Sarastro

Sarastro is probably one of the most bizarre eating experiences you are probably ever going to have, apart from a visit to Medieval Times - but then you've got to visit the madness of America to do that. Sarastro is about as strange and as camp an experience as you are going to get in the UK, unless you are invited to one of Elton John's famous masked balls. Why is it so strange then? Well, one step into Sarastro and you are greeted by an ambience reminiscent of an opera house. The walls and ceiling are decked with ornamental flowers, gold and silver drapes and garish paintings. It is so totally over the top you have to slap yourself to bring yourself back to ...  Read the complete review

Back In January, one of my fiancé's colleagues recommended Sarastro to us as a nice restaurant for our anniversary. He said that Sarastro boasted both a romantic atmosphere and a vast selection of delicious seafood on its menu. As we approached the establishment, however, which is located just off Covent Garden in Drury Lane, we started to have our doubts. It looked a little bit too hidden. While the menu looked alright, a peak inside through the glass doors have us the impression that it was a little to "kitsch" for our liking. We walked away without entering and went elsewhere. A couple of weeks ago, however, we were in the mood for some adventure and decided ...  Read the complete review

The first time I visited Sarastro (years ago now) I was blown away by its stunning interior and music, and have been talking about returning ever since (so I can understand the very positive reviews I have been reading). However, on recently making my way back there with my boyfriend, our experience was very different! The scenery is still wonderful, but I wouldn't rave about the food. However the terribly organised service was what really appalled us. The surplus of staff was immediately apparent, and their strange over-attentiveness ruined our evening! We were repeatedly asked the same things again and again by different members of staff. It became ...  Read the complete review

If you find yourself in the London Covent Garden and Theatreland area, and in need of a good meal, you could do far worse than pop down to Sarastro. This Turkish Restaurant is innocuously tucked away on a corner of Drury Lane. Stepping through the door is like stepping into Narnia – the warmth and colour is a wonderful contrast to the cold, grey city… The décor in the restaurant is reminiscent of a sort of Turkish Harem – lots of drapes and cushions, with many statues and pictures from around the times of the crusades – here and there are evidence of other styles such as Gothic or Old English. At one end is a massive treasure ...  Read the complete review