If you’re ever taking a wander on Drury Lane you cant help but spot the striking blue sign of ‘Sarastro‘. Upon entering it feels like you are entering a magical sort of forest.
So inconspicuous….
Named after a character from Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’, Sarastro boasts a melee of Cypriot inspired food which is teamed with an Arabian nights interior.
Wow that sounded proper sophisticated! Okay now a bit less formal.
I booked online and went along one Saturday with mother Glencross and Hils (aunt) searching for a unique dining experience. The brother bar/restaurant Papageno (now sadly closed) used to be one of mum’s old haunts when she was a city slicker, so I thought this would be fitting.
We entered to be greeted by a chirpy waiter, the inside was insane! It had balconies and lots of gold and lots of bizzaro (some quite rude!) puppets. So cool.
Like entering Aladdin’s den!
Shame we didn’t get on one of those bad boys!
So we were seated (sadly not on a balcony), and given the menu. There was literally too much to choose from. Luckily the set menu set us straight (no pun intended). So we all chose starters and mains. About 2 seconds later our starters came out. Which wern’t ours 🙂 Bit of a kerfuffle, but they were very nice and apologetic.
The Arabian Nights interior
So our starters came with like a mix of bread and dips, cheese and meat filled pastries (meat ones were lush), sausgaes (really really good), a couple of bean salad and cous cousy things. It was cool to have a choice.
So then the main came, so between us we tried the rosemary lamb and the duck confit. Both pretty damn good. I had duck and it was quite meaty and had a scattering of prunes (which I loooove) and apricots which was quite refreshing.
SO the best bit was to come you think pudding? No the toilets! It had bizzaro Karma Sutra paintings all over it!
An attempt in vain to make going to the loo erotic… 🙂
Ummm don’t ask….
Dry you hands, learn some moves…….
After dinner a sort of jazzy band started to play with an accordion, and had like tambourines and one guy just looked a bit tired but it was hilarious and creating a really good atmosphere!
Verdict?
Food: The sausage and pastries in the starter were really good, but the rest was a little generic. Nice added touches of the apricots and prunes with the main and very good sauce. Duck wasn’t seasoned amazingly. I’m going to use the word ‘nice’, so better than average but didn’t blow me away. 6/10
Price: £27.50 for two courses, so more than I’d usually pay but if your folks are down it alright 🙂 I think you pay for the novelty and atmosphere too, not just the food. 6/10
Atmosphere: Really great vibe, here Sarastro stepped out. Everyone was jolly and upbeat. The band was really liveley and the lighting and interior made you feel like you were in a play. 9/10
Service: The staff were really helpful an approachable, a bit off muddling on the food. Sometimes some were wandering a little preoccupied. I think the communication lacked a little. The band members were hilarious, middle aged chaps. So jolly, brilliant. 7/10
Definitely a show stopper place. Garish and over the top but in a really endearing way. I would dine here regularly as the price is a little bit out of my casual dining zone, but I would definitely take guests here again for an evening of good food and entertainment! Maybe don’t take your little sister or brother to the adult loos (there are child friendly ones!), it could promote some awkward questions…..
I’m not totally sure whats going on here……
After Hours:
We headed into Soho to the Gin Garden at Floridita for some much needed cocktails. Stay tuned for her review!
London Love
xoxox
Gollum Crack Corn 