New restaurants have been popping up across London this month, from celebrity chef establishments to cool East End eateries.

The Corner Restaurant and Champagne Bar at Selfridges

Keri Moss, joint winner of MasterChef 2012, has opened a restaurant and champagne bar at Selfridges. The Corner is located near the Women’s Designer Galleries and serves “modern international” food made from British produce. Signature dishes include mackerel tartare with crisp poached quail’s eggs, apple and pancetta wafers. The Art Deco room also boasts a marble bar serving cocktails, champagne, wine and a range of bar food.

Ametsa with Arzak Instruction at The Halkin

Basque restaurant Ametsa with Arzak Instruction recently opened at The Halkin hotel in Belgravia, replacing the award-winning Nahm. The new restaurant features a stunning ceiling installation made from 7,000 containers filled with spices. The kitchen is headed up by Elena Arzak and her father Juan Mari Arzak, who hold three Michelin Stars for the original Arzak restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain.

Jason Atherton’s Little Social

Jason Atherton has opened a new restaurant across the road from his Michelin-Starred Pollen Street Social in London’s West End. Little Social is a Parisian-style bistro serving a prix-fixe lunch and a la carte dinner. Dishes include pork chop with butternut squash puree, and goat’s milk rice pudding with rhubarb and ginger jam and ice-cream. Atherton will launch a third restaurant, the Social Eating House, in Soho on 18 April.

Simply Fish at Boxpark Shoreditch

Simply Fish have opened a second London restaurant in the trendy Boxpark, a pop-up shopping mall in Shoreditch made from shipping containers. The first-floor eatery offers views over Bethnal Green Road and Shoreditch High Street and serves sustainable fish, which is delivered fresh from Looe in Cornwall every morning. The affordable menu has starters from £4 and main courses from £10 to £15.

The Clove Club

The Clove Club started out as a supper club in Johnny Smith and Daniel Willis’s flat in Dalston but now the pair, along with Young Turks chef Isaac McHale, have opened a restaurant and bar in Shoreditch Town Hall. There are two rooms: a restaurant serving an innovative five-course set menu made from British ingredients, and a more relaxed bar offering a choice of sharing dishes along with cocktails and craft beers.

Master & Servant

Matt Edwards, previously at St John Hotel and Hix Soho, has launched his first solo restaurant, Master & Servant, in Hoxton Square. The menu is inspired by Manhattan, with signature dishes including surf clam chowder, Hereford porterhouse for two, and pistachio doughnuts in honey syrup. There’s a 40-strong list of European wines and a cocktail menu devised with Hoxton neighbour Happiness Forgets.

Look out for more restaurant news soon!

One great place to admire beautful Easter eggs is restaurant and nightspot Shaka Zulu, whose pastry chef will be making a gorgeous display (similar to the one pictured above) out of giant ostrich eggs. It’s bound to make you peckish, so fortunately the South African restaurant will be serving a special three-course feast from 12pm-5pm on Easter Sunday to satisfy your appetite.

London’s top hotels are also getting into the Easter spirit. Claridge’s is selling distinctive art deco eggs that are inspired by the hotel’s black and white marble lobby. Created with three types of fine Valrhona chocolate, the limited-edition eggs are filled with chocolate quail eggs and covered in art deco foil wrapped with a satin bow. They’d make great gifts, but you’d better be quick – there are only 100 of the £45 eggs available. If you’re planning to spend the Easter weekend in London, the Landmark Hotel’s Easter Delight package could be a great option. Not only will you get a large Easter egg – specially prepared by the hotel’s chef – delivered to your bedroom, but inside you might find a golden ticket that grants you one of several special treats provided by the hotel.

One of London’s most unusual Easter eggs can be found at tongue-in-cheek bar and pizzeria Bunga Bunga, where you can sip specially-created cocktails out of large chocolate Easter eggs. Two indulgent ice-cream based drinks are available during the Easter Weekend: a seasonal twist on the espresso martini and a chocaholic’s dream combination of chocolate ice cream, strawberry puree, white chocolate liqeur, vodka and chocolate bitters. If you’re looking for something more savoury, Cinnamon Soho is doing  a special Easter Egg Flip cocktail and an egg-inspired menu, which turns the traditional Easter Egg idea upside down through a series of Indian ball-shaped dishes.

