sketch - Lecture Room & Library

http://www.gourmandgunno.com/blog/2019/2/8/sketch-top-of-its-league
The title says it all. Sketch may have been open since 2003 but it deservedly remains one of the best fine dining locations in London, its two Michelin stars thoroughly merited. A meal in its Lecture Room & Library was my culinary highlight of 2018, and a return visit there on a recent Saturday night reinforced how Sketch could also be in contention for the 2019 award. What makes it so good? Well to merit two stars, the experience needs to be the complete package: atmosphere, service, food and drink. Indeed, it was hard to fault any of these. Without wishing to repeat comments from my previous review, Sketch delivers opulent decadence by the spoonful: think a beautifully decorated room, where everything seems tastefully thought-through yet neither over the top nor out of place. When it comes to the food, no wonder the word panache is a French one, for this adjective perhaps best describes what Pierre Gagnaire and his team attempts here. Across a six-course tasting menu (omnivorous for me, vegetarian for my comrade), there was ample opportunity to demonstrate the practical application of this noun. My menu began with the artfully named ‘magenta’, an offering of pink sea bream and gambero Rossi coated with quince gel and combined with Jerusalem artichoke jelly and sliced cauliflower. If ever there were one, then this was a bold and inspired combination which worked perfectly, the flavours melding seamlessly. Elsewhere, a scallop dish served with braised turnips and seaweed butter (pictured) and a daring pairing of poached cod with a foie gras cream impressed, while my comrade rated highly her ‘Chantilly Lace’, a lovely marriage of onion subise with black winter truffle. Paired wines throughout showed great thought too, with a quite unique Chinon from 1989 being the stand-out glass. Nonetheless, Sketch saved the best until last with its ‘gragrand dessert’ selection, namely, vignettes of ...

Everything was excellent but of course, in particular, the food. We got a vegetarian tasting menu and it was faultless with an interesting mix of flavours. The chef also accepted a small request for a minor change. With respect to other similar restaurants, I think the wines are a bit more expensive, that motivates my slightly lower mark for the "value" rating.

Great atmosphere, great service and fantastic food and wine

Very thoughtful and elegant dining experience. The service was outstanding and it was such a joy to see each room decorated for Christmas.

Overall my wife and myself had a fantastic time at Sketch. Amazing service and food. Unfortunately however the next day I came down with a rather nasty case of food poisoning. Which obviously put a bit of damper on the whole experience

I booked Sketch with the highest of expectations and they were exceeded on EVERY level! I've never been anywhere that has been so highly reviewed, yet still managed to over deliver on my expectation. It was magical. The service, the dining, the ambiance took perfect to another level for me. In five words, delight, bewitch, dazzle, glow and tingle! It was a spectacular cacophony of elegance and extravagant cool. Things that shouldn't work, and you'd never dream of putting side by side, not only did but exploded into a never ending stream of sunshine and rainbows. I now believe in unicorns too! If you can only visit one place, this is it! Whatever your taste in food, drink or surroundings Sketch not only has it, it delivers it in a manner than cannot be equaled. Yeah! I was impressed. The staff could not have been more helpful from beginning to end, and I have more photos that you could ever imagine possible! Wow! Just wow! And finally..... my guest was vegan, and they adapted the tasting menu without hesitation or compromise. I'm very reluctant to recommend anywhere, but I'd not hesitate to recommend Sketch, the wonderland!

Incredible truffle taglioni and lobster bisque. Faultless service, incredible ambience and theatre.

Nice atmosphere and great, eclectic dining room. Wine list was super and service good. Both my wife and I thought the food was hit and miss - some of the dishes seemed to be over complicated (they all looked great though). Lamb was a particular disappointment - over cooked and limp, somehow at the same time. Deserts fantastic. All in all, worth it for the location, room and wine. Don’t expect Michelin quality in the food though. 4/5 stars.

Absolutely amazing. Truly special and a delightful experience. One we will never forget.

Nice surprise! Great tasting menu with surprising flavours. The venue is a spectacular mixture of different style - the very relaxed athmosphere contributes to a great experience. Definetely earned its rating