Carousel

Marylebone’s revolving creative hub has a brand new line up for Autumn!

A 2 hour yoga session focused on the breath, in a beautiful, bright white space followed by lunch with your fellow yogis…… can you think of a more dreamy way to start the weekend? Last Saturday we headed to Carousel to try out just one of the many experiences they have on offer over the coming weeks.

Starting at 11.30am (so you get to thoroughly sleep off the night before) you arrive at Carousel where friendly staff take your order. Then you’re whisked upstairs to the gallery-esque space for yoga with super calming Rikke Brodin for a bit of rest & relaxation.

Once suitably chilled, glide back downstairs where a feast awaits. We opted for a glass of prosecco, (we’d earnt it right??), as well as a choice of two small plates each.

If you’re with a friend we’d recommend getting a selection so you can share. However, everyone sits together on a large central table so even if you’re flying solo you’ll find it super welcoming. We opted for the Secreto Iberico – the “secret” cut from one of Spain’s acorn-fattened pigs – deliciously salty slices of pork, alongside home-made crisps and a shock of green salad. Charred corn on the cob was a fab summer accompaniment – sprinkled with parmesan, confit garlic and cayenne pepper – we hoovered up every last bit.

Veggies were equally well catered for with so-wrong-its-right grilled beetroot, yoghurt and grapefruit or more traditional padron peppers amongst others.

Carousel has been open since 2014 and entrepreneurial cousins Ollie, Ed, Will and Anna Templeton, have ensured that every corner of the impressive three-storey, family-run building on Blandford Street is put to good use. The airy, open plan first floor provides the perfect launch event, exhibition and workshop space; the street level restaurant and al fresco courtyard hosts Carousel’s revolving international guest chef series and a weekly-changing lunch menu of seasonal small plates; and the deceptively large downstairs space is the ideal venue for events, parties, pop-ups, screenings and performances.

If you like the sound of that, check out what is still to come………….

 

CAROUSEL SCHEDULE: AUGUST – OCTOBER 2016

 

CHEF RESIDENCIES & CAROUSEL LUNCH

Collaborating with head chef and co-founder Ollie Templeton and his team, Carousel’s impressive line-up of international guests (a mix of emerging talent and more established names) prepare a set five-course dinner menu (£37.50 per person) that best represents their own unique approach to cooking. Meanwhile, Carousel’s front of house team takes care of drinks pairings and the restaurant’s relaxed and informal dining experience.

YOLO (Stockholm): 26^th July – 6^th August

Holding the creative reins at this ambitious, Stockholm restaurant is chef Jonas Lagerström. Jonas roots his dishes in the local and sustainable produce while equally embracing flavours from further afield in the pursuit of new trends and taste combinations. Guests can expect ‘Bleak roe ‘tacos’ & sweetbreads with yuzu, curry & mandarin’.

Alex Nietosvuori, BROR / ANTE (Copenhagen): 9^th – 20^th August

Swede Alex Nietosvuori cut his teeth at Sweden’s Michelin-starred Daniel Berlin Krog before heading to Copenhagen to join up with former NOMA sous-chefs Sam Nutter and Victor Wågman at restaurant BROR and ANTE. Dishes such as ‘Egg yolk, peas, pickled chanterelles, smoked pork, chicken skin, brown butter foam & smoked bacon broth’ showcase his innovative take on New Nordic.

Danny & Yesoon Lee, MANDU (Washington DC): 22^nd August – 3^rd September

The ‘homestyle’ recipes of ‘Mama’ Yesoon’s years’ of experience and son Danny’s more modern approach to traditional Korean cuisine have earned family-run Mandu an army of fans in Washington DC. Signature dishes include Galbi Skewers (barbequed beef short rib served with ssamjang and vegetable leaves).

Niklas Ekstedt, EKSTEDT (Stockholm): 6^th – 10^th September

At Ekstedt, they cook everything on fire using no gas, no electricity and no gadgets. Resurrecting long-forgotten cooking techniques, the Michelin-starred Stockholm restaurant is famed for elegant and creative dishes such as ‘Iron-cast seared reindeer heart tartare, lingonberries & chantarelles’.

