Original art, live music and hot yoga arrive at Milsom Place

Explore Milsom Place this springtime to discover courtyards packed with stylish retailers, tempting eateries, exclusive art installations and live music, as well as a new hot yoga studio.

Dress to impress with sophisticated womenswear and designer shoes, and discover a fabulous hair and beauty salon – all within characterful surroundings. Inject fresh style into your home with elegant homewares or treat yourself to a hand-tied bouquet of fresh blooms arranged by talented florists. After a spot of retail therapy, take time to relax in one of the eateries and select from a wide choice of dishes from around the world.

Throughout May, don’t miss the chance to browse original artworks in Modern ArtBuyer’s pop up gallery and Fringe Arts Bath’s exhibitions, enjoy live music as part of Bath Festival’s ‘Party in the City’ event and join international shoe designer Chantal Pilon of Chanii B Shoes as she celebrates her tenth anniversary at Milsom Place.

May also welcomes YogaKave to the Milsom Place family offering a range of signature yoga classes in a 35-40°C heated room. Explore everything from hot yoga in a darkened room or to an uplifting tribal music beat; challenge yourself with the seamless movement of Hot Vinyasa or try YogaKave’s very own 26 posture sequence.

For opening times and information on shops, restaurants and special events/offers please visit: milsomplace.co.uk. You can also follow their social feeds for all the latest news.

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £30 for 12 issues, £15 for six issues or buy a copy for just £3.95. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – see our website. 

Win a £25 John Lewis voucher

This week's 9 letter word is made up using the above letters in green and blue. We’ve placed 1 letter to give you a start. The blue letter is used more than once.

Clue: after the rain, comes the...

Make sure to follow us on twitter ( @TheBathMagazine ) to see the answer: posted on a Wednesday afternoon. Winners picked at random.

When your senses go 'ting!' and your tastebuds sing – that's umami. But what, exactly, is umami? 

Scientifically speaking, umami is the 'fifth taste' we identify after salt, sweet, sour and bitter. You know that powerful (often divisive) savoury flavour bomb delivered by, for example, Marmite, or Parmesan cheese, or anchovies, or mushrooms, or really good tomato ketchup? That's umami, working its magic. And this dish is umami magic personified: deeply flavoursome, salty-sweet and laden with personality.

White miso – a fermented paste made from rice, barley and soya beans – is a key ingredient here; there is no substitution, but fortunately it's readily available in high street supermarkets. The Mirin, meanwhile, can easily be swapped out with rice vinegar, dry sherry or dry white wine, all of which offer a similar result. Roasting the pan-fried, miso-glazed aubergines allows the sauce to caramelise slightly on the top bringing yet more sensory super-satisfaction to the party (if we want to get even more technical, that's the Maillard reaction in action, folks); if you're in a hurry you could grill the sauce-topped aubergines under a medium heat for around 6-8 minutes, but you'll somehow miss out on the depth of flavour that an oven-session brings. 

This recipe serves two as a substantial main course accompanied by simple steamed rice (it works particularly well with wholegrain rice) but easily stretches to serve four as a side dish or as part of an Asian-themed feast.

Ingredients

2 large aubergines
2 tbsp vegetable oil
4 tbsp white Miso paste
2 tbsp Mirin, dry sherry, rice vinegar or dry white wine
2 tbsp runny honey
1 thumb-sized chunk of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
To serve (optional): 3 spring onions, peeled and shredded; 1-2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 5. Halve the aubergines and score the flesh in a criss-cross pattern, cutting all the way through the flesh without slicing through the skin. In a large frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over a medium heat and fry the aubergine halves, skin-side down, for around 5 minutes until the flesh has seared and softened. Turn them over, cover the pan with a lid, and cook for a further 3 minutes just to soften the skin. 

2. Meanwhile, thoroughly combine the white Miso with the Mirin (or substitute), runny honey and minced ginger and line a baking tray with foil.

