My favourite spot of all-time must be Sketch! The place has “good taste” from its surname to the décor, to the different spaces and the gourmet. Every person that comes in town and no doubts that I will be already on the phone making a reservation. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to work as a front of house of this incredible place whilst at university. I made lots of contacts which I will have for life, perfect for connecting with the most creative minds.
Sketch is the brainchild of French master chef Pierre Gagnaire and restaurateur Mourad Mazouz. This 18th-century building was previously the Atelier of Christian Dior for 15 years as well as the the former headquarters of the Royal Institute of British Architects. It has been completely redesigned as the home for incredible food, art and music, in a daring experimental style close to the hearts of both visionary founders.
Sketch is divided into different rooms, each with its individual functions and qualities, I will go through one by one so you don’t get lost! First welcome to Sketch, make sure you hopscotch your way in!
As soon as you arrive you are greeted by one awesome hostess, years ago it would have been me or another girl and David (if you are a Sketch regular frequenter, for sure you know who David is – the tall, Irish, lovely man).
To your right is the Parlour, a very versatile room since it opens for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and later in the day it transforms into a a members bar! It puts you on the mode of “Alice in Wonderland”, very arty with vintage furniture and asserted sofas, the waitresses all dressed up in cute pink outfit and all stars. I suggest going for afternoon tea, they have amazing cakes and snacks, for sure you will have a great time!
Then, as you come to the hall you will be greeted by art works all over. One by Claudio Leveque that leads your imagination on and it says: “JOEUZ!” in french which means Play. You are intrigued then by what is to come next… In a matter of a second you turn your head to the right and you think you are going mad by seeing things, you look back and you see the word “love”, it is playing with your head. You look straight and you see nothing but a light post. I am talking about one work that I am fascinated by from Chris Levine where if you look straight you will just see a light but as soon as you move your head to the right and left the word LOVE comes up.
Sorry if I am getting carried away here, but I truly love the place this much. So… if you ascend the stairs you will find the Lecture Room & Library designed by Gahban O’Keeffe. Unlike the other rooms, this is the most formal of them all with a two Michelin stars with impeccable service and detail. The ‘tasting’ and ‘a la carte’ menus were evolved by French Master Chef Pierre Gagnaire and it gives you a full experience of a spectacular dining.
