Week forty-five

Pop-ups are all the rage these days. There seems to be one popping-up every day of the week. Pop-up shop, pop-up gallery, pop-up restaurant. The majority of the ones I've been to have been very good; always somewhere I'm glad I've ventured to before disappearing into the lost world. Some are so good that they evolve from being a temporary space to being a permanent fixture.

If a pop-up is to retain any longevity these days it needs to have a hook, something that makes it stand out, especially if its an occasional pop-up like The White Tower, a new venture between restaurant entrepreneur Jonathan Goldsmith and chef Robert Beach. They've worked together on and off for over 15 years and have come up with a new concept that mixes food and cocktails with contemporary performances from a unique and stunning roof top with 360 degree views. Since I am a friend of one of them I was lucky enough to go to their very first event, A Night of Whizz's and Bangs, for Bonfire Night.

As my friend Nicole and I arrived into the courtyard of a gorgeous complex in North London, the familiar sound of wheees, whoops and crashes felt scarily close. The first round of fireworks was being let off so we rushed up to the roof to get a better look. The views are simply stunning from here – somewhere to look in every direction and tonight, with Bonfire Night, seeing the smashes of greens, pinks and golds going off every second, near and far, was the ultimate place to be.

The space is modern and practical, with a retractable roof in case of rain and there was plenty of room to put any drinks we had brought with us.  At the far corners of the terrace were 2 small wood-burning fires, slowly roasting chestnuts. I was offered some in a bag, which I thought was a very cute touch, along with a glass of cinnamon, vanilla and cherry mulled wine. I generally dislike mulled wine because I hate red wine but this was utterly delicious - rich, sweet and fruity from the cherries. Mmmm.

The place was buzzing, with about 30 people already there, huddling in groups or sat on a couple of wooden benches, near the fires. The crowd was a really nice mish-mash, ranging from young couples with kids, to a gay contingent, groups of friends and a few older types too.  

After munching on a few chestnuts, the trays started emerging from downstairs. Cheese and tomato pasties were lovely and smokey but I wanted there to be more filling, since the casing was quite heavy.

Next up were sauteed button mushroom crostinis, which were just delicious and soon to follow came another cocktail, a spiced cider and calvados toddy that was warming to the heart.

Mini pumpkins stuffed with a white bean stew looked excellent but were a little difficult to eat standing up and should have been very flavoursome but they were slightly under-seasoned.

After the warm figs with goats cheese and honey that were exquisitely scrumptious, came some more fireworks, this time a little more localized from the ledge of the roof and we all got given sparklers. I, obviously wrote my name in the sky like I do every year - standard, and watched everyone do the same with smiles and laughter through the smokey haze.

Finally, there were some yummy homemade toffee apples and some beautifully made churros with an Aztec rum and chili spiced hot chocolate. These unfortunately were all served rather late in the evening when most people had either left or surrendered to the cold and made their way into the kitchen downstairs.

This, for me, was a real shame as the food was nice and there was a good atmosphere, but surely just a bit of teething as it was the first event and its always so hard to get the timings right.

The fireworks were stunning, although I'm not sure they count as a "contemporary performance", but again, an obvious and effective launch night, considering the location.  I think that they just need to define exactly what The White Tower is about because all the elements are there to make it a really fun evening out and a bit of an unusual experience.  This will no doubt come in time.

Next month's event promises Xmas carols with a difference and possibly a bit of drag thrown in for good measure.  For more details you can contact Jonathon here.

This week I'm off to Wilton's Music Hall.  There's a ping pong tournament.  There'd better be a good trophy to win.