Erik Anderson & Jamie Malone, Brut (Minneapolis): 13^th – 24^th September

Erik Anderson and Jamie Malone are a formidable culinary couple. Their first joint venture, Brut (Minneapolis), is the culmination of years of work in some of America’s most acclaimed restaurants, from The French Laundry (CA) to The Catbird Seat (TN). Expect a modern approach to French cooking “with a deep respect for the classic technique”.

Complementing evening service, every Tuesday to Saturday, Ollie Templeton and the Carousel home team serve up a weekly-changing lunch menu of seasonal small plates, including the signature ‘Pork Sandwich –Gloucester Old Spot pork belly, house pickles, sriracha mayonnaise & piquillo peppers in a white sourdough panuozzo’.

 EXPERIENCES

Alongside its revolving line-up of chef residencies Carousel also curates an eclectic programme of creative experiences in its upstairs and downstairs spaces, bringing a taste of East London’s edgier cultural scene to well-heeled Marylebone

The Experimental Perfume Club: 23^rd July & 24^th September

Make your own signature fragrance from scratch with Emmanuelle Moeglin in these informal, creative, hands-on sessions.

Sofar Sounds: 1^st August

Curating secret intimate gigs in unique spaces all around the world, Sofar Sounds is the world’s largest live music discovery community.

Urban Yogi Club: 20^th August & 17^th September

Rikke Brodin’s classes are weaved around different themes of connection, giving guests time to pause, reflect and re-connect through 90 minutes of flow yoga.

Pasta Making with Ollie Templeton: 3^rd September

Learn how to make the perfect pasta dough, shape it into garganelli and cook a traditional ragù from Emilia-Romagna to accompany it withCarousel head chef Ollie.

Life Drawing with Dan Whiteson: 10^th September

Designed for all abilities, Dan’s four-hour long sessions, downstairs at Carousel, are a heady mixture of art history, performance, drawing, informal tuition and creative experimentation.

Chocolate Truffle Making with Elle Coco: 10^th September

Founder of Love Your Chocolate Elle Coco talks guests through the history of chocolate and how to make your very own luxury chocolate truffles.

Short Film Festival in association with the British Council: 15^th September

Carousel teams up with the British Council’s Jemma Desai for a screening of short films from London’s most talented auteurs in the making.

Prices vary by experience, however tickets for all workshops include lunch in the Carousel restaurant and a glass of wine.

EXHIBITIONS

Carousel’s airy first floor gallery space has already hosted monthly exhibitions from acclaimed photographers and artists such as Oleg Tolstoy, James O Jenkins and Louise Cattrell. The calibre of August and September’s works are no different.

‘MEANDER’, Henry Byrne & Oliver Durcan: August

The artists have shared a studio since 2013 and as a result, common themes of disregarded conditions and objects can be seen in both their works. The series of paintings by Byrne are urban still lives of objects and settings, while Durcan’s sculptures and paintings explore production, conservation and damage.

‘The Colours Don’t Run’, Alexander James: September

‘The Colours Don’t Run’ showcases multidisciplinary pieces in which artist Alexander James explores abstraction, figuration and the character of motif. Viewings can be arranged through the Carousel team.

Guests should contact Carousel directly to arrange a viewing: info@carousel-london.com

Saturday July 9th 12:15pm

Saturday August 20th 11:30am

Rikke Brodin will be teaching a super blissful 90 minute Yoga class in our lovely sun-filled Upstairs space before enjoying a delicious lunch in the restaurant together.

In her own words…

‘As busy city bees we can easily get drawn in so many different directions that we begin to feel disconnected; both to our own centre, to people around us, and to the earth below the tarmac. I love life here, right in the big beat of the creative heart, but I find that I must make time to pause, to re-connect, to create space and be with people fully.’

These events will each be weaved around a different theme of connection, and together we will answer the call as urban yogis.

£25 for 90min Yoga class, lunch (vegetarian option available) and a glass of prosecco (or wine, or tea, whatever seduces your spirit…)

www.carousel-london.com