Day 7, 3:26 am, and Simon’s in the lounge munching on another Clementine…well, almost. It’s been a turbulent week in which I have tried not to lick any morsel of anything remotely sweet…though I’m beginning to worry about whether Lou Lou thinks I’m turning into a dog. I’ll explain. If I go a few days without the sweet nectar, she pats me on the head and says what a good boy; then, if I’ve been really good, she may throw me a treat which makes me drool like a St. Bernard in the summer heat.

All I can say is: so far so good. Speaking of heat, heat there’s not been much in the capital over the last seven days. However, we managed to escape the squally showers on the adventure golf course when the “Games Group” took to the greens last weekend, in what turned out to be a dramatic last hole playoff. Yet with all the hazards and windmills, some people did manage to put their balls in the water, along with themselves. If only I’d have brought my camera.

Now where did you put those big trumpets, Jeeves? Ladies and Gents, welcome to Lazarus On London - the most talked-about site to hit your computer screens since Digg, Furl, Reddit, StumbleUpon, and all things in between. I’ve no idea what half of these things actually do anyway. I’m no Bill Gates, lets be honest. So, my loyal followers, what’s been making news in the Big Smoke this week?

To sum up in a nutshell: BA bosses in price fix charge, Bank of England maintain 5% interest rates, Beijing protestors return home, and supermarket shooting in South East London. Hold on to your hats as, in showbiz news, Leona Lewis is set to design at Topshop, Gallagher attempts to end dispute with Jay-Z, Iggy Pop’s gear stolen in Montreal (he should’ve let Montreal VIP take care of it), and Winehouse to become Radio 1 agony aunt. Phew - I bet you’re exhausted. It’s farewell for now, but take a well-earned rest and pore over the hottest places currently featuring on the London scene.

Drink - Barrio North. With a recent shake-up to the cocktail menu, there’s no cooler place on the Islington scene than Barrio North. Set on Essex Road, this Latino-flavoured bar will have you all shaken and certainly stirred. Eclectic furniture encompassing bits of recycled ’70s campervans, mosaic tiling, and rough & ready leather sofas ensures a funky, urban interior.

There’s a real underground New York vibe to this venue, combined with subtle influences from Rio, Havana, and Miami. There’s an excellent cocktail list served up to all sorts of Londoners at Barrio North, featuring an Antartic Cherry with Brazilian cachaca, morello cherries, and an energy drink called Guarana Antartica, or the aptly titled Girl from Ipanema, which infuses vanilla into a classic caipirinha. Other exotic drinks include Swizzle My Dizzle (nothing to do with Snoop Dogg), made with citrus and Venezuelan rum, and a swinging Jackson Five with bananas: bison grass vodka, citrus, and vanilla.

Address: Barrio North
               45 Essex Road,
               London
               N1 2SF
E: www.barrionorth.com/

Dance - Home. Fancy dancing at Home? Well, not in mine, that is. I’m talking about this funky basement venue that’s bringing Soho to the “shores” of Shoreditch. Based on Leonard Street, Home is situated under the restaurant of the same name which does pretty well for itself, serving a selection of fusion Asian and Mediterranean cuisine. The venue is similar to entering Dragons Den, though you won’t find Paphitis, Jones, or Bannatyne growling at you in a hurry.

The lair-like interior has a wealth of dark, smouldering looks with plenty of chic touches and dim lighting that creates a soft and sultry environment, perfect for any date. The club itself stays open until 2:00 am, providing an array of electro, broken beats, and upbeat house. On the food front, there’s a choice of tapas style mezze plates to choose from, while the cocktail list boasts an impressive eight varieties of vodka and nine different bourbons. Drinks include classic favourites, martinis, an invigorating whisky sour, and their signature Home Bellini, incorporating fresh passion fruit, guava nectar, and apple liqueur, finished with that Italian classic Prosecco.

Address:  Home,
                100-106 Leonard Street,
                London
                EC2A 4RH
E: www.homebar.co.uk/

Dine - Osteria Emilia. It’s time to get those Italian flags out and put some Puccini on the iPod, as Italian outfit Osteria Emilia arrives on the Hampstead scene. Based on Fleet Road, this family-owned eaterie is already the proud owners of their own deli, located on the same street full of yummy tidbits.

The restaurant itself is modern, airy, and certainly on the contemporary side, with a clean finish. Some dishes that leap out from the plate include prosciutto e melone, with Parma ham, fresh caprese di mozzarella di bufala, grilled polenta with a broad bean puree, and pan fried sea bass with tomatoes and rocket. And, if you have room, the chocolate torte is a particularly sinful choice and is as indulgent as their authentic gelato.

Address: Osteria Emilia,
               85 Fleet Road
               London,
               NW3 2QY
T: +44 207 433 3317

Distraction - Trafalgar Square Festival 2008
                       Where: Trafalgar Square
                       When: 7th August 2008 - 23rd August 2008
                       Hours: Thursday, Friday & Saturday, Starting at 13:00 and 21:00

For the fourth successive year, there’s a cultural feast taking place in the middle of one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks. August will see Trafalgar Square transformed into a three-week carnival of dance, music, theatre, and art, with events being held at 1:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. With a different event taking place each day, there’s something for everyone and variety of the festival. The first week, entitled China Inspires, is all about (not surprisingly) the Beijing Olympics kicking off on Friday, with a host of theatrical performances featuring The Flying Dragon Circus.

Week 2 sees a mélange of dance and sport, with films that have already been shown at the Greenwich and Docklands Festival, including Bend it Like Beckham. The final week, entitled Images of London, has, among its highlights, the all-starring, all-kicking Miss High Leg Kick and dance company Factoria Mascaro from Spain, who will present the London Underground through the medium of dance.

Address: Trafalgar Square,
               Westminster, 
               London, 
               WC2N 4JJ
E: http://www.london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare/events/tsf/index.jsp

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