3. Put the pan-fried aubergines on the foil-lined tray, flesh-side up, and spoon the miso mixture into a flesh, making sure it really gets into the cuts and grooves. Roast for around 8-10 minutes or until golden brown, caramelised and bubbling on top. Serve hot, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and shredded spring onions.

Chorizo, Feta and Avocado (serves 4)

Cut 8 mini cooking chorizo into thirds and sauté in a little olive oil over a medium heat until the chorizo has browned and is starting to release its lovely fragrant oil. Add 200g halved baby plum or cherry tomatoes to the pan, season well and continue to sauté until the tomatoes just start to soften (about 5 minutes). Meanwhile, whisk 2 tsp sherry or red wine vinegar with 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard. Season to taste. Plonk a handful of watercress (woody stems discarded) into each of 4 shallow bowls and drizzle with the dressing. Scatter the dressed watercress with crumbled feta cheese and slices of avocado (you'll need around 200g feta and 1 large avocado in total) and top with the warm tomato and chorizo mixture.

Squash and Spinach (serves 4)

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 5 while you peel and chop 1 large butternut squash into bite-sized chunks (you'll need around 500g butternut squash in total). Tumble into a roasting tin, toss with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried thyme and 4 cloves of garlic (peeled and crushed), season generously and roast for around 30 minutes or until the squash has softened and browned around the edges. Meanwhile, whisk 4 tbsp olive oil with 2 tbs sherry or red wine vinegar, 1 tsp runny honey and 1 tsp wholegrain or Dijon mustard. Plonk 300g baby leaf spinach into a large bowl and toss with the dressing. Season to taste, then divide the dressed leaves across four shallow bowls or plates. Toss the warm roasted butternut squash in the same bowl to pick up any residue from the dressing, then arrange over the leaves.

Puy Lentil and Goats' Cheese (serves 4)

Pre-heat the grill to medium-high. Chop 200g goats' cheese into thick slices, place on a baking sheet and grill for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is turning melty and starting to brown on top. Meanwhile, cook 2 x 250g vacuum-packed Puy lentils according to the instructions on the packet. Transfer the lentils to a large bowl while still warm and immediately drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, the juice of half a lemon, one handful of finely-chopped fresh basil leaves, 2 cloves of peeled, crushed garlic and plenty of seasoning. Stir well. Divide the warm lentils across 4 shallow bowls or plates and top with the warm grilled goats' cheese. Serve immediately, scattered with more freshly-chopped basil.

Pancetta, Roasted Pepper and Butterbeans (serves 4)

In a large pan over a medium heat, sauté 300g cubes of pancetta (or smoked bacon lardons) in 2 tbsp olive oil until golden. Add 2 peeled, finely sliced shallots and cook for another couple of minutes until the shallots are turning translucent. Drain 1 x 450g jar of roasted peppers, chop into bite-sized chunks and add to the pan along with 2 x 400g tins butterbeans (drained) and a generous splash of sherry or red wine vinegar. Stir until heated through, season to taste and serve immediately on top of a tangle of rocket leaves.

The Bird

Soak up the summer vibes on Plate’s terrace, overlooking the Bath Abbey – or curl up in a cosy corner indoors. Afternoon Tea at The Bird is an unmissable treat. There is always the option to add a touch of sparkle with a glass or two of fizz, or The Bird's very own gin! For a tasty twist, the ultimate Afternoon Tea experience awaits in The Bird's dining domes.

18-19 Pulteney Road, Bath BA2 4EZ
Tel: 01225 580438; Web: thebirdbath.co.uk

Pinking up nicely

May officially heralds rosé season – although with so many delicious rosé doing the rounds, we’ve been enjoying off-season guzzling for some time. While we love Idris Elba’s excellent Porte Noir, or Brad and Angelina’s Miraval, there’s nothing quite like celebrating the artisan, independent producers with a rich history of great winemaking.

