Goodness, it’s dreamy. The most Instagrammable restaurant in London right now (followed closely by the so-hip-it-hurts Chiltern Firehouse) is The Gallery at Sketch. With its pink walls, sumptuous velvet-covered seating and marble floors, it is a lavish contrast to the industrial concrete floor and vintage stools we’re so accustomed to in Auckland. The kicker is the darkly humorous artwork by David Shrigley that lines the walls and adorns the tables, with 239 frames and ceramic tableware featuring the British artist’s distinctive drawings.
Described by its founders Mourad Mazouz and Pierre Gagnaire as a "centre" for food, art and music, Sketch actually encompasses five spaces over two levels, all with equally opulent interiors: The Gallery, open for dinner and afternoon tea, sits next to The Parlour (a patisserie, restaurant and bar), The Glade (designed by artists Carolyn Quartermaine and Didier Mahieu), The East Bar and lounge, and the two Michelin star restaurant, The Lecture Room, upstairs. But the loveliest way to while away a London afternoon? Thinking pink, with a quaint afternoon tea, surrounded by art.
• Sketch, 9 Conduit St, London W1S 2XG. The Gallery is open for dinner 6.30pm-2am Monday-Saturday; 6pm-12am Sunday, and afternoon tea 12.30pm-4.30pm Monday-Sunday.
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