London’s department stores have a reputation for doing everything with panache and this Easter, their eggs don’t disappoint.  At Harrods in Knightsbridge you can marvel at their behemoth of an egg, which is several feet high and – if you’re feeling flush – can be yours for £795. Fortnum and Mason have created ‘the ultimate Easter egg‘ (£90), a Russian-doll-like structure comprised of five different Easter eggs that range from white to very dark chocolate.  Selfridges has solved the age-old chicken and egg problem with a cute dark chocolate easter egg (£59.99), which has been decorated to look like a chick. For truly quirky eggs, head to branches of Artisan du Chocolat for their ‘egg and soldiers‘ masterpiece (£45), which is a cross between delicious chocolate egg and salted caramel fondue kit, or pick up a macabre Rococo ‘day of the dead’ egg from Harvey Nichols (£64.95).

If reading about all that chocolate is making you queasy, fear not: some of London’s most dramatic eggs are inedible. Head to Covent Garden from 22 March – 1 April for the Lindt Big Egg Hunt, which raises money for Action for Children. Giant fibreglass Easter eggs, which have been designed by leading artists, fashion designers and architects, will be hidden around the area for visitors to find – simply pick up a Hunt Book and get cracking!

Swedish retailer Hennes & Mauritz’s latest venture & Other Stories is opening its doors on Friday (8 March) on Regent Street. The much-anticipated new launch is a one-stop shop with lingerie, shoes, bags, jewellery, skincare products and make-up as well as clothes. There are four different clothing collections, from feminine and glamorous styles to tailored looks. This is the world’s first-ever & Other Stories store, showing that London is leading the way in the fashion stakes once again.

Put your best foot forward at Selfridges this month. The store is paying homage to fabulous footwear by hosting a Shoe Carnival. Shoppers can expect an in-store installation of a yellow brick road, as well as a slew of exclusive designs by Charlotte Olympia, Nicholas Kirkwood and Rupert Sanderson. Also on display will be the entire archive of shoe designer extraordinaire Salvatore Ferragamo. The luxury department store shifts a staggering 10,000 pairs of shoes a week.

Rummage for retro at the Vintage Fashion Fair, which will take place from 11am-5pm on 17 March at Cecil Sharp House in Primrose Hill. Load up on unusual and stylish clothes for Spring, including affordable pretty dresses and skirts, unusual vintage scarves and jewellery. For those with cash to splash, the fair is also a treasure trove of stunning designer pieces, including Ossie Clark, Chanel, Dior and more.

In-the-know fashion blogger Nhuc Tran is opening a pop-up boutique for three months in East London’s hip Boxpark, the world’s first pop-up mall. China Doll Boutique will stock delicate dresses in chic prints and pastel shades. Set within stripped and refitted shipping containers, Boxpark is a small mall housing 40 retailers, restaurants and galleries.

Rub shoulders with the fash pack by snapping up a ticket for The Vogue Festival 2013 which takes place at the Southbank Centre from 27-28 April. Guests can enjoy cover-shoots, makeovers and workshops. The festival boasts a glittering array of A-list speakers including pop-star turned award-winning fashion designer Victoria Beckham, model and presenter Alexa Chung, model du jour Cara Delevingne and photographer Mario Testino. Tickets cost from £30 for each individual talk.

Finally, if you’re itching to flex your credit card this weekend, snap up a piece of art at the Affordable Art Fair at Battersea Evolution in Battersea Park (7-10 Mar, 11am-6pm). Priced from £40 to £4,000, there are paintings, prints and sculpture to suit every budget.

As well as stocking its hip, own brand merchandise, the store will feature designers such as APC, House of Hackney and Obey. The shop is currently promoting the store with a YouTube video which you can watch below. Look out for top London sights in the video, including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus and Tower Bridge.

If you fancy dressing your walls with an original artwork, swing by the Affordable Art Fair Battersea. Taking place from 7 to 10 March in Battersea Park, the fair will present work by established artists and emerging talents, all priced from £40 to £4,000. Every piece is available to buy and take home the very same day.

If you’ve got cash to splash, American fashion house Oscar de la Renta opened its first-ever flagship UK store in London last week, on the corner of Berkeley Street and Mount Street in Mayfair. The cavernous 3,000sqft store spans three floors and stocks accessories, fragrances, homewear, bridal lines and children’s clothes.

