What's On: A Sweet Christmas And A Scrumptious New Year at Sketch
On arrival at the avant-garde Mayfair destination that is Sketch, follow the pointed wings of the magnificent swan which signals “Christmas this way”. Within an instant you'll find yourself immersed in a magical winter wonderland complete with twirling ballerinas, gingerbread houses and candy canes. For more treats of the edible variety, follow the hopscotch grid and head to the Gallery for a festive afternoon tea experience like no other.
This Christmas, Sketch executive pastry chef, Damien Thibault, has flipped the notion of a classic afternoon tea on its head once more. As a result, expect a fancy French twist on traditional recipes and a reimagined afternoon tea in a fairytale setting. As part of its eagerly anticipated Christmas theme, Sketch invited a host of artists, designers and florists to immerse the townhouse into the Christmas of a bygone era. From the Sugar Plum Fairy in Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker to a nod to Clement C Moore's famous poem, A Visit from St Nicholas, the sugary-sweet theme is the stuff of dreams.
“Expect a fancy French twist on traditional recipes and a reimagined afternoon tea in a fairytale setting”
The Sketch Festive Afternoon Tea begins with assorted sandwiches; turkey and brie croque monsieur, and truffled gougère. Petits gâteaux including cranberry Battenberg and gingerbread éclairs are as light as a feather, leaving room for scones topped with Cornish clotted cream and organic strawberry preserve. Other devilishly good delights such as a chocolate and hazelnut yule log, can be ordered from the dessert trolley.
And to drink? Lashings of Vanilla Black from Sri Lanka or the Oolong from Fujian, China, will go down a treat. However, since this is the season to be jolly, why not add a glass of something a little more sparkly to the proceedings? Champagne, or, better still, a drink from the newly created afternoon tea cocktail menu. The Marshmallow, for instance, made with Tanqueray gin, Aperol, cinnamon, blood orange... tastes just like Christmas in a glass.
Sketch Festive Afternoon Tea is £115 per person, Children’s Afternoon Tea is £60 per child and includes a complimentary Pat the Bear teddy; served Monday through Saturday, 11am-4.30pm and Sunday, 11am-5pm, Sketch, 9 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XG