Sketch Parlour

I went to Sketch Parlour for afternoon tea despite having read the poor reviews. The visit started well with a polite welcome from the guy at the entrance but from then on in most of the staff proved to be lazy, distracted and unacceptably slow. We could see them in front of us sitting on the ledge chatting. We did enjoy the quirky interior and the menu appealed but we won't be going back in a hurry. We were there for nearly an hour and a half. They should remind themelves that service is as important as product and location.
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Stellla Rooney
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Funny this review saying that it s not allowed making reservations for the parlour. I ve called this morning and I ve been told the same, but...I came along and it was so funny I had five friends from germany with me and the waitress said there was only one big table available and it was reserved...I asked her : do you take reservations? she didnt know what to say but she was nice enough trying to sort out the situation when a manager came along and "kicked us out" in the very rude " Parlour" way. It was a big embarassement and my friends were insisting in trying a little bit more and finally the got us a table. Service was ok but I was not feeling comfortable after all. I wont come back and I dont recommend the place.
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Ilana Laschewitz
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 10
Sunday, March 18, 2007

The Parlour at Sketch is quite fun for the people watching and it's location is perfect for a quick revitalising stop after some Bond Street shopping. That said, the cakes etc. are ok, but grossly over-priced, the staff are absolutely terrible (it seems to be a mixture of utter incompetence, lacking social skills and an attitude that the customers are something of an inconivence who should be ignored as much as possible), whilst the last time I went even the atmosphere and people-watching were feeling a little deflated. The design of the Parlour might have been revolutionary in 1997, but it just isn't that exciting anymore, whilst honeslty the best thing is probably the lavatories with their fairytale-meets-sex shop design with neon lights, black lacquer, glittery bead curtains and fairytale music.

There are better places in Mayfair to see people and be seen and to have tea.
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GH
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Saturday, March 10, 2007

This place is below average. I see that one person, in their review,compared this place to Betty's of York! What an insult to Betty's which truly is in a league of its own- true perfection.

I was not pleased with them bringing the tea without a tea bag in the pot or the leaves left in the pot. The tea was weak and watery and they really should have left the tea leaves/bag as i felt the tea could have been stronger.

As for the pastries, well it was really tiny and over priced. Will not be visiting again as there are better places around like Wolseley.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, February 21, 2006

I went to Sketch Parlour in December 2005 but took my time in writing a review in the hope that a more positive review would pop up and make me change my mind.

The new refurb has made the parlour seem depressing and cold... such a change from the warmth and fun of earlier. I went with my parents and brother and sister-in-law, so we were quite a few, but well prepared to wait to be seated. We sent an advance party 45 minutes in advance and were still asked to wait for 25 minutes.

The place was packed, which is not unusual, but it was chaotic and the staff seemed confused. The kitchen ran out of cakes, there were small tartlets left but only of one kind. We waited 50 minutes for 3 pots of tea and 6 small tarts. Meanwhile, new people arriving around us were seated in a slap-dash fashion on chairs of a mixed assortment (which is usually quirky and fun, but some of these were normal dining room chairs with high backs, and some were small armchairs which were so much lower than the table... it was funny!). We were hungry and disappointed.

The bill for 6 was approx £50 which was just tea and cakes.. which was not value for money considering the messy service and the time spent waiting. It's a real shame, because Sketch was fun and afternoon tea was always a treat.

The refurb and new staff, have not turned the sketch experience into a pleasant one....I would not go back.
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sam
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Monday, January 30, 2006

I have been a regular at Sketch for a year but since they've changed the colour scheme of the Parlour to a depressing black gloomy cave, I have not wanted to go back since. It is NOT the sort of place I want to go in winter at 4 pm when it's dark. Shame.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 5
Friday, December 02, 2005