sketch is a new dining, music, art experience in the heart of London. Its home on Conduit
Street, is a substantial 18th-century town house that has been
converted into a stately gastrodome, with a cafe and patisserie, a bar
and brasserie, and fine dining restaurant,
divided into two parts, the Library and the Lecture Room. Different interior architects were brought in to design different rooms – including the Pod toilets.
The Gallery at sketch has just been voted 18th in Restaurant magazine’s prestigious annual ‘50 Best Restaurants in the World’
(The unfortunately named ;) Pierre Gagnaire’s cuisine is stands up well against other restaurants in London but it is not strong enough to prevent it being eclipsed by the sheer presence of Gagnaire and Algerian restaurateur ‘Mamo’ Mazouzes’ uniquely created ambience.
Despite various critics’ comments, the food is average, however, the restaurant scene is not always about good food. More and more restaurateurs are turning their attention away from traditional, clean cut modern themes (Daphnes, Clerkenwell Dining Room, etc) to embrace a montage of eras (in our era of the 00ties, which struggles for a theme). sketch at least puts its case forward whilst other restaurants yield to the shear ballsiness of the project.
Though the place is not so personal than many restaurants, the Gallery is not the place for romance. Loud media laughter and rich banter fill the air whilst modern art is beamed across the walls in this expansive hall. The whole place is alive and the experience is felt when you realise you are just as much a crucial part of it as everyone else. You leave fulfilled, fed full of imagery and culturally watered.
sketch, 9 Conduit Street, London W1S – 0870 777 4488
Contributed by Dominic Fawkes
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I have an amusing Sketch story. I used to work for a crazy financial services company that had its own proprietary restaurant reviews, all submitted by its affluent clientele.
These were people accustomed to buying their way into anywhere and being treated like royalty. Ergo, the reviews of Sketch were hilarious.
People would complain about calling up for reservations and being told that they weren’t famous enough. The ones who did get in talked about sitting next to Boy George (apparently, he goes there a lot) and being overcharged tremendously for the honor.
I wouldn’t say that Sketch goes for an era-montage. Judging from the attitude and star-power, they seem to be all about the ’80s.
May 10th, 2005 at 12:38 pm