Pinboard: Tolli Finally Opens Up, Doing Something Good for Christmas – and Banquets & Booze.

1. Let the Crimbo Banqueting Begin. Grub London has taken up residence at Open Kitchen Camden, in the former Meribel Brasserie under the arches of Camden Road station, offering a chance to enjoy a Christmas banquet encompassing mini turkey, barberry and cumin patties along with an eight hour braised short rib. Sounds tempting. Open booking nights are on the 8th and 22nd of December, or if you’re a particularly large group or looking to hire out the entire venue you can do so Monday-Friday until the 22nd. You’ll need to be quick though, as we’re been told slots are running out fast. £35/per head for three courses and an appetiser.

2. An Unconventional Christmas. Back in April we posted a life tips from Alison Naftalin, who had set up the charity Lively Minds in Ghana, and rather wonderfully it seems to have had a lasting effect on at least one reader.

Jadzia got in touch to say that she was so inspired by the article and Alison’s story that she’s decided to leave Kentish Town for Christmas and head out to Africa for 7 weeks to volunteer with the charity. She’ll be helping train mothers in one of the Lively Minds centres to run a Play Scheme that will benefit over 100 children aged 3-6years in the local community. If you fancy helping Jadzia hit her fundraising target of £700, head over to her JustGiving page to donate.
 
3. Festive Bash at the B&G. The Bull & Gate have got quite the treat lined up next Tuesday, with their Club Spangle night boasting a line up of some very catchy up and coming bands.

Professor Penguin tops the bill, with the seven-piece from South London offering up ‘vocal harmonies and percussion, laced with electronic undercurrents.’

They’re joined alongside Vlks and Bristol based Ayre Point to serve up a night of indie bliss. Starting from 7.45pm, £6/£5 advance/flyer.

4. Don’t Forget A Seasonal Trip to the Theatre. If you fancy something a bit different from the usual panto featuring whats-her-face off Corrie then perhaps a new musical based on Charles Dicken’s last unfinished work might be right up your (Victorian) alley.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood, playing at Theatro Technis in Camden, promises twists and turns where the audience can actually get involved with the whodunnit mystery and choose the ending. Performances from December 18th-22nd at 7.45pm, with a matinee at 3pm on the 22nd to boot. Tickets available here. 26 Crowndale Road.

5. Finally, An Evening at Tolli. Tolli Patisserie has been woefully under-used by its owners until now. Right opposite the station, its pleasing two-floor space should be a boho candlelit haunt to rival anywhere in town. And now it is. Well, for one night only. Next Sat (15) it’s hosting an intriguing evening of live contemporary folk music with authentic cuisine made using the freshest ingredients and cooked to perfection by ‘Mamma Norina’.

And if you’re reading this, Tolli, we advise you to open nightly, and at weekends for that matter. Saturday 15th 6pm. £4 Entry.

6. Wine Tasting at another Kentish Town Road institution. The Wine Cellar is serving up a pre-Christmas wine tasting tomorrow night, from 7pm. Expect a selection of their finest red and white Portugese wines, as well sweet Moscatel wine and port. As well as that, how about some nibbles from their lovely deli upstairs to help the wine go down? £15 all-inclusive, just give them a call or pop in to book.

7. The Obligatory Christmas Fair Mention (but with an Eco Twist). Transition Dartmouth Park celebrates the festive season on Saturday with a give & take. Bring something to give away – a toy, book, clothes or homemade jam – and take away something you’d like to receive. Local food tasters and a cake stall coupled with collage and card-making for the kids means this could be a decidedly attractive proposition for your Saturday afternoon. There’ll also be a chance to find out more about the work Transition does and how they’ve been getting on in their first year. Fresh Youth Hall, Highgate Newtown Community Centre. 2-4pm.

Words: Conor Fisk