A Spring Artistic Soirée at Harvey Nichols Bristol, 12 May 7pm – midnight

Join Fluorescent Smogg and Harvey Nichols as they present Eric Haacht’s ‘Subject’ at an evening of food, art, and culture.

On Friday 12 May, the latest collection by respected artist Eric Haacht will be unveiled at the Second Floor Restaurant, Harvey Nichols Bristol. 

The launch dinner will include a welcome cocktail paired with a canapé, followed by a bespoke three-course menu, while Eric Haacht discusses the artworks within the show and the concept behind his work. After dinner guests will have the opportunity to meet Eric Haacht, whilst also enjoying live DJ sessions.

The Spring Artistic Soirée will take place from 7pm until midnight at the Second Floor Restaurant. The following ticket options are available, along with a wine pairing upgrade. 

• General Ticket: £50 – Cocktail & Canapé, 3 Course Dinner and After Dinner Soiree

• VIP Ticket: £150 – Cocktail & Canapé, 3 Course Dinner, After Dinner Soiree, Eric Haacht exclusive print and Fluorescent Smogg x Harvey Nichols exclusive gift bag

Both general and VIP tickets can be upgraded with a wine pairing package. Following the launch event, the collection will be available to view and purchase at the Second Floor Restaurant until 30 June on Wednesday to Friday: 12pm – 10pm, Saturdays: 10am – 10pm and Sundays: 11am – 5pm | harveynichols.com

OUR APRIL ISSUE: OUT NOW

You'll love our fabulous April magazine which features a great collection of reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bristol's best businesses. We hope you enjoy the read!

15,000 copies are delivered door to door, and you can pick up a copy at many places around town – including our stands at Waitrose, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Harvey Nichols.

Read the digital version of our current issue here!

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.25. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – see our website. 

Slam in The Lamb

A decent Cabernet Sauvignon paired with roast lamb for Easter is an absolute classic – but what if you fancy something a little different? Of course fulsome reds are a traditional choice but Rosés or even a big white can work surprisingly well with your spring feast. Here are some beauts to accompany your Lamb dinner.

THE TRADITIONAL SHOULDER OF LAMB ROAST

Haut-Médoc | Château de Villegeorge
This a classic Left Bank claret, with lovely, intense black berry fruit, tinged with nuances of green leaves and tobacco, and just a hint of Médoc gravelliness. Perfect with a slow cooked, moist and rich Lamb | £24.40

OR IF YOU LIKE A LEG

Crozes-Hermitage | Laurent Combier
Almost opaque with a purple hue, this is a classic syrah from the Northern Rhone. Rich and spicy on the nose and palate with an underlying savoury quality as well as ripe approachable tannins. The finish is long, smooth and velvety, perfect for a big, rich, blow-out meal followed by an afternoon kip. Happy Easter | £20.83

A PINKIER TOUCH

Valpolicella | Bertani
Youthful with an attractive violet red colour. Intense notes of blackcurrant, plum, raspberry, black cherry and spice. Fresh and pure with beautiful balance through to the finish and the soft tannins will not overpower the delicate young lamb that is served pink to medium | £15.50

DON’T KNOCK IT UNTIL YOU TRY IT

Champagne Brut Rosé | Gobillard
As an alternative to a big red, the soft light mousse of this delicious Rosé will perfectly complement everything on the plate. Especially good with a shoulder of lamb or even a leg where the juices are more wholesome and the pink fizz adds surprising freshness | £42

AND WHAT ABOUT WHITE?

The FMC, Chenin Blanc | Ken Forrester Wines
The higher acidity and the big weight of a good oak-aged white is perfect balance for a rack of lamb, chops, or a lamb dish where a sauce or spice have been added. See Melissa’s recipe above. So enter… Ken Forrester, the 'King of Chenin', his flagship FMC is rich, seductive and utterly sophisticated. Wow… We did not expect that! | £35

Whatever your choice, there’s a great saving on Easter wines at The Great Wine Co. Click here to see over 70 wines on offer.

Recipe by Melissa Blease

Greek Easter Lamb

If you don't fancy faffing over a hot stove preparing all the components for a classic roast dinner on Easter Sunday, this dish – bursting with typically Mediterranean flavours, with the added bonus of the potatoes roasting themselves underneath the meat – offers a laid-back route to a supremely satisfying sharing feast.

As for the suggestion of serving a salad with a roast – don't knock it 'til you've tried it! Greek Salad works particularly well here, as feta cheese is roast lamb's best flavour-friend. But even a bowl of well-seasoned soft lettuce leaves and chunks of ripe tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and red wine vinegar will work its Mediterranean-themed magic.

This recipe serves eight but if you're not feeding a crowd, the roast lamb leftovers are simply divine the next day, served at room temperature in hot pitta bread with plenty of tzatziki on the side.

