sketch: Afternoon tea in the newly-transformed Gallery by David Shrigley

sketch has the most fabulous interior – I’ve always loved it, and everyone I take there is most impressed.  It’s like several venues all under one roof – these are the three zones that have all received the Have You Heard Of It? seal of approval so far 🙂 :
The Glade for drinks, cakes and nibbles.


The Parlour for comfort food and cocktails.

…and the Lecture Room for the finest Michelin-starred dining.


Each area is totally different in its interior design, so I tend to pick my location based on whatever mood I’m in that day!
On Saturday, I arrived with Lizzie and Olivia knowing exactly what I wanted:  Afternoon tea.  I’d made a reservation but we were given a choice between the Glade and the Gallery.  Again, I knew exactly what I wanted.  The Gallery has just reopened after a full transformation at the hands of Turner prize nominated and Fourth Plinth commissioned artist David Shrigley, and I knew that that is where I wanted to eat my tea and cake 🙂

As soon as you step into the Gallery, you will be hit full force by the pink-ness of it!  239 of Shrigley’s weird and wonderful artworks line the pink walls, making this is the largest presentation of his original drawings to date, and providing many talking points with their satirical references to life, death and beyond.


The tableware is emblazoned with messages conveying Shrigley’s signature humour too.  In reference to the ceramics, Shrigley said, “It will be the first artwork that I have made that can go in the dishwasher. It will be very clean artwork.  Clean artwork is good artwork, in my opinion.”


The monochromatic transformation and custom-made plush furniture was master-minded by India Mahdavi, and creates a playful contrast with the witty black and white works of art.


Even the staff’s uniforms have been carefully considered.  Designed by fashion designer Richard Nicoll, they are pale grey and boiler suit-esque in appearance.


But onto the food.  We ordered full sketch afternoon teas – £34 per person, to include an assortment of finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries, and a choice of tea.


The scones were large and served warm with clotted cream and fig jam – seriously tasty.

I ate more than my fair share of smoked salmon & Jacob’s cream sandwiches, and we marvelled at the presentation of the egg mayonnaise sandwiches, which were served with a fried quail’s egg and dollop of caviar on the top.

Of the sweets, the old fashioned pistachio macaroons and sketch opera were the stand-out items for me.

All washed down with a pot of lemon verbena tea, I was quite the satisfied customer.

After all that tea, you’ll definitely need to take a trip to the bathrooms.  In fact, take a trip to the bathroom regardless of your bladder status – I promise you it’s worth it.


sketch
9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, W1S 2XG
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