Afternoon Tea at Sketch London, One of the Most Iconic Restaurants in England

Feb 2

I walked into Sketch London and it looked and felt like a restaurant that would be in heaven, that is if god was real, and also a set designer. Every inch was covered in pink and the warm glow elevated my mood. Although I didn’t have a reservation at this massively popular restaurant, I had learned through my experiences of solo dining, that a party-of-one is almost never turned away.

The hostess was lively as she showed me to my table. I took a seat in the plush pink-colored booth and began to absorb my surroundings. The environment was a glamorous spectacle that reminded me of 70’s Italian cinema, á la Passolini. I felt as if I was the star of the perfect misè-en-scene. Nothing could disturb this cinematic moment.

My purpose that day was to experience English afternoon tea, Sketch’s specialty, and for the next couple of hours, I reveled in every intricate fabric of this divine pink wonderland. With each delicate tea cup, saucer, and clotted cream bowl that was elegantly placed before me, my inner giddy escalated to epic proportions. And when the tower of exquisite petits gâteaus, crustless assorted sandwiches, and bulbous scones arrived, I quite possibly had an out-of-body experience.

This meal was a celebration of myself and feeling incredibly inspired, I ordered some proper Champagne. Delavenne Père et Fils, s'il vous plait! I had much to toast to! I was in London on my own, paid for by money I earned photographing food, and when I was finished with lunch, I’d head back to my sponsored hotel room at the Sofitel St. James, equipped with its own doorbell.