The Weekend With I can’t afford this but maybe she can

Malika: “La Fábrica, the abandoned 1920s cement factory just outside Barcelona, transformed by Ricardo Bofill into one of the most extraordinary homes and creative spaces imaginable. A monumental maze of concrete silos, soaring ceilings, invaded by greenery. I was lucky to visit it once and have been daydreaming about going back ever since. Brutalist and poetic, all at once. They sometimes do visits on appointment when they can spare the time.”

George: “I share my life with an unruly three-year-old, which means I’m currently trying to empty my mind rather than fill it. So my can’t-miss event is sitting in a sauna and staring out to sea for an hour. The weather’s turning, which means sauna season is back.”

Malika: “In my wildest dreams, I would have the time to (re)read one of my favourite books, like Ocean Sea by Alessandro Baricco. It’s a masterpiece, and one that can be rediscovered every other year. The layers of narrative are just insane, taking you down a rabbit hole of eras, atmospheres and places, to the point that you don’t really know where you are or when you are. Such a rare feeling, and a true escape for anyone who fancies getting lost in a book.”

George: “I recently went on a deep dive into the world of Officine Universelle Buly for our Instagram account and read their massive book cover to cover. So much beautiful packaging, plus a real commitment to reviving dying crafts. Delicious. In parallel, I’m reading troubleshooting tips for potty training. Less delicious.”

Malika: “I’d like to shout out Bocanariz, a tiny wine bar tucked away in the Gràcia neighbourhood of Barcelona (mine!). A great list of natural and low-intervention wines, delicious bites and small plates, and a menu that rarely changes. I am an animal of habit and, as you’ve probably guessed by now, I like to repeat the good things in life. The team, mostly Argentinian, are also super lovely and the music is always on point.”

George: “OctoberBest is nearly here, when Brighton’s best restaurants put on set menus for 35 pounds. After missing out four years running, I’m finally getting to Etch, where Steven Edwards’ signatures include a Marmite brioche and his take on a dippy egg. I’d also send you to Kitgum Kitchen, Fourth and Church and The Set.”

Malika: “I have just started Youth with (and by) Sharon Horgan and I’m already hooked. I have loved her writing ever since Catastrophe and she has this incredible way of making the messier bits of life both painfully funny and painfully familiar. Also, she is hilarious. Given the opportunity, I would spend my entire weekend with her.”

George: “I’m a long-time John Wilson fan. As someone who can’t resist a conversational tangent, I love that he builds whole episodes out of them. His episode How to find a public restroom had me cry-laughing, especially when he locks himself inside an automatic toilet just to see how it cleans itself. I can’t wait for his first feature film, The History of Concrete.”