Check out pics from our recent visit to the new Kitchen Joël Antunès at Embassy Mayfair - lovely French food, mwah! Read our review here…

2:01 pm  •  12 January 2012  •  9 notes

The Embassy Club hasn’t exactly developed the most flattering reputation over the years; think C-listers, “models”, iffy door staff and any other big pimping-types “spendin’ cheese” and that pretty much sums it up on a good night. But following a 7-month makeover, the Mayfair locale’s done a 360 and now offers a French restaurant which exudes nothing less than sophistication and class.

With elegant and bright interiors that clearly boasts of a Gallic influence and an award-winning, Michelin-starred chef Joel Atunes at the helm,  Kitchen’s Provençal menu ticks off all the French standards with a twist here or there, so starters like the deliciously decadent chicken parfait comes with a generous serving of baby cornichons, and an equally perfect Pommes Anne is matched with the fluffiest, melting cod and a side of red wine sauce. It was also hard to resist the ‘Le Kit Kat’ for dessert - another quirky addition on offer - which is a extremely decadent caramel, served with tonka bean ice-cream. All this culinary goodness comes at a steepish price, of course (£7-£14 for starters,  £17-£29 for mains,  £7-£10 for desserts, and let’s not get started on the wine list…), but if you’re in the mood to splurge on a remarkable French experience, this looks like the spot. (Words: Matilda Egere-Cooper)

Original Article

11:00 am  •  11 January 2012  •  2 notes

I love a good toilet. Always have. So imagine my delight when I visited Sketch for the first time back in 2005 and spent a penny. I was blown away – they are up there with the best I have ever seen. To reach them, you ascend a clinically white, curved staircase and are greeted by multiple ominous dinosaur egg structures – pods would probably be the best word. Each pod is filled with its very own soundscape – personal favourites being the round of applause and airport lounge announcements (I actually thought I could emerge in another place).

They actually do food here too - and ever since restauranteur Mourad Mazouz opened Sketches doors to the London glitterati 9 years ago, it’s been catering for us vegetarians and meat eaters alike with creative and occasionally palate challenging cuisine. I opted for the Spring starter that consisted of asparagus, fresh peas, and an unusually icey poached egg in the centre – accompanied with a side of sorrel sorbet (bonkers- but good). Next up was Udon and Tofu in a Miso broth, a classy complex dish which sounded a bit dull on paper but the liquer was quite something, hitting perfect notes of citrus and spice.

My fellow diner went for Lobster Bisque and halibut main (cooked to perfection). The dessert consisted of chocolate gateaux and sketch lemon. A little disappointing, particularly since the head chef is Pierre Gagnaire, (and we know the French are usually so good at puds). It’s not cheap, coming in at approximately £120 for two (3 courses and a bottle of wine). But you’re paying for more than the top end brasserie food. The atmosphere and surroundings are relaxed and quite friendly, there’s electronic music pumping in the background and a 360 degree video art installation playing around the dizzy heights of the dining room. There is also hand painted chairs by Julie Verhoeven. And lets not forget, those toilets as well. This is experience dining and the experience, as it happens, is quite good. (Words: Laura Thornley)

Price: £££££

For more information, visit www.sketch.uk.com

10:00 am  •  12 April 2011