#lbhf

Miguel Caffarena With a new chef and revamped menu, Toro Gordo offers an authentic Spanish dining experience for under £30 ‘I live in Hammersmith and I always wanted Toro Gordo to be a proper neighbourhood restaurant and bar,’ says Miguel Caffarena. ‘My idea was to create a friendly, welcoming place that I’d enjoy going to myself, whether for lunch, for a beer and tapas after work or for a meal.’ Toro Gordo opened on King Street four years ago, serving delicious Spanish tapas with, unusually, an Asian influence. In recent months Miguel has made some significant changes. ‘You could say that our adventure is beginning again. I’ve recruited a talented chef, Ellie from Malaga, and we’ve worked to refine the menu. ‘Everything is freshly made every day using the best ingredients; we’ve kept the most popular original dishes and added fantastic new choices. Also, I’ve put together exciting offers such as a lunchtime tapas box for £10 and a beer and a tapa for £5 on Thursday evenings.’ Miguel has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, starting from the ground up. ‘I came to London with £500 in my pocket when I was 20. My first job was making coffee and after that I worked my way up from kitchen porter to waiter to restaurant manager.’ So, which tapas would Miguel highlight from the menu? ‘The Grilled Lamb Cutlet is superb, our regulars love the classic Gambas Pil Pil (spicy prawns) and the Panfried Seabass and Seared Scallops are real favourites.’ And what about that Asian influence which is clearly evident in the menu – for example, Green Tea Chocolate Cheesecake – and stylish decor? ‘I spent three years living in Japan and loved the culture. So I just thought, why not!’ The menu is complemented by an excellent wine list – Miguel recommends Emilio Moro reds and the white Rioja – sherries, sangrias and beers (both Spanish and Japanese). The restaurant can be hired for private parties and corporate events and it’s the perfect place to meet friends for lunch, to relax after work or for a meal before seeing a show at the Apollo or Lyric. One thing is certain: at Toro Gordo you’ll enjoy the true taste of Spain. Toro Gordo 121 King Street, W6 9JG +442088347434 [email protected] http://torogordo.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/torogordo121/ https://twitter.com/torogordo121 https://www.facebook.com/torogordo121/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d6892254-Reviews-Toro_Gordo-London_England.html

Friday 17 May 2019

Time: From 11am to 9pm Where: Lyric Square, Hammersmith, W6 Tube: Hammersmith Visit our Global Food Quarter on Lyric Square, with live music and seating area. The event includes international street food with brunch, lunch and supper markets. There will also be cookery demonstrations, food tasting and a live performance stage.

Saturday 18 May 2019

Time: From 10am to 6pm Where: Lyric Square and traffic-free King Street, Hammersmith, W6 Tube: Hammersmith This pop-up Saturday market is a fantastic opportunity to bring some extra sparkle to Hammersmith. There will be over 150 stalls along a traffic-free King Street and in Lyric Square, including crafts, jewellery, home accessories, boutique fashion and art from local independent businesses. The fun will be boosted by live music and performances on the Lyric Square stage. Street entertainment along King Street will include children’s workshops, live music, stilt walkers, comedy and more. For more information call Sonia Gorniak on 020 8753 6911 or email [email protected].

One-day traffic restrictions on Saturday 18 May 2019

44. Bloemfontein Road, White City. Hammersmith & Fulham Council. h/t @RantyHighwayman

A few months a go I came across a vinyl of a chocolate shop stretched over the front of a disused shop just off North End Road. It had details that led to me to the Hammersmith and Fulham Council website and one of their representatives - Nicki Burgess. 

The project entitled Love West Kensington is run by a group of locals and council workers and is part of both Mary Portas's scheme to regenerate our high streets and a Government scheme to reinvigorate empty shops. Love West Kensington aims to make the windows of disused shops on North End Road (West London) look more appealing, which in turn they hope will draw new business to the area.

I immediately thought this really is a great idea. But of course because of my involvement in the arts it got my mind mulling over the possibilities of what you could achieve by involving local artists, promoting them and the area - the project inspired a whole host of ideas.

So I contacted the council to see if they wanted any help with the project and possibly a person working in the arts to offer their time and knowledge. The enthusiastic response from Nicki was great to hear (so often in this industry to I get used to little or no response even when asking for nothing!).

I was immediately meeting with Nicki who runs the project and discussing the next vinyl with them, and boy was this one right up my street. The newest vinyl would be celebrating the Nashville Rooms which was an infamous music venue through the 70s and 80s based in the West Kensington end of North End Road (it is now the Famous Three Kings pub). 

The Nashville Rooms have a long history hosting many rock and punk gigs between 1975 and 1980. The vinyl records in the window dressing design highlight some of the famous bands who played there and the dates they played. Bands include U2, Joy Division, Sex Pistols, The Police, The Jam and Simple Minds (to name but a few).

My interest in the subculture history of London was first ignited by my work on the exhibition LLOYD JOHNSON: The Modern Outfitter at CHELSEA space. I'm fascinated by the history we have in West London - Kensington Market, Worlds End etc etc and how we can bring some of that cool back to the area. I did my homework and advised on elements of the design work as best I could - even had a stab at photoshop which is not a forte... And the results are featured below, it was great to see it finally installed and I have to say (although I'm biased towards anything celebrating subculture) it's my favorite on the road so far. I love that it has local cultural relevance alongside a design that can be enjoyed by people who know the venue and don't alike.

I think this particular vinyl really touches on a bigger idea of how West Kensington can celebrate it's history as well as its present through creative means. I'd love to see the area become a hub of creativity and creatives - art maps, pop up exhibitions, studios... My ambition and imagination run away with me... Watch this space though - I can't wait for the next vinyls and I hope the project can grow into something which really brings new people to the area and gets them to engage with it.

86 North End Road - before

And after!

8. Hammersmith Station. Hammersmith & Fulham Council.