Amis des beaux arts,
“Choose a job you love and you will never work again.” If Confucius’s words of wisdom were translated into Latin, they would make an apt motto for the house of Romanoff – especially the part after ‘and’. In these times of austerity, what could be better than combining business and pleasure? With that thought in mind, and sure of our family’s artistic flair, I enrolled in the Candid Arts Trust’s life drawing classes.
Alas, the craft isn’t as easy as it looks. Despite the best efforts of Meredith (the most patient of tutors) to steady my shaking hand, I found myself having to tear up drawing after drawing without making the slightest progress. When, at last, the steam cleared from my spectacles, it was time to join my classmates at the adjacent arts café. Here, the over-ambitious maestro (a species suspiciously abundant in that part of North London) can shed his artistic dunce cap and drown his pretensions in a fine glass of Red.
I must admit that I like few cafés as much as the Candid. Virtually the first place I set foot in when I arrived in this great city many years ago, it has lost none of its cosy charm. Relaxing in the comfort of its plush sofas, with good company and even better drink, life’s woes seem very distant indeed.
The food is excellent and reasonably priced – curries, stews and fish start from £6.50. The drink selection is down-to-earth, yet arty enough to attract a good number of Shoreditch virtuosos busily discussing self-published novels and the merits of colonic Sheng-Fui.
A banquet hall and pleasant courtyard for alfresco refreshments complete the picture. Leaving aside the creative merits of its clientele, the Candid truly excels in that most important of arts – that of living.
Yours as ever
Max Obolensky.
Candid Arts Café 3 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NQ 020 7278 9368 Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-5pm Available for bookings, parties and private hire *