5. July 2014: Restaurant sketch

The start of the evening was the “‘Ajo Blanco’ which was served with melon sorbet and julienne of palmhearts” (GBP 12.00). While the combination of a quite strong garlic soup together with a rather light sorbet and melon slices was definitely not only an interesting but a good one, the palmhearts did not cause much effect but creating this feeling of crunchiness while being somehow chewy at the same time.

Besides the plate which contained the street names where the restaurant is located the “Sketch filet de boeuf tartare, summer 2014” (GBP 24.00) proofed to be very tasty. On top of the tartare were a couple of dried cubes, vegetables as well as bacon all prepared on a layer of jelly. Now, what the jelly had to do there, I did not understand – as it added absolutely nothing in taste. Overall, the tartare was definitely good as the meat was definitely of good quality but the rest, the “experimental” part was rather disappointing.

The whole dish was served with something like a “vodka tomato soup” which was either to be poured onto the tartare or to be consumed separately. I decided to have it separately as I did not want to ruin the meat with the vodka tomato soup. The soup itself was quite tasty but also rather salty. The tiny “green beans salad” which also came with the dish was a nice refreshing element besides the meat.

The “Fricassee of tomatoes, apricots and basil” (GBP 5.00) I decided to have as a side dish was mouth-watering good. The tomatoes were already fine but in combination with the apricots (and the basil) it just made a very sound and round dish – lovely!

The “Sketch Love Apricot (Kirsch parfait, apricot-rosemary compote, lemon vent de sable)” (GBP 10.00) was only partially to my liking. The lemon vent de sable were incredibly tasty – light, fluffy, almost like you are eating a cloud having a hint of lemon taste. The apricot-rosemary compote was somehow not really my thing – while undoubtable prepared with high quality it was just not really what I liked.

The prices are – looking at the single dishes – generally okay as the food is definitely good and the same applies for the beverages (i.e double espresso, GBP 4.00; bottle of still water, GBP 4.50) but frankly speaking for what I had I consider approx. CHF 128.00 absolutely enough. And to charge GBP 12.00 for a glass of Malbec which was definitely nothing outstanding is also quite a stretch. What is truly great about the Restaurant sketch is the decoration – and once more it lays in the detail as not only the single plates are decorated nicely but also the coffee cup. Once you have finished your coffee you can find the inscription “Forget about it” on the ground of the cup.

Besides that you also find three little salter on your table labelled “Dirt”, “Nothing”, and “Dust”. Dirt stands for pepper and Dust for salt – as in every other restaurant. But obviously I was wondering what would land on my hand once I turned “Nothing” around – and, surprise, surprise, absolutely nothing came out. So the “Nothing” is there for decoration only which I consider quite funny.

Besides the details the place itself is great as it is very atmospheric and somehow it makes you feel comfortable right away – the waiters are mostly caring but you need to be patient (approx. 20 minutes) when you order your bill. It took them a solid 20 minutes to bring the bill which is – even if the whole place is pulsating and busy – just way too long.

In case you wonder why the name of the restaurant is sketch you will immediately understand once you have entered the place. There are a variety of sketches pinned to the walls making it clear why they the place is called “sketch”. Frankly, I think that some do not really belong in a restaurant but most of them are absolutely funny or even hilarious.

The drinks they prepare are quite good too. I had the “Kick the ketel (Stop! Take a break with Ketel One Vodka, cool cucumber and exotic lychee, shaken till ice cold. Relax and enjoy. Perhaps one more?)” (GBP 13.50) which was absolutely great to take a break. What was not so great was the possibility to watch the barkeeper and seeing him stiring the drink with a straw, liking the straw and putting it in the next drink to stir it again. That is just groce!

Besides the little drink incident, I must admit that the restaurant sketch is definitely a place I will visit again when I’m in London the next time. The place is stylish, has a very Bohemian atmosphere, the crowd is excellent with well-dressed people (which makes it unavoidable to have a reservation for the evening), the food is good but a bit over-prized, the service does generally a fine job but definitely not an outstanding one and last but not least the bar keeper tends to spread his spit across various drinks – but I guess that’s in!

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Contact Details:

Restaurant sketch

Conduit Street 9

W1S 2XG London (UK)

Tel.: +44 20 76 59 45 00

Homepage: https://www.sketch.uk.com

About the Author: Sven

I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org. Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City.