Jan Moir's review of Sketch Gallery and Lecture Room (The Telegraph)
Sketch Lecture Room & Library
Sketch Parlour
Sketch West Bar
Sketch Gallery reviews
This was the worst dining experience of my life and so ridiculously overpriced to boot. Rude, rude, rude is all I can say for the waiter who went on a rant at my Australian friend who did not have a chip and pin in her credit card. Food was boring, tastelss and luke-warm. Nothing good to say about this place at all. Absolutely AWFUL.
by emmacerudwen, 12 Feb 2008Was at Sketch a couple of weeks ago. Found the staff to be friendly but a little over-familiar and the food good but a but gimicky. I prefer simple, well cooked food but this kind of cooking is great for desserts, which were the highlight of the meal. The decor is amazing and is the main USP of the place, but the DJ who comes on around 10pm was too loud too early and a bit intrusive. All in all though, a very good place to go for a celebration, especially if someone else is paying.
by westlake72, 20 Dec 2006Good food, professional staff. Watched the France vs. Portugal game there a few months ago and the atmosphere was so cozy and exclusive. Would recommend it at least once, on a Thursday or Friday night.
by rea "top london reviewer" (17 reviews), 21 Oct 2006I was unfortunate to find myself at Sketch last night and although I had a great time due to the company I was in, as far as the food was concerned it was a truly dreadful experience.
I had been ages ago when it first opened and had a great night drinking cocktails and dancing. I know that with changes in the kitchen the food has been great, then bad, then great again, while pastries have been consistently excellent. Last night however was a real shocker.
It was a girls' night out for a group of seven. We had a set menu, priced at £45. I started with the preserved aubergine with sake, followed by the sea bass and haddock, both execrable. The aubergine was bland and made bitter by a really unattractive sake sorbet; (if the aubergine had had some flavour it may have been an interesting combination).
The fish was overcooked and had been drowned in a puree of mash. While mine was under-seasoned, my neighbour's was far too salty. The dessert of tiny choux pastries however looked stunning and was relatively pleasant. The bread was also good.
What irritates me is that we could have gone to Locanda Locatelli for a lovely impeccable meal for not much more or somewhere like Yauatcha for good food and a fun atmosphere for much less. However you look at it, we were ripped off.
It was a shame as the evening started off well with the lovely welcome from the delightful woman at the entrance.
I've eaten in Sketch Gallery a number of times and had many a great night. The menu all seems very strange, but the food's certainly delicious. I absolutely loved the lamb! The nice chap on the front desk invited us to the new Parlour bar (invites only, but apparently we can request these in advance). It's so much nicer than the previous cake room - kind of a bohemian gentleman's club feel. Will come again and would definitely recommend.
by aazat, 03 Mar 2006Every time, food is getting too salty. Have you ever tried your own makings, chef?
by cheeseburger711 (15 reviews), 05 Aug 2005Unconventional design, like the rest of Sketch, and I personally found the dining area a little too large for my tastes. But the food was much better than I expected - well presented and delicious. The "friends bar" at the side of the restaurant was also very charming and cosy.
by Sarah M. "top london reviewer" (32 reviews), 13 Nov 2004Have we missed a great restaurant in London? Let us know.
Photograph © Sketch Gallery
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