Here are six superb Rosados from truly fabulous Spanish producers:

Rosado – Juan Gil
Full-flavoured rosé from Jumilla in Spain, scented with nuts, toast and apricots while the mouth fills with red plums, cherries and cranberries. £17.50

Más Amor Rosado – Franck Massard
Light, elegant complex and dry with vibrant freshness in the glass and a powerful fruity, herby nose. In the mouth there is a subtle minerality with a refreshing finish. £12.50

Las Fincas Rosado – J. Chivite Family Estates
Intensely aromatic, with strawberry, pomegranate, raspberry, blackberry and rose petals. Smooth, textured, rounded and balanced. Long persistence of flavour on the finish with lingering notes of cherry pie. £17.95

XF Rosé – Vinedos Sierra Cantabria
XF is a delicate shade of pink, like the inside of a seashell. The aromas are beautiful and expressive: juicy ripe pear, lemon zest and white peach. It has a lovely, effortless balance between delicate finesse and satisfying roundness, with flavours on the palate of citrus, melon, rose petals and golden apple. £28

Journey Collection Rosado – Ramon Bilbao
Beautifully delicate pink. The aroma is of raspberries and rose petals – delicate, but with lots of personality. Just the same in the mouth, with superb juicy fruit character, refreshing acidity and superb length on the finish. Fabulous wine! £12.20

La Copa de Bobal Rosé – Bodegas Coviñas
A beautiful, bright, raspberry-pink rosé with wild strawberry and black cherry on the nose, with a trace of rosewater. The palate is perfectly balanced with plenty of fruit complemented by crisp lemony acidity and an elegant, mineral finish. £8.85

Click below to see a wonderful selection of Spanish Rosados at The Great Wine Co.

Looking for more delicious foodie inspo?

Click through to browse our full Delicious Guide!

Carousel Fun Kitchen: a new modern restaurant, opening 14 May
carouselfunkitchen.com
bookings@carouselfunkitchen.com

FOPE springs eternal

Founded back in 1929 by Umberto Cazzola, with a goldsmith’s workshop in Vicenza and developed through the family generations, FOPE is recognised as one of the finest luxury jewellery brands in the world.

FOPE is famous for creating the iconic Novecento mesh and the Flex’it collection – a superbly flexible and intricate gold weave that allows jewellery to be shaped into beautiful designs and is FOPE’s unmistakeable, signature style. Enjoying huge success since the late 80s and adored ever since, FOPE’s timeless designs and its collections are elegant and highly covetable.

Kitty Clogs Sol Sandals

Sol sandals handcrafted by Kitty Clogs in a small, family-run workshop in the wild forests of Sweden. Made from vegetable-tanned leather with a sturdy alder wood sole which is naturally waterproof, then finished with a rubber grip. Over time, the leather will gently soften and mould to the size of your feet. Being handmade, each will vary slightly. £135

Available from the Toast website: toa.st; you can also visit the Toast, Bath store at 7 Bartlett Street, Bath BA1 2QZ.

Nailberry Jazz Me Up nail polish

Liven up any look with the Nailberry Jazz Me Up, a luxury nail polish in a vibrant coral hue from the brand's L’Oxygéné range.

In a universally flattering tone, the Nailberry Jazz Me Up nail polish features a glamorous coral shade that is full of exuberance to complement any style. £15

Click here to shop the nail polish from the Space NK website: spacenk.com; you can also visit the Space NK, Bath store at 10 New Bond Street Place, Bath BA1 1BE.

Rengen House introduce a new membership package

Rengen House has introduced a new membership package to their co-working offer to provide maximum flexibility for workers. The ‘Flexi plan’ gives members a chance to sign up to membership for just £100 per year. They then have the flexibility to book space and resources such as desk and meetings rooms as and when they need them. Members will benefit from casual co-working space, in addition to the newly refurbished desk spaces, meeting rooms and private pods for calls.

Visit the Rengen House website for more information: rengenhouse.com

Netflix: Heartstopper

Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. 

