It is absolutely atrocious how long I have taken to write this up... considering I went to Sketch sometime in March 2005! Rest assured I am suitably contrite.But better late than never. So here's what I remember of my lunch at Sketch. The restaurant has quite a reputation - one, for it's ability to bankrupt for dinners - it is opened by the legend Pierre Gagnaire after all; and two, for its Swarovski crystal loos.The good news is though, you can experience it all at the bargain price of 35 quid for lunch. Long live London and prix fixe lunches!

Food is competent and the thought has clearly been put into the decor, ensuring that its patrons know that they are leading the good life - think Dolce and Gabbana opulence = something out of *Wallpaper. In short, utterly enjoyable, especially when you think of how dinner at Pierre Gagnaire in Paris will set you back 190 euros +++ and prix fixe lunch 90 euros... I'd say it's worth visiting once, but only after you've done all my other favourites in London such as Gordon Ramsay (Royal Hospital Road please), The Ivy, The Electric Brasserie, Racine, Tom Aikens, Hakkasan etc.

Based on just lunch, this is one more for those living in London rather than visitors (time is way too precious). Of course, I haven't had the degustation menu (which is obviously only the real fair way of testing out a restaurant since it give the chef a chance to really impress) so I guess I'll be back when I'm next in London to pass more critical judgment on the food. And of course there's my hazy memory from time elapsed.

Desserts here are fancy (see picture above) but if u decide you can't have lunch, there's always the Parlour downstairs with all those desserts. Have to say it's a bit hit and miss though, the prettiest things were often marred by a hand too free with the sugar or by simply focusing too much on looks rather than taste (e.g. the macarons were too hard). So I suggest sticking with the safe conventional stuff like eclairs and the praline stuff...

Location is a plus too - the perfect chi-chi place to relax and gossip after hard shopping on Bond Street and to be pampered by the very friendly and attentive crew.

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Sketch: Lecture Room and Library

9 Conduit Street, LondonW1S 2XG

+44 (0)870 777 4488

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¶ 11:10 AM