Staying In

Read Relative Failures

This fascinating new book from Matthew Sturgis delves into the stories of three figures who lived in the shadows of their siblings in the late Victorian era. Willie Wilde was the older brother of Oscar Wilde – a man who started out with all the promise, but after breezing through school and university could never keep up a job. We also hear about the striking sister of Aubrey Beardsley, Mabel, who played a pivotal role in Aubrey’s artistic ascent before becoming a moderately successful actor. Then there’s Howard Sturgis – Matthew’s great-great-uncle – who watched as his brother Julian soared to the success he himself never quite achieved. ‘All of them made their mark on the crowded stage of the 1890s,’ says Matthew. ‘They were part of that fascinating era… when the high water mark of Victorian self-confidence was passing, old verities were coming under attack, and a sense of fin-de-siècle recklessness and experiment vied with a sense of autumnal decadence and decay.’ Out now (Head of Zeus/Apollo).

Going Out

Visit New Restaurant MAAI, Clapham

The food cravings that hit while watching an episode of Bake Off or MasterChef are bad enough – let alone when you upgrade from amateur cooks to the professional calibre. With top chefs fighting it out on Great British Menu and MasterChef: The Professionals, their creative concoctions are destined to leave you salivating at the screen, no matter how much you’ve filled-up beforehand. If you’ve ever been curious as to exactly how good these award-winning dishes taste, now’s your chance to find out. Nikita Pathakji, the one and only winner of both shows, has launched a new Clapham restaurant called MAAI. A translation of ‘mum’, this new venture is a truly family affair, with her mother Rima and sister Isha also at the helm. A leg-up from the sold-out supper clubs hosted at their family home, this menu promises seasonal British produce inspired by Nikita’s heritage and travels across the globe. Standout dishes include the ‘Tako Yaki’ doughnut from MasterChef, a seared halibut with Malaysian fish head curry from Great British Menu, and a perfectly tender spring lamb rump. Available in the form of a tasting menu or a shorter set menu, book in now for a first try. Opens today, restaurantmaai.com

Property Of The Day

This newly completed penthouse at Tower East, Chelsea Waterfront offers up 360-degree views across London. Decked out by BAYA Interiors, the five-bedroom home is classy and cosy all at once, offering residents a light-filled sanctuary in the heart of the city. 

On the market for £11.5 million, chelseawaterfront.com

Little Luxury

Having to eat gluten-free shouldn’t hold you back from enjoying the occasional indulgent treat – so to celebrate Coeliac Awareness Month this May, Parisian gluten-free bakery Copains has teamed up with Aussie favourite Tim Tam to create a decadent chocolate babka. The braided pastry is swirled with chocolate and gluten-free Tim Tam pieces, and is topped with yet more chocolate in the form of a rich ganache and a whole Tim Tam biscuit. Available until the end of the month, the dessert joins the dreamy selection of sweet and savoury bakes on the shelves at Copains Covent Garden and Copains Islington. Go on, treat yourself. £8.50, copains-paris.com

Competition Time

Need a new bike? Here’s your chance to win the all-new Brompton P Line in Plum Red (4-speed, mid-bar), worth £2,399. 

Psssst…

Nobu has glitzy hotels everywhere from the Maldives to Ibiza – but for its next venture the luxury chain is making its first foray into the English countryside. Nobu Woolfox will open in the heart of Rutland (AKA the Notswolds), complete with a hotel, restaurant and residences.

Whatever You Do, Don’t

Whip out your phone during a Tracy Anderson workout. The studio has now banned people from filming content in classes – but what’s the hype about?