The Restaurant at Sotheby’s
FAR BE IT FROM ME to influence your cultural pursuits as authoritatively as I’m attempting to influence your choice of barbers and tailors. Museums and galleries are beyond my remit. That said, the major auction houses are integral to the idea of good living in London. They function as curated carousels for art objects of the highest calibre, with eye-watering estimates to match. What’s more, everybody is free to drop by to peruse the disparate treasures before they hit the block. Catch them while you can. It may be your only opportunity to see them up close.
There’s an old joke that the experts at Christie’s are gentlemen pretending to be auctioneers, whereas the experts at Sotheby’s are auctioneers pretending to be gentlemen. While that stereotype is now passé, it must be admitted that Sotheby’s displayed considerable acumen when it opened a chic little restaurant adjacent to its main reception area on New Bond Street. Between 10 AM and 4.30 PM, Monday to Friday, it’s a great spot from which to watch the art world high rollers pass by. For a ‘pavement-style’ experience – in other words, to see and be seen yourself – bag one of the tables out front. To preserve a degree of discretion, make for one of the turquoise banquettes at the rear. Light but elegant, the lunch menu changes weekly and with the seasons. While not extensive, the accompanying wine list is invariably excellent.
See also: Cecconi’s, Elystan Street, Lpm