Ingredients

1 large leg of lamb (around 3kg in weight)
6 plump garlic cloves, peeled
1 heaped tsp dried oregano
1 heaped tsp dried mint
The zest and juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp olive oil
1.5kg new potatoes
2 heaped tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
1 tsp plain flour
400g can chopped tomatoes
1 large handful pitted Kalamata olives

To serve: Greek Salad (cucumber, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, black olives, fresh mint, olive oil, lemon juice)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 240°C/gas mark 9. Pound the garlic together with the dried oregano, the dried mint, the lemon zest and a pinch of salt in a pestle and mortar (or use a sturdy bowl and the end of a rolling pin), then add the lemon juice and olive oil and stir well to combine. Stab the lamb all over with a sharp knife then push as much of the herby oil as you can into the slits, rubbing any remaining oil over the meat.

2. Tip the potatoes into a large roasting tin, season well and toss the with the olive oil. Nestle the lamb amongst the potatoes and roast in the hot oven for 20 minutes before tossing the potatoes around a bit and reducing the temperature to 180°C/gas mark 4. 

3. Continue to roast, tossing/basting occasionally, for another 75-80 minutes for a medium-rare result (add another 15 minutes if you prefer your lamb medium). When the lamb is cooked to your liking, remove it from the tin, place it on a board, cover with foil and a clean tea towel and allow it to rest for at least 20 minutes. 

4. While the lamb is resting, turn the oven down to a low heat and tumble the roast potatoes with 1 tbsp of the fresh mint. Transfer to an ovenproof serving dish, cover lightly with foil and put back in the oven to keep warm until serving time. Meanwhile, place the roasting tin on the hob over a medium heat. Add 1 tsp plain flour and stir to create a roux with the pan juices, then add the canned tomatoes, olives, the last of the fresh mint and a splash of boiling water to the tin. Simmer, stirring continuously, for a few minutes until the sauce has slightly thickened and transfer to a jug. 

4. Serve the rested lamb in thick slices accompanied by the potatoes, the sauce and a big Greek salad to share.

The Fabergé Emotion Pendant

The Fabergé dynasty really began in 1882 when Peter Carl Fabergé took over his father’s somewhat ordinary jewellery business. Together with his brother Agathon, he quickly transformed it into an international phenomenon.

The success of the two brothers was changing the nature of the business. Out went the then-fashionable style where diamonds prevailed. In came the design-led artist-jeweller with a penchant for colour through both stones and reviving the lost art of enamelling.

They added objets deluxe to their repertoire, including objets de fantaisie such as the Imperial Easter Eggs, now regarded as pinnacles of the goldsmiths’ art. Today these are treasured in some of the world’s leading museums and private collections. The craftsmanship of all their creations was of the very finest standard. This formula of design and craftsmanship made Fabergé irresistible and the ultimate objects to own, as well as the gift of choice.

Fabergé egg pendants are not only wearable and highly collectable but are keepsake investments to be treasured for years to come.  Shown here is the Emotion yellow gold multicolored gemstone egg pendant featuring multi-coloured sapphires, white diamonds, emeralds, rubies and tsavorites, set in 18ct yellow gold. It measures 18mm with a 50cm chain | £12,960

There’s a full range of Fabergé jewellery to be discovered at Mallory Jewellers: click here to see more.

Phuket Sandals from Grace & Mabel

Flat sandal with synthetic and textile pieces, with hook-and-loop strap fastening on the side and front| £99

graceandmabel.co.uk | Grace & Mabel Bristol, 32 The Mall, Clifton Village, Bristol 

Rainproof accessories from The Original Duckhead

Whether you embrace the rain or can’t bear it ruining your outfit, hair and general look and feel, an umbrella is the must-have accessory this Spring – and The Original Duckhead has got you covered with uplifting, eco-friendly and innovative designs you’ll be excited to carry (above left, £36). Equally practical are The Original Duckhead's reusable bags, handmade from the surplus materials from the umbrella canopies. High-strength, ultra lightweight and folds into a small pouch (above right, £14). 

Available at originalduckhead.com

Curated by Daniel McCabe

The Gentlewoman is always a sure bet for an enlightening read and the latest issue (#27) looks particularly attractive. We meet French facialist Sophie Carbonari, artist Caroline Coon and chef/restaurant creative director Erchen Chang among others, while the in-depth profiles include Grammy winning hitmakers Nova Wav, photographer and activist Nan Goldin, computer scientist Anne-Marie Imafidon and the magazine’s cover star, actor, screenwriter, and director Greta Gerwig. The fashion is focused on ‘darker’ stylings (i.e. black), modern utility and a new era for the bra, ‘fit over fashion’ | £10

store.magalleria.co.uk

A Night At The Movies, St George's Bristol, 15 April 7.30pm

A thrilling evening of all-time great film scores, from Golden Age classics like Lawrence of Arabia and Richard III, the heat and dust of The Big Country and The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, the glamour of James Bond, the magic of Harry Potter and – from a long time ago and a galaxy far, far away – Star Wars.

Book tickets at bristolclassicalplayers.com

WE LOVE VINTAGE BRISTOL, Paintworks, 16 April 11am–5pm

WE LOVE VINTAGE SHOWS is bringing the best in vintage fashion, accessories and jewellery to the South West. Their debut show is in the Event Space at Paintworks, and will be showcasing the wonderful variety of true vintage fashion from the 1950s to 1980s, all soundtracked by the great music of the time.