Bookworms who love Lewis Carroll novels can find Alice-themed goodies aplenty at new boutique Alice Through the Looking Glass. The shop’s star attraction is a £3,500 chessboard, handcrafted by Alice novels illustrator Sir John Tenniel. Victoria top hats and first edition Alice books are among the other curiosities on sale. Shoppers can also enjoy a cuddle with the shop’s resident white rabbit who lives in the window.

Shush! Silence is golden at department store Selfridges‘ recently-opened The Silence Room. Part of the store’s No Noise campaign, the ground-floor space offers a peaceful sanctuary for shoppers who are in need of some quiet time. The notion of having a quiet space in the store was originally mooted by founder Gordon Selfridge in 1909, but it was never put into practice – until now. Store insiders say shoppers have been using the space to pray, sleep and meditate.

Dr Martens Opens Carnaby Street Store

Selfridges Opens World’s Largest Men’s Shoe Department
Staying with shoes, Selfridges opened the largest men’s shoe department in the world last week. The new 15,000 square foot men’s footwear department features more than 250 brands, as well as a made-to-order shoe salon, a salon dedicated to driving shoes, bespoke brand boutiques and a space dedicated to pop-up shops. One of the first designers set to take advantage of the new set-up is Christian Louboutin, who will showcase his men’s collection in a dedicated boutique next February. I think the idea of being able to create bespoke shoes including selecting the leather, the colour, the sole type and the stitching, from brands such as Church’s, Tods, Tom Ford, Ferragamo, Kurt Geiger and Prada sounds like such a fantastic luxury. Enjoy, boys!

New Alice and Olivia Boutique Celebrates Thanksgiving in Harvey Nichols
Celebrate Thanksgiving in Harvey Nichols with the brand new Alice and Olivia boutique this Thursday. The funky American womenswear brand launched its new boutique earlier in the month, and is now offering shoppers complimentary strawberry bellinis and sweet treats, as well as a limited edition American flag scarf with every purchase on Thursday 22 November between 12-8pm.

Musto Opens in Seven Dials
The London 2012 Olympic legacy lives on as performance brand Musto opens a new shop in Seven Dials. Founded in 1965 by Olympic athlete Keith Musto (after participating in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo) and endorsed by elite athletes including Zara Phillips, Musto have been making sailing, equestrian and outdoor clothing for more than 40 years. The new Musto store will offer collections from their Autumn/Winter Men’s Lifestyle, Sailing and Evolution ranges. As well as the high-tech sailing and rambling stuff, look out for sailing-inspired clothing including chunky knitwear and jumpers, comfortable fleeces and sweatshirts, sturdy coats as well as accessories and luggage. Look out for the new shop at 27 Neal Street in Seven Dials.

Michael Kors Opens in Covent Garden, 25 Oct
Award-winning American designer Michael Kors is opening a shop on James Street in Covent Garden on Thursday this week. The store will stock a mix of accessories, jewellery, eyewear, watches, and fragrances from the MICHAEL Michael Kors brand, as well as some of his ready-to-wear collection. This is the sixth Michael Kors shop in the UK, including one on Regent Street and one in Westfield London.

Muji Reopens in Carnaby Street, 25 Oct
Everyone’s favourite Japanese lifestyle store, Muji is reopening on Carnaby Street on Thursday. The new shop offers a range of furniture, fashion, stationery and homewares and accessories with emphasis on simple, functional design. If you’re into minimalism, you’ll love this place. Thursday also sees the launch of their Christmas gift range. Show up on Thursday between 6 and 9pm to help them celebrate the opening and you can enjoy a free Kirin Ichiban beer and 20% discount on all items. Just email events@muji.co.uk for your free ticket.

Story-telling with UGG Australia at Selfridges, 27 Oct-17 Nov
To celebrate the launch of UGG Australia’s new children’s storybooks, the brand is hosting Story Time sessions with a costumed storyteller in Selfridges this Saturday. Look out for the enchanting story-telling sessions in the new footwear area on the fourth floor. UGG Australia are running the free story-telling afternoons between 2 and 4pm on 27 October and 3, 10, and 17 November.

