL, London Spirit said: ‘We felt the two brands aligned so well – capturing what it means to be a Londoner and belong to the city. London Spirit welcomes everyone to cricket and we felt that TfL’s values worked so well with this.’  London Spirit x TfL The London Spirit men’s and women’s teams will don the top for the opening home fixture of The Hundred against Birmingham Phoenix at Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 27. It’s TfL and London Spirit's second collaboration, having previously released a pre-match kit last August. This year the shirt is offered alongside a jolly melange of tote bags, coffee mugs, and baby jumpsuits. You can grab the bounty on the team’s website or at Lord’s Cricket Ground for all London Spirit home games. These are the best places to watch the 2024 Olympics in London. Get the latest and greatest from the Big