Whether you are looking for; that “one off” vintage dress to steal the show at your sister’s wedding, a pair of Diedre Barlow prescription glasses or just something to liven up your humdrum office wear, We Love Vintage has it all!

Book your tickets via welovevintageshows.co.uk

Bristol Ensemble: Bach by candlelight, St George's Bristol, 5 April 7.30pm

Bristol Ensemble is joined by the virtuoso pianist Andrei Gavrilov to perform an all-Bach concert in the atmospheric setting of a candlelit St George’s Bristol.

The programme features two of Bach’s most famous keyboard concertos, along with the exquisite Air On The G String. Tickets £10 to £30 from 0117 929 4929 or online at stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Russell Lane Jewellers Gold Buying Event, 24 April, Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel

Russell Lane are looking to purchase gold, whether intact or broken. Immediate cash offer. Taking place at Russell Lane Jewellers. 

Hotel parking charge £4 an hour | 9.30am–5pm

Russell Lane | 01926 494 494 | sales@russell-lane.co.uk | russell-lane.co.uk

New ostrich arrives at Wild Place Project in time for Easter

What has wings but doesn’t fly, weighs more than a grand piano, and is taller than a standard door? It’s Wild Place Project’s newest animal resident, Drummer the ostrich!

The 21-year-old male arrived at the attraction (just off junction 17 of the M5) last week and is settling in well. Drummer traveled the four-hour journey from Welsh Mountain Zoo, in North Wales, in a specially-adapted horse box and was welcomed by his new keepers.

With the ability to run at speeds of 43mph, Drummer is the second fastest land animal at the attraction, coming second to triplet brother cheetahs – the fastest land animal on the planet. It’s the first time an ostrich has ever been homed at Wild Place Project. 

wildplace.org.uk.

Image credit: Welsh Mountain Zoo 

Crowdfunder aims to transform Arnolfini into textile studio

Arnolfini has launched its first ever crowdfunding campaign through Art Happens with Art Fund.

With a target of £20,000, the month-long campaign aims to transform Arnolfini into a living, breathing textile studio for as many members of the community as possible. Celebrating textiles as an art form that can create important connections across cultures, the programme will include a gigantic weaving machine for visitors to use and new spaces for making and telling stories through textiles. This ambitious summer-long engagement programme will coincide with Arnolfini’s major exhibition of textiles: Threads (8 July to 1 October 2023), featuring work from twenty-one contemporary international and intergenerational artists, co-curated by leading textile artist Alice Kettle.

Help to create a new community of makers and bring thousands of people together to find common threads by donating at artfund.org/ArnolfiniThreads

Ellis Genge and Kyle Sinckler return to the Bears’ starting lineup

The England duo start either side of Harry Thacker in a dynamic front row, while Magnus Bradbury continues in the second row alongside Chris Vui in the absence of the injured Joe Joyce.

Sam Jeffries is back from injury to take his place on the openside flank, while the backline remains unchanged as the Bears target a quarter-final spot.

Among the system players, Academy lock Charlie Rice is set for his European debut, while Will Capon is another to return from injury.

Bristol Bears team to face ASM Clermont Auvergne at Ashton Gate tonight (Friday 31 March) 8pm KO) | bristolbearsrugby.com

Elly's Wellies Garden Design

Turn your ideas into beautiful spaces. 

Elly's Wellies Garden Designs will help you to maximise your outdoor space and tailor it to your individual needs. Whether you are looking for a complete redesign or just need advice on what to plant, contact Elly West for a free initial consultation. 

ellyswellies@gmail.com; 07788 640934; ellyswellies.co.uk

College Fields, Clifton, Bristol BS8

Offered for sale by Rupert Oliver Estate Agents. 

This is a beautifully proportioned three-bedroom, top-floor apartment on one of Clifton's most sought-after roads – with fabulous views and a moment away from Clifton village and The Downs.

Over the past few years, the current owners have sensitively yet comprehensively refurbished and reorganised the property using the finest materials and fittings; opening up the kitchen, dining and sitting room to maximise both the space and the views, while reconfiguring the bedrooms space and bathrooms.

The house is accessed from the side with a communal front door opening into a sizeable communal hallway. A staircase leads up to the first-floor landing with the top floor flat having its own private access.

There’s a generous hallway beautifully lit by natural light and from here leads to all of the principal rooms. Across the full depth of the property is the superb open-plan kitchen, dining room and sitting room with amazing views.

The kitchen is beautifully finished; installed and made by Porcelanosa with a range of integrated appliances and an expanse of Silestone worktops and plenty of storage. As well as a contemporary stripped wooden floor, seamlessly blending in the large dining and reception space there is a handsome carved wooden fireplace. To the front of the property is an incredibly generous master bedroom. The owners have fitted extensive storage and created a beautifully appointed en-suite shower room.

To the rear of the property are two further double bedrooms, both with fitted wardrobes. Bedroom three is currently used as a useful home office / study. These bedrooms share a stylish and well fitted family bathroom.

Outside: A pair of double electric gates with a tarmac drive lead down to a covered carport. The apartment has an allocated single bay | £775,000

Click here for more images and details on the Rupert Oliver website.