What’s New

x2 Pilates

This new boutique reformer Pilates studio opened its doors a few weeks ago in Stephendale Yard, around the corner from what has become a lovely stretch of shops at the bridge end of Wandsworth Bridge Road. We spoke to studio founder / owner Yasmin El-Chgar about why she chose this spot in Fulham and how the first few weeks have gone.

“I’ve worked around this area teaching as a Pilates instructor for a long time and noticed that there wasn’t a studio in this part of Fulham. I’ve kept the studio purposefully small, I think we’re probably the smallest studio in London, with just 7 reformers so I can watch my clients and offer a quality workout. Most studios cater to the masses, after many years of practicing and teaching I know what reformer does to the body and I wanted to take it back to basics and offer quality not quantity”.

X2 Pilates ethos is to offer a supportive environment to everyone and all fitness levels, whether you’re a beginner or experienced, and go beyond traditional fitness routines to foster a more holistic approach to health. Yasmin told Urban Village LDN “I wanted to create a studio that not only had state of the art equipment but also a warm and inviting atmosphere. My members are really happy that finally they don’t have to go to other parts of Fulham and that they now have a location in the Sands End area. I’ve had a lot of thank yous since opening!”.

You can join a class, first class offer is £15, or have one on one reformer sessions. To find out more follow X2 Pilates on Instagram https://instagram.com/x2pilates or for full information or to book a class, hit the link below!

Sonya

Have you spotted this new all-day Aegean bistro at 571 Kings Road where the original Megan’s used to be? Sonya opened in November and apparently is still part of the Megan’s family because it is owned and run by their first ever General Manager Iskren. Iskren has worked in London and the hospitality industry since the age of 19 having grown up in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia and from what we can gather this is his first venture.

Sonya is billed as a restaurant where “from sunrise to sunset you can immerse yourself in the flavours of Greece and Turkey” and we’re excited to go and check out the menu; food from these two countries is right at the very top of our favourites list.

You can start your day with breakfast which includes Tahini porridge, Greek sausages, Shakshouka, hummus, green harissa & tulum cheese, Saganaki toastie and hot smoked salmon, avocado, wilted greens and poached eggs. At lunch you can choose from a crunchy kale, rocket, avocado, pumpkin seed, pomegranate and grapefruit salad, chicken pita with cucumber, pickles, pickled chilli & home cut fries or sea bass, chicken or fried halloumi with tomatoes, capers and red onions. Before dinner enjoy a cocktail: Pomegranate Negroni, Saffron Sour, Tzatziki on the rocks or a cinnamon spiced espresso martini and tuck into mains from their fire grill including Wagyu Beyti Sarma, garlic yoghurt, scotch bonnet sauce & burnt butter, grilled Seabass, chermoula or Octopus, harissa feta, ezme, zhug, rocket & pomegranate.

Sonya has kept their secret garden and there’s a fabulous octopus mural, a collection of ceramic plates adorning the other wall and a retractable roof with outside heating for cosy winter dinning. In the New Year they’re launching Bodrum Sundays “a family and friends feasting event, with live music and big sharing joints of lamb, beef, whole fish, lobster & orzo shared by the table”. There are private rooms for hire and the kitchen team are currently working on developing a tasting menu for groups of 8 or more so stay tuned or email krd@sonyarestaurant.co.uk for more information.

House of Flowers London

You can’t miss House of Flowers London, a glamourous new floral addition to 170 Wandsworth Bridge Road. This florists shop front is stunning and inside it’s a juxtaposition of dark, moodiness and a fabulous array of colours. Check out their lush, supersized, ribbon flowing bouquets on Instagram all typically shown against a black background https://www.instagram.com/house.of.flowers.london

Pop in to discuss your flower arrangements whether it’s an elegant bouquet or a vast installation, alternatively cut to the chase and head straight to order on the link below.

We have no doubt the team at HFL will be working on some magical displays and arrangements for Christmas. We’ve already seen some of their stunning wreaths and as we’re always trying to zig whilst others zag we really love their alternative styles, think silver reindeer heads with branches for antlers, pink baubles and ribbons.

They also sell gift sets with candles, flowers and vases AND they’re looking for experienced florists to join their team so if you’d like to hear more get in touch via what’s app (+ 44 7309 050503) send your CV and a breakdown of previous experience.

Melrose House Open Day

Melrose House Nursery School, for 2 - 4 year olds, operates on the ground floor of a privately owned house at the Bishop’s Park end of Finlay Street. The children at the nursery are split according to age, each group is cared for and looked after in two classrooms by highly qualified staff.  In addition to the classroom spaces the school has a well-equipped and enclosed garden.  

As well as lots of learning through play, Melrose House prides itself on the one to one tuition each child receives daily at the school.   It has been a nursery school for over forty years and was previously known as Cygnets, before adopting the same name as its sister school in Southfields.  Caroline O'Gorman, Melrose House's administrator and manager, told Urban Village LDN "Cygnet pupils are now sending their own children to Melrose House and stepping inside the 55 Finlay Street walls brings back many happy memories!".

Melrose House are holding an Open Day for both sites on Friday 5 January 2024 (10am - 12 noon) so if you'd like to see Melrose House in action and find out more about what they offer the children who attend their nursery schools, click on the link to register your interest

Beautiful Noise

Monkey Music has developed a brand new programme for parents and their new born babies; it launched last month taking place at Fulham Palace. Beautiful Noise is a five-session interactive programme for babies up to 16 weeks old. It is a mix of in person classes and pre recorded sessions designed to explore how babies use noise to make sense of the world around them.

Monkey Music’s specially trained teachers use music, songs and activities to deepen the bonding between parents and their newborns. The programme also helps parents discover how music supports early development including encouraging Baby’s muscle development, improving visual tracking and helping teach spatial awareness, language development and lots more.  Each booking includes a kit bag with instruments and a sensory scarf to be used at home.

Jeni from Monkey Music told Urban Village LDN “I’m so excited to bring Beautiful Noise to Fulham, especially in our 30th year!  It’s been such a privilege sharing music with so many local families over all that time, and introducing this really special new programme seems a very appropriate way to celebrate. In a lovely relaxed nurturing environment, parents gain more confidence that they are doing the right things and it is also such a great opportunity to meet other new local parents”.

We’ve always been huge fans of Monkey Music, the classes are always joyful and our little monkeys loved them, one even breaking into tears every time the closing farewell song came up because she didn’t want the session to end! More Fulham dates for the New Year will be announced soon in the meantime you can get in touch with Jeni to find out more putneybarnesfulham@monkeymusic.co.uk or click on the link below