Sketch Gallery

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

I loved the atmosphere of Sketch, from the staff that welcomed us, the art, the tables and chairs, the different food to the toilets! All the staff were very kind and professional, especially the sommeliers. The only thing that slightly upset us was the attitude of our waiter. As we arrived quite late in the evening we only wanted to sit back and relax with a bottle of wine and a small main course and dessert . We felt like we were being looked down on for not ordering at least 3 courses each and when the (small) maincourse arrived the waiter basically slammed the plates on our table. My friend has been here before and there has never been a problem with only ordering one or two courses so this experience was a bit surprising. Especially since his attitude was so far away from the rest of the staffs'!
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 5
Saturday, June 30, 2007

Went on Saturday night with a group of friends and although we had a great time, I wouldn’t rush back here in a hurry. The room/ decor is rather special and the service was great throughout but the food - for that price - was criminal.

I started with ‘Spring is in the air’ which was basically some really bitter lettuce leaves, covered in 1cm deep of flavourless pea soup, with some steamed veggies and some marmalade(!) and salted strawberries on the side. The waiter instructed me to ‘play with the flavours’ but I wish I hadn’t bothered – it really didn’t work and cost me £11 finding out! I’d much rather had a good simple bowl of beautifully made pea and mint soup…but I guess that’s not the point at Sketch.

My main was a noodle, black olive and tofu combo. The flavours were better, but for £17 it was a pretty mean portion size and certainly nothing out of the ordinary. The side orders of steamed veg were also seriously overcooked. Pretty basic order no?

I think my meat/ fish eating friends faired a bit better and the chocolate tart was certainly delicious but I truly believe when you are paying those prices everyone should have a great culinary experience.

If you’re happy to pay a bit more for your food, there are so many better restaurants than Sketch nearby.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Noodle and Tofu was tastless with weird mixture of combination. Dishonest food ever tasted in my life.

Tried too hard to be different. I was confused with the word " restaurant" because Food was just so bad. HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED... DO NOT GO...
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Friday, April 06, 2007

Having met up with a great friend, caught up with news and browsed the shops, we made our way to Sketch for afternoon tea. Our visit was very much influenced by some recent favourable reviews, curiosity about the venue and its ecelectic approach to interior design and a passion for afternoon teas.

We checked the menu, admired the decor and were shown to a table.

From that point on, enjoyment diminished rapidly.

Our sandwiches were made from bread that was unmistakably stale - hard, dry and tasteless. The bread could only have been of the cheapest, white variety and we were staggered that an essential element like bread, the cheapest component, could be as obvioulsy awful as it was.

Unusually for us (and it took a fair degree of courage!), we pointed out our disappointment to the waitress. this was our third request to have the sandwiches changed, as the selection of sandwiches had not been as ordered initially and subsequently.

I invited the waitress to feel the texture of the bread (probably too stale for ducks to be interetsed in!) and she expressed concern, apologised and arranged for yet more replacements.

Clearly, this worsened our situation - the final selection was only marginally better, with some of the bread as stale as we had experienced already. What had changed considerably was the quantity of filling - especially the smoked salmon. This was much reduced.

The cakes, whilst served on interesting and appealing tableware, looked much better than they tasted - we left these after trying them.

And the final challenge, for us, was advising the waitress (and then the manageress) that in view of our incredibly disappointing experience we did not wish to pay the 'discretionary' service charge.

On the plus side, having eaten very little of my afternoon tea, and said goodbye to my friend, I was in a great position to race up the platform, at Waterloo, to catch my almost-departing train back to Winchester!
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Alison - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Sunday, March 11, 2007

Sketch for Valentine's day. Bill over 100£/person (for 4). Best thing was wine Chambolle from Dujac. Worst experience ever in London for a restaurant of this standing. My filet steak (about 120 g) was overcooked and I mentioned it to my wife. The server approached and said "if it is not cooked enough, I can take it back...". I answered "actually overcooked", answer "errh sorry, can't take it back!". Second server approached and enquired...same answer, same reaction... I did not say anything and after 1 month am still angry... This steak must have cost them less than 2 £ and the bill bill then came at nearly 500£...with a mistake...guess which way??...It was corrected on request...at least! Do not hesitate to pass on to Restaurant!
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Antoine Songeur
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Thursday, March 08, 2007

Visited on the 3rd March 2007. Service was exceptional.Food was exquisite.The attention to detail amazing.A thoroughly worthwhile experience.Can't wait to go back
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S A & J FARNSWORTH
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 06, 2007

What a unique place. Every time i go back it's a whole new experience. The food gets better and better. Maybe the quantity needs to be reconsidered. The sommeliers are very helpful. At the end, it's all about the atmosphere of the place.
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Haris - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, February 21, 2007

If you're an aesthete and love club music this is the place for you. From the 3d wallpaper in the small dimly lit bar, to the projections of pencils being sharpened in the large mainly white restaurant to the other worldly pod loos. I was absolutely ecstatic at the imagination used at Sketch. The food was a bit nouvelle cuisine and expensive but really rather good, staff were a league of nations but friendly and attentive. My friends and I just loved it and had a fab time. GO!!
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Lynne Moncrieff - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Monday, January 29, 2007

The Galery @ Sketch ?

This night was simply perfect , The mix between food,music & art is stunning ! The service is unspeakable, fun and efficient. Great team !

I will come back as soon as I can.
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N.zagafrelli
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, January 03, 2007