It’s All About the Atmosphere

The Gallery

Sketch restaurant in London is far more than just a restaurant with a cool atmosphere. Sketch has five different restaurants, all with a different and unique atmospheres that make it such a neat stop. First, there is the Gallery, which is a true dining experience. This room is only for dinner, and has an inventive menu with delicious meat, fish, and pastas for a high quality dinner. The reason this particular room is unique is because it is redesigned by a new artist once a month. I had the pleasure of viewing Martin Creed’s work, who won the March 2012 Turner Prize for his artistic creativity and ability. It is an artistic creation, art exhibition, and restaurant all in one. The Lecture Room is where the real fine dining is, where Sketch has a two Michellin star restaurant that has tasting menu options as well as a la carte. I did not get to try, but the two Michelin starts speak for themselves. Next comes the Glade, which is decorated with wood linings and a fairy-tale forest ambiance. This is the perfect place for afternoon tea and snacks to dip into the culture of London, or evening cocktails as well.

Chicken Cocette

Then there is the Parlour, which has a great lounge atmosphere and has options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tapas. Here, you will lay any comfy couches or soft cupcake stools and enjoy a casual and comfortable meal. I highly suggest the Chicken Cocette in peppercorn sauce that is perfected by light chips, as well as the Macaroni Cheese that is anywhere from simple. The cakes are their most famous, with many choices from the delicious Gateau Chocolat with salted butter caramel, chocolate mousse, and sponge cake, to the Lemon Love with macaroon, lemon, and basil curd, lemon coulis, soft meringue and shortbread. There is truly a cake for any taste pallet. The Parlour is also available for afternoon tea, as where I suggest for amateurs like me, the simple Breakfast Tea, a perfect taste of London.

The Bathrooms

This then brings us to the East Bar and the bathrooms – the most unique aspect of Sketch. Nuzzled into a two-floor room of sheer white is the pod-shaped, circular East Bar. Small, cozy, intimate, and very modern, the East Bar is an added treat. And the rest of the white? A completely open bathroom, with tiny pods for the toilets. Only a picture can really do them justice.

As delicious as the food is, this restaurant(s) is truly all about the atmosphere, which, I can fairly say, is far from Sketch-y.

Abroadcast

So now that my blog has told you my favorite restaurants all over Europe, I wanted to share my friends’ experiences as well. In this podcast I ask them questions about their favorite places and restaurants abroad. And to wrap up my top favorites after a whole semester of saying every meal and place was better than the rest, here are my answers to the questions as well!

What was your favorite city? All in all, Barcelona takes the cake. But if I had to choose one I traveled to, I would say Nice. I fell in  love with the beaches and adorable side streets.

What was the best sight you saw abroad? I thought Harrod’s department store in London was actually one of the coolest things I saw abroad. Most beautiful though was The Duomo in Florence.

What city surprised you the most? Definitely Paris. I had been there already with my family and not appreciated it at all. I fell in love with it this time.

What city had the best food in general? Florence was incredible food-wise, dessert-wise I’d have to say Nice.

What was your favorite dining experience abroad? The truffle restaurant Terres de Truffes in Nice.

What is your favorite thing about Barcelona? I love how much character the city has, from all the restaurants, like the secret ones Speakeasy and Tintoreria Dontell, bars with themes like Dow Jones or La Champaneria, and sights – aka the variety of Gaudi.

What is your favorite restaurant in Barcelona? Such a tough one. Hofmann was incredible and blew my mind, but the spots I frequent are La Champaneria, Gran Foc, and Tapas 24.

What is your favorite dessert place in Barcelona? I have to agree with Kari and say Crepes Barcelona.