When gentle Charlie and rugby-loving Nick meet at secondary school, they quickly discover that their unlikely friendship is blossoming into an unexpected romance. Charlie, Nick and their circle of friends must navigate the ever-relatable journey of self discovery and acceptance, supporting each other as they learn to find their most authentic selves.

Based on the graphic novels by Alice Oseman and starring Olivia Coleman, Kit Connor, Joe Locke and William Gao, Heartstopper is available to watch now on Netflix: netflix.com

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Magalleria has just imported three editions of the mostly sold out The Local Project (TLP), an architecture and interior design magazine showcasing the vitality of the industry in Australia and New Zealand. If you didn’t know, domestic building design and construction down under is pretty sensational. TLP works as a regional platform utilising a range of mediums including print, video, digital and social media to explore and communicate developing ideas around design, innovative materials and everything in between to provide inspiration for architects and designers all over the world. If you’re an architect, an interior designer or someone just looking for design inspiration, the latest issue – running to almost 400 pages and weighing in at 2.5kg – is all pure, fresh air. £24.99

Living Well Now and in 2050 Workshops, online and in person, 17 & 24 May

For more information, contact: 

Aurelie Charles: ac697@bath.ac.uk
Yixian Sun: ys2327@bath.ac.uk

For more information about the Beacon click here. 

SparkFest, 9 May - 11 June, various locations across Bath

SparkFest asks two things of you: to be adventurous and to explore the curious. Now in its fifth year, this festival of theatre, music and dance is set to take over our beautiful World Heritage city once again.

SparkFest promises four weeks of bright and brave performances from Bath Spa University graduates, in partnership with The Bath Festival. Take a fresh look at how young talent engages with the region’s artistic community.

For tickets, visit the Bath Spa Live website: bathspa.ac.uk; for more information on the festival visit the sparkfest.co.uk. Tickets can also be booked via Bath Box Office on 01225 463362 or bathboxoffice.org.uk

Wells Comedy Festival 2022, May 27-29

The Wells Comedy Festival – a “weekend-long comedy jamboree” ( The Guardian ) – takes place in Somerset from Friday 27 – Sunday 29 May. Over this weekend, England’s smallest city will play host to 40 comedy shows at a variety of venues across the city. These shows include four gala night performances, each with their own surprise line ups.

Reginald D Hunter, Spencer Jones, Aaron Simmonds, Olga Koch, Sean McLoughlin, Sunil Patel and Babatunde Aleshe have been announced as the final acts to join the bill for Wells Comedy Festival 2022. These acts join the already announced Harry Hill, Phil Wang, Al Murray The Pub Landlord, Shaparak Khorsandi, Isy Suttie, Mark Watson, Mike Wozniak, Lou Sanders, Paul Foot, Mark Thomas, Nick Helm and many more.

Al Murray, Harry Hill and Mike Wozniak already have sold-out shows, and tickets for Phil Wang, Lou Sanders and Isy Suttie are limited.

Visit the Wells Comedy Festival website for further information: wellscomfest.com

Image: Isy Suttie | Image credit: Matt Crockett 

Orchestral favourites with OAE and European Union Chamber Orchestra

Join the Wiltshire Music Centre this May for some Bach, Haydn, Handel, Mozart, and Vivaldi.

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Sat 14 May, 7.30pm
Treat yourself to an evening of Haydn’s symphonic masterpieces! Did you know Haydn is known as 'Father of the Symphony'? Find out why as the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment perform live on 14th May. Can’t make it in person? Watch online as part of our WMC Digital live streaming series.

European Union Chamber Orchestra, Fri 27 May, 7.30pm
An evening not to be missed with Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Violins in A minor, Bach’s Concerto for Oboe and Violin with Hannah Condliffe and Hans Peter Hofmann, and other favourites from musical giants of the 17^th and 18^th century.

