When King Writes

I was on the hunt for a memorable fine dining spot for a London date night, although my criteria were pretty vague. “Unique” was about as specific as it got. Fortunately, someone threw out Sketch London, so after a quick Google search and the usual detective work, I was intrigued.

Fast forward to snagging an available table—miracle of miracles—there I was, stepping into one of the most enchanting yet delightfully quirky restaurants I’ve visited. 

Did I absolutely love every bite and moment in this three-star Michelin restaurant? Not really. BUT I’m writing this anyway for all those curious what all the hype is about. I’ll share the highs, the lows, and hopefully some useful tips along the way. 🙂

Ambiance and Decor

As we pushed open Sketch’s double doors, we found ourselves standing in a carpeted hallway, greeted by a curious-looking concierge desk tucked away in a corner. Ahead was a staircase so inviting, it kept drawing me in and tempting me to explore further.

The wait for the staff to seat us could not be fast enough. Even if we were actually 20 minutes early and probably waited less than 5 minutes. Haha.

After that very brief test of patience, we finally ascended the short flight of stairs and turned into what I think is the most enchanting space in Sketch—the Glade. Officially described as “an artwork in decoupage; a landscape forest inspired by a 1900’s greeting card,” I’m not even gonna try coming up with something better. That’s exactly what it felt like walking in. It was cozy, whimsical, and dreamy all at once.

Of the rooms available in Sketch, the Glade caught my attention because it had just a handful of tables, creating that perfect intimate atmosphere ideal for quiet conversations and romantic dinner dates.

If you book through the Glade’s official website, you’ll see the other rooms:

• Lecture Room & Library: A sophisticated spot with live music. Not the usual drum-piano-singer trio, but a group of women gracefully playing strings like a mini-orchestra. Pure magic.
• Gallery: Famous for its plush pink interiors and quirky artwork. Unapologetically photogenic, Instagram practically built this room’s reputation.
• Parlour: Comfy yet stylish lounge vibes. A great spot for cocktails, tea, or just pretending you’re a fashionable Londoner relaxing after work.
• East Bar and Pods: Home to the legendary egg-shaped restroom pods. It’s probably the only WC you’ll ever rave about to your friends. I’ll discuss this more later!

The Menu & Dishes

A Michelin three-star restaurant is basically the culinary equivalent of winning an Oscar—only fewer acceptance speeches and a lot more foie gras.

The food is supposed to be life-changingly delicious, the kind of experience worth booking flights and hotels around. However, food is wildly subjective. No matter how many stars a place has earned, it’s not always going to be chef’s kiss for every guest.

I’m sure many of you will nod along with me here. Michelin stars guarantee higher bills, sure. But they don’t always promise an unforgettable experience.

Anyway, for the food and drinks we ordered at Sketch, please forgive me. I’m terrible at remembering people’s names, let alone menu items. So, instead of fancy descriptions, here are some mouthwatering visuals:

Overall, we appreciated the artful presentation, edible creativity, and whimsical desserts and cocktails. There wasn’t exactly a jaw-dropping wow factor for us, but as I’ve said, taste buds vary—so definitely don’t just take my word for it. I may just be an Asian who likes her food bold and punchy! (Translation: I need seasoning, and lots of it!)

You have the option of ordering à la carte or going with the set course menu, whichever suits your dining mood. Don’t expect pages and pages of dishes, though. Sketch keeps the menu carefully curated and intentionally limited, as you’d anticipate from a place that prides itself on perfecting a select few culinary masterpieces.

The Iconic Egg Restrooms

If this is the part of the blog you’ve been waiting for, I get it. Sketch’s iconic egg-shaped WCs are definitely a must-see attraction, so no judgment if they’re the real reason you clicked on this post. I wouldn’t blame you at all, haha!

These futuristic, egg-shaped “pods” in the unisex/inclusive restroom look straight out of an alien movie or a contemporary art exhibit. They’re quirky, charmingly bizarre, and Instagram-worthy. If I had to imagine what aliens’ loos look like, this would probably be it.

The photo below doesn’t do justice to how exceptionally designed this restroom is. You really need to see it in person. My partner confessed that when he first stepped inside, he completely forgot he was in a restroom. It’s easy to feel like you’ve stumbled into an art gallery instead. 🤣

It did feel slightly unusual to wash my hands beside a random guy, but it wasn’t a big deal—just something unexpected and mildly amusing.

To reach these famous pods, you’ll pass through the Lecture Room & Library, giving you the perfect excuse to linger and enjoy the live band.

The music was absolutely divine the day we visited—a dreamy mini-orchestra of women expertly playing strings. It’s worth hanging around a bit just to soak in that magical atmosphere.

Final Thoughts

If I ever find myself at Sketch again, I’ll definitely venture into the other rooms. They each offer their own distinct vibe and menu, which makes returning worthwhile. I’ve heard fantastic things about the Lecture Room & Library, so that’s probably next on my list. 

Of course, I’ll be taking more selfies in the alien restroom pods. Some experiences are just too iconic not to repeat!