Happy heatwave everyone.
London is thriving. Arsenal have won the league after 22 years (great for pubs), and it’s the hottest May on record (great for pub gardens).
I went to the Emirates stadium to celebrate the win on Tuesday night, and I’ve never seen so many men radiating pure, unadulterated joy. There was no recklessness, only positivity, and standing in the flare-filled air, walking through the streets to a tune of Limes tinkling and cars tooting, I felt especially proud of my city.
There are few things that can unify and uplift our collective spirit like sport can, and as part of this momentous win, I’ve had fun observing how hospitality establishments are celebrating.
There’s the straight-up fandom of Trullo painting their usually muted, navy frontage a bright glossy red (I think it should stay this way), the exuberant generosity of Half Cut Market promising £5 glasses of chilled red until the parade next Sunday, and some downright odd choices, like Wahaca offering 22% off the bill at their Islington branch if you have the same first name as one of the players.
Whether or not you’re watching Arsenal’s final game today, I suggest you swing by White Hot Forever tonight. A one off creamy, dreamy pop up from culinary artiste Adriann Ramirez of Fink’s, and the fruity flavour master herself, Kitty Travers of La Grotta, you’ll be in for a irresistibly clever, ice cold menu.
I’ll be having the alphonso mango and green peppercorn vanilla banana split.
In today’s Stocktake: no offhand intel but several interconnected threads of thought, and many observations on a theme, from an influx of Gothic font and wine label tech, to ice cream and travel recs.
