Sketch Gallery

I just come back from Sketch, the venur, the ambiance and the atmosphere is gorgeous really it is a real delight for your eyes! But well I have to say, that I work for a really famous chef in London and if I did the third of what the staff were doing, I would have been fired for sure. I will say that the italian lady who served us was really nice but one waiter was really rude and interrupted each time how conversation to clean the table. He took away the bread and butter and I wanted more, he started to serve my partner and I am a lady, I mean we took a nice bottle of Dom Perignon which is quite expensive, however even if they have to treat everybody the same he was not nice at all, mo one smile. I wont complain because I do not want everybody to be in trouble, but if you have the choice for sure you have to go it must be seen but do not expect the best service ever.
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Amandine
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Not sure It’s £45 a head – think our bill was more like £100 a head without drifting too far towards the bottom of the wine list. I wasn’t expecting to find the food either interesting or gormet – but I think it ticked the boxes fairly well. The food was a bit different, full of character and fairly artistic which matched the surroundings well. In my opinion this restaurant will leave you with much to talk about– certainly not one you’ll forget very fast. – I’m looking forward to going back there soon.

In regards to all the comments about the cost; you WILL NOT find value for money in Mayfair. This restaurant is expensive, but not by central London standards. I’d certainly not say it’s overprices, if it were it probably wouldn’t be full to capacity every night – would it?
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Ollie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, January 15, 2008

I must say that with all the hype of being such a special venue, I was very disappointed with what I encountered. The venue is really out of this world, a magnificent set up and truly glamorous. As for the food, it came across as the chef was trying too hard and forgetting the simple things. It was almost a return of nouvelle cuisine and the dreaded 80's. At least the bar and club down stairs were serving cracking cocktails and playing some atmosphere enhancing tunes
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Food was not amazing, but the service and atmosphere were fun and trendy. The Gallery itself is great and the video pictures kept us entertained all night. Place was really busy for a Tuesday. Worth a trip to see the toliets alone!
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GM
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, November 28, 2007

What has happened!?

I used to be the biggest fan of the Gallery at Sketch constantly raving about the great service, amazing food and wonderful atmosphere.

I decided about a year ago to have a break in order to sample some other restaurants but couldn't help but return last week as I had greatly missed both the wonderful food and the atmosphere.

All I can say is that the restaurant seems to have peaked a couple of years ago, so unfortuantely diners now are more living on it's past glory rather than current levels.

The food is still good, but not up to past standards and therefore definately overpriced, poor service, lost elegance (the address is now printed on the plates - tacky!) and a change in atmosphere due to the increased number of tables now crammed in all mean that what I valued as an important part of Sketch has now gone.

I can still recommend the gallery to those who haven't ever experienced it, just be prepared for a watered down / tourist / mass market friendly version of the amazing restaurant you have probably heard about.

Such a shame.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

I dined at Sketch on Friday 21st September with my boyfriend, which had been arranged as a surprise.

As soon as we entered the restaurant we were looked after by the Maitre De and team of waiters and waitresses. The service was excellent and we were never left waiting for anything. The meal was unusual but very enjoyable. Yes the food is expensive but in a restaurant like this you are paying for atmosphere and quirky surroundings.

The bar to the side of the restaurant is again very quirky and I loved the pod/egg cubicles upstairs.

The only mistake we made was ordering individual glasses of wine instead of a bottle, 4 glasses set us back £52!

