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Summary
If Willy Wonka was a restaurateur, he might open this perennial fashionista favourite in a huge Mayfair Palazzo, with its shimmering walls and artworks by Yinka Shonibare adorning the walls (not to mention the egg-shaped WCs). Actually, it’s the work of Parisian dining impresario, Mourad Mazouz, and has been a talking point of the London restaurant-scene since it first opened in 2003. For the uninitiated, maybe dip your toe in the water with afternoon tea, with its “delicious finger foods, sprightly service and no rush to move you on”. That it’s “very expensive” is part of its DNA however, and those visiting for its dinner menu of wacky European dishes are fairly likely to find it “poor” and/or “overpriced”.
Summary
“Whimsical” decor – including artworks from Yinka Shonibare on the walls and famous egg-shaped WC cubicles – creates the “quirky and distinctive ambience” of this fashionista favourite, which enjoys a spectacular location inside a Grade II-listed Palladian mansion in Mayfair. Despite the odd highpoint in reports though, the relatively straightforward cooking “doesn’t live up to the hype” or “justify the prices” (in contrast to its genuinely good sibling upstairs in the ‘Lecture Room & Library’, see also).
Summary
A gorgeous, Grade II Palladian Mansion… glowing pink-hued walls, high ceilings, glam banquettes… incredible artworks from Yinka Shonibare… über-chef Pierre Gagnaire’s menu… what’s not to like about this famous Mayfair venue? The fact that it’s seen as being mightily “overpriced” with forgettable food is the chief fault, which means that few other than fashionistas and first-timers are prepared to make the investment… even to go to the bog in a WC shaped like an egg!
Summary
You pay top dollar to eat quite literally inside an art installation in this room within Mourad Mazouz’s idiosyncratic Mayfair venue, where artist Yinka Shonibare’s pan-African vision replaced the former lurid pink-walled David Shrigley showcase in spring 2022. It makes for “great artefacts to look at”, while the food – either a lavish all-day ‘afternoon tea’ or dinner – is “very, very good”. “But my word it’s expensive” – even “unbelie overpriced” – is a repeated lament even from very enthusiastic reporters.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Sketch, Gallery?
9 Conduit St, London, W1S 2XG
Restaurant details
Sketch, Gallery Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Family birthday. We wanted to try the Library but due to wait lust had to settle for Gallery. After your reviews I was slightly concerned but was happily surprised. Terrific evening. Atmosphere is very Uber cool and the service was attentive. Very good sommelier. All agreed food was very good. Excellent wine list but wow - the prices ! Amazing venue "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
9 Conduit St, London, W1S 2XG
Opening hours
| Monday | 11 am‑4:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am‑4:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am‑4:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am‑4:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 11 am‑4:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am‑4:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑10 pm |
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