Head to the Wiltshire Music Centre website website to find out more and book tickets: wiltshiremusic.org.uk

The Paragon School Open Door Morning, Friday 20 May

Prospective families are warmly invited to attend an informal Open Door Morning at The Paragon to meet Head of School Rosie Allen, tour the school with current pupils and ask questions of staff. The event will run from 9.30am – 11am. For further information and to register, please email Susie Rees-Jones, the school's Registrar: srees-jones@priorparkschools.com.

paragonschool.co.uk

Holburne Plant Sale, Sunday 8 May 10.30am - 2.30pm, Holburne Museum

Visit The Holburne Museum this Sunday for the Holburne Plant Sale, and enjoy stalls with expert nurseries, free gardening advice, fine plants and herbs for sale, tasty homemade produce, a free beehive display, a fab secondhand books and CDs sale – and tea, coffee and delicious cakes.

Find out more at: holburne.org

Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair, Sunday 8 May, Green Park Station

The award-winning monthly Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair (BCAF) continues its season on Sunday 8 May. Committed to bringing the best of contemporary art from the city and beyond to the heart of Bath, the fair has created a regular space where artists can network, share ideas, connect with the public, and where the public can connect with art. Visitors can browse the works of local artists and admire fine art, photography, sculpture, textiles, ceramics and much more, all under the vaulted glass roof of Green Park Station. For updates and exhibiting artists visit the website. 

The fair will take place at Green Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath from 10am-5pm this Sunday (8 May). 

bcaf.co.uk

Featured artwork by Sally Howard 

Shades of Green, Central Corridor, The Royal United Hospital, Bath

Shades of Green is an exhibition inspired by the Somerset landscape near the picturesque village of Englishcombe, Bath.

Curator Sandra Higgins gathered together a group of artists, and asked each to respond to the landscape view from her home after visiting the location. The artists range from abstract to figurative, surreal and pop, and the exhibition is as much a study of their individual artistic relationship with nature as the depiction of it through the works they have created.

The exhibition will take place in the Central Corridor of The Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath from 12 May – 24 July. 

Painting: Dancing with the Graces by Louisa Burnett-Hall

We learned more about Sandra's Shades of Green exhibition in this month's magazine. Visit The Bath Magazine website to read the feature: thebathmagazine.co.uk

Pop Up Exhibition, The Drawing Rooms, Beau Nash House, 19 Union Passage, Bath

Sandra has also been filling the walls of this quirky Georgian venue with accomplished contemporary artworks by selected artists, all for sale. Currently exhibiting are John Ball, Belinda Crozier, David Ferry, Pete Hoida, Marguerite Horner, Marq P. Kearey, Susan McDonald, Fiona McIntyre, Roy Osborne and David Walsh. Coming soon are Louisa Burnett-Hall, Timothy Emlyn Jones and Richard Walker.

Meet Sandra Higgins in person to view the exhibition and to discuss any purchases over a coffee or a cocktail. Email Sandra to book a visit: sandra@sandrahiggins.com. View Sandra’s online gallery for more by these artists.

sandrahiggins.art

Painting: Sunyata, oil on linen by Fiona McInt

My City, My Shirt: Bath City FC's portraits project promotes inclusivity

An exhibition of more than 30 portraits of fans sporting Bath City FC shirts at iconic locations in Bath is set to celebrate the diversity at the heart of the club’s supporters.

The My City, My Shirt project aims to promote loudly, widely, and permanently the message of inclusivity and local identity across the city.

Local photographer Nick Smith created the portraits for the project, a partnership between Bath City FC and anti-discrimination organisations Fans for Diversity and Kick It Out, with support from Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The photos have been taken at significant Bath locations and convey what being part of Bath City FC means to the person in the photo. Vox pops with some of the subjects can be unlocked via a QR code next to their portrait, bringing their story to life. 

My City, My Shirt will launch on Saturday 7 May at Bath City’s final home game of the 2021/22 season before touring other venues in the city.

The exhibition will then be placed on permanent display at Twerton Park to highlight the club’s inclusivity for all. 

bathcityfc.com