I would definitely recommend this restaurant, as it is certainly unlike anywhere I have eaten before with lots of wonderful and unique features.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Friday, September 28, 2007

I went to Sketch Gallery with my family. We booked the reservation about two weeks in advance and were surprised to see only about 3 tables. When we arrived we were greeted by the Maitre De. We were a few minutes early for are reservation. He took us down to the Gallery for a tour.... even know the resturant has a spectacular interior, a tour kind of takes away from the experiences. It almost felt like a museum guide taking us through. He then took us to the so called Members Lounge, were random people from the street were just coming in so we are not quite sure how it is the "members" lounge. We were unable to get a drink as the waiters chatted at the bar. We sat there for 30 minutes in the uncomfortable bar setting that looked like it was from Narnia. The Maitre De then came and took us to the resturant. We sat down. The waiter came and asked if we would like bread. Of course we agreed after being un-noticed in the "Members" lounge. We later learned that 3 pieces of bread for a table of four... not sure how that works out cost 8.00 pounds. The menu looked good. The prices a little high, but you expect that for high quality food. The appetizers were strange but actually quite good! We then recieved a small paper with all our orders on it I guess the the waiters didn't forget! My mom ordered a class of wine when we sat down... she still had not received it. The waiter later came by and asked... would you like some wine. She repiled that she had already ordered some. It took about 30 minutes arrive after that. The waiters seemed to have no knowledge about the wine list. My dad asked what a good red wine was the waiter looked stunned. He then peered over the wine list, and hesitantly said "may..ybe that one" My dad repiled yes thinking he new what he was doing. It ended up being in the total wrong category of wine than what he was looking at. When our meals arrived the presentation was horrible. I had the fillet which was actually quite good, simple. My brother had the gnocchi with strawberry jam... he said it was the worst meal he ever had. It was burnt, hard, and tasteless. The jam didn't help ether. My mom had the sea bass. On the menu it said it had pancetta when it says that you usually think like one slice. When it arrived it was covered with about 8 layers of pancetta, Totally covering the taste of the fish. My dad had the mixed grill, it looked like something from the frozen food section of your local grocery store. It was sitting on top of seran wrap! The desserts were mediocre. When we received the check it came with a piece of sand paper I guess so you can take your anger out! I would never go to this restaurant again, and would not recommend it to any one
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Friday, August 24, 2007

The atmosphere is great, the music is brilliant and the decoration is worth to see. The food is not awesome but not bad either. I had the tartare which was OK and my husband had the fillet. The witer was only correct while the sommelier was very helpful. We were very close to a table where 15 teenagers had dinner so it was a little bit noisy. I am not sure I would go back again, think is a little bit expensive for the quality of the food.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 3
Monday, July 30, 2007

Amazing restaurant! Appalling service!

From the moment we arrived for drinks in the parlour it all went wrong. We sat waiting for some service for nearly 10 minutes whilst the staff (all 20 of them) talked and avoided all eye contact with us. Finally after a frantic wave of my hand we spoke to a waitress who told us she would send someone else over.

10 minutes later our waitress comes to take our order. Order placed, 1 bottle of white wine & 4 glasses and 1 glass of red. A further 10 minutes and a 1 glass of white and 1 glass of red was delivered to out neighbouring table. Simple mistake they were meant for us….but obviously the wrong order….back to square 1….reordered the wine….further 5 minutes for drinks to arrive… 20 minutes later and ready to order another bottle, our ever so friendly waiting staff manage to avoid all eye contact again….. You get the picture… Anyway on to dinner…., walking to table and all members of staff smiling and very welcoming…..that is until we get to our table (in a great spot) Our French waiter happens to be the most miserable person we have ever encountered. We smile, we are pleasant and still this guy is determined not to remotely make our experience enjoyable.

The food and venue was amazing. The service really lets this place down. We like many others did not pay our discretionary service charge, which is a shame for staff who do work hard. The manager spoke to us and offered us free champagne tp apologise which we turned down so we at least felt like they were aware of their service issues.

We will go back to give what could be a great restaurant and bar another chance.
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Jason - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Friday, July 27, 2007

A great experience if you're ready to pay for it. The food is original and delicious, the service is friendly, the atmosphere modern and not too posh.

As a French guy I have to mention that some of the dishes have been designed by Pierre Gagnaire. Probably the most inventive 3 stars chef in France. And design is not only in your plate at this restaurant.

Went to the gallery for diner in February and had a nice drink in July.
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Chris
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, July 24, 2007