Foodie Fun for Kids at Westfield Stratford City, 27 Oct-4 Nov
This half-term, kids can indulge in some spooky foody fun at Westfield Stratford City. From Saturday 27 October until Sunday 4 November, between 11am and 4pm (Mon-Sat) and 12 til 5pm, kids can make a range of scary snacks including coffin cookies, creepy cupcakes and Frankenstein potato heads. Taking part is free, but you need to join the Westfield Kids Club to participate. Simply join at the Concierge desk on the first floor, near John Lewis. Kids even get a free goodie bag when they join.

Taste of Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen at John Lewis
Fans of Jamie Oliver are in for a treat at John Lewis this week. To celebrate the launch of the new and exclusive Jme and Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen product ranges, the Oxford Street store is offering a unique Fifteen dining experience with a menu specifically created by Jamie and his apprentice chefs. To book a table, visit the Bistro or call 020 3073 0626.
25-28 Sep

Book Signings: Kaffe Fassett at Liberty and Jessie J at Waterstones
Artist, designer, and author Kaffe Fassett will be signing not one but three of his best-selling books and reading extracts from “Knitting with the Colour Guys” at Liberty on Wednesday evening this week. More details here. And on Thursday, Jessie J will be signing copies of her autobiography Nice To Meet You at Waterstone’s Piccadilly from 5.30pm. Call Waterstones on 0207 851 2491 for more details.

Harvest Festival Artisan Market at Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason are celebrating the best of the season with an Artisan Market this weekend. You can meet and learn from F&M’s chutney suppliers in the demonstration kitchen, taste the very best of Fortnum’s savoury preserves and jams, and sample refreshing cordials made from the juiciest fruit in Norfolk’s hedgerows. It’ll also be the time for F&M’s honey harvest, so you can go up to the roof and see the Fortnum & Mason bees hard at work.
28-29 Sep, 11am-5pm

Celebrate Cheaney at Selfridges

Selfridges are helping Northamptonshire heritage brand Cheaney celebrate 125 years of quality English craftsmanship this week. From 29 September to 7 October, there’ll be a special Cheaney space in the Men’s Shoes department, where you can see in-store demonstrations showing the intricacies of how a Cheaney shoe is made. What’s more, receive a complimentary refurbishment voucher worth £90 with any pair of shoes purchased.
29 Sep-7 Oct

Victoria’s Secret New Bond Street Store Launch: 29 Aug

Sample Sale: 30 Aug-2 Sep
Starting on Thursday, there’s a four-day sample sale of men’s designer shoes, clothes and accessories at the Old Truman Brewery on Hanbury Street, E1. For just £1 admission, you could pick up bargains like Ralph Lauren polo shirts from £60; Ted Baker shirts from £35 and True Religion T-shirts for £29 (RRP £79.) Head along from 1-8pm on Thursday, 1-7pm on Friday, 12-7pm on Saturday and 12-5pm on Sunday to get your hands on some great new clothes for autumn. Visit www.secretsamplesale.co.uk for more information.

Book Signings: 6 Sep
I’ve got two exciting book signings for your diaries, happening next week.

On Thursday 6 September, actress and author Emma Thompson will be in Selfridges signing copies of her new book, The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit. Emma’s book is the 24th tale in the existing collection of Peter Rabbit stories. It is the first time that Frederick Warne has published an additional title to the series which Beatrix Potter wrote between 1902 and 1930. In The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit, Peter’s adventures take him beyond the boundaries of Mr McGregor’s garden all the way to Scotland, where he meets the gentle giant Finlay McBurney, a distant Scottish relative. Emma will be signing copies of the book between 5 and 6pm on 6 September.

On the same day over at Waterstones Piccadilly, you can meet the Fifty Shades of Grey author E L James. From 6.30pm, the writer will be signing copies of the bestselling novels Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed.

In both cases, make sure you arrive early to avoid disappointment. Details about the Selfridges signing are all clearly laid out here. You’ve been warned!

My Perfect West End Day
If you’re feeling lucky, why not enter one of West End London’s fantastic new competitions?

Between today and 3 September, you can with the Perfect Iconic West End Day, as part of West End London’s new Perfect West End Day campaign. This prize includes a VIP shopping day for two at Liberty, dinner for two at the National Portrait Gallery, tickets to see One Man Two Guvnors at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, and a night’s stay at The Langham Hotel. There’ll be more competitions coming in the next few weeks – I particularly like the sound of the Perfect Family West End Day, which includes a VIP experience at M&Ms World, dinner at the Rainforest Café, a private shopping spree at the Disney Store and four tickets to see Stomp and meet the cast. Check out www.westendlondon.com to find out more.

