Dinner date @ sketch

Sketch was one of the first places I went when I first moved to London. Being drawn in by the funny egg-shaped cubicles and colourful ceiling in the toilets and the abstract art throughout the restaurant and bars it is definitely one of my favourite places now. Although I have been several times for cocktails (perhaps more than I’d like to admit) and a few more for afternoon tea, I had never actually had dinner at the Gallery. It was recently renovated by India Mahdavi and the walls are covered by artist David Shrigley‘s work.

Before that it always drew my attention, when I was on my way to the bar, because of it’s mismatched chairs. Supposedly no single chair was the same as another (this was an installation by Martin Creed btw). Now, the main restaurant, the Gallery, hold a more uniformed look. Covered in pink and rose gold, I knew I had to visit this time.

The walls hold more than 200 drawings by David Shrigley, the largest ever exhibition of his work. He has also took over the ceramic tableware featuring his distinctive drawings and texts, interacting with Pierre Gagnaire‘s food. The classic, elegant aesthetic of the restaurant comes in contrast with the playful drawings on the walls.

Not only that, but Richard Nicoll has created bespoke uniforms for the Gallery staff, playing on his classic T-shirt dress silhouette for the girls and for the boys changing the boiler suit into and elegant and practical uniform.

We shared a selection of French and British cheeses, the baked one in the middle was my favourite.

My main course was so so delicious and filling. I had a chicken fricassée with pumpkin gnocchi, dried apricots and spinach with gratin dauphinois (baked potatoes with cream).

He had the steak tartare, which is essentially raw meat and I couldn’t try it but he seemed fairly pleased!

For dessert, because there’s always room for dessert, he had the Belle Île; almond panacotta with exotic fruit.

And I had La Rochelle; a selection of seasonal sorbet (lemon, raspberry and mango – mango was the best) with fresh fruits and marshmallows. So light and fresh, and really complimentary to the rest of the meal.