Sketch Lecture Room and Library

Went to Sketch with the company, not somewhere I would visit again. The place was gorgeous, and the cocktails at the beginning were lovely. The Service was attendtive and all teh staff were knowledgable. The let down was the food. We all had the tasting menu, six courses, none of which were particularly outstanding. The mix of flavours was at times over powering and at times non existant, there did not appear to be any middle ground. The desserts were nice, but come on, 5 main courses, followed by 6 desserts? A looney menu choice. For the price of the place, I would expect more, there are other restaurants in a similar category which I would opt for over Sketch.
Comment on this reader review

Mark
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, February 07, 2006

I visited the Gallery on a night out (without food) and realised that the Sketch establishment is somewhere very special and with a definite WOW factor for anyone entering for the first time. I decided that my girlfriend and I hadn't been out for a while so had a quick look on this website for some food reviews.

I found that there were several different restaurants and having eaten at Chez Bruce earlier in the year, I decided to book a table in the Lecture Room and Library.

The website has full info on all of their menus and I knew before we went that we would both be going for the tasting menu - 6 courses at £90 each.

We arrived a little early on the night and went through to the cocktail bar for a quick Tai Tai and Mum's Pink Lemonade which were both excellent.

After being escorted to our table, by the impossibly perfect David, we were introduced to our sommelier and offered an aperitif. We decided upon a selection of 3 small glasses of a Rosé Champagne (I forget what it was) from 1990, 89 & 88. I’ve never heard of this before but it is such an excellent idea!

After that we chose the tasting menu and then the sommelier talked us through the wine list and recommended a bottle of white to start which was £250! I quickly explained slightly embarrassingly that my budget would be £200 for a bottle of white and a red to follow. He managed to make me feel comfortable straight away and helped us choose a 2002 Puligny Montrache at £82 and an excellent 95 Cornas at £86.

All I can say about the food is that every single piece was absolute perfection! I’m sure that the Chantilly of Foie Gras will raise a few eyebrows as it is unlike anything I’ve ever tried. The Rabbit and Crab Rillettes were excellent, but our favourite had to be the Fillet of Deer with a red cabbage marmalade, redcurrant jelly, cream of horseradish, quince purée and Iranian saffron. The deserts were amazing and the whole thing was complimented by impeccable service. The only hiccup of the entire evening was when the sommelier had poured a small amount of our wine to the next table. He came over and apologised profusely, while offering us another bottle, or perhaps a bottle of champagne. We decided that we’d like to have some champagne after our meal in the cocktail bar which they happily obliged to. The way we were escorted down to a reserved table in the bar and poured complimentary champagne made us feel like the best served customers in the building!

Ok, the meal came to £470 including service, but I tipped another £40 because the whole thing was worth every penny.

Forget what other people say about Sketch. This is unbelievably exquisite food topped with an unforgettable experience. Check this place out!
Comment on this reader review

Tom Chubb
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Excellent review by the "Irishman" in October. Just returned from an evening at Sketch Lecture Room. Ambiance: Excellent, Service: Great, Food: Good, Wine: Fine Value For Money: OK Would I go back? Not in a hurry. I thought the food was pretentious and over the top, the wine priced at the very top of expectations, the tables were well spread out but the restaurant was a an all smoking restaurant, my food therefore was often nicotine laced. I don't see the point of spending £200 a head and having to endure being confronted with the next table smoking. It would be healthies for you and better value for money to eat at a fine dining restaurant that doesn't force you to breathe second hand smoke, we left as soon as possible and will not return as a result, those who object to smokey enverinoments should do like wise, those who love their food and don't care about what's in and trendy would also do better to eat elsewhere. Otherwise great.
Comment on this reader review

EdwardB
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Saturday, December 17, 2005