Selfridges Destination Denim: Until 8 Sep
If, like me, you’re on a near-constant quest for the perfect pair of jeans (I had them once: a pair of 7 For All Mankind, plucked randomly from a sale rail in New York; wore them till they fell apart), Selfridges may offer a solution. This month, they’re celebrating their longest denim wall in Europe with Destination Denim, an exciting store-wide denim event, including exclusive product launches, designer appearances, style advice and special events. Just this week, there’s a 12-hour online jean-a-thon with giveaways on the hour, every hour on Thursday. Women can get advice from Stylist magazine’s fashion editor on Thursday afternoon; while men can distress their denim with Denham between 30 August and 2 September. Find out more at denim.selfridges.com

Biscuit Decorating Demonstration at Fortnum & Mason: 23 Aug
If you need a new excuse to pop into the hallowed halls of Fortnum & Mason this week, here’s my suggestion. With the Great British Bake Off turning everyone crazy for cakes and barmy for biscuits, don’t miss this free decorating demonstration in store. Ellie, an artist-cum-baker creates Fortnum’s stunning animal decorated biscuits. She’ll be showing off how she works her magic powers with piping bags in the Demonstration Kitchen on the First Floor from 2pm. You’ll be wowing your tea party guests in no time.

Soho Arts Fair in Kingly Court: 24-25 Aug
This weekend, the Soho Arts Fair come to Kingly Court for the very first time, showcasing artworks by young adults produced in Art-Alive workshops. The Art Alive Arts Trust is a charity that works with children and young adults to develop creative skills through art. On display will be a variety of works ranging from fine art to fashion. If you’re inspired by the works on show, you can also get involved as there’ll be workshops on Mosaic and Ceramic art, Painting, Fashion Photography, T-Shirt printing and more. In a packed weekend of activities, there’ll also be live dance and music performances as well as street artists. Don’t miss the fashion show on Friday between 6pm and 9pm. This is the culmination of three months’ worth of workshops taking place in Kingly Court, giving young people the chance to explore their skills in photography, fine art, fashion design and ceramics.

Foyles Children’s Events at Westfield
Why not head to Westfield London this summer holiday as there are some special children’s events taking place in Foyles. On 25 August between 2 and 4pm, hear sea shanties and look for treasure with Hannah, the Queen of the Seven Seas: don’t forget to dress up as your favourite sea creature: Mermaid, Pirate, Squid… On 28 August between 2 and 3pm, Paddington will be in store, where the booksellers will be throwing a party to celebrate the end of the Great British Sumer. There’ll be storytelling, activities, and a chance to meet the great bear himself. Both events are free.

House of Fraser launches Mary Portas Handbags
Top London department store House of Fraser has a new collaboration with retail guru Mary Portas – this time in the accessories department. Championing “fashion for grown-ups”, Portas’ line now contains a range of six bags designed by Portas and named after music genres. The bags include large shoppers, clutch bags and shoulder bags in a variety of colours, and range from £39 to £189 in price. “My new collection is geared towards modern living and has a bag for every possible occasion life can throw at you,” said Portas.

Jo Malone London Fragrance Discovery Evening
Join Jo Malone London at Selfridges on Oxford Street this Friday (17 August) for a special evening celebrating the timeless classic fragrance, Lime Basil & Mandarin. Called “a daring departure in fragrance” it’s peppery basil and aromatic white thyme is said to be “an unexpected twist to the scent of limes on a Caribbean breeze.” If that whets your nasal appetite, hit Selfridges between 5pm and 9pm on Friday for complimentary champagne and sweet treats, inspired by the fragrance. Call 0870 192 5242 to book your appointment.

Meet Richard Weston at Liberty
Head to Liberty on Thursday (16 August) this week, and you’ll be able to meet Professor Richard Weston, the mastermind behind some of Liberty’s most popular scarves. Weston’s much-anticipated AW12 collection has arrived in store; and the man himself will be meeting fans from 1pm to 6pm in the Scarf Hall. This is a great opportunity to come face to face with the man Lauren Laverne calls “an academic even cooler than Brian Cox.”